It was cupcake week for many of the SEC and ACC teams. The Alabama Crimson Tide may have found their way back into the playoff conversation. While some of the other playoff-contending teams choked as some do every year, the Tide won in convincing fashion. With a new outlook and a new leader at quarterback, the Crimson Tide hosted a struggling Western Carolina Catamounts team. There wasn’t any uncertainty for Alabama, but this game against the Catamounts was important for many reasons. The Tide beat the Catamounts with a 66-3 score, but more importantly, they got ready for Auburn this upcoming Saturday.
Mac Jones Gets The Experience Needed
Mac Jones had a great start to his Alabama career after taking over for the injured Tua Tagovailoa. Ordinarily, against a team like Western Carolina, there aren’t many expectations. This game, however, was crucial for Jones as he becomes the permanent leader of the Tide offense for the rest of the season. Jones passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns on 10 completions (out of 12 attempts). He also averaged 22.9 yards per pass and accounted for a QBR of 99.5. It is difficult to evaluate a player based on a match-up against a weak Western Carolina team. Jones did show the ability to lead a Tide offense as well as make similar throws that Tagovailoa would have done. Like Tagovailoa, he wasn’t too reliant on one wide receiver.
This game wasn’t a try out for Jones despite burning the redshirt eligibility for true freshman Taulia Tagovailoa. This game was more for Jones getting in-game condition enough to play all four quarters versus the #16 Auburn Tigers this Saturday. The game against Auburn will come with a multitude of stress, pressure, and expectations more significant for Jones. This game was good for Jones to get his feet wet. Now the real test for him begins to showcase his potential as the starting quarterback for Alabama this upcoming Saturday.
Young Defensive Line Got Much-Needed Experience
The Crimson Tide’s defensive line suffered a serious set of injuries with two of their starters out for Western Carolina. This didn’t come as a major concern in large part of who the Tide played. This game against Western Carolina was for the younger defensive line to get experience and learn of their future long-term starters. Overall, the defense for the Tide dominated the Catamounts’ offensive line with four sacks and seven tackles for loss. While outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings accounted for 1.5 sacks and tackles for loss, much of the attention was on the younger defensive linemen.
Defensive tackle Christian Barmore accounted for six total tackles (second highest), one tackle for loss, and .5 sacks. Barmore’s impact on the Crimson Tide defense has been escalating in relief of DJ Dale. Defensive end Byron Young accounted for five total tackles, four solo tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Starting defensive end Justin Eboigbe got his first full sack of the season on Saturday along with two tackles for loss. All these freshmen took a step towards building consistency in penetrating the backfield and making plays. Getting pressure and the sack was the biggest flaw for this Tide defense as injuries and lack of consistency has been a key this entire season. It is very likely that these young defensive linemen could create an impact early than expected once again for the Tide this Saturday against Auburn.
Secondary Dominates The Catamounts
Last Saturday was not supposed to be a challenge for the Crimson Tide secondary. This game was one more opportunity for the defense and the secondary to fix any communication problems before they face Auburn in the Iron Bowl this Saturday. The Tide’s defense only allowed 112 passing yards overall. They also accounted for five takeaways from the Catamounts with all of them coming from the secondary. Safeties Xavier McKinney and Jared Mayden accounted for two interceptions each with McKinney returning one for a touchdown. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II recovered a fumble. This was a game where the pass rush and the coverage schemes were just as efficient with each other.
Tide Now Prepares For Key Auburn Match-up
This Saturday is now do or die for the College Football Playoff hopes as they play the #16 Auburn Tigers. It isn’t enough to beat their rival, but they still beat them with as much dominance as they can for style points. Each player will have a significant key to the game against the Tigers. The Tide have played great teams and great players, but the Tide will face the best defensive line unit in all of College Football in the Auburn Tigers. Each and every practice will be critical for the Crimson Tide.
Main Photo: Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) strips the ball from Western Carolina quarterback Tyrie Adams (12) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, November 23, 2019. (Photo courtesy Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser).
