Alabama Football: Vanderbilt Commodores defensive preview
Alabama football takes on the Vanderbilt Commodores this weekend, and looks to continue smoothing out some offensive wrinkles.
Alabama Football: Offense still being refined
The Tide appear to have finally established a rhythm in the running game, but it remains to be seen if they can do so consistently and against SEC competition. Jase McClellan and Jahmyr Gibbs are explosive play threats on the ground, while Roydell Williams and freshman Jamarion Miller bring the muscle between the tackles.
Alabama has also been unable to generate big plays in the passing game. Despite having reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young at quarterback, the offense has posted only 243.3 passing yards per game, ranking 73rd in the country. Despite these relative struggles, Alabama football is scoring 46 points per game and ranks 10th nationally averaging 7.4 yards per play.
Alabama Football: Vanderbilt defense has been unimpressive
The Vanderbilt defense, by comparison, has not been very good this season. The Commodores are surrendering 414 yards per game and 28.5 points per game. They are giving up nearly six yards per play, ranking 94th in the FBS.
Surprisingly, Vandy’s worst defensive outing of the season came against an FCS opponent in Elon. The Phoenix threw for 343 yards and ran for another 152 en route to 31 points in a shootout loss to the Commodores.
Vanderbilt’s only loss came against Wake Forest. Wake is one of the ACC’s best teams, and the most comparable of Vandy’s opponents to Alabama. The Demon Deacons are a veteran-laden team with an explosive offense led by a talented and seasoned quarterback in Sam Hartman. Hartman threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns as Wake put up 451 yards on 6.7 yards per play in a 45-25 win.
Alabama Football: Key players for Vanderbilt defense
The leaders of the Vanderbilt defense are linebackers Anfernee Orji and Ethan Barr. Orji, one of the best defenders in the SEC, led the Commodores last season with 92 tackles and 13.0 tackles for loss. He is leading the team again this year with 39 tackles, and has returned a fumble for a touchdown. Barr posted 85 tackles and three interceptions in 2021, and has 15 tackles so far this year.
The Vanderbilt secondary is led by safeties Max Worship and De’Rickey Wright. Worship racked up 52 tackles and a pair of interceptions in 2021, and is currently second on the team with 25 tackles. Wright is a big safety that has 16 tackles and an interception this year.
Jaylen Mahoney is a playmaker from the nickel. Mahoney is a 4-year contributor on the Vanderbilt defense, making 52 tackles last season to go with two sacks and two interceptions.
Vandy will likely be incapable of slowing down the Alabama offense, but Bama has clear deficiencies that it needs to work on. Alabama fans would like to see some proficiency in the vertical passing game this week.
Next. Previewing Vanderbilt's offense. dark
Alabama continues to work through continuity issues to find its most effective offensive line combination. As the team heads into SEC play, the most important thing this week may be to solidify the O-line and continue to establish the run.