Alabama Football: Three things to watch coming out of bye week

Alabama football will emerge from its bye week ranked no. 6 in the country with a 7-1 record. The Tide has looked vulnerable in several games this season. While this team has perhaps the highest ceiling in college football, the general consensus is that some things need to change if Alabama is going to return to the playoff and compete for a national championship.

Alabama Football: Seth McLaughlin returns to starting lineup

Junior center Seth McLaughlin has been a game-changer in his opportunities on the offensive line. Though he is somewhat undersized, McLaughlin’s mentality and aggressive style of play makes him a very effective run blocker. He has displayed the ability to compete with and even displace much larger defensive linemen, and he has opened up holes on some huge runs for Alabama football this year.

In his first start of the season against Arkansas, Seth McLaughlin helped to pave the way for 317 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, easily season-highs for the Alabama offense. He also started the next game against Texas A&M in which Alabama ran for 286 yards, their second-highest total of the season. He was also solid in pass protection.

McLaughlin appeared to suffer an injury late in the Tennessee game. His injury has not been specified in any injury reports, but he did not play against Mississippi State. Darrian Dalcourt returned to the starting lineup in that matchup, and Alabama ran for a season-low 29 yards on 1.1 YPC. The inability to run the ball in this game did not fall entirely on Dalcourt, but there is a stark difference in the running game depending on who is at center.

Alabama Football: Bryce Young and receivers take the next step

Bryce Young and the Alabama passing game have shown flashes of explosive potential this season, but haven’t been able to consistently play at a high level. Alabama’s receiving corps is made up almost entirely of freshmen, transfers, and former reserves, so the group taking a few weeks to mesh with Young was to be expected. Still, it will be November the next time Alabama kicks off and the passing game still lacks polish.

Juniors Traeshon Holden and Jermaine Burton, sophomore Ja’Corey Brooks, and freshmen Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond have all made major contributions at different points in the season. Sophomore receiver Jojo Earle and junior transfer Tyler Harrell are finally being integrated into the offense after extensive battles with injuries.

While it’s hard to believe a true WR1 will emerge from the pack this season, this group as a collective can be one of the nation’s best. In combination with Bryce Young, the potential for Alabama’s passing attack is incredibly high. Perhaps it will look a little smoother coming out of the bye week.

Alabama Football: Defense settles in

The Alabama defense was banged up heading into the bye week. The off week should’ve given the Tide an opportunity to get healthy on defense and work out some kinks. Defensive linemen DJ Dale and Jaheim Oatis, as well as inside linebackers Deontae Lawson and Kendrick Blackshire, did not suit up against Mississippi State. Inside linebacker Jaylen Moody, who was coming off an injury of his own, barely played. Alabama will need to take a healthy defense into Baton Rouge to limit the Tigers’ rushing attack.

Additionally, Alabama introduced Eli Ricks as its new starting cornerback against Mississippi State. Ricks was exceptional in that game, and the bye week has given him two more weeks of practice with the first-team defense. He should be even more comfortable and confident this week. This shift in the secondary also gives Alabama football the option to play around with some creative dime and nickel packages to get better coverage players on the field.

Although the Alabama defense largely shut down Mississippi State, the group should still be embarrassed and hungry following its performance at Tennessee. This defense has a lot to prove, and it should be healthier and more prepared coming out of the bye week.