Takeaways from Alabama Football's Physically Imposing Win Over Ole Miss
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A week ago, the Alabama Crimson Tide was near rock bottom.
Nick Saban's Alabama maybe hasn't ever played worse than it did against USF in Tampa last weekend. A 17-3 win over a program with five wins in four years isn't the Alabama standard. Losing 21-8 in the fourth quarter to Texas two weeks ago isn't the Alabama standard, either.
Saturday's performance against Ole Miss, especially in the second half, was exactly that.
The Crimson Tide had nowhere to run or hide. Alabama's entire existence in the top class of college football was at stake against the Rebels. Many national pundits picked Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss to be the second team to win at Bryant-Denny Stadium in two tries.
But, as has become regular over the last 17 years, Saban and the Crimson Tide responded in a big way.
Here are my biggest takeaways from Alabama's 24-10 win over the Rebels:
Lane Kiffin? No Problem for the Defense
Coming into Saturday's game, Ole Miss was averaging nearly 53 points per game through its first three contests.
The Crimson Tide wasn't having any of that.
301 yards isn't a lot for a Lane Kiffin offense. Alabama held the Rebels to just 10 points and just 56 rushing yards. Jaxson Dart took a step forward over the last three weeks — he took a step back against the Crimson Tide defense. Dart completed just 20 of his 35 pass attempts and was intercepted by Terrion Arnold.
Running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns in last year's meeting between the SEC West foes. On Saturday, Judkins managed just 56 yards on 13 carries. Alabama disrupted the Ole Miss running game and when the Rebels turned to the pass, the Crimson Tide got aggressive and went after them.
The Crimson Tide put Dart on the ground five times, including two from Dallas Turner — who continues to return to his form of old. Chris Braswell and Tim Smith each added 1.5 sacks each as well.
The one negative is a big one. Alabama lost middle linebacker Deontae Lawson in Saturday's game to what Saban called a sprained ankle, and maybe a bad one. If that's the case, the Crimson Tide could be without its anchor for the next few weeks.
Jalen Milroe Made a Mistake, But Just One
Jalen Milroe has been through the grinder over the last two weeks. He lost to his childhood team, Texas, two weeks ago after two bad mistakes. Last week, Milroe watched Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson struggle from the sideline.
This week, Saban boosted his confidence and it showed on the field. Milroe looked like the guy from the Middle Tennessee game. He was a highly-efficient 17-for-21 with 225 yards and a score. He outplayed Jaxson Dart — who would have guessed that heading into the game?
There were struggles in the first half. And Milroe did make a bad decision and throw on his interception in the end zone. But let's not forget — he doesn't have to be Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts. He just needs to take care of the football and play with poise. And he did exactly that in the second half.
Want a definition of poise? Milroe got rocked on his touchdown pass — he knew the hit was coming and still delivered a perfect throw to the back of the end zone.
If Milroe can limit himself to just one turnover per game and manage the offense the way he did Saturday, it should be good enough just about every week.
Does Alabama Need a No. 1 WR?
Take a guess who the Crimson Tide's leading receiver was on Saturday. Any luck? It was true freshman Jalen Hale, who finished the game with two receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Jermaine Burton, Ja'Corey Brooks, Isaiah Bond and Malik Benson combined for four catches and 74 yards. That's not anywhere close to what expectations were for the four of those guys. So, is it a problem?
It wasn't really too noticeable on Saturday. Other than the long touchdown, Alabama was pretty conservative in the passing game. The Crimson Tide had 10 different pass catchers. So, that's a good thing. But does Alabama need a No. 1 option at the position?
I don't think you always do in most instances. But late in games, oftentimes you need someone that you can go to on big downs. Right now, I'm not sure if the Crimson Tide has that.
Looking the Part
The last two weeks, Alabama has looked like a completely different team, a different program. The grit, toughness and discipline just hasn't been there.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide was doubted. After failing to wipe away doubt against Texas in Week 2, Alabama did what is has since Saban took over in 2007 — when the outside noise gets loud, the Crimson Tide usually silences all of it.
That killer mentality was back against Ole Miss. Turnovers, a blocked punt, five sacks — for the first time in a while, Alabama was the aggressor for 60 minutes. And what a relief that is for Crimson Tide fans around the country.
See Also:
Alabama Football Got Back to Its Standard with Its Back Against the Wall
Alabama Defense Quiets Kiffin's Ole Miss Offense
Alabama's Offense Finds Itself in Second Half Against Ole Miss
