What is wrong with the Alabama football offense?

Given the recent struggles Alabama has had dating back to September 28th in the second half against Georgia, it’s a fair question to ask: what is wrong with the offense?

Part of the job at quarterback is reading defenses. Prior to the ball snap, comprehend the defense's scheme and alignment, and then proceed with your progressions on each eligible receiver during passing plays.

In Alabama’s loss to Tennessee on Oct. 19, Milroe had perhaps his worst performance of the season. Freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams, who has been a major star for Alabama so far this season, was targeted 18 times by Milroe. 45 pass attempts were made in the game, and of those, 25 were completed. Despite the heavy reliance on Williams, Milroe struggled to find rhythm, resulting in two critical interceptions that ultimately hindered the team's chances of victory. Moving forward, it will be essential for Milroe to diversify his targets and improve decision-making under pressure to regain momentum in the upcoming games.

The Tide only netted 75 rushing yards for the game out of 34 attempts, which is an average of 2.2 yards per attempt. That’s not good enough to win in any division of college football, especially the SEC. To address these shortcomings, the coaching staff must focus on enhancing the offensive line's performance and developing a more balanced offensive strategy. Additionally, integrating more quick-release passing plays could alleviate some of the pressure on the quarterback and open up opportunities for the running game.

Great offensive coordinators understand you have to tailor the passing game to the strengths of your quarterback, yet Milroe was put in numerous drop-back passing situations, despite the fact that is not in his skill set. This misalignment between playcalling and quarterback capabilities ultimately hindered the offense's effectiveness. By emphasizing a scheme that leverages Milroe's strengths, the team can maximize its scoring potential and create a more dynamic offensive approach that keeps defenses guessing.

The offensive line had issues protecting Milroe, and they failed, for the most part, to be effective in the running game. This inability to provide solid protection not only stifled the passing game but also limited the team's ability to establish a reliable ground attack. As a result, the coaching staff must reassess their strategies and prioritize adjustments that enhance both protection and run-blocking schemes to better support their quarterback.

Alabama was outscored 24-10 in the second half by Tennessee. That has been an ongoing issue for the Tide. Against Georgia, Alabama was outscored 27-11 in the second half. Vanderbilt outscored Bama 21-17 in the second half. The best the Tide has managed in the second half in the past 4 SEC games is against South Carolina, where both teams scored 13 in the final two quarters.

While Milroe has faced significant challenges, some argue that he has shown flashes of potential that could be harnessed with better coaching and support. Additionally, the offensive line's struggles have compounded the team's issues, indicating that improvement could come from addressing multiple areas rather than solely focusing on Milroe's performance.

The plan against Tennessee seemed to be to throw it to Ryan Williams and hope he makes a play. That is not an offensive game plan. That is a wing-and-prayer type mindset and will not win football games. Coaches need to develop a more balanced strategy that utilizes the strengths of the entire roster, ensuring that players are placed in positions where they can succeed. By diversifying the offensive approach and creating more reliable options, the team can foster a more effective and cohesive unit on the field.

Milroe struggles with presnap and postsnap reads. He’s recently become a one-read quarterback, and that simply will not be enough for Alabama to be competitive. To address these issues, it will be crucial for the coaching staff to implement tailored drills that enhance his decision-making skills and encourage him to trust his progressions. Additionally, integrating more designed plays that cater to his strengths could help alleviate some of the pressure and allow him to regain confidence in his abilities.

In the second half against Tennessee, with Alabama desperately needing to score a touchdown, Williams broke free and was wide open for a huge gain down the field. Milroe’s poor passing mechanics caused the pass to sail really high and way too far. You can’t beat the best teams in the SEC by missing wide open receivers.

Alabama also lacks discipline. The players make mental errors as a result of the lack of discipline. Against Tennessee, Bama had 15 penalties for 115 yards. That makes it more difficult to defeat any opponent.

Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan needs to figure out quickly what Milroe can do well and tailor his play calling to those strengths, or consider putting in Ty Simpson, who is known as a more accurate passer. Ultimately, the team's success hinges on adapting their strategy to maximize the quarterback's capabilities while minimizing mistakes. With the right adjustments, Alabama can regain its competitive edge and improve its performance in the upcoming games.

With a new coaching staff, new schemes, and considering Alabama lost 39 players to the transfer portal while only bringing in 14 to replace those who departed, it’s not surprising Alabama is going through some growing pains, but it’s shocking to see them play poorly and lose to teams who aren’t as talented as they are. DeBoer needs to right the ship quickly before the season is lost.

It’s on the brink right now.