Alabama needs to be better at rushing the football from a year ago. It was a season-long struggle for the Crimson Tide, one that did not get better as the season progressed. While last year's starting quarterback, Ty Simpson, was every bit the pocket passer, the two candidates to replace him can move a little bit. Austin Mack has potential, but Keelon Russell offers more in the quarterback room.
When appearing on Crain & Cone, Josh Pate emphasized it is not a talent issue for the Crimson Tide.
“There’s no way you’re looking at it and saying, 'Oh, their tailbacks lack the raw talent to be able to produce.' Nor could you look at their O-line last year and say, 'Oh, these O-linemen, they’re just not skilled enough,' Pate said.
He then made it a point to say Alabama needs to play to its strengths by using the run-pass option.
"I can guarantee you that if I took that same personnel group and threw it up in Bloomington, Indiana, they would have gotten a lot more out of it," Pate continued. "It’s about how you incorporate it, and it’s also about playing to your strengths. Maybe we’re watching it this year, and that RPO element is a lot more present and things just start to fall in line behind it.”
While Kalen DeBoer does a great job of getting the most out of his quarterbacks' skill sets, he has to fully understand that Mack or Russell will play the position quite differently than Simpson, Michael Penix Jr., or Jake Haener from yesteryear. They will use their legs to extend, or make plays like Jalen Milroe did during DeBoer's first year in Tuscaloosa. The blueprint is staring DeBoer right in the face.
Here is what Pate had to say about Russell and the Alabama rushing attack while on Crain & Cone.
Pate may think Russell is going to win the starting job, but he has to earn it and not be handed the gig.
Keelon Russell needs to be a driving force of the Alabama rushing attack
Under DeBoer, his offensive-minded teams do a great job of moving the sticks aerially. It is why Alabama has remained a playoff-caliber program since he first came over. The reason his Washington Huskies played for a national title in 2023 was because of their passing game. Conversely, DeBoer's running game leaves a lot to be desired. It lacks any physicality, a death sentence playing in the SEC.
So what is DeBoer, Russell, and the rest of the Alabama offense to do? Run the ball anyway. They may have a five-star running back coming in with EJ Crowell, but he is fresh out of high school. Russell may lack in-game experience, but his skill set should translate to the SEC quite seamlessly. As he develops as a passer, one should expect him to use his legs to move the chains and gain confidence.
By having a quarterback who can throw and run, it will keep SEC defenses on their toes. An obvious passing down is not what it seems with a guy who can tuck it and run like Russell can. Alabama may need to get better quickly along the offensive line, but this is not an offense bereft of talent. The ground game could improve, but Russell needs to be a driving force for it as Crowell finds his footing.
Read more: Ty Simpson already debunked the Keelon Russell flaw others keep pointing out
To be frank, if an analyst like Pate can see how important the RPO could be for Alabama, surely, DeBoer and Ryan Grubb recognize the importance of it as well. Although the Crimson Tide should have strong players on defense, they are going to need to show they can win a game if it devolved into a shootout with this core. Again, Russell can do things most players cannot, but he has to run it.
Offensive line issues aside, Alabama has no excuses this season to not be better running the football.
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