Alabama Football: Crimson Tide path to beating Ole Miss

Pay attention to almost anyone and the story is Alabama Football is in a dark place. How dark is debatable. So is how likely it is the Crimson Tide can find the light this season. It feels like a mistake for anyone outside the Alabama football staff to believe they have ‘the’ answer.

From the outside, we may see some problems correctly. Some of the weaknesses are so glaring, not seeing them is impossible. The offensive line is inexplicably a major disappointment. Alabama also does not yet have a quarterback, despite having five on scholarship.

Fans can moan and groan that the game has passed Saban by; that the Coordinators (mainly Tommy Rees) are not good enough; and that there are other detriments to Crimson Tide success.

Let’s not make the mistake of thinking we know things that Nick Saban doesn’t. Saban and the Alabama football staff will do everything they can to improve the team. It is also good to remember that when a player fails, the vast majority of responses are to try and not do it again.

Unless some irrefutable fact is uncovered, there will not be discussion here abo dissension on the team, either by players or coaches. Conjectures about that kind of stuff can be found elsewhere on message boards.

Let’s not talk about Nick Saban retiring either. Until a decision using that word comes out of the mouths of Nick Saban or Terry Saban, I’m not listening to any such clamor.

Instead of talking about failure and giving up, let’s talk about Alabama Football finding its footing in the 2023 season. The Crimson Tide can. It is not going to be easy. And it needs to happen quickly.

Alabama Football vs. Ole Miss

Vegas odds that opened with Alabama as an 11-point favorite have moved to Alabama minus-6.5. One pundit with whom I rarely agree said the odds should be reversed and will get no argument from me.

All the stats that follow are provided by cfbstats.com

• Ole Miss QB, Jaxson Dart is No. 2 in the SEC in Total Offense. He is completing 66% of his passes. At No. 7 in the SEC in rushing yards-per-carry, he is the SEC’s top running QB.
• Lane Kiffin reloaded a depleted receiver corps through the Portal and the Rebels have two of the top 10 receivers in the SEC in receiving yards per game (Jordan Watkins and Daylon Wade). Kiffin added transfer wideout, Tre Harris who has the potential to be the Rebels’ top threat. And the Rebels have an outstanding tight end, Michael Trigg. Another top wideout transfer, Zakhari Franklin has not played yet this season due to injury recovery.
• Sophomore running back, Quinshon Judkins played little against Georgia Tech due to an injury that limited his practice time. Judkins is having a slow start in 2023, but last season he was No. 1 in the SEC with over 120 yards per game.
• Kiffin has plenty of weapons on offense. On defense, Ole Miss is No. 2 in the SEC in Opponent Completion Percentage at 54.5%.

The Crimson Tide defense will have to carry a big load on Saturday. In a subsequent post, we’ll dive more into the Ole Miss defense and what the Alabama offense must do to win.

Admittedly stats after three games can mislead. Plus the best team Ole Miss has played; Tulane, did not have its starting quarterback.