Before Alabama kicks off homecoming against Mississippi State, the media continues its thoughts from the Tennessee game.
Roman Harper, a former Crimson Tide safety, is an analyst for SEC Network. He was high on Tennessee during the offseason, and the Volunteers defeated his Alma mater at Neyland Stadium last week. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young gave a valiant effort coming off an injury, but Harper was honest in his assessment of the Tide during Friday’s segment on the Paul Finebaum Show.
We’ve heard callers all week long blame the refs for Alabama’s loss to Tennessee… @Harp41 is having none of it: pic.twitter.com/X1hRiJsq1W
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) October 21, 2022
“Let’s just get it all out there,” Harper said. “You are used to me saying things that raise eyebrows. Alabama’s defense looked godawful from coaching, players, and execution. Give Tennessee credit for winning the game. Great job Neyland Stadium, great job fans, great job Coach Heupel and those guys being in the moment and doing what it takes to win. Alabama had a lot to do with that, and it starts at the top. Will Anderson cannot play a game and have zeros next to his name in the stat line. It cannot happen because he is too dominant. Tennessee did a good job of doing things away from him, but that does not matter. You are called the Terminator for a reason. You can’t walk away from a game with zero bodies, that’s what you do. The defensive secondary had bad eyes and bad technique. I don’t know if they were coached to backpedal, but they didn’t do it. For you to allow one player after the third touchdown, I would say ‘okay guys let’s at least not let this guy score. Make them do something else.’ Tennessee knew they did not have to do that. They did the same formations, same motions, and beat Alabama with the same play.”
Harper said the Tide did not make adjustments, and Alabama fans said the same thing. After challenging Will Anderson and stating the truth about the defensive performance, Harper has given Coach Nick Saban what he needs to have this team run the table for the remainder of its schedule. It will be interesting to see how the Tide handles the Bulldogs on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
