In The Swamp, the Florida defense refused to give ground, stopping Ole Miss twice on fourth down in the red zone and back-to-back fourth-quarter interceptions. On The Plains, Auburn decided they were done beating themselves and put together the fourth-quarter drive they needed to force overtime with the momentum in hand.
For Alabama, things started to unravel from the first offensive snap, a quarterback run for Jalen Milroe that ended with a missed block by tight end CJ Dippre and a one-yard gain. That first offensive play was indicative of the rest of the night: confusion, missed blocks, no gain, and no answers.
On the other side of the ball, the defense had the same issues, they were timid, out of place, and aside from a forced fumble on the Sooner’s second drive spent the rest of the first half on their heels.
Oklahoma entered the game ready to play, with a game plan that looked like a carbon copy of Vanderbilt’s, with the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure. Alabama looked like a team that completely forgot the lessons they had learned in the past three weeks.
It was a loss that bucked the traditions of Alabama. Where was The Process of Nick Saban? Where was the, I can take mine and beat yours or take yours and beat mine mentality of Bear Bryant? How was Alabama this unprepared for Oklahoma?
Preparation is key to winning football games. Alabama is 2-0 in SEC play off of a bye week. But the problem seems to be whatever the game plan is in that bye-week, that’s all Alabama is going to do until their next break.
Alabama’s game plan from LSU to Oklahoma didn’t seem to change at all. Predicated on the use of Milroe’s legs, to establish momentum and his confidence. Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and now Oklahoma have proven if you take that away you rattle the whole offense to their core.
When running with Milroe doesn’t work, Alabama doesn’t turn it over to the running backs to get the job done. Jam Miller only carried the ball five times in the first half and had 25 yards doing it with two runs of five or more yards. Justice Haynes had two first-half carries for 12 yards and solid chunk plays Alabama’s sputtering offense needed. But the Crimson Tide was incapable of making the shift to ride the hot hands, opting to lean on Milroe who lost yards on four of his team-leading 9 first-half carries.
The inability to adjust wasn’t just a playcalling issue. The offensive line looked more like they were learning about stunts up front and safety blitzes in real time. On more than one occasion, the ABC broadcast showed pressure crashing down in Milroe’s face. Free rushers with a head full of steam take on running backs, while guards and tackles doubled or triple-teamed defensive linemen.
Defensively, injuries played a part. Losing linebacker Deontae Lawson hurt. Lawson is more than just a gap plugger in the running game; he is the mental leader of the Alabama defense.
Losing Lawson doesn’t explain Alabama’s complete lack of preparation for Oklahoma to run the ball. The Crimson Tide adjusted some in the second half, holding the Sooners to 52 yards in the second half. But the spaghetti strainer first-half run defense put more pressure on the sputtering offense.
Barring a miracle, the playoffs are now out of reach for Alabama. Kalen DeBoer’s main job now shifts from winning a national title to keeping the mood from souring in Tuscaloosa. With Auburn coming to Tuscaloosa and a bowl game on the horizon, DeBoer is forced into must-win situations on the field and in recruiting.
With Auburn coming off of a huge win over Texas A&M, there are now real questions about whether or not Alabama can beat the Tigers. Auburn like Oklahoma has a strong run defense and one of the best backs in the country in Jarquez Hunter. Hugh Freeze could save his job with a win over the Crimson Tide and two top-25 wins to close the year.
Without good preparation and a win, Alabama could finish this season 8-4, missing the playoffs and playing in a meaningless bowl game. In the day and age of the expanded playoffs, this will be unacceptable to most of Alabama’s fans. Alabama fans aren’t used to losing multiple games in a season and they aren’t used to losing games to teams who are scrapping to make bowl games.
Kalen DeBoer had a tough task following Nick Saban. Winning is the standard in Tuscaloosa, not just big games but the games in between. Two of Alabama’s losses will come to teams that, best case scenario, finish the year 7-5, something that hasn’t happened since 2007. In the 2007 season, Alabama went 7-6, costing Major Applewhite and Kevin Steele their coordinator position. A 9-3 finish may be enough to keep things intact in Tuscaloosa, but the pressure is on now. Preparation and winning next week could decide who finishes the season with a job.