First half analysis: Alabama 21, Auburn 3

Quick reaction to the first half between Auburn and Alabama.

Auburn’s defense held Alabama to a punt on the Crimson Tide’s first drive of the game after being put in bad field position.

The rest of the first half? Yeah, it was all Alabama

Here are some quick thoughts at halftime as the Tide hold a 21-3 lead.

  • This offensive line is woeful and it has been that way for years. If Gus Malzahn wants to somehow have a successful 2021, it has to begin by recruiting players who can play in the trenches. Bo Nix has absolutely no time. Have you seen how much time Mac Jones has? That would be nice.
  • Seth Williams? How do you drop that ball? Nix should be arguing with you on the sidelines again.
  • 3rd and 18 and Auburn runs the ball up the middle down 7-0. Way to give up on the game that early, Chad Morris.
  • The non-call on the pass interference on Williams early in the game is something you can expect from playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Of course, CBS ignoring it is also par for the course.
  • Gary Danielson Is The Worst: Part 4,381: On that fumble that was overturned, the wise Danielson didn’t even see the knee on the ground and was focused on targeting. Please, CBS, get rid of him. We can all agree on this.
  • The difference in the amount of room the Alabama receivers have to run after a catch from a quick pass is amazing.
  • I’m going to write more about this after the game but the mere fact that not many blinked an eye at being 25-point underdogs to our major rival says a lot about the Malzahn era. That is just embarrassing within itself.
  • YOU. DON’T. WIN. GAMES. WITH. FIELD. GOALS!
  • Tank Bigsby is battling but just doesn’t have the same strength and speed today that he usually has.
  • Let’s all appreciate this tweet from AL.com’s John Talty calling my story on their tweet dumb. You know what I find dumb? Claiming a stat that isn’t mathematically possible.

  • Another Danielson moment: after Williams was clearly held on a pass, the smart man talked over a replay of it happening and only on the second replay after Brad Nessler brought it up, Danielson just said, “He got away with it.” Great analysis. Fire him.
  • This second half is about to get ugly, I am afraid.