Alabama football is 3-0 under Kalen DeBoer after a 42-10 victory last week over Wisconsin.
The Crimson Tide now enters a much needed bye week to get players healthy before facing Georgia on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. After having issues versus South Florida, the Tide cleaned fixed several things against the Badgers. Alabama performed much better on the offensive line and forced two takeaways.
RELATED: Why Kalen DeBoer feels it was easier to call plays against Wisconsin
Some marquee aspects to take from the Tide’s win are below.
1. Alabama OL has continuity to work with
Alabama has its starting offensive line moving forward after the Wisconsin game.
The group of Kadyn Proctor, Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts, and Elijah Pritchett looked impressive.
Alabama had four penalties as a team, but only two came from the offensive front.
Chris Kapilovic saw his group propel a successful rushing attack. Jalen Milroe and Jam Miller provided rushing scores for Alabama. The line provided Milroe with adequate time to throw, assisting him to 196 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Alabama wore Wisconsin’s defensive front down, and the front line played with confidence.
2. Jalen Milroe is getting better with his progressions
He is building toward playing his best game, but Jalen Milroe is growing as a passer.
The native Texas was smooth with his progressions, completing 12 of 17 (71. percent) passes.
He connected with three different receivers for long touchdowns as Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Josh Cuevas were the beneficiaries. Milroe totaled five scores, displaying complete dominance within the offense. He showed accuracy and touch on his scoring tosses to Williams (31 yards) and Bernard (26 yards), while hitting Cuevas on a 37-yard bomb for a touchdown.
Milroe has 14 total touchdowns to no interceptions through three games.
3. Jam Miller is an all-around running back
Justice Haynes is talented, but Jam Miller got the love from 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram.
Miller led all running backs with 71 yards rushing and a touchdown on nine carries.
Wisconsin could not stop him from recording chunk yards as he averaged 7.9 yards per attempt. He exploded for a 34-yard rushing score, but what was more impressive was his blocking in the red zone for Milroe. Miller got the key block on the edge for Milroe’s 10-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. He is Alabama’s leading rusher with 265 yards and three touchdowns.
4. More receiving options are stepping up
Alabama had more receiving options to emerge against Wisconsin.
Ryan Williams had a big day for the third straight week. He had four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Germie Bernard finished with three receptions for 55 yards and a score. Caleb Odom and Rico Scott, both freshmen, each had two catches.
Josh Cuevas had one reception, but it went for a 37-yard touchdown.
Emmanuel Henderson caught a pass for 10 yards. Alabama fans would like to see more from Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law; however, it has to be pleased to see more receiving targets being worked into the offense each week.
5. Defense continues to grow under Kane Wommack
Kane Wommack is not happy with Wisconsin scoring a touchdown, but Alabama held it to 10 points.
The Crimson Tide knocked Tyler Van Dyke out the game in the first quarter. Alabama forced two takeaways, kept the Badgers off the scoreboard for two quarters, created two sacks, seven pass breakups, and four forced fumbles. Jihaad Campbell led the defense in tackles (eight), but LT Overton, Malachi Moore, Keon Sabb, DeVonta Smith, and Que Robinson all made plays.
The Tide has allowed 8.7 points per contest in three games.
6. James Burnip is on pace for an All-American season
James Burnip has been incredible so far this season.
He has forced opponents to drive the ball the length of the field against Alabama’s defense.
Burnip averaged 53 yards per punt versus Wisconsin on four attempts, including a long boot of 64 yards. Two of his punts traveled 50-plus yards, while three dropped inside the Badgers’ 20-yard line. Wisconsin did not return a punt as Burnip allowed the Tide’s defense to be aggressive. Seven of Burnip’s 14 punts have traveled 50-plus yards this season, while five have pinned opponents inside its 20-yard line. He has flipped the field well and is on pace for an All-American season as a specialist.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
