What to make of the big Alabama Crimson Tide win over Western Kentucky

It is hard to know exactly what to make of the Alabama Crimson Tide blowout of Western Kentucky. Reality lies somewhere between Alabama Football having the best offense in college football, and WKU having the worst defense. Or we could simply say, the WKU offense was overrated and easily stymied by the Crimson Tide defense.

What can be said with assurance is the Alabama Crimson Tide is ahead of where Alabama was at the start of last season. Unlike last September, there will be no mucking around with USF in Game Two.

Saturday night, Kalen DeBoer was quick to say the Crimson Tide has "things to correct." He added it will be a season-long effort for Alabama to reach its potential.

The main offseason prediction for the Kalen DeBoer era was the potential of his explosive offense and Alabama's talented roster. Alabama scored on nine of its 14 drives Saturday night and there were plenty of explosions. Maybe it was first-game jitters, but penalties shut down the Tide's first possession. Alabama would have seven penalties in the game, but only two after the 8:19 mark in the first quarter. Though a bit ragged early in pass protection, Elijah Pritchett settled in nicely as the surprise starter at left tackle.

Alabama amassed 600 yards of offense, with Jalen Milroe throwing just nine passes. Eight Alabama receivers caught 12 passes, led by Ryan Williams and his two-catch, two-touchdown, and 139-yard performance. Kobe Prentice led the Tide in receptions with three.

On the ground, Alabama averaged 7.1 yards per carry, boosted by an 85-yard run by Justice Haynes, a 40-yarder by Jalen Milroe, and a 39-yarder by Jam Miller.

The Alabama Crimson Tide offense averages 9.1 yards per play while holding WKU to a 2.2-yard average. The total rushing yards disparity was glaring. Alabama produced 341 yards to 52 (sack-adjusted) yards for WKU.

Alabama Crimson Tide Defense

As impressive as the Alabama Crimson Tide was on offense, it was the defense that produced the most stellar performance. Kane Wommack's 'Swarm Defense' was exactly that with players flying to the ball throughout. Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell were outstanding at linebacker. The defensive line was dominating. The secondary was sensational. WKU threw 40 passes and gained a paltry 103 yards through the air. Transfer safety Keon Sabb led the way with two interceptions. The Tide defense had seven tackles-for-a-loss, and eight pass breakups, plus three QB hurries and one sack.

Alabama did not have to show much on either offense or defense and best of all, a large number of players saw action, especially on defense. Twelve defensive backs played and there was little or no dropoff when backups rotated into the secondary.

Note: Alabama Crimson Tide stats provided by rolltide.com