Alabama Football: Finding optimism and getting right against Ole Miss

It is possible that before Saturday’s kickoff, every single Alabama football fan expected the Crimson Tide to have a ‘return to normal’ win an easy win over USF. What happened in Tampa was nothing of the sort.

Just how bad is the 2023 Alabama football team? And how good can it become? There is no clear answer to either question. There will be another test on Saturday against Ole Miss. Alabama will be favored by Vegas oddsmakers (the early week line is Bama by 11 points.) The AP and Coaches Polls still favor the Tide in higher rankings than Ole Miss, but the gap went down to two slots in the AP Poll.

The ESPN FPI still favors Alabama at No. 4, with the undefeated Ole Miss Rebels at No. 13.

Everyone in the Alabama football program, along with Crimson Tide fans realizes the Ole Miss game is pivotal. A loss would quiet all talk of Playoff chances and championship aspirations. Any win, even a squeaker with the Tide benefitting from good luck or calls that go against Ole Miss, would be a relief.

Much will be made about Lane Kiffin’s understanding of how to take on an Alabama football defense. He does and potentially could seize on defensive weaknesses as Steve Sarkisian did in week two. Plus, Kiffin’s Defensive Coordinator, Pete Golding knows even more about Nick Saban’s defenses.

More attention will go to the matchup between Tommy Rees and former Alabama DC, Pete Golding. The Ole Miss defense outplaying the Alabama offense would be a doomsday scenario in the minds of many Alabama football fans.

Alabama Football Optimism

The Alabama football reservoir of optimism is deep. There are reasons for Crimson Tide fans to be hopeful that Saturday can be the turnaround game that was anticipated against South Florida.

Lane Kiffin arguably mines more gold in the Transfer Portal than any other coach. He did it again in the offseason bringing in two top receivers to more than make up for exiting players. Ole Miss also strengthened the defensive line with a couple of transfers, notably one was one of Auburn’s best, JJ Pegues. The Ole Miss offensive line lost only one starter. Running back Quinshon Judkins was one of the SEC’s best last season. Because of an injury, Judkins got limited snaps against Georgia Tech on Saturday. One of the top transfer receivers, Tre Harris was unable to play against the Yellowjackets. His status for the Alabama game is not known.

With all the personnel plusses referenced above, and Ole Miss QB, Jaxon Dart playing the best football of his career, the Rebels still do not have roster talent comparable to Alabama.

It may not be easy. It might even be ugly. But the Crimson Tide can and should begin a climb back with a win over Ole Miss.