Alabama Football: Renewed optimism not without questions

With another Alabama football win expected on Saturday, there is renewed optimism about the Alabama Crimson Tide. While I am not ready to pay much attention to the Tide’s Playoff chances, I agree with Joel Klatt.

A couple of days ago, Klatt predicted Alabama will win the SEC West. My optimism is only shaded by the knowledge that even good teams can, in a competitive game, make enough mistakes to beat themselves.

In addition to that bit of doubt, I also know there are answers Alabama football fans would like to have to ‘can’t be known yet’ questions. One is just how good is Ole Miss. That answer might be known before Alabama’s Saturday kickoff, with Ole Miss hosting LSU in Oxford. Possibly that game will answer some questions about LSU as well.

Other unanswered Alabama football questions are almost all about the Crimson Tide offense. As Jalen Milroe recently said the Crimson Tide is a work in progress. His decision-making needs to improve. More pressing in the minds of many Alabama football fans are doubts about the Tide’s offensive line and Offensive Coordinator, Tommy Rees.

Biggest Alabama Football Surprise

Through four games, the Tide’s offensive linemen have been the most disappointing Alabama football surprise. The second half against Ole Miss was encouraging. The Rebels are believed to be better defensively, but the Aggies and the Bengal Tigers will provide tougher defensive front challenges.

The report card for Tommy Rees is incomplete. Alabama fans are habitually tough on Crimson Tide coordinators. Despite Saban’s dissatisfaction with one shotgun formation against Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide head coach appears to remain confident in Tommy Rees. Alabama player leaders vocally support Rees and their comments have sounded sincere. After the Ole Miss win, Bama fans have reasons to be encouraged about the Crimson Tide offense.

For Tide fans needing bolstered confidence, look back at Bryce Young’s comments after the loss to Texas.

"If you are looking for tears, you won’t find them in Tuscaloosa. – that is not our culture. If you hear excuses, they are not coming out of Bryant-Denny Stadium…… a mistake is just an opportunity to improve – not the definition of your character. Who we were is not who we are and who who we are is still not who we will become."

Nay-sayers continue to point out that Alabama has lost three of its last 10 road games and three of the seven wins were nail-biters. That picture can and should turn brighter in weeks five and six of the Crimson Tide season.