Against Vanderbilt, Alabama Football Defensive Coordinator Kane Wommack only used the Husky position for 26 snaps. With Alabama chewing up possession, the Commodores ran only 55 plays. The Husky position was used in only about half of those plays.
Vanderbilt gained 113 yards on the ground in the first quarter. Wommack made some adjustments. In quarter two, the Dores rushed for 13 yards, in quarter three, seven yards, and in quarter four, just two yards.
One change by Wommack was to use three off-the-ball linebackers. Justin Jeffereon, playing his best game for the Crimson Tide, was on the field for 48 snaps. Alabama's defensive leader, Deontae Lawson, played 46 snaps. Added to the rotation was Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green for 24 snaps. Jefferson led the Alabama football defense with 14 total tackles. Lawson and Hill-Greenm combined for six tackles.
The three inside linebacker wrinkle might be key to beating the Missouri Tigers. Ahmad Hardy is college football's most impressive running back. Kane Wommack explained why, "I think he is very physical. I think he has great patience in the run game, does a really nice job of making either the first guy miss or breaking the tackle. And then when he’s out in space, he can create the explosive play. Ultimately, any great run team, when they’re committed to running the football, it’s like body blows in a boxing match."
Alabama Football Must Gang-Tackle
Wommack added that it is rare when the first defender brings down Hardy or the Tigers' other productive running back, Jamal Roberts. "Rarely does the first guy get either one of their first two backs down. So, you’ve got to swarm to the ball. You’ve got to gang tackle.” Hardy is averaging 7.09 yards per carry, and Roberts is averaging 7.29 yards.
A challenge for Wommack and the Crimson Tide defense is that the Tigers are also effective moving the ball via Beau Pribula's arm. Pribula is No. 1 among SEC quarterbacks with a completion percentage of 75.9%.
Missouri's offensive production is impressive, but not as much so when considering its schedule. The Tigers have played Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and UMass. The Gamecocks are No. 35 in the FBS, allowing 4.87 yards per play; Kansas is No. 62, Louisiana is No. 87, and UMass is No. 116. Tarleton State scored 56 points on Central Arkansas.
The Missouri team presents a challenge for Alabama. The Crimson Tide presents a bigger challenge for the Tigers.
Note: Team stats provided by cfbstats.com