Notebook: Alabama Doesn't Take the Bait, Dominates Kentucky

Rat traps placed throughout the Alabama football facility a helpful reminder to players about Kentucky being a possible trap game.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Forget rat poison. It’s rat trap now.

Nick Saban was worried about the Crimson Tide’s matchup against Kentucky and told the players it could be a trap game.

Someone on the Crimson Tide staff wanted the point to hit home.

“I came into the locker room this week and there are rat traps,” Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold said. “That was definitely different. As the week went on we got used to it. At first, it was kind of weird seeing all these rat traps throughout the facility.

“It was this wooden box with a spring on it and everything. Of course, I had to put my finger in it to see if it was real. It was.”

Alabama got the message and didn’t take the bait. The Crimson Tide dominated Kentucky 49-21 to clinch the SEC West crown.

A few years ago, Saban coined the term “rat poison” to dissuade the team from buying into glowing media attention it receives.

Line up

The Alabama offensive line has been a work-in-progress throughout the year.

Lately, the Crimson Tide is looking more like a championship-caliber unit. An offensive line that has allowed a whopping 35 sacks through eight games (4.4 average), the Crimson Tide has given up just two the last two games, including zero against Kentucky.

That hurt

Late in the third quarter on an Alabama scoring drive, Jam Miller caught a pass just short of the goal line. Miller’s momentum took him out of bounds, where he collided with a photographer, knocking him to the ground. The photographer was shaken up on the play and appeared to have a cut on his chin. He seemed more upset that his camera was damaged. The photographer was taken to receive medical treatment.

Opening statement

Alabama scored a touchdown on its opening drive, which it hasn’t done since the season opener against Middle Tennessee. The Crimson Tide opened the Ole Miss game with a field goal.

Alabama has won 52 of the 53 games where it’s scored a touchdown on its opening drive.

Best of the West

With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division for the 15th time since 1992.

Alabama will most likely face Georgia in the SEC title game in Atlanta on Dec. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“It feels good knowing we secured a spot in Atlanta, but we understand the job is not done,” Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said. “Now it’s on to the next opponent.”

Alabama has won the SEC Championship Game 10 times and has 29 overall SEC titles.

Will watch

Kicker Will Reichard entered Saturday needing 20 points to tie for second as the all-time points leader in college football. Reichard started the day with 502 points and ended with 509. Reichard is 15 of 17 on field goals and is 38 of 38 on extra points this season.

Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (2012-15) holds the record with 530 total points.

Tidebits

The win was Alabama’s eighth straight over Kentucky; the Crimson Tide is 39-2-1 all-time vs. the Wildcats.

Announced attendance was 61,936

Kickoff temperature was 49 degrees with clear skies.

Alabama game captains were LB Chris Braswell, RB Roydell Williams and OL JC Latham.

Officials for Saturday: Referee, Ken Williamson; Umpire, Stan Weihe; Center Judge, Joel Moenkhoff; Head Line Judge, Stephen Ray; Line Judge, Mickey Bryson; Field Judge, Barry Blackwell; Side Judge, Bryan Murphy; Back Judge, Keith Parham; Replay Official, Jordan Craddock

Opinion: Play Time is Over, 2023 Crimson Tide is for Real