Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe expressed his confidence ahead of their big rivalry game against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide is preparing for one of the season’s most anticipated matchups after narrowly defeating South Carolina 27-25. Despite the victory, Alabama’s performance raised concerns, and head coach Kalen DeBoer has faced scrutiny from analysts.
In the fourth week of the season, Alabama secured a key win over Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, silencing some critics. However, the momentum was short-lived as they followed up with a loss to an unranked Vanderbilt team. Joel Klatt, a college football commentator, now believes Alabama might lose to Tennessee, especially considering their current standing at No. 4 on his list.
Klatt questioned Alabama’s offense, remarking, “As long as they beat Texas A&M, Alabama would likely only have one SEC loss, putting them in the SEC championship. But this offense, while explosive, is inconsistent. If the offense struggles, they’ll be in tough battles.” This analysis came after their win over Georgia, where Klatt still claimed that the Bulldogs were the better team.
Alabama’s offensive line struggled, especially in the first half against South Carolina, largely due to the challenge of containing a top SEC player in sacks. However, there were some offensive highlights, particularly their second touchdown drive, which showcased their ground game. Milroe played a key role in keeping the offense balanced by using his mobility to put the defense in difficult situations.
Klatt emphasized that Alabama’s offense would need to outscore strong opponents, given the defense’s vulnerabilities. He highlighted a 31-yard touchdown by South Carolina that nearly tied the game, pointing to both coaching errors and player execution mistakes. Specifically, Alabama’s third-down defense faltered during South Carolina’s second-half opening touchdown drive, with missed tackles and poor zone coverage leading to critical conversions.
Alabama missed a season-high 11 tackles, an alarming stat that underscores their defensive struggles. Klatt also noted that too many explosive plays have been allowed by Alabama’s defense, warning that this trend could cost them in future games.
Despite these issues, Alabama managed to hold off South Carolina. A critical moment came when the Tide mishandled an onside kick, giving South Carolina one final opportunity. However, defensive back Domani Jackson intercepted a pass from LaNorris Sellers, securing Alabama’s narrow victory.
After the game, head coach Kalen DeBoer reflected on the team’s resilience, acknowledging the challenges but emphasizing their ability to find ways to win. DeBoer praised Milroe’s performance, noting his ability to make critical plays, including a 34-yard touchdown pass that contributed to the victory.
As Alabama prepares to face Tennessee, both teams are vying for their sixth win of the season, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for Alabama’s postseason hopes.
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