Life in the pocket became an increasingly uncomfortable place to navigate for Keelon Russell and Alabama’s offense throughout October. Coming off the Crimson Tide's bye week, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb knows that has to change.
If it doesn't, Alabama could be in for more of the same this Saturday when it travels to Death Valley, after Russell was sacked 14 times over the team's previous four games.
The timing couldn't be more challenging. LSU has developed arguably the most dangerous pass rush in college football, recording 34 sacks and 49 tackles for loss through eight games. That production only trails Tennessee's 35 total sacks for the national lead through nine weeks.
But Grubb knows that successfully blocking LSU's defensive front presents a challenge that goes beyond its ability to get after the quarterback. Under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, the Tigers have found success in disguising coverages and presenting multiple looks to create confusion before the snap, putting an added premium on communication and protection.
Ryan Grubb knows Alabama will have to be sharp in communication to keep LSU's pass rush from dictating the game
"In and out of calls, communication, I think, is a big part. Disguises on third down, they're good at showing different coverages and presenting different looks at the snap of the football, and obviously they pressure the quarterback really well," Grubb told reporters Monday at the Crimson Tide's weekly press conference. "They're top five in the country — I don't know exactly where they're at in sacks or yards per rush, all that stuff, but they're physically talented. They play hard. They execute really well, so it's everything you'd expect from an elite defense, and that's what we'll be facing."
With Alabama already surrendering 23 sacks on the season, help may be on the way to stabilize the interior of the line. Head coach Kalen DeBoer offered a reassuring update Monday, noting that starting center Racin Delgatty has made significant progress on the practice field.
Delgatty's return could make a difference when facing LSU's imposing edge-rushing duo of Princewell Umanmielen and Jordan Ross, who've combined for 13.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss on the year. Umanmielen, in particular, is a player Grubb knows the Tide will have to account for throughout all four quarters.
At 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds, the Tigers' leading sack man has used his impressive size and versatility to disrupt opposing offenses in multiple ways. Grubb highlighted that well-rounded skill set when discussing the challenges Alabama faces in containing LSU's No. 1 in purple and gold.
"He's an excellent football player," Grubb said. "Sometimes you see guys that are maybe a little more singular-faceted — like maybe he's more effective against the run or the pass, but I think he's a really well-rounded player. You hear about the sacks, but he certainly can be disruptive in the run game as well. He's got great block disruption on the edge, and he plays hard, plays physical, so I think he's a guy we're certainly going to have to keep track of the whole day."
But neutralizing Umanmielen and LSU's pass rush will require more than just better protection. Grubb must also be willing to lean on Alabama's running game and avoid putting Russell in predictable passing situations. The Crimson Tide can't afford to revert back to its one-dimensional ways like we saw them do against Georgia and Tennessee, particularly against a Tigers' defensive front that thrives on living in the backfield.
With Alabama entering Death Valley as an underdog, Saturday's matchup carries significant playoff implications for both squads. Each needs a win to strengthen its postseason resume, while the loser could find its playoff hopes all but tarnished. For Grubb and company, that makes the battle up front even more critical.
If the Tide can get healthy and show enough improvement in the trenches, then they'll have the offensive firepower needed to come out victorious and further cement their CFP push. If they don't — and Russell isn't seasoned enough to recognize when to throw the ball away — Alabama could find itself paying for the same offensive mistakes that plagued its undefeated start in October.
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