Alabama Football: What the Tide needs during the Iron Bowl besides winning

No matter how good or bad Alabama Football or Auburn (aka the barn/cow college) may be. They always manage to bring the most fight to the Iron Bowl.

For Alabama football going forward, it cannot suffer a loss to Auburn.

However, even more than finding the winning edge in Saturday’s matchup the Crimson Tide need to accomplish three other tasks.

Consistency 

It is not how you start, but how you finish a season that defines success.

Since the bye week, Alabama’s offense has played some of the best defenses in the country such as LSU and Mississippi State. The offense was able to do its job in both to pull the Tide ahead but the defense truly sealed the victory with shutouts in both.

The offensive firepower seen over the first half of the year was expected to resume its normal viewing schedule against the Citadel but was vacant for the first half.

The Iron Bowl will be the last chance for the Tide to find the consistency on offense it had enjoyed for the first half of the year, before going against Georgia and potential playoff opponents.

If the Tide can roll through the Tigers in Tuscaloosa than they will have found the consistency and momentum needed to take Alabama football to the level of being SEC champions once again, with sights on its 18th National Championship.

Health

Much of the season has revolved around the leg of Tua Tagovailoa. However, I believe the greater cause for concern falls upon the offensive line for the Tide. With Deonte Brown and Alex Leatherwood being banged up, it puts the Tide into the precarious position of protecting its star quarterback.

The offensive line with Brown and Leatherwood starting have shown the return to form in terms of run blocking Crimson Tide fans have expected from Alabama football over the past decade.

Against higher caliber teams, the ability to run the football and give Tua Tagovailoa time to shred defenses will be crucial for victory.

The other aspect that needs to be addressed in terms of health is the secondary. After losing Trevon Diggs, the Tide’s secondary cannot afford to lose anyone else and not expect to see a significant fall in terms of production.

Alabama football received a major break when Deionte Thompson’s injury was deemed less serious than it appeared when he limped off the field. Thompson has provided the Tide with an excellent display of coverage and tackling skills from the safety position much-needed in college football.

For the Tide in the Iron Bowl, it needs to leave with victory in hand, but also unscathed in terms of injuries.

Dixieland Delight

Entering the fourth quarter against Missouri, Alabama football fans were enthralled to yet again hear the sweet music of Alabama playing Dixieland Delight. After the 2014 season, the fans were stripped of this privilege due to its fans use during the Iron Bowl.

Alabama football and Dixieland Delight belong with one another. It is a staple of not only Alabama football but college football. The same could be said of Enter Sandman and Virginia Tech or Jump Around and Wisconsin.

The Crimson Tide faithful need for this tradition to carry on after the 2018 season.

Against Auburn, it will be the toughest challenge yet for the Crimson Tide faithful.

I hope that leaving the Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday the Tide are singing not only Rammer Jammer, but in the future continuing to sing Dixieland Delight.

Conclusion

Alabama football is one step away from entering the SEC Championship undefeated. Standing in its way is the sole loss from last season in the Auburn Tigers.

Many expect the Tide to roll and I do expect a victory.

I just hope that victory is found through offensive consistency and maintaining the overall health of the team without losing yet again the best part of the fourth quarter in Tuscaloosa in Dixieland Delight.

Comment below on your prediction for the score to the game. Also, comment on what you hope the Tide is able to accomplish in the Iron Bowl besides victory.