TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — 2022-23 was a frustrating season for Alabama fans.
The Crimson Tide returned Heisman winner Bryce Young and defensive freak Will Anderson Jr. However, two road losses to Tennessee and LSU derailed its chances at a title.
There were several lingering issues for Alabama last year — penalties, lack of a pass rush, poor secondary and offensive line play, missed tackles and an inability to run the football — and more penalties.
Throughout the offseason, the Crimson Tide has discussed addressing those mistakes. Alabama even hired two new coordinators to assist make a shift. And, following last week’s 56-7 victory over Middle Tennessee, there was hope that a significant change was underway.
Saturday night provided an opportunity for the Crimson Tide to demonstrate its readiness to be a national contender again. Instead, it served as a reminder of the team’s major shortcomings from the previous season. And if Alabama hopes to win its 19th national championship, it will have to be perfect from now until January.
“This was a test for us,” head coach Nick Saban said. “I told the players early in the week last week that this was going to be a test — that we were going to play a really good team and that we would actually find out where we were as a team. […] And we obviously didn’t do very well. But it’s the midterm, not the final.”
“If we can learn from some of the mistakes that we made, coaches and players alike, we can all get better and have a lot better opportunity I think to be successful in the future. Everybody’s got basically two choices — throw in the towel and quit and be mediocre or you can fight and grind and do the hard things that you need to do to be successful. You don’t want to waste failing — we certainly don’t want to waste this failing. So, we’re all going to be committed to trying to do things better.”
Last week, the Crimson Tide looked much improved on the defensive end. The Blue Raiders brought in a high-flying, air raid offense and were limited to seven points and just 211 yards of total offense. Alabama had zero turnovers and just two penalties. The Crimson Tide moved the ball on the ground and in the air. Jalen Milroe was sacked twice.
Fast forward one week and exchange Middle Tennessee for No. 11 Texas — and everything was different, for worse. The Crimson Tide allowed 34 points and 454 yards of offense. Two turnovers. 10 penalties. Alabama averaged just over three yards per carry on offense. Milroe was sacked five times. The Crimson Tide didn’t sack Quinn Ewers once — never really getting close, either.
