Lack of effective Alabama Football rushing attack places heavy load on Jalen Milroe

There is no indication Alabama Football plans on adding Ty Simpson to the quarterback mix. Apparently, Alabama will go with Jalen Milroe unless he suffers an injury. Kalen DeBoer has been clear that any pains Milroe may be dealing with do not limit him from the full use of Alabama's offensive schemes.

Any doubts Alabama fans have about Milroe provide no useful purpose. It appears the unquestioned team leader has strong support from the coaching staff and his teammates. What matters now is using Alabama's considerable talent more effectively.

In the case of Jalen Milroe, less could prove to mean more. Against Tennessee Jam Miller and Justice Haynes combined for 20 rushing attempts. They gained a total of 64 yards; an average of 3.2 yards. On Zone Read keepers and called runs, Jalen Milroe was less effective than the running backs.

Alabama Football Rushing Statistics - SEC Games Only

• In four SEC games, Jam Miller has 34 rushes for 137 yards. His conference games yards-per-carry is 4.03; No. 23 in the SEC.

• In SEC games, Justice Haynes has 28 rushes for 106 yards. His carry average is 3.79 yards; No. 27 in the SEC.

• The most productive Miller has been in any SEC game is 45 yards, against Vanderbilt. The most productive game for Justice Haynes has been 35 yards against Georgia.

These stats are more than troubling. They are almost impossible to believe. Miller and Haynes have the potential to produce far higher numbers. Kalen DeBoer's Washington offense ran the ball on nearly 40% of its plays. Alabama's 2024 offensive ratio is about 35% running plays. Milroe has almost twice as many carries as Justice Haynes and a third more than Jam Miller.

With no talent deficiency at running back, is the offensive line lacking in run blocking? At times, they have been and perhaps the staff's offensive game plans have been adjusted for that weakness. Whatever the reasons, Alabama Football in its SEC games is No. 15 among SEC teams, averaging 109 yards rushing per game. The Crimson Tide is slightly better, at No. 12 in the SEC with an average gain of 3.49 yards per rushing attempt.

Can Alabama succeed against good defenses with its ineffective rushing offense? Maybe it can when Jalen Milroe has highly productive passing games. We've already seen what happens when he doesn't.

Note: Player and team stats provided by rolltide.com, Sports Reference and cfbstats.com