This year’s Alabama football team is different from previous teams in a plethora of ways.
Today, we will take a look at five of the biggest problems with the current Alabama football team.
1) Inconsistency persists on both sides of the ball
One of the biggest issues that I have noticed this season is the amount of inconsistency on both sides of the ball. In the past, there was one side of the ball that seemingly struggled more than the other side of the ball or more regularly. This year seems to be different. There were no glaring inconsistencies in the first three weeks of the season. However, the past four weeks have been plagued with inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. Alabama’s defense labored the entire game against Vanderbilt, because they could not come up with timely stops. As a result, Alabama lost. Alabama’s offense could not capitalize off of Tennessee’s turnovers which ultimately cost the Crimson Tide and led to the team’s second loss of the season. Altogether, inconsistency is a glaring problem that must be fixed moving forward.
2) Coaching adjustments are few and far between
Alabama’s coaching staff has made minimal adjustments in Alabama’s losses this season. At halftime of the Vanderbilt game, Alabama trailed 23-14. Coming out of halftime, fans expected to see a different defense. One that was eager to prove that the first half was a fluke. That simply was not the case. Part of that could stem from the defensive coaching staff’s inability to make the necessary adjustments to put the players in the best position to succeed. The Commodores were running the football effectively in the first half and continued to do the same in the second half. There was no response from the Alabama defense in the second half.
When it comes to the Tennessee game, Alabama’s offensive coaching staff failed to make the necessary adjustments at halftime. In the first half, Tennessee turned the ball over three times. Alabama’s offense scored zero points off of forced turnovers. The lead should have been substantial enough going into halftime that a decent performance in the second half would have been enough to come away with a victory. That was not the case. Alabama’s offense managed to muster just 17 points. A season low for the Crimson Tide.
That is what leads me to say that coaching adjustments are few and far between. Well, it seems to be that way up to this point in the season.
3) Lack of discipline is a concern
In Alabama’s two losses, veteran players Kendrick Law and Malachi Moore were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Moore had an outburst following a drive that secured Vanderbilt an upset victory over the Crimson Tide. Law was punched by a Tennessee defensive back and shoved him in response. Law was flagged and the Tennessee defensive back was let off scotch-free. While Law did not initiate the incident, he should have walked away and went back to the huddle. Instead, he picked up a costly 15-yard penalty that made a 4th and 7 turn into a 4th and 23.
Some would question whether Law and Moore would have committed both penalties if Nick Saban were still the coach. I feel like that is a fair question. However, it should not boil down to that. Regardless of who the coach is, both players should know better than to lack discipline. They are experienced players that are supposed to be leaders. That does not set a good example for their teammates and sets a bad precedent for more penalties like those to occur in the future.
4) Lack of execution is reoccurring
Some might question what I mean by this. Simply put, Alabama has failed to execute on multiple occasions this season. The issue seems to be dwelling on the football field for the Crimson Tide. As former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, this team seems to lack situational awareness. When the game is on the line, the stars are meant to shine the brightest. That has not been the case this season, particularly in the past three weeks.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe had several errant throws in Saturday’s loss to Tennessee. His decision-making has also been questionable in recent weeks as well. His ability to make plays using his legs seems to be missing. As far as the defense is concerned, missed tackles and inability to get stops have been persistent this season. As a team, Alabama seems to be unable to execute the gameplan in critical moments.
5) Offense runs through two players
Alabama’s offense has had success at times this season. Most of the success has stemmed from the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe and wide receiver Ryan Williams. When both of them have played well, Alabama has scored in bunches and seems to be virtually unstoppable at times. When both have struggled, Alabama’s offense seems to have no answer. It seems to me like the gameplan centers around Milroe and Williams which is a big issue if that is indeed the case.
There are plenty of playmakers on Alabama’s offense. Several that come to mind are Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, Germie Bernard, CJ Dippre, and Kendrick Law. Some have performed better than others. However, none of the players mentioned have seen enough opportunities for fans to truly know what each of them bring to Alabama’s offense. If Alabama continues to run its offense through two players, the season could be over as soon as this weekend against Missouri. This is a problem that needs to addressed and fixed before it is too late.
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