Alabama Football: Buttoned-down Tide offense to continue

Alabama football fans are hoping the Crimson Tide offense will produce more soon. It should, as soon as Saturday, against a Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) team that will be out-manned. Vanderbilt’s defense will be stiffer a week later, but the Commodores surrendered 31 points to Elon in their second game.

While there may be a number of explosive plays by the Tide offense in the next two games, they will result from better execution. That is not to say, Bill O’Brien will shy away from schemes to get receivers open more often. But however much of the Crimson Tide’s offensive playbook was used against Texas, more will not be used against ULM  and perhaps not against Vandy.

Why will the Crimson Tide choose to be buttoned down again? Basically, there is little or no reason not to be. October is when the Alabama football offense must sizzle and until then showing future opponents too much is unwise.

Concerns about Alabama Football Offense

Alabama football fans are concerned about whether the Crimson Tide offense is championship capable. As yet, that is not known.

What we know is so far the most productive receiving threat, in terms of total receptions has been running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs is a multi-talented player and a serious threat anytime he touches the ball. He is not however a go-to, over-the-top, stretch a defense player.

To replace Jameson Williams, the explosive deep threat is hoped to be Louisville transfer, Tyler Harrell. Because of a foot injury, Harrell has not played and isn’t expected to do so before the Arkansas game.

Another incoming transfer, Georgia’s Jermaine Burton also has sufficient speed to go deep, but so far Burton has been quiet. Burton has caught seven passes with an average gain of 6.4 yards. Traeshon Holden leads the Crimson Tide with nine catches for a 12.1-yard average.

Jameson Williams averaged 19.9 yards per reception last season. Tyler Harrell averaged 29.1 yards per reception in 2021 at Louisville but only played in 14 games over three seasons.

A meaningful look at Alabama Football 2022 stats requires more data than two games. A too-early to panic number for the Crimson Tide is an average of 37.5 points per game (No. 7 in the SEC). Last season, Alabama led the SEC at 39.9 points per game. In the 2020 National Championship season, the Tide’s average per game was 48.5 points.

Last season, the Alabama offense lit up Arkansas with 559 passing yards. Jumping to a conclusion would be a mistake, but some doubt is justified over whether the Tide can have such an explosive offense this October.