Jaheim Oatis on Alabama Defense Ahead of Texas: 'We Coming'

The Crimson Tide gave up 371 yards and committed 11 penalties on defense alone against Texas last season, and the Alabama defenders want to correct those mistakes in rematch with Longhorns.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Last year when Alabama and Texas met in Austin, it was a low-scoring affair with the Crimson Tide ultimately winning 20-19. It obviously didn't always result in touchdowns, but both offenses were able to have some success moving the ball down the field, with both teams finishing over 370 yards.

 The pervasive theme that Alabama's defenders remember most from that matchup was how hot it was in Austin that September Saturday with the early kickoff. Fortunately for the players, the heat shouldn't be as much of an issue this weekend with a 6 p.m. kickoff inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

But the other thing they remember is the mistakes they made. 

"I look at film and see how we played them last year and what we can fix and the mistakes we had," Oatis said. "But this year, we coming to show them the Bama Standard for the defense. Show who we really are.”

The Longhorns no longer have running backs Bijan Robinson or Roschon Johnson, who both went to the NFL. Current Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers started the game against Alabama last season, but left in the second quarter with an injury and did not return. Hudson Card, who is now at Purdue, came in to finish the game. 

But Texas also brings back wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington, who both had big games against Alabama. Even though Texas has some different personnel on offense, Oatis said the Longhorns still look like the same good team on film, and it will require Alabama's "A-game" at practice this week.

Alabama finished with 15 penalties for 100 yards in last season's matchup, 11 of which were on the defense. It is a key area of improvement the defense is focusing on this week according to defensive back Terrion Arnold. 

"Ultimately we had a lot of penalties on defense and I feel like with us preparing and stuff," Arnold said. "We have to do a better job of making practice tougher on ourselves. Ultimately it was a very difficult atmosphere so we need our fans to come in and make a difficult atmosphere for them too."

Fans will have that opportunity this Saturday night inside Bryant-Denny Stadium when Alabama hosts Texas at 6 p.m. on ESPN. 

See also:

How Alabama Improved on One of Its Worst Stats in Week One