Alabama Football: Sometimes you just get whooped

Now let’s discuss the turnovers on downs

Coming out of the half, down by 15, Alabama drives all the way down to the red zone looking to cut the lead to one score.

On third and six we miss Irv Smith Jr. and decide to go for a fake field goal. Here are my biggest gripes with this.

First, if you don’t trust your kicker and know you are going to go for it on fourth down, then run the ball on third down. Set the offense up for success on fourth down. This became a trend for playcalling. Alabama football chose to run poor third-down plays all night, which ultimately affected the fourth down attempts.

Second, if you are going to go for it on third and long, as in more than five yards, leave your offense on the field. Leave Tua and the offense out there and make Clemson guard everyone again and see what you can draw up. The field goal fake was doomed from the start because Clemson was playing field goal safe. This is because Alabama kicking game isn’t a threat. It hasn’t been all year.

The second turnover on downs occurred because of poor play calling on third down as well. On third and four, running the football would have at least cut the distance down on fourth down. So if Tua had to scramble in a condensed red zone he would need fewer yards. That didn’t happen.

On the final turnover on downs. I thought the rush to the outside with Tua was desperation and a sign of frustration. Being unable to convert, culminated with a poor play call again.

 Alabama Football Playcalling

The playcalling reminded me of the Missouri game earlier in the year. Inside the red zone, the offense stalled over and over again. Getting too cute with playcalling in that game led to us kicking field goals instead of touchdowns. On Monday night the Tide got cute yet again and it ultimately cost ball possession and the game.

What I mean by getting cute is instead of calling a play that had been working (like a run between the tackles) Tua would try to hit a receiver on a drag route when Clemson was playing zone or attempt low percentage throws.

When the team needs touchdowns you call plays that best set up your offense. Too many times on Monday that just didn’t happen.

Alabama ultimately left 35 points on the field from turnovers and gave Clemson 7 on the pick.

You simply can’t win ball games when you do that.