Alabama football has taken strides since a week two loss to Texas, but there is an area that continues to prevent the Crimson Tide’s offense from a fast start.
The center-to-quarterback exchange on snaps has been an issue. Seth McLaughlin, a veteran offensive lineman, has struggled to get the ball to Jalen Milroe hands consistently. Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, made plays on bad snaps, but it has also led to unnecessary sacks, turnovers, and negative plays for Alabama’s offense. The Tide travels to Kyle Field on Saturday to face a boisterous crowd and a Texas A&M team to gain control of the SEC West. Crowd noise will be a factor as the 12th Man looks to offset Milroe, Tommy Rees, and Alabama’s timing on offense. Jimbo Fisher and DJ Durkin, the Aggies’ defensive coordinator, want the Tide behind the chains on offense. A fast start for Alabama could equal it controlling the game from the kickoff.
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Nick Saban knows how important limiting bad plays are. He spoke to reporters Wednesday about how the Tide’s offense expects to clean up its snapping issues, despite the noise it will encounter in College Station, Texas.
Saban said Thursday’s practice will be for the team to work on dealing with noise.
“I know the centers and quarterbacks have worked extra on that,” he said. “Tomorrow will be the day we must go through the whole practice to deal with noise. That is how you will see how it impacts the players. We have had some issues with the snap count, so hopefully, that’s not going to be a problem, and we can get that resolved.”
McLaughlin, Darrian Dalcourt, and Terrence Ferguson can all snap the ball.
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Communication is imperative for Saturday as the winner of the matchup could run the table to the Southeastern Conference Championship and get into the College Football Playoff. Alabama has to execute consistently good snaps for Milroe to have success keeping his eyes downfield in the passing game. The Tide’s offensive line needs to have its best outing of the season.
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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.
