Alabama is on a trajectory that many Crimson Tide fans have seen before, sitting at 5-0 with a very favorable schedule through the remainder of the regular season.
Following a commanding win over Ole Miss, one might think that the Crimson Tide is simply unstoppable. I’m hesitant to say that Alabama fans should remain cautiously-optimistic.
We’ve seen before that things can go awry when we least expect it. Even though the Crimson Tide hasn’t trailed in a game since a 2020 matchup against then-No. 3 Georgia, which constitutes a 14-game streak that hasn’t been matched since 1950, there are still things that can go wrong.
This Alabama squad has improved tremendously since the beginning of the season, but with unexpected injuries and other setbacks presenting themselves, anything is possible. So, what can actually hinder the Crimson Tide’s SEC title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations this season?
Injuries
With the season in full-swing, the intensity increases. With that comes extensive strain on the body, making injuries more likely as the season moves along.
Generally, a good strength and conditioning program would be a great help in making sure bodies are conditioned as needed. However, in a sport like football, we all know that injuries are just a common part of the game we love.
With the news of injuries to RBs Jase McClellan and Camar Wheaton comes issues with depth. Alabama now has just three healthy scholarship players at the position, and this could prove to be a huge issue if another goes down.
The Crimson Tide are not only thin at the RB position, Wednesday brought about news of a hand injury to LB Drew Sanders, who was already playing backup to the injured Chris Harris.
As of now, it appears that true-freshman Dallas Turner will get valuable snaps at SAM against SEC West foe Texas A&M, but perhaps sooner than Saban wanted or anticipated.
Injuries will play a key role for the remainder of the season, and it’s a development that should continue to be monitored closely.
Not finishing games
While the Tide have outscored opponents 73-3 in first quarters this season, it has only managed a differential of 79-72 in second halves.
“The key around here is four quarters, and that’s something that we haven’t done,” defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said on Monday. “We haven’t played a complete 60 minutes, and we know around here that’s how you’re judged about playing each and every week.”
Not finishing a complete game could turn out to be catastrophic if the Tide get caught in a close game late.
Lack of an explosive offense
Alabama has only had seven passes go for beyond 30 yards on the season. Instead of chunk-plays that many Crimson Tide fans have become accustomed to as of late, it’s gained its yardage with short, methodical plays.
While there hasn’t been a situational need to score quickly yet this season, one could manifest as we progress through the season. Without being too pessimistic, I admittedly wonder if the Tide would be able to accomplish such a feat.
Nick Saban has made clear in the past that complacency is a killer. Consistency is very important and the small details are just as important as the large ones. None of the aforementioned issues are things that Saban has never dealt with before, so it must be said that trusting in the process that he has instilled will move mountains.
Catch the game between Alabama and Texas A&M on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CT on CBS.
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