The return of an unfortunate buzz word for Alabama in the aftermath of Vanderbilt

The stunning loss to Vanderbilt last week has everyone in the Alabama football facility looking for answers this week as they prepare to get back on the field this weekend against South Carolina.

In searching for those answers, particularly on defense, there was a return of an unfortunate buzz word that has brought grief to fans of the Crimson Tide since it was first uttered two years ago.

Following a loss to Tennessee that snapped Alabama's 15 game winning streak in the Third Saturday in October rivalry, All American edge rusher, and current Houston Texans star, Will Anderson said that Alabama team was dealing with anxiety during the game.

It was a word that stirred up a lot of controversy among a fanbase that remembered the alpha dogs of previous Tide teams and how they played fearless. Playing fast, free, and fearless has been a staple motto for this version of Alabama, something we've heard from QB Jalen Milroe on multiple occasions.

That 2022 Alabama team is one of only two Crimson Tide teams over the last 11 years that didn't either win the national title or in the very least make the College Football Playoff.

The version of anxiety that Anderson discussed could be written away rather easily as pregame and in-game jitters. The anxiety that fifth year senior and team captain Malachi Moore discussed on Tuesday, is a different thing altogether.

In talking about what adjustments need to be made defensively in order to avoid the disastorous effort shown in Nashville, Moore had this to say:

"Sometimes we get the call in late so it gives us a little anxiety."

Moore was talking about the signals coming from the sideline to relay the play call made by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. Veteran DL Tim Smith echoed the need for the play calls to get in quicker to ensure each level of the defense is on the same page.

Moore wasn't deflecting blame for the effort toward his coordinator, instead just mentioning it as something that could be helpful to the defense.

With the new helmet communication rules, coaches can fall into bad habits of trying to play too much chess with the opposing offense. They're able to communicate with the green dot player up until 15-seconds are left on the play clock, and with a team that shifted and moved around as much as Vanderbilt, Wommack was searching for answers.

Where those answers come from moving forward is anybody's guess, and we'll find out a lot about the defense and the team as a whole with how they respond against South Carolina. Some increased aggression could allow for the calls to come in a little earlier, and ultimately match the offense's all or nothing approach.

Coming off one of the worst losses the program has suffered in many years, anxiety is the last word that Alabama fans wanted to hear this week.