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10 plays that helped shape Alabama’s season

Clint Lamb

By Clint Lamb

Published:

Alabama will face off against Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day. It’ll be the fourth consecutive year that the Crimson Tide are in the Playoff, but this year seems to have a different feel.

That’s because the Tide barely got in due to the way their regular season went down. An 11-1 (7-1 SEC) record is excellent, but they lacked both quality wins and a conference championship, almost preventing the continued streak of Playoff appearances.

Here are 10 plays that helped Alabama get to this point:

1. Blocked field goal against Florida State

Florida State finished 6-6 but was not an easy opponent for Alabama — especially in the first half.

With the Tide hanging on to a three-point lead with 1:01 to go before the half, the Seminoles marched 50 yards on only five plays. The drive set them up for a potential tying field goal.

Instead, Minkah Fitzpatrick came up with a clutch blocked field goal on the final play of the first half. That ultimately helped the Tide go on an 14-0 run in the second half in a 24-7 victory.

2. Harris’ 61-yard TD run against Vanderbilt

The Tide led the Commodores 7-0 and already looked to be in complete control, but Damien Harris’ 61-yard touchdown run began an impressive stretch for the junior from Kentucky.

Harris racked up two more gains of 60-plus yards over the course of the next four weeks.

3. Tagovailoa’s 34-yard TD pass against Vanderbilt

Magical. That’s really the only way to describe the 34-yard touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa to fellow true freshman Jerry Jeudy.

It was the first time Alabama fans got a real glimpse into the sort of potential Tagovailoa brings to the table. It also seemed to light a fire under starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had one of his best performances of the season the following week against Ole Miss.

4. Wallace’s 35-yard INT against Ole Miss

Levi Wallace was already starting to become a household name, but his 35-yard interception against Ole Miss ended up being the Tide’s lone defensive touchdown this season.


It wasn’t the only play he made in that game, either. In fact, he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. That play is the one that stands out, however.

The confidence Wallace has shown since that game has been impressive, as he has turned into one of Alabama’s most consistent defensive players.

5. Harris’ 75-yard TD run against Texas A&M

It shouldn’t be surprising to see another of Harris’ long touchdown runs make this list. Alabama had just gone down 3-0 on the road against an opponent that was more difficult than most expected.

The 75-yard run from Harris gave Alabama the momentum back as they went on a 24-0 run until midway through the third quarter.

The Tide was fortunate to build such a lead, as the Aggies came crawling back late in the game — rallying within 27-19 before failing to get a late onside kick.

6. Tagovailoa’s goal-line INT against Tennessee

As good as Tagovailoa had been up to his first drive against the Vols, he proved to be human. The former 5-star recruit threw an interception on the goal line which Tennessee returned for its lone touchdown of the game.

The reason this play made the list is that Tagovailoa proved capable of bouncing back.

Following the interception, the freshman helped lead the Tide to three scoring drives. He finished the game completing 5 of his last 7 passes (71.4 percent) for 106 yards and a touchdown in a 45-7 rout.

7. Scott’s 56-yard punt against LSU on the first drive

JK Scott isn’t a secret. He’s one of Alabama’s best weapons despite playing a position most people underestimate: Punter.

Like usual, LSU wasn’t a pushover when they rolled into Tuscaloosa on Nov. 4. That’s why it was such a good thing for the Tide that Scott brought his A-game.

The senior punted eight times that night. Five of them went for 50-plus yards, including the 56-yarder on the very first drive of the game.

LSU’s offense started from its 9-yard line, was forced to punt and the Tide marched down the field to take a 7-0 lead on the offense’s next possession.

8. Hurts’ 15-yard pass to Calvin Ridley on third down against LSU

Hurts’ ability to extend the drive on third down and 11 helped Alabama take that 7-0 lead.

That wasn’t the only third down completion for the sophomore quarterback, though. He finished the game completing 6-of-10 passes for 101 yards on third down, which played a huge role in Alabama getting the 24-10 victory over the Tigers.

9. Hurts’ clutch third-down pass to Ridley against Mississippi State

Being clutch on third down against LSU must have given Hurts the confidence to get it done in crunch time the following week against Mississippi State.

With the score tied at 24 with 1:09 left, Hurts led Alabama to a six-play, 68-yard winning touchdown drive in only 44 seconds.

His biggest play of that drive came on third and 15 when State brought a heavy blitz. Hurts delivered a strike to Ridley for a 31-yard completion.

On the very next play, Hurts threw a 26-yard touchdown to Devonta Smith with only 25 seconds left.

10. Botched snap on field goal attempt in the Iron Bowl

Alabama had played a poor game against Auburn, but the Tide was still in it following the Tigers’ touchdown to take a 20-14 lead in the third quarter.

Sophomore Trevon Diggs had returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to put the Tide in great scoring position. The offense stalled, however, as they only gained 22 yards.

The Tide lined up for a field goal on fourth and 9 but JK Scott fumbled the snap and passed to kicker Andy Pappanastos but the play lost 9 yards and Auburn widened its lead to 12 with a touchdown on its following possession.

Clint Lamb

Clint helps cover the SEC West for Saturday Down South. His work can also be found on USA TODAY Sports, The 'Bama Beat podcast and The Bullpen with TonyMac and The Lamb. Previous stops include SEC Country, 247Sports and Touchdown Alabama Magazine.

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