Fifty-one and counting.
That’s how many games the seniors in the Crimson Tide class of 2019 have won so
far during the last four seasons. When you include the 2015 season to account for
red-shirted players, the total wins increase to 65.
Since the 2016 season, this
senior class has added hardware to the trophy cabinets in the Mal Moore Center
for three SEC Western Division championships, two Conference championships, and
a National Championship. Include the red-shirts and you have to find shelf space
for another SEC Western Division and Southeastern Conference titles, as well as
another National Championship. If Alabama moves from fifth to fourth place in
the College Football Playoff standings on the strength of a win in the Iron Bowl,
these seniors will have the opportunity to claim three national championships
over five seasons; a record set by the 2015 senior class.
Whether or not the 2019
seniors scale those lofty heights, they have already secured a place of honor in
the Alabama pantheon. It is safe to say there has not been a group of Alabama players
since Ears Whitworth was run out of town, who have overcome more adversity in
their playing careers.
Every program has to deal
with injuries. Alabama is no exception. As a partisan fan I think we have
suffered more than our fair share. But no team has suffered a higher number of
experienced players departing early for the NFL. I suppose losing talented leadership
to the pro ranks is a foreseeable consequence of having the nation’s best
recruiting classes year after year. I am glad players are able to monetize their
sacrifices and hard work; good for them. At the same time, however, I like the game
of college football, and I do not believe early draft eligibility is good for
the college game. I particularly do not think it has been good for Alabama.
You may disagree. But do
you think we would have played so miserably on defense against Clemson last
January if Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, and Da’Ron Payne had been on
the field? And this season, do you think we might have been able to keep LSU
from converting on third and 10 to keep a scoring drive alive if Deionte Thompson,
Q. Williams, and Mack Wilson had been on Alabama's side of the ball?
I’ve written before that Alabama
does not have an elite defense this season. Early departures are a major part
of the reason why. So, fans got to say an appreciative farewell to the players
who stayed; DB Shyheim Carter, DL Raekwon Davis, DB Trevon Diggs, LB Anfernee
Jennings, DB Jaren Mayden, LB Josh McMillon, DL Matt Womack.
This is another reason
why Senior Day is something special: defensive stars Raekwon Davis, Phidarian Mathis, and DJ
Dale were held out of the contest to heal up before Auburn, and Christian
Barmore,, Tevita Musika, and Byron Young, got their first starts. In all, 71
players saw action in the game. Players who have toiled in obscurity on the
practice squad got onto the field.
The final chapters of the
book on the 2019 Crimson Tide have not yet been written. But there are potentially
three more games to evaluate. A one-grade deduction for the level of
competition would typically be applied in a game against an opponent from the FCS.
Never in my memory has a Bama game against a non-conference foe been as fraught
as yesterday’s tilt against Western Carolina. Without deductions or curves, here
is how I grade the game:
Offense: A+ Alabama
gained 541 yards of total offense [231 net yards rushing] earned 23 first
downs, and converted 5 of 8 third downs…..and most importantly scored 59 of
Alabama’s 66 points. The only blemish on the day was a lost fumble at the
Catamount goal line that resulted in a touchback. It was at worst an “effort”
mistake. Trying to score from the three-yard line, the runner attempted to
break the plane by extending the ball, when it was knocked loose.
Mac Jones started a
little tentative. His passes were not quite a crisp as Tua’s, and he seemed to
hold the ball just a wee bit longer than necessary. But after the opening
drive, he settled in and became much more confident in running the offense. As
a result, he completed 10 of his 12 pass attempts for 275 yards and 3 TDs.
Taulia completed 2 of 3 attempted passes for 35 yards and a TD.
DeVonta Smith gained 94
yards and scored 2 TDs on 4 receptions. Jaylen Waddle caught 3 passes for 101
yards and a TD ….. By the way, it is a good thing they have big TV screens at
BDS that show replays, otherwise I don’t think I would have believed what I
witnessed on Waddle’s touchdown. He broke the ankles of so many would-be
tacklers, it is a miracle those guys were able to walk again…… Jerry Jeudy
caught 2 passes for 66 yards. Six different players caught passes.
The Tide’s leading rusher
was Keilan Robinson [Fr.; 5-9, 184; Washington D.C.] who gained 92 yards on only
8 carries. He is going to be something special before his career at Alabama is
celebrated on Senior Day 2022. Najee Harris carried the ball 14 times and
gained 66 yards. RS Fr. Jerome Ford added 24 yards on 5 carries and The Pride
of Tanner, Al, Chardarius Townsend [So. RB; 60-194] gained 24 yards on 6 runs.
Columbia, Tennessee’s De’Marquise Lockridge [R. Sr.; 5-11, 216] made the most
of his playing opportunity gaining 12 yards on 2 runs.
The Offense engineered
seven drives gaining 40 or more yards [46, 79, 63, 65, 54, 73, 63] achieving a
FG and 6 TDs. Alabama was forced to punt only once.
Defense: A+ The
Catamounts were held to only 179 yards of total offense [67 net yards rushing]
and 10 first downs. They only converted 2 of 12 third down opportunities.
Shane Lee led all
defenders with 7 tackles [3 solo]. Christian Barmore made tackles [3 solo].
Christian Harris and Byron Young each were credited with 5 stops. The Bama
Defense made seven tackles for lost yardage [4 sacks]. Xavier McKinney made two
interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Not to be outdone,
Jaren Mayden also had two picks.
The defensive play-of-the-game
has to be McKinney breaking up a pass he batted back to the WCU QB, who caught
his own pass [he is credited with a reception in the official stats]. Xavier
was no outraged by this reversal of fortune that he forced a fumble recovered
by Patrick Surtain.
Special Teams:
Punting: B Bama’s
only punt was kicked from its own endzone following a false start penalty. The
kick traveled only 33 yards. Jaylen Waddle returned 2 punts for 66 Yards and
came within three yards of scoring a TD after a return of 49 yards.
Place Kicking: A+ Joseph
Bulovas made a 22 yard FG and was successful on each of 9 PAT attempts.
Kickoffs: A+ The Tide allowed no return yards.
Coaching: A+ Alabama was penalized only 4 times. Seventy-one
players saw action in the game. The team was mentally ready to play after the
disruption and adversity caused by devastating injuries in last week’s game
against Arkansas.
Tua received a sustained
cheer from the crowd when he arrived on the Tide sideline in a golf cart. His future
is uncertain. Will he pursue the NFL draft after he recovers from his hip
injury? Or will he return to Tuscaloosa? Whatever he decides, people who love
Alabama football will support him. But just imagine for a moment how special it
would be for a healthy Tua Tagovailoa to lead a victorious Crimson Tide to a
national title in the 2020 season. The final home game next year will be the Iron
Bowl. What a Senior Day that would be!
Senior Day 2019 is in the
books. Alabama did what it had to do: play well in all phases of the game.
Dominate an opponent. Give Mac Jones the opportunity to gain confidence. Prove
to the skeptics the roster remains stocked with talent regardless of injury and
early departures for the pros.
Winning the Iron Bowl is
a good thing whether the contest is the annual charity food drive, or the football
game. This year, beating Auburn is an
absolute prerequisite to Alabama securing a spot in the playoffs. At least one
team in the current top four will suffer a loss. My money is on Georgia losing
to LSU in the SEC CG. It is possible Ohio State will also lose at least one of
its final two games. In my opinion, a two-loss Georgia drops out of the top
four, and Alabama, with a decisive victory this coming Saturday in the Village
moves into the number 4 slot. Whether the rematch with LSU comes in the semi-finals
or the final remains to be seen. Two weeks ago, Alabama demonstrated it was very
capable of beating LSU.
Here’s hoping the Tide
earns the opportunity.
To earn that opportunity:
Beat Auburn. For all that is right and
true: Beat Auburn. Because Arkansas has suffered enough without the coach it
really wants: Beat Auburn.
Roll Tide, Y’all!
The Commissioner
TO COMMENT ON THIS POST, PLEASE CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK.
No comments:
Post a Comment