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Alabama Football: 7 Things learned watching Bama win another SEC title vs Florida

By Dave Ozment

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) takes the handoff from quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) during the third quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) takes the handoff from quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) during the third quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban yells from the sideline after a penalty during the second quarter of a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban yells from the sideline after a penalty during the second quarter of a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Overcorrection

We saw again on Saturday something that we observed during the Arkansas and TAMU games, defensive overreaction.

Against Arkansas the defense refused to play nickel and dime due to an over-investment in stopping the Hogs running game. That day the secondary allowed 400 through the air. Two weeks later Alabama play featured plenty of dime coverage packages while allowing the Aggies some early success on the ground.

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Against the Gators the Tide staff appeared to make a similar overreaction with the injury to Marlon Humphrey. Rather than allowing Humphrey’s normal backup, Levi Wallace, step into the role, Alabama elected to move Minkah Fitzpatrick into the corner spot.

I’ll be the first to admit that Minkah has more talent than most defensive backs in the country, but this move represented his third position in 2 weeks. You’ll recall he moved back to his role at Star early against Auburn due to the disqualification of Tony Brown for targeting.

Also, consider that Minkah has lined up at a pure corner position only a few times over his career at Alabama. Given time and reps Minkah will be a Pro Bowl corner, but absent sufficient prep, he demonstrated flashes of rust which allowed Florida a chance to jump to the early lead.

Upon returning Minkah to safety (a move made during the bye week to cover for the loss of Eddie Jackson), and allowing Wallace to man the corner, the Tide defense settled down and delivered to expectations.

Punt Return Game

Trevon looked as comfortable at the punt return position as he has all season and the results quickly followed. Look for more good things here as he continues to grow into the role.

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