Alabama football honored Nick Saban with the Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium ceremony and it leads South Florida at halftime.
The Crimson Tide has a 14-6 lead, but there are several aspects it needs to clean up in the second half.
RELATED: Alabama pregame notes for USF: Crimson Tide versatile OL gets start at left tackle
Here are the significant takeaways from the first half.
1. Jalen Milroe needs to tighten up
He attempted only nine passes last week, but Jalen Milroe made a lot of big plays versus Western Kentucky.
Milroe struggled in the first half against South Florida on short to intermediate routes. He missed on a few plays, regardless of hitting Germie Bernard on some passes. The native Texan has to find a rhythm in the second half for Alabama to win.
Milroe completed 10 of 16 passes for 103 yards in the first half.
2. Penalties remain an issue for Alabama
Penalties are still an issue for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama had several penalties with most coming on the offensive line. Tyler Booker, Geno VanDeMark, and Wilkin Formby each had at least one penalty, including VanDeMark with three. Alabama has to be more disciplined in the second half.
Mental mistakes robbed the Tide of explosive plays. Alabama had eight penalties for a loss of 60 yards.
3. Alabama’s defense has to control USF’s tempo
Byrum Brown had a lot of success running the ball for South Florida.
Alabama sacked him once, but it has been Brown having success. He has 88 yards rushing on 7.3 yards per carry. Wide receivers have also been running open for the Bulls against the Crimson Tide’s secondary. If Brown hits one of these guys, it could have been a huge play.
Alabama has to improve on stopping this temp.
4. James Burnip & Germie Bernard, the lone bright spots
James Burnip had three 50-yard punts in the first half.
He continues to excel in flipping the field for Alabama. Germie Bernard led all receivers with four catches for 53 yards.
5. Alabama’s OL needs to get run game going
Jalen Milroe had two rushing touchdowns, but Alabama’s OL got no push in the run game.
The Tide tried to establish something late in the first half, but this line has to pick it up.
Alabama had just 34 yards rushing on 20 carries in the first half.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
