The very thin Alabama football outside linebacker group took another hit against Oklahoma with the hamstring injury to Christian Miller.
Alabama football has a dilemma against Clemson. The Crimson Tide will need to pressure Clemson QB, Trevor Lawrence. Though only a freshman, Lawrence has a big, accurate arm. Couple that with at least three very capable and two very athletic receivers and the Tide can ill afford an un-hurried Lawrence.
Tosh Lupoi can dial up some blitzes, as he did against Oklahoma. But the staple of Nick Saban’s defensive system is getting QB pressure with no more than four pass rushers. The fourth rusher is most often an outside linebacker. If Christian Miller’s injured hamstring keeps him out of the national championship game, the Tide will be minus three outside linebackers. How Nick Saban chooses to adjust will be a major factor in the outcome of the game.
The Alabama football staff has options but none of them are as good as a healthy Christian Miller. Miller is second on the team in sacks, just one behind Isaiah Buggs. He is also third on the team in tackles-for-loss. He is the Sam linebacker in the base defense but his most important role is as an edge rusher. Miller is the reason the loss of fellow OLB, Terrell Lewis did not debilitate the 2018 Tide defense.
No offense to any Crimson Tide players, but after Lewis and Miller, the options as an edge rusher are limited. One player who could handle the role is ILB, Dylan Moses. Moses coming off the edge, similar to how Rashaan Evans was sometimes used, would thrill Alabama football fans. But the Tide is also thin at ILB and as good as Mack Wilson often is, Moses has been more consistent at ILB. Sliding Moses outside in certain situations is at best a partial fix.
The Tide’s other OLB starter, Anfernee Jennings can pressure a QB but someone needs to rotate with him to keep him fresh. Also, a healthy Jennings is not a speed rusher and Anfernee is not fully healthy.
The expectation is the first replacement for Miller on Monday night will be Jamey Mosley. Mosley understands the defense and is the safe choice, but he is not the same physical presence as his teammates. Alabama football fans wonder if LaBryan Ray can just get more snaps. Ray is a future star but he is a defensive end and not an OLB.
Crimson Tide fans would love to see true freshman, Eyabi Anoma have an expanded role as an outside rusher. The former 5-Star has amazing speed off the edge but he may not be ready for such a big challenge. This season is only Eyabi’s third season playing football. He admits to having difficulty learning the complicated Tide defense. Expanding his role might lead to some big plays but even more missed assignments.
Terrell Lewis might be close to providing an immediate solution to a loss of Christian Miller. But, after a July ACL surgery, Lewis is not expected to play against Clemson.
Based on Tuesday’s practice and Nick Saban’s assessment, Christian Miller is questionable for Monday night. He dressed out for Tuesday’s practice but did not participate in drills. Of the three hurt or injured outside linebackers, media observers said Lewis was the most active on Tuesday, followed by Jennings and Miller.
A surprise option on Monday could be another true freshman, Cameron Latu. The last few weeks Latu has been said to be looking very impressive in practices. He could play Monday night and still qualify for a redshirt.
Alabama football, like all great teams, has a ‘next man up’ mentality. Still, potentially not having Miller or Lewis is a big blow to the Crimson Tide defense.