Alabama is looking to put the loss from LSU behind it.
Per its head coach, Nick Saban, the team has responded better this week in practice and it understands what it must do to get back in the College Football Playoff conversation.
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The Crimson Tide has to convincingly defeat Mississippi State, Western Carolina and Auburn and hope that Georgia stumbles down the line. Having the Pac-12 implode and a couple of Big Ten schools lose as well could not hurt. All in all, the important matter is for the Tide to bounce back and find a sense of urgency.
Despite falling to the Tigers, it responded in the second half and Tua Tagovailoa led the charge at quarterback. The junior threw for 418 yards with four touchdowns just 20 days after having tightrope surgery to repair his right ankle. He was given Monday off (soreness) and did not do much on Tuesday and Wednesday, so he’s a ‘game-time decision.’ While the team doesn’t want him getting rusty, it also doesn’t want his ankle to have a setback. On Thursday, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine was on In My Own Words discussing if Alabama should rest Tagovailoa for the next two weeks.
Tide fans, do you want him to rest or play this week?
Check out the video below.
Getting big production from the defensive line has always been a part of the “Bama factor.”
Alabama has not gotten the consistency from Raekwon Davis, but Christian Barmore is becoming its best option. He leads the group in tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (1.5); however, the coaching staff has not turned him loose. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., he wants to be on the field more than anyone else and it’s time to see what he can do with more opportunities.
Do you want to see more from the freshman in Barmore? A lot of fans do.
Check out the video below for my thoughts on the four-star.
In this segment of “Ask Stephen,” I take on questions involving linebacker play, adjustments needed on defense and can Alabama still be dominant on both sides of the ball. As always, feel free to drop me a line at (205) 259-6847 to have your questions or thoughts answered.
Listed below is the latest from the segment.
Alabama battles Mississippi State on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
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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.
