Alabama defeated Vanderbilt on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, 30-14. Here are some key takeaways from the win.
Alabama defeated Vanderbilt on Saturday, 30-14, bringing the Crimson Tide's record to 4-1.
Alabama held Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense to 14 points, far and away their lowest point total of the season. Ty Simpson had another fantastic day passing, and Jam Miller looked great, rushing for 136 yards. The Alabama defense made great halftime adjustments, and they had multiple clutch stops during the game.
Alabama's length and athleticism became a problem for Pavia. They forced him to make bad decisions, and batted down multiple passes in the secondary. The team is peaking at the right time. If they can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for what they can accomplish.
Here are some takeaways from Alabama's Top 25 win over Vanderbilt.
The Crimson Tide are good enough to win a national championship
Alabama has been hampered by injuries this season, and season ending injuries to Jeremiah Beaman and Jah-Marien Latham hurt their depth on defense. That being said, this team can beat anyone in the country on a given day. Ty Simpson has put together a Heisman season, and may be the best signal caller in the country.
Jam Miller looked great Saturday, and is the missing piece in Alabama's running game. Isaiah Horton is emerging as another elite target for Ty Simpson. The offensive line looks much improved since the game against Florida State. They were opening wide holes for Jam Miller and Kevin Riley. They needs to be more consistent in pass pro, but Simpson has time and enough mobility to create when the pocket breaks down.
Alabama has had issues all year long stopping the run, and today was no different. The team struggled in their run fits and Vanderbilt exploited that in the first half. That being said, this seems like the type of year where there are no great teams and everyone is beatable on a given day.
Alabama beat Georgia on the road and beat a ranked team by 16 points Saturday. Ty Simpson is the ultimate X-factor, Ryan Grubb is a creative play caller, and the defense will improve at defending the run. The Tide have a very high ceiling.
The Tide have a legitimate running game now
Jam Miller is now healthy and running like his old self for the Tide. Miller ran for 136 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He looked far more explosive, agile, and confident than he did vs. Georgia. He can be the between the tackles runner that the Tide so desperately needed. He also opens the offense up for redshirt freshman star Kevin Riley.
Riley has quietly had a great season, rushing for 150 yards and receiving for 114. Riley is the more dynamic back with big play ability. Miller is the thunder and Riley is the lightning, giving Alabama two quality running backs who complement each other well. Also, look for Germie Bernard to be added more in running packages, and don't sleep on Ty Simpson to scramble or run on RPO plays.
Alabama has one the best coaching staffs in the country
I am bought in with Kalen DeBoer and his staff. Ryan Grubb is one of the best play callers in college football, and the offense is slowly coming together. Defensively, Alabama needs to improve on defending the run. Their safeties need to do a better job coming up in run support, as you could see on Sedrick Alexander's 65 yard run.
That being said, Kane Wommack has the personnel that fits his scheme. The run fits will improve with repetitions and coaching. Alabama has only given up 17 points a game, which is a remarkable stat, given their early strength of schedule. They are also leading the league in pass defense, only giving up 114 passing yards per game. Redshirt sophomore Yhonzae Pierre is now emerging as an elite pass rusher, and will be a problem for SEC quarterbacks going forward.
I can see the pieces coming together on the defensive side of the ball, just as they have come together offensively. Alabama has the best player in the country IMO. Their team has gotten better week to week. If they continue to improve and stay healthy, they can win the national championship.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football takeaways from Week 6 win vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Category: General Sports
