It should tell you all you need to know about the faith Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb have in the traditional run game right now that, late in the third quarter of a game still very much in doubt, when Alabama needed one yard, it called an end-around to Germie Bernard.
Alabama's first drive of the game was spoiled because of the team's inability to gain a single yard. Ty Simpson was stuffed on a QB sneak, and then a direct snap to Jam Miller on 4th-and-1 was blown up. Alabama's offense felt stuck in the mud the rest of the evening.
While the Crimson Tide did enough to earn a 20-9 win, the overall performance of the offense was less than inspiring. A major reason for that was, once again, Alabama's complete inability to run the football. On 26 attempts, Alabama mustered just 56 yards.
Daniel Hill carried the ball seven times for 21 yards. Jam Miller managed just 13 yards on eight attempts. Alabama couldn't move LSU off the ball, and the backs didn't press the holes or find cutback lanes. It was, as it has been all year, a systemic failure. It's not any one thing; it's a multitude of issues holding the running game back. And it's probably not fixable at this point. Heading into the third week of November, you kind of are what you are at this point.
Simpson was asked about the struggles after the game. His response was interesting. It wasn't the standard "we have to be more physical" response. To Simpson, the issues are mental.
"We have to have confidence running the ball," Simpson told reporters after the game. "I feel like we're not very confident that we can think that we can run the ball very well right now. It's all mental, really. We got the good scheme, we got the great calls, we got the great players, but we just have to want to and understand that's what we need to do. We'll take care of it."
Ty Simpson says Alabama's run game issues are 'all mental'
A lack of confidence has certainly been part of the recent problems. Simpson isn't wrong. But it is much deeper than that.
Alabama's offensive line remains unsettled. DeBoer and company are still rotating bodies up front. The Crimson Tide opened the second half by replacing its guards. Kam Dewberry and Jaeden Roberts started at left and right guard, respectively, but were replaced to start the third quarter by Geno VanDeMark and Michael Carroll.
The fact that, in November, Alabama still hasn't figured out the best five on the offensive line is a major problem. Only two sports have been settled: LT Kadyn Proctor and C Parker Brailsford. The other three spots have seen heavy rotation all season long.
But good backs can compensate for a struggling offensive line, at least at times. Alabama hasn't found a running back this season who could be a real difference maker. Miller's return didn't provide the spark that anyone had hoped, though he did put up 136 yards against Vanderbilt in a rushing performance that has turned out to be fool's gold.
Hill may be the best of the bunch, but lacks the breakaway speed or elusiveness to make people miss.
If the issues were due to one thing, they'd already be fixed. They aren't. The bye week didn't change much. The running game is a massive liability, and it's holding the offense back. Grubb is calling plays with one hand tied behind his back. Simpson is having to try and do everything and is facing consistent pressure because teams aren't afraid of the ground game.
It's a major Achilles heel for the Crimson Tide; one that will most likely be the fatal flaw that keeps them from reaching their ultimate goal.