Struggle Win in Austin
When former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin first faced Alabama as the Ole Miss head coach, his phenomenal offensive playcalling gave Saban and the Alabama defense fits.
The Rebels scored on every possession until late in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss appeared to counter every defensive scheme called. Alabama won 63-48; the Crimson Tide allowed 647 yards, the most in the past two seasons. Kiffin laid the groundwork for a former assistant with intimate knowledge of Alabama and the damage they could inflict.
Second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian will pose the same challenge. Sark will make life uncomfortable for the Crimson Tide as he knows the ins and outs of the Alabama defense.
Only this time, he will have better offensive talent than Kiffin with an all-world running back in junior Bijan Robinson and a star receiver Xavier Worthy.