He looked like someone who could still taste the sour dregs of embarrassment, like the lingering effects of a bad cup of day-old coffee, when a reporter asked Coach Saban if he had seen any improvement in the team since last week. "Did you?" Saban replied.
Then, perhaps taking the long view, the Alabama head coach softened considerably. He pointed out the team's eleven wins, the defense holding opposing offenses out of the end zone in each of the last three games, the challenge to keep mental discipline through a long season, and his pride in the team's competitive spirit. Perhaps anticipating the inevitable chatter in the run-up to the Iron Bowl, Saban took personal responsibility for any lack of readiness to play the Mocs of UT Chattanooga.
No one can reasonably claim Alabama took the field ready to play. Considering the disparity between the teams, the final score of 31-3 ought to have been reached by the half. Jalen Hurts ought to have been finished with his Saturday work after the first possession of the third quarter, not, as it was, with 1:50 to play in the game. Net rushing of 196 yards should have been achieved by one of Alabama's running backs, instead, not a single ball carrier achieved the century mark.
There are no two ways about it........this was a bad game.
But it was a bad game Alabama won. For a thought experiment, Imagine how you would feel this morning if the Tide had lost. ...... Yeah. Me too. Sort of how Texas fans must be feeling today, their Longhorns having lost to a formerly 1-9 Kansas. Or, how Michigan fans are feeling more than a week out from losing to Iowa......they are still experiencing PTSD flashbacks from being upset by Appalachian State in 2007. That's right....the same year the Tide fell to ULM.
I hate these sorts of games. FCS teams have nothing but up-side to playing the Alabamas of the world. And the Alabamas have nothing but down-side. The very best you can hope for is to cover the betting line and get out of the game with no one injured. Reuben Foster left the game early but emerged from the locker room with a fresh bandage on his left hand, and returned to the game. Cam Robinson and Derek Kief were being evaluated after the game, but Coach Saban told reporters they were expected to be ready for the Auburn game.
Hoping that the injury report will provide a bright spot, here's how I grade the game:
Offense: F The one letter grade reduction rule is in effect, even so, this was a sorry performance by the offense. Alabama gained 332 yards of total offense against the Mocs [196 rushing] earned only 14 first downs, converted only 4 of 13 third downs, and fumbled twice, losing one to a turnover.
Jalen completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 136 yards and 3 TDs. He was sacked 3 times. He also rushed for 68 net yards on 16 plays. Several of his runs came on pass plays where he was flushed from the pocket after protection broke down. Against Mississippi State, Jalen threw for more than 300 yards and ran for 100. Improvement? What do you think?
Damien Harris carried the ball 13 times for 91 net yards and a TD. Derrick Gore added 20 yards on 3 carries while Josh Jacobs gained 17 yards on 5 runs.
Calvin Ridley was the leading receiver with 94 yards on 7 receptions. He caught a 47 yard pass for Alabama's first score of the game early in the second quarter. It was perhaps Jalen's best deep pass of the season. Cam Sims caught 4 passes for 34 yards. In the oddest stat line I have ever read, Gehrig Dieter caught 3 passes for 1 yard and 2 TDs. O.J. Howard caught 1 pass for 7 yards. Ardarius Stewart watched the game from the sidelines, the consequence of an unspecified failure to adhere to expected standards.
Alabama had only three offensive possessions that gained 40 or more yards [75, 43, 46] producing two TDs and a FG. The offense was held to a three-and-out three times. Only once did Alabama put together consecutive scoring drives.
Defense: C The Mocs managed a sustained drive of 50 yards in their first possession of the game. Otherwise, UTC was held to five possessions that were three-and-out, and their second longest drive of the game covered only 25 yards. It seemed as if the Mocs offense was having more success that it actually was, because they had a very good game plan; abandon the HUNH attack in favor of milking the clock between each play, shorten the game and limit Alabama's offensive opportunities.
The defense held UTC to 184 total yards [70 rushing] and 10 first downs. The Mocs could only covert 2 of 13 third downs.
Ronnie Harrison was the leading tackler with 11 stops [8 solo]. Dalvin Tomlinson recorded 8 tackles, Tony Brown and Jonathan Allen each were credited with 6 tackles. Reuben Foster and Shaun Hamilton both recorded 5. Tide defenders made 8 tackles for lost yardage. Rashan Evans and Keaton Anderson each recovered fumbles, and the Mocs QBs were hurried 4 times.
Special Teams:
Punting: A J.K. Scott punted 6 times for and average of 48.8 yards. His longest punt traveled 56 yards. He dropped 4 punts inside the UTC 20 yard line. Trevon Diggs returned 3 Mocs' punts for 20 yards. The punt coverage unit allowed 4 returns for 28 yards.
Kickoffs: C+ Griff kicked off twice for an average of 60.5 yards. JK Scott kicked off 4 times averaging only 59.2 yards. Out of 6 kicks, the Tide only managed 1 touchback. The kick coverage unit allowed the Mocs one return of 24 yards and another of 21 yards.
Place Kicking: A Ole Miss transfer, Andy Pappanastos [Sr.; 5-11, 198; Montgomery] made a 33 yard field goal and was perfect on 4 PAT attempts.
Coaching: F Like coach Saban said, the team was not ready to play the game. Alabama was penalized only twice and the participation report lists 62 players who saw action, however, starters remained in the game way too long. Perhaps this was necessary in order to play through the focus issue, but the risk of injury and the need for fresh legs at the end of the season counsel against leaving the best players on the field too long against a team with nothing to lose.
Play selection continues to baffle me. I am not a coach. I do not pretend to know the sweet science of football's Xs and Os. The people calling the game are paid to make these decisions. But, it seems to me that far too often, the thing that stops Alabama's running game is the coaching decision not to run the ball. Against UTC, Alabama ran the ball 37 times and attempted 21 passes. I know balance is important, but so is imposing one's will on the other team. I'm just saying........
While Alabama stumbled around with UTC, Auburn were beating Alabama A&M 55-0. The Tigers scored 6 rushing TDs and, even without Pettway touching the ball, amassed 451 net yards rushing. This week, I hope the 24 Hour Rule is modified to a 24 Minute Rule. There is no time to lose getting ready for Auburn.
I don't care how many one loss teams there are in the CFB Playoff bracket. I refuse to listen to the pundits speculating how thus-and-so team from some other conference should get the number four spot in the playoff with two losses. For Alabama, each week is an elimination game. And this week is the most important week so far.
The Tide are Champions of the SEC West. After December 5, they may be the SEC Champion. In January they may claim a consecutive CFB Championship. The most important title for now, however, is to be college football champion of the State of Alabama.
I will see you in Tuscaloosa.
Roll Tide, Y'all......
The Commissioner
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