Alabama is putting together a College Football Playoff run in some mysterious way. Roll that around in your head this great early November football season. Here, timing is crucial because it was nearly two months ago that the comment would have been laughed at.
Texas took on Alabama during the second week of September, exposing the Crimson Tide, especially quarterback Jalen Milroe. Because, well, it was horrible, the offensive line was well on its way to being a lousy punchline.
The defensive backfield that Nick Saban cherished was backpedaling a lot.
Even though there is still some of that—possibly a lot of it at times—the Alabama of September is remaking itself in November, three weeks before the regular season ends.
Though not spectacular, the Tide’s victory over No. 14 LSU on Saturday night was convincing, winning 42–28.
Rather than being a speed bump that the Tide had to get over, a revived Milroe turned into a weapon like nothing he had ever been. The defense, which started the game ranked third in the SEC, was always present, but it wasn’t particularly noteworthy in comparison to earlier defenses.
In a season without many stars, Nick Saban’s work as Alabama’s coach might be at its finest right now. The Tide have a better chance of winning a title now than they did at this time in 2022, a year after an All-American, Will Anderson Jr., patrolled the edge and previous Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young, was the quarterback.
“The credit goes to the coaching staff and players,” stated Saban.
All those responsible for turning this aircraft carrier around deserve praise. All we want is additional information about it. During the regular season, Saban does not permit his assistants to speak with the media.
However, we’d be curious to see what impact Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator, has had on his quarterback. Together, they are still developing. Rees is just thirty-one. Milroe continues to learn. It soon became clear that there would be no simple quarterback succession, making this one of Saban’s most difficult seasons.
We would be delighted to speak with defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, a 65-year-old warhorse who has more SEC war stories committed to memory than his contemporaries.
Nearly to the day a year ago, LSU defeated Alabama in overtime in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ending Alabama’s chances of making the playoffs. It would be Saban’s first season at Alabama without making the playoffs three years in a row, but nobody is considering that right now.
Alabama has a course. Few people believe that the Tide will lose to Chattanooga, Auburn, or Kentucky in the last stretch, which would mean they would likely be 11-1 going into the SEC Championship Game.
Finally, Alabama has a quarterback. Milroe rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns, setting a school record for a quarterback. Collectively, the Tide ran for six touchdowns on the ground. Discovered is a clutch gene. Though LSU’s Jayden Daniels was allowed to run wild at times and the defense gave up 28 points, LSU was held scoreless on its final four possessions.
“This is probably nearly to a complete game [as we’ve had],” Saban claimed. “… We had to play a game like that.”
Even two months ago, Texas wasn’t the worst of it. The week following Texas, Alabama’s two backup quarterbacks struggled to a 17-3 victory over South Florida, so Milroe was not on the field. He has been decent enough since then, maybe making the most strides in a thrilling victory over Tennessee two weeks ago.
This now. One debate revolves around how Saban permitted the quarterback room to become so thin. It’s another to find out what steps the coaching staff has taken to turn Milroe into a strength.
“It’s obvious the guy is a lot more comfortable as a passer, targeting the right guy,” Saban stated. “We want to do our part to support him as he develops and grows. He used to become upset when he made a poor throw in the beginning of the season. He’s currently studying to perform the next play. The play that makes the difference in the game can be the one that comes next.”
After the game on Saturday night, Milroe held himself up with pride.
“Early in the season, Coach Saban suggested picking a point guard with the football,” Milroe recalled. “Whether it is passing, taking the ball off or running having the ball in my hands — just doing whatever possible to advance the ball.”
When Milroe tackled Tigers rookie defensive back Javien Toviano in the second quarter, he sent a message to LSU, the crowd, and his teammates.
Center Seth McLaughlin stated, “He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder.” He has no problem making folks miss. It means the world to us when we witness a quarterback willing to risk his life for his team. It’s entertaining to watch, but I’d rather he juggle someone out.”
Though there is still much work to be done, take into account how the Tide finished 8-1 and unbeaten in the SEC West in the first week of November. With misdirected passes and well-planned runs, Milroe had the play of his life. With skill, he made short passes that resulted in long gains.
Perhaps the best game of an offensive line that had tied for the nation’s fifth-highest sack total was played. For a quarterback who occasionally still struggles to make his initial read and coughs up too many passes, Milroe wasn’t too terrible.
That Saturday night, there were no turnovers. Rather, Alabama made a 180-degree turn.
Dallas Turner, a linebacker for Alabama, may have made the game’s two most significant plays in terms of defense. The first was evident; he tipped a Daniels pass at the LSU 25-yard line, which led to an interception by Terrion Arnold. In the fourth quarter, Bama had a two-score lead thanks to the subsequent touchdown.
That still didn’t seem like enough with thirteen minutes remaining. The teams had combined to score 400 yards and five touchdowns on 40 plays in a row earlier in the game. Daniels may have been the best player on the field up until that time. After that Alabama touchdown, he released the ball from his own 25 but on first down. Daniels was driven to the ground by a pass rush when Turner caught him directly beneath the chin.
Turner was called for a late personal foul on Daniels, but oddly, he did not receive a penalty for targeting. That was it for Daniels and LSU, as he left the game to go to the medical tent and follow concussion protocol.
With 301 total yards at halftime and 382 yards for the game, Daniels has a lot of flexibility in the short term, but the Heisman Trophy is now unlikely. Question Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, who suffered a broken ankle (or at least a sprained one) during a deke on an LSU quarterback run during the third quarter of play.
With the loss, LSU drops to 6-3 and is no longer eligible to compete in the SEC West. In the meantime, Georgia appears to be waiting for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, which is less than a month away. Or perhaps the opposite is true.
“I’m excited for this team since we’re not a finished product,” stated Milroe. “I’m excited for what’s to come.”