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How bad has Alabama’s defense been? The Tide rank dead-last nationally in key stat
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Defense in the SEC this season has been questionable, to say the least, but Alabama’s defense currently leads the country in one ugly stat.
Through three games, Alabama has held just one opponent under 20 points with Missouri scoring 19 in the season opener. However, Ole Miss was the first team to score more than 24 against the Crimson Tide.
Though the points per game will be inflated by the 48 points that the Rebels scored on Alabama over the weekend, the real concerning stat is how rarely the Crimson Tide are forcing a 3-and-out. According to College GameDay’s Chris “Bear” Fallica, Alabama is forcing a 3-and-out on just 8.8% of opponent drives.
Alabama has the worst 3 and out rate in the country. The Tide has forced just 3 in 34 drives this season (8.8%).
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) October 11, 2020
That stat will be one of particular note when Alabama welcomes Georgia to Tuscaloosa next weekend. Alabama being able to force the Bulldogs off the field quickly will help the Crimson Tide control the game and wear out one of the SEC’s best defenses.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
