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Alabama dropped its SEC opener to Ole Miss, 43-37, on Saturday.
Here is a look back at and analysis of what transpired:
5 TAKEAWAYS
- No one, not even Nick Saban, can win with a minus-5 turnover margin: When you look at the turnover numbers, it really is amazing that Alabama was within a touchdown of winning this ball game. From the opening kickoff on, the Crimson Tide was continually shooting itself in the collective foot with turnovers.
- Jake Coker may have been developing in front of our eyes: Most everyone’s focus was on the clock and the scoreboard at the time, and many people may remember the two interceptions as game-changers for the negative, but Coker took command in the second half of that game and looked like a leader at the QB position.
- The secondary didn’t fare well in this match-up: This isn’t brought up to pick on individuals, it is just something to store away in the back of your mind and consider when evaluating future opponents. Ole Miss has a deep, tall, physically-gifted set of wide receivers, and more times than not, they seemed to have the advantage when the ball was in the air.
- Alabama’s group of pass catchers is not so bad: While questions surrounding the quarterback position have overshadowed how this group may be performing, it is worth noting that there are three or four guys Crimson Tide fans should be comfortable with catching passes right now. ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster were expected to be good, but Richard Mullaney and tight end O.J. Howard have really stepped up as well.
- There’s no quit in this team: This one might belong at the top of the list, as many Crimson Tide fans are likely in need of a reason to be optimistic today. Ole Miss pushed its second-half lead to three scores twice, and each time the Crimson Tide came rushing back, bringing it to within a score. Most teams would’ve folded up shop and started the pity party about the way things were going, but Alabama fought this one to the death. Take pride in that.
REPORT CARD
Offense: B- — 500-plus yards from the Alabama offense is more than enough to get the job done on most days, but Saturday night’s game was far from your normal day at the office. Many of these yards were accumulated while the team was down multiple scores, and the offense’s three turnovers were crippling.
Defense: C- — The Rebels were given a short field on several occasions, but 43 points allowed is still not an acceptable outcome for the Crimson Tide defense. Alabama’s defense also failed to create any turnovers, which could have been a difference-maker in this close contest.
Special Teams: D — No disrespect to the kickers, punters, or any of the other Crimson Tide specialists, but anytime your kick returners turn the ball over twice on kickoff returns, you’re going to be judge harshly as a unit.
Coaching: B- — Nick Saban can’t be saddled with the blame for a five-turnover performance, so I won’t hold that against him. I do think his game plan for working the quarterbacks into the game has grown tired.
Overall: C- — This was a game that could have been won with a little bit of ball control and little bit better luck. The Crimson Tide faithful will think about this one for a long time.
GAME PLAN
Thanks to five turnovers, nothing that the Crimson Tide may have game planned for this contest likely played out as they had imagined. Alabama attempted 58 passes, which is entirely too many for a team that likes to run the football. Nick Saban attributed that to the fact that the team was essentially in its two-minute offense for the majority of the second half trying to catch up with Ole Miss. You can bet that was not how the coaching staff drew this one up in the week leading up to the contest.
GAME BALLS
- WR Richard Mullaney: Settling in as one of the Crimson Tide’s more reliable receiving targets, the Oregon State transfer had a nice game against Ole Miss, catching seven passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
- RB Derrick Henry: Alabama may have lost on Saturday, but it wasn’t due to a lack of standard performance from its all-world running back. Henry turned in another solid effort, rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in addition to five receptions for 39 yards.
- QB Jake Coker: Coming off the bench in the second quarter, Coker threw for three touchdowns and 201 yards, while also making use of his feet, to the tune of seven rushes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
