3 keys to victory for Alabama football against Missouri

It's been a disappointing season in Tuscaloosa for Alabama football fans. Which is to show how spoiled Nick Saban made this fanbase that 5-2 would be utterly disappointing. It's been a long time since that kind of record would have been met with cheer instead of frustration.

Not since Saban's first season in Tuscaloosa did Alabama have more than a single loss prior to the calendar flipping to November. If it doesn't play much better than it has the last three weeks, then Alabama could be staring at a third loss to end the month of October.

The Crimson Tide will try to right the ship on Homecoming this weekend against a 6-1 Missouri Tigers team that is also looking to stay alive in the playoff race.

Missouri brings an offense capable of fireworks, particularly through the air, which is more concerning following the injury to starting safety Keon Sabb for the Crimson Tide.

This is a must win game for Alabama on Saturday, regardless of who is available or who isn't. A third loss will make things uncomfortable for Kalen DeBoer in his first season on the job, regardess of the circumstances.

Here's how Alabama can get the job done:

3 keys to victory for Alabama

3. Run the football, sustain drives

Alabama has to get the ground game going. We talk about it every week, and maybe it just isn't going to happen, but having Jalen Milroe throw 45 passes is not a recipe for success. The Crimson Tide's offense that looked like one of the best units in the country through the season's first four weeks coud muster only 17 points against Tennessee last week.

That's two weeks in a row Alabama has struggled against the better defenses in the conference in South Carolina and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide will need to try and establish the run on Saturday against Missouri, particularly with Milroe's recent struggles.

Alabama managed just 75 rushing yards last week; that's not a recipe for success in this league. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes are both capable running backs, and DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan need to be more patient offensively.

Don't get discouraged by three and four yard runs. Keep the sticks moving and sustain offensive drives. With the injuries in Alabama's secondary, the Tide offense needs to play complimentary football and limit the opportunities Missouri QB Brady Cook has to pick on a young, beat up secondary.

2. Avoid coverage breakdowns

There's little doubt that Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is going to dial up some deep shots to try and take advantage of an Alabama secondary that features multiple true freshmen and will be without Keon Sabb.

Brady Cook is a little banged up and missed a good chunk of the Auburn game last week with an injury before coming back for the fourth quarter and leading his team to victory.

Cook has two high level wide receivers in Luther Burden and Theo Wease. Alabama can't rely on Cook missing the deep throws that Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava missed a week ago. If there are coverage breakdowns, Cook will make Alabama play. That's why, the most important thing for the Tide defense will be....

1. Pressure Cook

Cook isn't the most mobile QB to begin with, and his mobility will be even more limited with the ankle/knee injury he suffered last week. Alabama needs to tee off defensively, and send as much pressure as it takes to rattle him and prevent him from having time to hit Burden and Wease down the field.

Alabama managed four sacks last week against Tennessee, and will need to duplicate that number or even one up it to win this weekend. LT Overton continues to dominate up front, and he should have another strong day.

The defense played well enough to win last week, but who knows which version of the defense we are going to see this Saturday. If Alabama is able to get pressure, it should be a good day defensively. If not, there'll be a lot of pressure on Milroe and the Tide offense to win a track meet.