Now this is the menacing Alabama defense we’ve all come to love and fear

A lot of people might be surprised to hear the rumblings coming out of Tuscaloosa before the Vanderbilt game in Week 4.

The Tide had just given up 23 points and close to 400 yards of total offense to Colorado State, a member of the Mountain West Conference. The defense had only managed to record five sacks through three games after having double that (10) through the first three games last season.

It just didn’t seem like the defense was displaying that dominant, overwhelming tenacity that we had grown accustomed to seeing since Nick Saban arrived in 2007. Sure, that smothering, wait for you to make a mistake mentality seemed present in the second half against Florida State, but that was only a glimpse.

Well, that has certainly changed over the past two weeks.

In SEC play, Alabama is giving up 165.5 yards per game (101.5 passing, 64 rushing). Vanderbilt and Ole Miss combined to convert one third down (1-for-24), and Alabama has forced four turnovers (3 interceptions, 1 fumble) as well.

One of the biggest knocks on the Tide this season has been its lack of ability to generate sacks. Coming into the Ole Miss game, Bama ranked next to last in the SEC with only five. They managed to double that season total on Saturday against the Rebels.

Four players — Isaiah Buggs, Da’Ron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand and Minkah Fitzpatrick –got in on their first sack of the season; Buggs and Payne shared one, while the other two’s sacks were considered solo.

In addition, the Tide intercepted two more passes — both from former walk-on Levi Wallace, who has emerged as Marlon Humphrey’s replacement at left cornerback. Wallace returned the first one 35 yards for a touchdown.

#Pick6 Alabama CB Levi Wallace #BamavsOleMiss #Espn pic.twitter.com/ioskRnaBc4

— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) October 1, 2017

Before the game, a lot of people, myself included, thought Shea Patterson and the rest of the Ole Miss offense would have success against the Tide’s pass defense. Colorado State passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, after all.

Technically, he did have some. Patterson completed four passes of 20-plus yards, including two that went for 35-plus yards to DaMarkus Lodge. However, the sophomore only managed to throw for 165 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions — completing only 48.3-percent of his passes.

Patterson’s go-to receiver was also held in check.

Fellow sophomore A.J. Brown entered with 16 receptions for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns in only two games — an average of 8 receptions, 194.5 yards and 2 touchdowns. Against Alabama, he caught one pass for 6 yards.

Considering Ole Miss was supposed to have one of the top passing offenses in the SEC, it was somewhat surprising to see Alabama keep them in check, especially preventing them from getting into the end zone.

What might be even more surprising is that Colorado State managed to only score one fewer point (23) than the other four of the Tide’s opponents combined (24) — which includes an opponent from the ACC (Florida State), two from the SEC (Vanderbilt and Ole Miss) and another one from the Mountain West (Fresno State).

If anyone has any questions left as to whether the Tide would be able to continue to field one of the top defenses in college football, there’s no doubt that has been answered over the past two weeks.

The hope is that they can continue to keep it rolling in Week 6 against a Texas A&M offense that managed to rally past South Carolina 24-17 Saturday despite getting next to nothing from star receiver Christian Kirk.

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.