Sunday Hangover: Louisiana-Monroe

Some team had to be the collection of poor bastardsto take on the Crimson Tide after a debacle poor showing in Tallahassee. 

Yes, it was only Louisiana-Monroe, but the team looked like they had their pride hurt. They played angry and motivated. 

Simpson went 17 for 17 passing, threw TD passes, and added a rushing TD. 

Both lines manhandled the Warhawks. 

Mack and Russell both looked solid as back-up quarterbacks. They had some zip on throws for sure. 

Running back Kevin Riley got the most touches as a back with 11 carries while Richard Young and AK Dear had a touchdown apiece. 

The receiving corps did well, but the guy that stood out to me was Lotzeir Brooks because we haven't seen much from him. 

Next up is a home game versus Wisconsin.  

Sunday Hangover: Florida State

This game started out as positively as an Alabama would have wanted it to. The Tide marched down the field on a long sustained drive that ate up over half the first quarter. 

Ty Simpson looked good, and we were running the ball. 

For the next 2 quarters the Crimson Tide defense looked confused, took bad angles, seemed unprepared, and got distracted with Florida State's eye-candy offense. The offense was equally inept. 

I like to think the defense would have looked at how Gus Malzahn runs his offenses. He's been around a long time, and there's tape out there of how he runs his show. 

By the time the Tide started getting its collective shit together, they had to go for it a number of times on fourth down. 

There were a number of notable blunders. The two unnecessary roughness penalties were just flat-out stupid. And on a crucial fourth down play, instead of throwing a bad pass to Williams, Simpson could have easily run for a fourth down. 

Florida State played well. Or should we just call them Transfer Portal State University? They had a revamped team based on the portal. 

In contrast, Alabama didn't lose anyone in the portal and only brought in a handful of players. 

It didn't help that the Tide didn't have its starting running back, left guard, and nose tackle playing in the game. Those missing in action made a difference. 

If a team is going to lose, it's better to lose early. 

However, the performance yesterday afternoon doesn't not inspire confidence in me that this team will make the playoffs. 

I hope they prove me wrong.   

Sunday Hangover: Michigan

It's not Sunday, but I was a bit hungover this morning. 

Yesterday's game was a major disappointment. 

The Tide had three turnovers in the first quarter. A team is not likely to win with such results. 

The Alabama defense did play well though under terrible conditions. 

However, the offense was inept. It had flashes, but there is no reason why the Tide cannot put up more points than they did. 

I would assume Milroe is going to announce for the draft. I don't blame him. He already has both a B.A. and an M.A., and I would think he'd be drafted in the first round somewhere. His athletic ability is unparalleled. 

One point that the commentators didn't bring up is that because of the transfer portal, the Tide only had two starting wide receivers left: Williams and Bernard. And I didn't recognize a number of players on defense. 

However, what Milroe put on tape in the bowl game yesterday would have to concern some GMs. He needs to go to a team that will develop a quarterback. 

Regardless, I'm interested to see what next season brings and who wins the QB1 competition. If I were a betting man, I'd bet on Simpson. 

Sunday Hangover: Auburn

A victory in the Iron Bowl is always a welcome outcome. The Tide beat Auburn by a two-score margin. 

Milroe had a three-touchdown game on the ground with 104 net yards. Jamarion Miller had 84 net rushing yards, and Haynes chipped in with a touchdown run. 

Bernard had his best game of the season with seven catches for 111 yards. 

One of the real positive trends in this game is that Milroe was targeting the tight ends more than he has in the past. If you go back and analyze past Sunday Hangover posts over the years, one consistent complaint I have had was that the Tide offense needs to pass to tight ends more often. 

They did in this game with a total of 8 catches: 3 to Dippre, 3 to Cuevas, and 2 to Ouzts. And if I remember right, there was a pass each to Dippre and Cuevas that could have been touchdowns if they brought in the passes.  

The defense gave up some yards but foiled the Tigers when they had their chances. I was worried because Lawson is out for the rest of the season, but I think Jefferson did a fine job as the defensive play caller. 

And Jihaad Campbell showed why he's likely to be a first-round pick. He led the team with 9 total tackles in the game. 

Next up is the great unknown because the likelihood of Alabama making the 12-team playoff is low. 

Sunday Hangover: Oklahoma

The Tide have a way possibly into the SEC championship and certainly into the playoff, and they shit the bed. Jesus H. Christ. 

I haven't watched the game, and I don't think I want to, but I followed the score on my phone as I played Glow Bingo last night for the local booster club. 

I kept watching the score of the game and wondered, "Why the Hell aren't we scoring on these guys?" 

From a cursory look at it, Milroe didn't play well at all with three interceptions, one of which was a pick six. 

Maybe Alabama can get its shit together against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. 

Gods, I hope so. 

Sunday Hangover: Mercer

This game turned out the way we thought it would. 

It was the annual warm-up game before the Iron Bowl, but with the schedule changed with Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC, so Alabama had this game before the trip to Norman and the home game versus Auburn. 

Lots of players got into the game, which is good, and I don't think there were any significant injuries that I know of. 

Simpson and Mack looked good playing quarterback. And I think that will be the quarterback competition barring a new recruit who might make it interesting. 

It'll be a good game versus Oklahoma next Saturday. The Crimson Tide better be ready. 

It remains to be seen if Alabama can make the SEC Championship game if they win out. I don't know how they'll determine the two teams without divisions. 

Sunday Hangover: LSU

The much ballyhooed Death Valley was not all that deadly. 

Jalen Milroe was a one-man wrecking crew against LSU last night. He had four running touchdowns and 185 net rushing yards on 12 rushing attempts. 

Miller was the leading receiver, which is kind of a surprise. But Alabama had a lot of designed plays for the running back. 

On defense the Tide gave up way too many yards on first down for my liking. However, they didn't give up a touchdown until garbage time in the fourth quarter. 

Lawson and Campbell had excellent games. Lawson had that crucial interception, and Campbell had the strip-sack after Alabama failed to convert on a fourth and short. 

If the defense can play like they did last night, the Tide might have some chances if they make the playoffs. 

There are three games left with a home game versus Mercer, a trip to Norman to play Oklahoma, and the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa. 

Don't screw this up, Alabama. 

Sunday Hangover: Mizzou

It's been a while since an Alabama defense had a shutout. I'd like to see more of them. 

Sure, Mizzou had some guys out and the Tide knocked out their starting quarterback, but it was good to see a number of three-and-outs yesterday. 

I've always been an advocate of having a strong running attack, and that's what we got in this game with Alabama rushing for 271 net yards. Miller had two touchdowns, Haynes had a phenomenal run for a TD, and Milroe had a rushing touchdown. 

The passing game was more modest, and it seems Milroe is still trying to force it to Williams. Bernard had a solid game as the leading receiver with five grabs. 

The second bye week comes at a good time to get players healed up before the trip to LSU.  

Sunday Hangover: Tennessee

That is three frustrating games in a row in which the massive talent that Alabama has on its roster did not come through. 

Three is a row is a trend. 

Milroe, who was a Heisman hopeful, was inconsistent as Hell. The interception in the end zone was just, flat out, a bad throw. He should do better than that. 

While Bernard caught some passes, Milroe has to get other receivers involved other than Ryan Williams. 

The defense played well in the first half, but as we've seen before, after the half the other team made some adjustments, and the Tide didn't seem to do the same. 

I don't know what Alabama will drop down to rankings wise, but the coaching staff has to right the ship because all those penalties are inexcusable. 

Get it together. 

Of the teams I hate Alabama losing to, the Volunteers is one of the top ones. 

Sunday Hangover: South Carolina

Another game down to the wire. 

I don't know what to make of this team. I had a good bit of optimism about the Tide's chances this year, but if they cannot put away the Gamecocks, I don't know what to think. 

Sure, Carolina's two defensive ends are very good. However, we should have one of the best college offensive lines in college football who should be able to handle them. Carolina does have a good defense though. 

The safety of Milroe's making made him look like a freshman out there. 

The defense has to shore up what the hell is going on really quickly because they play Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday.

Sunday Hangover: Vanderbilt

I had a hell of Sunday and not just because Alabama had a terrible loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. 

They simply had a great game plan they executed, and once again the adjustments in the second half by the defense were not good enough. 

It was a perfect time to play the Tide after a great win versus Georgia the Saturday before. 

The team was resting on its laurels and thought they would just steamroll the Commodores like they always have. 

As the cliche goes, "That's why they play the games." 

The honeymoon with DeBoer is officially over. 

Sunday Hangover: Georgia

What a roller coaster of a game. 

The picture above is the wheel route Jam Miller scored on through a perfectly thrown ball by Milroe. 

The Crimson Tide scored almost at will in the first half, and then Georgia adjusted. Alabama couldn't get a pass rush to disturb Carson Beck in the second half, and he picked apart the Tide's defense. 

Despite the shortcomings of the defense in the second half, Milroe and Williams were electric.

Milroe went 27 for 33 for 374 passing yards and ran 16 times for 117 net yards. He threw two touchdowns and ran for two touchdowns. 

Williams had six receptions for 177 yards and a crucial 75-yard touchdown to put Alabama back up for good although the pick by Brown at the end sealed the fate of the game. 

What I want to see is the Tide defense that played in the first half. 

But a win is a win. 

Next week the Tide travels to Nashville to take on the Commodores. 

Sunday Hangover: Wisconsin

What a difference a healthy starting offensive line makes. 

The Tide traveled to Madison and blew out the Badgers with lots of big plays. They scored on plays of 31, 26, 34, and 37 yards. 

Milroe accounted for five TDs, two of which were of the rushing variety. Those two long passes to Williams and Bernard were just beautiful deep balls. 

They seem to be calling more designed running plays for Milroe with the backs working as a lead blocker along with pulling linemen. 

I was frustrated with the defense at times because Wisconsin had some good running plays, and they're still really green in the secondary. 

The starting LBs, Lawson and Campbell had 12 tackles apiece followed by Moore and Sabb with 11 and 10, respectively. The DE Overton had a great game. He was a massive force against the run and in the pass rush. 

Two good signs were there were no turnovers, and the Tide only had four penalties. The number of penalties in the first two games were inexcusable. 

Sunday Hangover: South Florida

That was a frustrating three and half quarters of football to watch last night. 

With a reshuffled offensive, the Tide did not look good at all. With the starting left guard playing left tackle and the back-up right tackle starting, it was a flag fest with the right tackle picking up four holding calls by himself.

There were two touchdowns that were called back because of penalties.

And that was just in the first half. 

In the second half, Alabama had three fumbles that put the defense in tough positions on the field. 

Once the starting right tackle Pritchett came into the game, everything seemed to click. And the Crimson Tide pulled away. 

I'm concerned about the trip to Madison to play Wisconsin, especially if Proctor is still out. 

Sunday Hangover: Western Kentucky

I thought the Hilltoppers would give the Crimson Tide a tougher fight, but I was wrong. 

Alabama blew out Western Kentucky 63 to nothing. 

The Tide had two early interceptions, and the offense was full of big plays in the running and passing game. 

True freshman Ryan Williams caught two passes for two touchdowns. 

Milroe contributed five touchdowns in total, two of which were of the running variety. 

WKU had some sustained drives, but the defense pitched a shutout. The two main linebackers were flying around. Lawson and Campbell had a great day on the field. And Russaw looks like the main guy for rushing the passer. He was a freak on the field last night. 

Another trend I noticed was the defensive linemen getting their hands up to bat passes. 

On the running plays for Milroe, Haynes, and Miller, they were the result of linemen pulling, which is a beautiful thing. 

Sunday Hangover: Michigan

What a frustrating game. 

Alabama played so well in the second half until they didn't. 

I felt the offensive play calling was terrible. We have a highly mobile quarterback that terrifies defenses, and we rarely roll him out to take advantage of his skills. It's madness. 

The plays they ran in overtime were uninspired. 

The Tide can't win a national championship every year, but they were definitely in the hunt this year. I blame the coaching. 

The good news is that Milroe will be back, and he progressed a hell of a lot this season. 

We will lose some great players to the draft though, four of whom likely to be first-round draft picks: Latham, Turner, Arnold, and McKinstry. 

Sunday Hangover: Georgia

SEC Champions.

Unfortunately, I don't think that'll matter to the playoff committee because Washington, Michigan, and Florida State are all undefeated and Texas beat Alabama in the regular season. 

Regardless, I enjoy booting Georgia out of the national championship hunt, and Alabama is the champion of the SEC. 

After Georgia's initial drive, I was concerned because they marched right down the field. Then the defense got it together. 

The pass to Jam Miller for a touchdown was beautiful. 

Roydell Williams did well as the lead back with McClellan out with a foot injury. 

We probably won't win the mythical national championship, but the coaching job by the staff this season is admirable. 

Alabama is likely to have four guys go in the first round of the NFL Draft - Latham, Turner, Arnold, and McKinstry - but I expect the Tide to be part the expanded, 12-team playoff next season if all goes well. Milroe is going to grow even better I suspect, and the OC will develop game plans to take advantage of his talent. 

Roll Tide.

Since Alabama is not in the national playoff hunt, I'll start growing my beard of mourning. 

Addendum: My son informed me this morning that Alabama made the playoffs and will face Michigan in the Rose Bowl. 

I'm very surprised, but I look forward to the twelve-team playoff starting next season. 

Sunday Hangover: Auburn

I enjoy watching Auburn students cry. 

This season's Iron Bowl was frustratingly glorious. 

4th and goal from the 31, and Milroe throws a dime to Bond in the back corner of the end zone. Apparently, the name of that play is "gravedigger." 

I highly doubt Alabama makes the four-team playoff even if they beat Georgia. They are just too many unbeaten teams, and I would bet that Texas beats Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game.

I still want the Crimson Tide to win of course.

However, I'm not confident at all because of the way Auburn ran the ball on us. Auburn is one dimensional. Georgia is not. 

As Coach Saban intimated in the post-game interview, Alabama finally got some good luck at Auburn. Usually it's the other way around.  

Sunday Hangover: Chattanooga

The outcome was expected. The Tide took care of business quickly in the game, and the Mocs got a great payday for their program. 

Surprisingly, Ty Simpson was the leading rusher of the game. He outgunned Jam Miller by one yard with 78 yards of rushing. People tend to label him as a pro-style QB, but if I remember right, we was classified as a dual-threat QB by recruiting services. 

In addition, he looked good when he was given a chance to pass the ball. 

The major positive is that Alabama got to give playing time to lots of guys. 

Next up, of course, is a trip to Auburn, a team that somehow lost to New Mexico State and paid them for the match. 

I expect it to be a tough game for the Crimson Tide regardless of how Auburn lost to the Aggies.  

Sunday Hangover: Kentucky

With Alabama's win versus Kentucky and with Georgia manhandling Ole Miss, we're back to a SEC Championship of Alabama versus Georgia. 

Alabama dominated Kentucky. 

Milroe was excellent again, and Alabama seems to have found an identity. The OC has built in some QB runs. That wrinkle coupled with Milroe's improved passing has created a fun offense. 

There were some significant mishaps though. McKinstry having a ball go through his hands on a punt return, which then gave the Wildcats great field position, and Milroe throwing a pick when he should have thrown it away were not good.

But the dude threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns. And he ran for 36 net yards and three touchdowns. 

I thought the Tide's defense would get a few more sacks. They only had three. But they totally shut down Kentucky's run offense. One of the best RBs in the SEC only gained 26 net yards. 

The Tide had 9 tackles for loss. 

For whatever reason, Lawson was out, but Campbell played admirably as the defense's signal caller. 

Next up is Chattanooga before the Tide travel to Auburn, who is a team that has improved.