Is Alabama football back to playing “Joyless Murderball?”
The University of Alabama started its message to the College Football Playoff Committee last week that it belongs in the 12-team dance. Kalen DeBoer saw his group bring a level of physicality that he has not seen until the Missouri game. Alabama pitched a 34-0 victory on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, marking its second shutout of the DeBoer era. The Crimson Tide also gained its first shutout over a Southeastern Conference opponent since its 41-0 victory over Mississippi State in 2020.
RELATED: Brayson Hubbard details what led to his stand-out performance against Missouri
What did we learn about this Alabama team that showed it can bounce back after a loss to Tennessee?
The answers are below.
1. Alabama’s team captains have arrived as leaders
Tyler Booker and Malachi Moore pushed Alabama all week in practice before the Missouri game.
Booker brought a fire in him to hold everyone accountable on offense and Moore did it on defense. Both guys were seen celebrating with teammates after making huge plays versus the Tigers. Moore was pumped when Jah-Marien Latham, a veteran defensive lineman, made a tackle. He celebrated with him and Bray Hubbard after the sophomore got an interception.
RELATED: Kalen DeBoer updates health of Alabama WR Cole Adams
Booker made sure Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, and Jalen Milroe reached the end zone on their rushing touchdowns. The focus, attention to detail, and intensity was there from the leaders. Alabama has to continue this moving forward to make the playoff, but it was great seeing it on display last week. Booker said with reporters some of the message he gave to his teammates.
“I was really just pushing guys,” he said after the win over Missouri.
“I can’t say what I said during the week because I would not be able to talk to you anymore. I was really just pushing guys and holding guys accountable. I was making sure people matched my intensity. The things that makes me such a good football player is the energy I bring to the game. If my teammates continue to match me, then we will have a great offensive line.”
Jihaad Campbell, a junior linebacker, said Booker is ‘one of one.’
“I went to IMG Academy with him,” Campbell said about Booker.
“Ever since then, he has been so eager to win. He just attacks his day and understands his purpose.”
Campbell also mentioned Moore is ‘vocal leader’ on defense.
“I am playing with Malachi every day,” he said. “Malachi is always saying ‘make sure we communicate’ or ‘make sure we are getting to the ball.’ He is echoing that out so we all can understand.”
Moore said the biggest reason for Alabama’s success over Missouri was everyone ‘doing their job.’
“I think that is the biggest thing we take away from this year,” Moore said.
“When we go back and look at the film of times where we did not execute or we gave up big plays, it was someone not doing their job. I have to go back and watch the film, but I guess everyone was out here doing their job.”
Alabama is back focused on the little things, and the leadership has stepped up.
2. Nick Sheridan trusted the run game and it paid off
Booker stated to reporters that the offensive line has to make the coaches trust the run game.
Alabama’s front accomplished the mission to Nick Sheridan. The Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator committed to the rushing attack and it allowed for the Tide to wear Missouri down. Alabama averaged 7.3 yards per carry, totaling 271 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 37 attempts. Jam Miller rushed for two scores, while Justice Haynes led the team with 79 yards rushing on eight carries. Haynes, a sophomore, lowered the boom on a Tigers’ defender — driving him into the ground on his 35-yard touchdown run. DeBoer called it a ‘thunderous run’ in his postgame presser as he heard the punishment Haynes dealt.
Richard Young, a redshirt freshman, had a 62-yard run late in the fourth quarter. He finished with three carries for 63 yards. Alabama imposed its will in the second half with the ground game and it showed Tide fans that is still has to ability to finish off opponents that way. Hopefully, Sheridan will take this moment and continue to remain discipline to the run when it is working.
3. Germie Bernard has built trust with Jalen Milroe as the No. 2 WR
Germie Bernard has shown in three straight weeks he is someone Jalen Milroe can trust and needs to trust more.
Bernard, a transfer from Washington, was Alabama’s leading receiver against Missouri with 82 yards on five catches.
He had four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Tide’s narrow, 27-25 victory over South Carolina, while posting 72 receiving yards on five catches against Tennessee. Bernard has stepped up in critical moments to catch the football.
Milroe has to stop being overly reliant on Ryan Williams and Bernard’s emergence helps with that.
It is time for Milroe to start looking more to Bernard.
4. Alabama’s defense is finding a swagger under Kane Wommack
Alabama has forced 10 takeaways on defense in three games via interceptions or fumble recoveries.
It has generated 12 takeaways if one adds stopping South Carolina and Missouri on a fourth down attempt.
The Crimson Tide intercepted Drew Pyne three times in its victory over the Tigers. Malachi Moore, Bray Hubbard, and Qua Russaw each recorded a pick. Alabama’s defense played well enough to beat Tennessee, but its offense did not help it.
Kane Wommack had his group highly prepared and it swarmed all over Missouri.
The Tide is starting to find a swagger on defense and it’s coming at the right time.
5. Graham Nicholson is starting to grow in confidence
Graham Nicholson made two field goals for Alabama last week.
He stepped up on a 47-yard attempt and a 39-yard attempt in the first quarter.
Crimson Tide fans have been worried about the ability to trust him as it did Will Reichard, but the Missouri game was a positive moment. Nicholson, the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner, transferred to Alabama from the University of Miami at Ohio.
He has made four of six field goals and all 37 extra points attempt. Nicholson has to continue to kick with confidence because there may come a situation where Alabama will truly need him to come through.
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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.
