After a disappointing loss to Tennessee we have to realize at this point this is who this Alabama football team is. As Coach Deboer alluded to in the in the after game press conference this is a team that can’t get the offense and defense to play good at the same time.
Going into the game against the Vols the biggest concern was the defense, but they gave the Crimson Tide offense three turnovers in the first half and unfortunately no points were scored from this. This is a team that isn’t disciplined and there is no sign of them being able to clean up the frustrating penalties.
In the past Alabama responded well after the first loss of a season, but this team has done anything but since the surprising loss against Vanderbilt. This is a team that hasn’t looked impressive since the first half of the Georgia game but yet a team that still has enough talent to still end the season at 10-2. This is also a team who could easily lose one or two more games if something isn’t figured out.
There are still too many questions and no real answers about this team this late in the season to feel confident that it will turn things around and still be a playoff team. The offense has far underachieved based on preseason expectations, but we do have to remember current Offensive Coordinator Nick Sheridan has never been one until this season. It is a big step up going from a Tight End Coach in the Pacific Northwest to running the offense in Tuscaloosa where all eyes are now on him.
This defense is still learning to play the 3-3-5 formation and right now is far from being what was the standard when Nick Saban was running things. Long term this might not be a fit in the SEC, but for now if we can see in game adjustments and some consistency from this Kane Wommack defense it might be the best that can be expected. We will see how or if this Crimson Tide team responds at home against a Missouri team that has a lot of inconsistencies itself. The only thing going into this week 9 matchup that I am sure about is Alabama being a 14-point favorite seems crazy.