Alabama Football: Six thoughts and moving on from Florida game

Alabama Football got a big SEC road win Saturday. The Alabama Crimson Tide won while showing some of its many strengths and revealing weaknesses that raise concerns. Moving on from the Florida game involves giving equal weight to both how good the Crimson Tide is and how much more Alabama Football must improve to become championship-great.

Being clear at the start, this is no discussion of schemes. It is not about the relative merits or any shortcomings of the Crimson Tide coaching staff. The presumption is, given the Tide’s head coach is CFB’s all-time GOAT, Nick Saban will, if needed, address and rectify any coaching issues.

What this is, are individual thoughts, from video replay of the game, and a detailed look at game stats.

Alabama Football vs Florida Gators Thought No. 1

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is a tough environment for opposing teams in big games. How much of an edge it gave the Gators Saturday is difficult to guess in points. A try is, it was at least three or four points of advantage and maybe more.

For a still-developing offensive line and a quarterback starting in his first, big game hostile environment, the crowd had a significant impact. Blocking adjustments were a challenge. Play checkoffs could not be used to their fullest benefit. Negative or unproductive plays resulted because of the noise and the delays caused by noise. Some of the Tide’s offensive miscues go back to not being able to adjust a play and assignments to what the Florida defense was showing.

By the time the Tide travels to College Station, Bryce and the O-Line will be better prepared to adjust to a disruptive crowd.