Kane Wommack has worked wonders with Alabama's defense since an inauspicious start in Week 1. He has completely flipped the perception of Alabama fans for his quality as a defensive coordinator, and a sense of relief permeated through the fanbase when Arkansas chose to hire Memphis' Ryan Silverfield instead of Wommack.
Wommack has more than earned his keep in Tuscaloosa. While the offense has unfortunately trended in the wrong direction, Wommack's defense has gotten stronger with each passing week.
In the regular season meeting against Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa, the Alabama defense did what it could to save the Crimson Tide from itself.
Wommack's defense held the Sooners to just 212 total yards and didn't allow a single drive of longer than 41 yards. But there is one thing Wommack hopes to improve in the rematch.
Turnovers.
Kane Wommack wants his Alabama defense to force takeaways vs. Oklahoma
Alabama finished -3 in turnover margin against Oklahoma. The offense gave it away three times, and the defense couldn't respond with a takeaway of its own. It had opportunities. Oklahoma put the ball on the ground once, but recovered it. John Mateer had a few turnover-worthy throws, none more consequential than what was likely a dropped pick-six by Justin Jefferson that turned into a 14-point swing. Ryan Williams fumbled the ensuing punt, and Oklahoma punched in a touchdown a couple of plays later.
In a game that is expected to be tight, turnovers could ultimately decide the outcome. It's up to the offense not to give it away multiple times again, but Wommack knows his defense needs to go get the football.
"We cannot walk out of that game -3 in the turnover margin again," Wommack said this week.
Wommack knows his defense can't control the situation the offense puts them in. And in recent weeks, they've been put in more and more adverse situations thanks to an inept offense. They need more help than they've been getting.
But they can't control that. They can only control what they do when they are on the field. As good as Alabama's defense performed against Oklahoma a month ago, the Crimson Tide wins the game if they force a takeaway of their own. If that Mateer pass doesn't bounce off Jefferson's hands, we're having a different conversation right now. Alabama is hosting a playoff game against Tulane or James Madison, and Oklahoma is sitting on the couch.
Instead, Alabama will travel to a difficult environment in Norman with hopes of earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. A takeaway or two by the defense would go a long way in securing the Tide's spot in Pasadena.