Alabama Football does not have a quarterback problem. Ty Simpson will do just fine. Simpson was on the threshold of sensational against Wisconsin, leading the Crimson Tide to a 38-14 win. Simpson was 24-of-29 for 482 yards and four touchdowns. Had Ryan Williams not dropped (another) pass, Simpson would have thrown five touchdown passes. Only one Alabama quarterback has ever thrown more than five touchdown passes in a game: Tua Tagovailoa, against Ole Miss in 2019. Simpson's Passer Rating against the Badgers was an outstanding 238.9.
Alabama rolled up 454 yards against the Badgers. Only 72 of the yards were produced by Alabama's rushing attack. Alabama does not have a running back problem either. The Crimson Tide does have a run-blocking problem. Four Alabama running backs had a combined 15 carries on Saturday. They produced 45 yards. Alabama's best running back this season, Kevin Riley, gained 1.5 yards on one run. He broke two tackles to do it.
Wisconsin is believed to have a competent defense with a solid defensive front. Given Wisconsin's two previous opponents (Miami-Ohio and Middle Tennessee State) the strength of the Badgers' defense is more presumption than fact.
Alabama has teams on its schedule that will be harder to run on than Wisconsin. Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia come to mind, with LSU not far behind. Unless Ty Simpson turns from outstanding to perfect, AND his receivers stop dropping simple catches, the Crimson Tide will need a run game.
Kalen DeBoer on the Alabama Football Run Game
After the game, Kalen DeBoer was asked about his team's ineffectiveness in running the ball. DeBoer said, "There's certainly an area where we can improve in the run game, and we have to." On the sideline during the game, DeBoer lit into Rico Scott for a mental error that drew a penalty. Whomever the responsible parties are in Alabama's anemic rushing attack, hopefully DeBoer will be in their faces for the next two weeks.
On Sept. 27, Alabama Football might be the better team in Athens, GA. A counter perspective is beating a top SEC team on the road, without an effective rushing attack feels improbable.
Note: Game stats provided by Stat Broadcast