Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
The Alabama Crimson Tide get their first crack at one of the SEC newcomers tomorrow as they take on the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field in Columbia. We’ve already broken down the offense earlier in the week, and now move on to the Tigers defense.
While Missouri’s offense has struggled in their transition from the defense-optional Big-XII, their defense has actually been pretty solid through the first six games.
Statistically speaking, Missouri has a pretty good defense. The Tigers rank 19th against the run, but just 51st against the pass. In terms of total defense, they rank just outside the Top-25 stop units at No. 26, just one spot below undefeated Mississippi State.
The Missouri defense should provide a good test for the Crimson Tide, a team that depends on pounding the rock and imposing their will on its opponents. In all three of its SEC games to date, the Tigers have held their opposition to under 4 yards per carry on the ground. South Carolina racked up 144 rushing yards, but it took them 39 carries to get to that number.
They yielded only 113 rushing yards to Georgia in 35 tries, and Vanderbilt managed only 89 yards rushing on 43 attempts. Their disappointing play on offense is the impetus for their 0-3 start in conference play.
They have given up some yards through the air this year, and that’s good news for Tide quarterback AJ McCarron. Missouri allowed Connor Shaw to play one of the most efficient games of the season in the SEC to this point. Shaw carved up the Tigers defense by completing 20-of-21 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns.
Aaron Murray also had a good game through the air with 242 yards and three touchdowns.
The Tigers are led defensively by senior linebacker Will Ebner, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in last season’s season opener. Ebner leads the team with 28 solo tackles and 41 total tackles. He also leads the team with 7 tackles for loss.
Ebner is just a third of a very experienced and formidable linebacker group. He’s joined by senior Zaviar Gooden and junior Andrew Wilson.
Along the defensive line, Missouri lacks depth on the inside at defensive tackle, but their depth at defensive end is probably better than any other position on their defense. On the ends, the Tigers have senior Brad Madison, a former All-Big 12 performer.
On the other end is sophomore Kony Ealy, who leads the team with 3.5 sacks. Ealy didn’t get a lot of hype in the preseason, but he has been a revelation so far this season for the Tigers.
Senior Sheldon Richardson leads the way at defensive tackle, and you probably remember him for his “old man football” comments prior to the Georgia game. Richardson has been much more quiet ever since the Tigers were beaten soundly by teams that play old-man football like Georgia and South Carolina.
In the defensive backfield, junior cornerback E.J. Gaines is the leader of the group. Gaines set the school record for passes defended a year ago. He has only five passes defended in 2012, and has yet to intercept a pass.
Junior Kip Edwards is the other starter at corner, and he leads the team with two interceptions. His interceptions came against Arizona State and Missouri.
Senior Kenronte Walker and sophomore Braylon Webb are the starting safeties.
Missouri’s defense has been very opportunistic to this point with 14 turnovers forced, which puts them at 10th in the nation. Linebacker Andrew Wilson is tied for first in the nation with four forced fumbles, so Alabama’s running backs will have to make a point of emphasis to protect the football.
Make no mistake, Alabama is the superior football team in this matchup, and if they play up to their capability, they should win without much of a fuss. But, they can make this game a lot closer than it should be if they turn the ball over. Turnovers on the road get the crowd more involved, and can be the great equalizer.
If Alabama takes care of the football, then they should earn their second road victory in the SEC, and start conference play 3-0.
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