Though the exact date has not been released spring practice for Alabama Football will begin in about three weeks. Until then, off-season conditioning continues, including the staple of Alabama's off-season preparation; the 4th Quarter program.
As the Crimson Tide has worked in the annual offseason program, debates about Roq Montgomery's recent 'dialed-in' comments have faded. There have been reports of this year's 4th Quarter work being as intense as ever.
Maybe Montgomery was correct and Alabama is more dialed-in at this point than it was last season. Then again, it is standard fare that early in offseason, players will state their teams have more focus than a previous season. Making too much of not being 'dialed in' or being 'dialed in' is probably a mistake.
The 4th Quarter program began years ago when Scott Cochran was Nick Saban's main offseason motivator. The program's goal was to make Alabama football players so physically and mentally tough, they would wear down opponents and overwhelm them in 4th quarters. No one can argue about its success.
Alabama Football 2024 4th Quarter Woes
Based on the standard of 4th quarter success, last season's 4th Quarter program failed. In the Alabama Crimson Tide's four losses last season, 4th quarters did not provide Alabama comebacks. Vanderbilt scored two 4th quarter touchdowns to the Tide's one as the Commodores closed out a 40-35 win. against Tennessee, Alabama took an early 4th quarter lead. The Vols countered with two touchdowns that slammed the door on Bama in a 24-17 Tennessee win. Neither team scored in the final quarter in Norman. The Oklahoma game was essentially over for the Crimson Tide when the Sooners took a 17-3 lead early in the 3rd quarter. The Michigan loss resulted from early mistakes by Alabama, giving the Wolverines a 16-0 lead. The teams traded field goals in a meaningless 4th quarter.
Even in Alabama's September victory over Georgia, the Bulldogs outscored the Crimson Tide 19-8 in the 4th quarter. Alabama did get the game's final touchdown to hold on to the win.
Last season's late-game failures lead to a question begging to be answered. If the Alabama Crimson Tide is more 'dialed-in' this offseason, will it be enough for a significant 2025 turnaround? We have a long wait, for the answer.
Note: Alabama football stats provided by rolltide.com