Alabama's Comeback Problem
· travel
The Slow Starts: A Persistent Problem for Alabama’s Dominance
The Crimson Tide’s latest comeback victory over Florida State has highlighted a disturbing trend in Nick Saban’s program: slow starts. For the second week in a row, Alabama trailed after one half of play before exploding with five touchdowns and holding on for a 50-36 win.
Coach Kalen DeBoer pointed out that this is becoming a recurring issue. “Two games in a row now where we find ourselves behind,” he said, frustrated by the team’s inability to start strong. The problem isn’t just about the offense clicking into gear; it’s also about the defense struggling to contain opponents early on.
In both games against Kentucky and Florida State, Alabama’s defense has looked leaky in the first half, allowing conversions on crucial third downs and giving up big plays that allowed opposing teams to stay in the game. Against FSU, the Tide gave up nine plays of 20-plus yards, a concerning trend that needs attention.
DeBoer noted the little mistakes that cost Alabama dearly: missed assignments, penalties, and lack of execution on crucial plays. However, it’s not just about individual errors; it’s also about the team’s overall mindset and approach at the start of games. “You’ve got to be sharp,” DeBoer emphasized. “You’ve got to be locked in.”
Alabama has shown flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball, particularly with quarterback Keelon Russell leading the charge. However, if they’re serious about making a deep run in the playoffs, they need to find a way to start strong and not rely on comebacks.
The team’s running game showed significant improvement against Florida State, with true freshman Trae’Shawn Brown leading all rushers with 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Russell also showcased his scrambling abilities with a 57-yard rushing touchdown.
As the Tide prepares to host South Carolina next Saturday, they’ll need to address these issues head-on. Can they put together a complete game for the first time this season? Or will we see another slow start and another comeback victory?
The Russell Factor
Keelon Russell has been an upgrade at quarterback for Alabama, but his inconsistent play in big games is concerning. Against Kentucky, he threw three first-half interceptions; against Florida State, he didn’t turn the ball over once. Is it a matter of experience or simply a case of Russell being able to read defenses better?
The Saban Way
Nick Saban has built his reputation on being a master tactician and motivator, but even he can’t seem to get Alabama to start strong more than half the time. What’s the root cause of this problem? Is it a lack of preparation or simply complacency? Whatever the reason, it needs to be addressed if Saban wants his team to reach its full potential.
The South Carolina Test
Alabama hosts unranked South Carolina next Saturday in what promises to be a tougher matchup than expected. Can the Tide put together a complete game and avoid another slow start? Or will we see more of the same: a sluggish first half followed by a frantic second-half rally?
The truth is, Alabama’s dominance can only go so far on comebacks alone. At some point, they need to start strong and finish stronger. If they can’t fix this problem, their chances of making a deep run in the playoffs will be severely limited.
As for next week’s game against South Carolina, it’s clear that Alabama has its work cut out for it. Will they finally put together a complete performance? Or will we see another slow start and another nail-biting finish?
Reader Views
- IRIván R. · tour guide
What's behind Alabama's persistent problem with slow starts? It's not just about adjusting game plans or tinkering with player rotations. The Crimson Tide's inability to hit the ground running in big games hints at a deeper issue: complacency. After years of dominance, Alabama's players may have become too comfortable relying on their talent and experience to bail them out. This approach may work against inferior opponents, but it won't cut it when they face top-notch teams like Georgia or LSU. If DeBoer wants his team to make a deep playoff run, he needs to address this mindset problem and teach Alabama's players how to start strong from the get-go.
- MJMara J. · long-term traveler
The Crimson Tide's reliance on second-half comebacks is starting to feel like a crutch. While Coach DeBoer is right to emphasize individual mistakes and execution, I think there's another factor at play: Alabama's tendency to overthink things early on. With Saban at the helm, this team has always prided itself on being physical and imposing its will on opponents. Perhaps it's time for them to dial back the complexity and let their athletes play more instinctively in the first half. By doing so, they might just find themselves jumping out to leads rather than digging themselves out of holes.
- TCThe Compass Desk · editorial
While Alabama's comebacks are certainly impressive, they also mask a more fundamental issue: this team's inability to maintain a consistent level of intensity and focus throughout games. A single half can be overcome with flashes of brilliance, but sustained excellence requires more than just heroics on the final drive. Coach DeBoer's emphasis on "being sharp" is right on point – but how does he plan to get his players locked in from start to finish? The answer won't come solely from tweaking game plans or Xs and Os. It'll require a deeper cultural shift within the program, one that prioritizes discipline and execution over simply outscoring opponents down the stretch.