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Alabama Football: OC Brian Daboll needs to trust the rush

By Brandon Nickel

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Josh Jacobs
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Josh Jacobs /
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Alabama football got into trouble against Auburn because offensive coordinator Brian Daboll relied more on the passing game than the Tide’s strength.

As Alabama gets over the weekend hangover of getting into the college football playoffs, adjustments need to be made before they take on Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. The last time anyone saw the Crimson Tide, they were taking it on the chin against the Auburn Tigers because their defense could not get off of the field and the offense could not stay on it.

In Coach Daboll’s case, the play calling system went away from Alabama football’s identity.

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Alabama is known for its running game. Ever since the school first started playing football, the rushing was what defined them. It was no different this season; yet, when it came to this year’s Iron Bowl, Daboll put the game into quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ hands more than he needed. It cost them, as Auburn’s defense made Alabama one-dimensional and predictable.

The nightmare was so staggering to Alabama football fans, one particular member of the Crimson faithful had this piece of advice for Daboll a week later:

Hurts did not just throw the ball 22 times, he also rushed 18 times against the Tigers. That’s a great deal of plays relying on Hurts to make something special happen. He earned 82 yards on his feet while completing only 12 passes.

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley could not get open, as Auburn kept him tightly guarded in the secondary. There was no need for the Tigers’ defensive backs to help on the run coverage when there were not many running back plays called. Ridley caught three passes for 38 total yards.

Alabama running backs Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, and Josh Jacobs, who had played such key factors in the Crimson Tide offense all season, only carried the ball six times each. They combined for 122 rushing yards.

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Harris averaged 8.5 yards a carry and Scarbrough averaged 7.7 yards, but Daboll mysteriously went away from the run for much of the second half of the game.

It was only 10-3 for Auburn at halftime. It did not suggest that Alabama had to take to the sky to regain ground quickly. Hurts was only gaining 4.5 yards per pass. Yet, Alabama went 3-11 on third down, allowing Auburn to control the time of possession throughout the game.

It was as if Daboll gave way too much respect to Auburn’s defensive linemen to stop the run. Was he afraid of the job that the Tigers did against Georgia? Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, two top running backs in the country, were held to a combined 48 yards rushing against Auburn. The performance led to a 40-17 victory. Did Daboll foresee the same thing happening to Alabama?

If he did, Daboll needed to get his crystal ball checked. The fog got in the way of what made the Crimson Tide the dominant team that they were.

If Alabama wishes to shut up any doubters as to their worthiness of being in the college football playoffs, they will need to run the ball more. The Crimson Tide need to reassert their identity against Clemson, another team with a strong defensive line, if they wish to keep their offense balanced. That equality of pass and run makes Alabama more dangerous and it will free up receivers like Ridley deep in the Clemson secondary.

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However, if Daboll decides to play it safe and keep the ball in the hands of his star quarterback, Clemson will key in on Hurts just like Auburn did. It’s one thing for Alabama to be happy about the playoffs, but they also need to remember that it is also a chance at redemption. Many people think that Alabama does not deserve it and, if Daboll does not trust the rush, those doubters may be proved right.

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