Alabama Football: Tide’s report card from National Championship

Alabama football’s report card vs. Ohio State

Cornerbacks: B+

Malachi Moore was questionable to play prior to the National Championship. The true freshman has been starting at slot corner all season, so he is a pivotal piece of the Alabama secondary. However, Brian Branch started in the slot, and he got a tipped pass on the first drive for the Crimson Tide.

That was Branch’s best play of the game. He got beat a few times on deep passes, but his overall game was solid. When you add in the fact that he is usually a safety, he did well in a new role.

Josh Jobe was caught in blown coverage on Ohio State’s second touchdown drive. He had a bad pass interference call that gave the Buckeyes great field position.

Surtain severely limited Chris Olave in this game, and that was his top priority. He should have had an interception, but he still played great in single coverage.

Safeties: B

DeMarco Hellams started once against alongside Jordan Battle at safety. He did well in some gaps, but he also got caught out of position a few times. That gave Master Teague some crucial running lanes.

Jordan Battle has been a crucial piece of the secondary all season, but a targeting penalty in the first half took him out of this game. Alabama went back to Daniel Wright at safety. Wright played well when given opportunities, but Alabama football would have preferred to have Battle for the entire game.