Alabama Football and the long week after a loss

The week after a loss is always tough in Tuscaloosa, but a loss to Vanderbilt has made it the longest week ever. The overreaction is massive and everything is under a microscope. The defensive breakdown in Nashville is a concern for all from the coaches, players, and fans, but some of the other discussions are ridiculous.

For there to be so much conversation of what Kalen Deboer wore on the sideline against the Commodores is flat out ridiculous. I know people correlate the lack of discipline on defense with how the coaches present themselves, but clearly Deboer's wardrobe hasn't hurt him in the past.

When it comes to the defense of course there will be adjustments made, because if anyone knows the last five quarters on defense has been atrocious it is the coaches and players. You see the comments of Kane Wommack isn't the right defensive guy, to Kalen Deboer is way over his head. I get last week was tough, but this team did beat Georgia the week before and the path to a playoff is still right there for the Tide.

One of the staples of the Saban dynasty was the defense and the fans expect a solid one, but to be honest there hasn't been a great defense since Jeremy Pruitt was the defensive coordinator.

We've seen former players like Damien Harris rip into Malachi Moore and the staff for the discipline issues, but it's amazing how winning games changes that narrative. I would have liked for him to reach out to this team directly for his critcisms than going on podcasts and shows with the tough criticism for his alma mater.

We all saw part of Moore's breakdown we didn't like at the end of the Vandy game, but it wouldn't have necessarily been handled any different if Saban was still walking the sideline.

With everything still in front of this team there just needs to be a good showing against South Carolina. There needs to be defensive adjustments made when needed, players not playing undisciplined, and no drama at the end of the game.

Alabama needs to win convincingly to bring a little confidence back to the fans before the big showdown in Knoxville next week. There is more than enough motivation for this team and the ball is in their court, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It will be interesting what the narrative is around 3 PM Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. Clearly it's not the end of the world, but the margin for error became much smaller.