Feel a little better about this team than you did 7 days ago?
Feel a little better about this offensive line than you did 7 days ago?
Feel a little better about your overall mental health than you did 7 days ago?
If you answered yes to all three of these questions then you watched today's game.
For the first time all year, we saw Blake Sims really burn a team with his feet. Elite speed, elite elusiveness, a game-breaking 43-yard touchdown run. More of those - especially knowing when it's the right time - could be a real force for this offense.
Alabama averaged 9.4 yards per PLAY with Blake Sims in at QB. At one point in the third quarter, Alabama had more points (52) than Texas A&M had yards (50).
For as much grief as this offensive line took last week, and deservingly so after the Arkansas performance that I've called 'equal opportunity mistakes' across all five positions, it was an about face this week. Running lanes for Yeldon and Henry, plenty of time for Sims. They owned the point of attack, letting its running backs gallop untouched well into the second level. Keep an eye on the injury to Austin Shepherd (he was walking under his own power after going down, a good sign). More good news: Grant Hill stepped in for AS. He's missed time due to an illness.
This is unequivocally the best performance by Alabama's front four all season long. We thought we'd see games like this given the talent and depth. We didn't early on, but the defense had been trending the correct way. Starters, backups (many of which saw action in the first half because of the blowout).
Xzavier Dickson has been the best defensive player that no one talks about all year long. Ryan Anderson is 1A . Haven't seen these two make a negative play and they were dominant Saturday.
Some injuries to watch moving forward (check the message board for updates): Shepherd, Rebuen Foster, Jonathan Allen. Allen was walking around on the sideline after. Shepherd returned to sideline in a boot.
That was the most points scored in a half by Alabama since posting 52 on Vanderbilt in 1990.
-DC Reeves
You wanted emotion, Nick Saban? You got it. You'll recall Saban mentioned the team's reaction following Landon Collins' interception against Arkansas and how it was the most emotion the team has showed in a long time. Well that wasn't the case Saturday. Players reacted overwhelming after Christion Jones' long punt return and after two big Reuben Foster hits on special teams.
Saban mentioned the movie "Secretariat" on Wednesday day and "letting the horses run." That also was evident Saturday, as even with a big lead, Saban never took his foot off the gas. He wanted his team to get some confidence from this game. Mission accomplished.
Through the 3.5 quarters Alabama had no penalties.
-Aaron Suttles
Feel a little better about this offensive line than you did 7 days ago?
Feel a little better about your overall mental health than you did 7 days ago?
If you answered yes to all three of these questions then you watched today's game.
For the first time all year, we saw Blake Sims really burn a team with his feet. Elite speed, elite elusiveness, a game-breaking 43-yard touchdown run. More of those - especially knowing when it's the right time - could be a real force for this offense.
Alabama averaged 9.4 yards per PLAY with Blake Sims in at QB. At one point in the third quarter, Alabama had more points (52) than Texas A&M had yards (50).
For as much grief as this offensive line took last week, and deservingly so after the Arkansas performance that I've called 'equal opportunity mistakes' across all five positions, it was an about face this week. Running lanes for Yeldon and Henry, plenty of time for Sims. They owned the point of attack, letting its running backs gallop untouched well into the second level. Keep an eye on the injury to Austin Shepherd (he was walking under his own power after going down, a good sign). More good news: Grant Hill stepped in for AS. He's missed time due to an illness.
This is unequivocally the best performance by Alabama's front four all season long. We thought we'd see games like this given the talent and depth. We didn't early on, but the defense had been trending the correct way. Starters, backups (many of which saw action in the first half because of the blowout).
Xzavier Dickson has been the best defensive player that no one talks about all year long. Ryan Anderson is 1A . Haven't seen these two make a negative play and they were dominant Saturday.
Some injuries to watch moving forward (check the message board for updates): Shepherd, Rebuen Foster, Jonathan Allen. Allen was walking around on the sideline after. Shepherd returned to sideline in a boot.
That was the most points scored in a half by Alabama since posting 52 on Vanderbilt in 1990.
-DC Reeves
You wanted emotion, Nick Saban? You got it. You'll recall Saban mentioned the team's reaction following Landon Collins' interception against Arkansas and how it was the most emotion the team has showed in a long time. Well that wasn't the case Saturday. Players reacted overwhelming after Christion Jones' long punt return and after two big Reuben Foster hits on special teams.
Saban mentioned the movie "Secretariat" on Wednesday day and "letting the horses run." That also was evident Saturday, as even with a big lead, Saban never took his foot off the gas. He wanted his team to get some confidence from this game. Mission accomplished.
Through the 3.5 quarters Alabama had no penalties.
-Aaron Suttles
