Alabama is lacking one thing this season, and it is something that has seemingly not been a glaring issue in the past.
Alabama has always prided itself on being a team that plays with pride and a team that takes care of business in critical moments. Meaning, when the season is on the line, Alabama has stepped up to the plate and taken control of their destiny. Over the weekend, Alabama showed no signs of controlling their own destiny.
The Crimson Tide were dominated for four quarters en route to a 24-3 upset loss at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners. After a loss like that, fans have begun to question the leadership among the players, the coaching staff, and the overall state of the football program. What is going on in the locker room, on the practice field, or in the film room that has led to such a disappointing season in Tuscaloosa?
Well, Alabama seems to be lacking an identity first and foremost. Take a look back at last season. When Alabama suffered its first loss of the season to Texas, the leadership group came together and adopted the slogan ‘LANK’ — let a naysayer know. This year’s team has not adopted any saying or given any reason to believe this team is capable of achieving something special. The last time that Alabama lost to two unranked teams in the same season was in 2007. That was Nick Saban’s first year as Alabama’s head coach. This year’s team could potentially suffer three or four losses to unranked opponents.
Alabama fans have become agitated and disgruntled and rightfully so. This team seems to lack passion, drive, and intensity. There seems to be a feeling of whatever happens, happens. Moving forward, someone will have to take charge and help the team and coaching staff re-harness the greatness that Alabama fans have been accustomed to over the last 16 years. It all starts in the locker room. Whether it be a player, a group of them, or coaches, something has to be done. If not, the future of the football program lies in a wave of uncertainty.
There needs to be changes made this offseason. Alabama has always been the ‘standard’. That has been the team’s identity for years and years. This season, they have been as far from that as possible. Something has got to give, or Alabama will lose its identity for good.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
