Alabama fans rightfully had a heaping helping of deja vu and the resulting heartburn early in yesterday’s contest, as Florida State rolled into Bryant Denny like they owned the place. Starting slow is quickly becoming part of this team’s identity, and that trait is highly concerning. Give Alabama credit for resilience as they never quit battling, but some things were exposed and will need to be addressed.
A few impressions:
The defense had an explosive play problem.
Florida State’s approach to this game is exactly what it should have been for
a 20-point road underdog. Mike Norvell schemed up some haymakers, and they played with nothing to lose. The Seminoles ended up scoring five touchdowns, and an explosive play of some sort keyed all five. There was certainly some good fortune involved early on. The first touchdown pass was a jump ball prayer heaved up under duress by Ashton Daniels, and Dijon Lee got himself turned around. That ball travels a foot further and the Alabama defense forces a field goal attempt on the opening drive. Alas, it didn’t and the big bodied Duce Robinson made the play.
It looked like Alabama blew another match concept on the deep ball to Micahi Danzy. It was a double post to that side, and Keon Sabb played over the top of Lee rather than carrying the slot which left Danzy wide open. And, the ball seemingly went right through Carmelo O’Neal on the 35-yarder down the sideline which set up the third score. Why O’Neal was playing at that stage of the game is worth asking.
Ditto on Abduall Sanders, who was in the game to miss a tackle that allowed an explosive touchdown run. Jah-Marien Latham was seemingly targeted on the edges a couple of times, and Desmond Umeozulu gave up contain on an early 27-yard scamper from Ousmane Kromah. Kromah’s line perhaps highlights the boom and bust nature of the Seminoles offense. His 80 yards on 17 carries would suggest a solid, workmanlike effort. But, 37 of those yards came on two early runs and he averaged fewer than three a carry the rest of the day.
It may well be that Kane Wommack simply has to shorten his rotation headed into SEC play, as the drop-off in some spots is simply too great. And, they need to get the pattern match figured out in a hurry. Otherwise, they may have to go against Nick Saban’s advice and play the heavy zone scheme that Wommack is known for.
The offensive line looked better than it has in some time.
Florida State’s defense is terrible, so we can’t glean too much from the offensive line’s dominant performance yesterday. Still, this unit seems to be coming along quickly. The way they were able to lean on the Seminoles front in the second half of the game was a sight for sore eyes. And, Keelon Russell was under very little pressure all afternoon. It’s early yet and the competition will get dramatically tougher, but there is plenty of reason to be encouraged.
Keelon Russell seemed to gain confidence as the game went along, and his ceiling is incredibly high.
Perhaps Florida State was showing some new looks early in the game, but for whatever reason Russell simply didn’t look confident early in the game. He was slow to read on a couple of occasions, causing late throws that are always dangerous. Whatever happened during the lightning delay seemed to make a difference for him, as he came out slinging it after that and looked like a Heisman candidate the rest of the afternoon.
The two plays getting the most attention today are the 57-yard touchdown that showed off his underrated wheels, and this ball.
That is a Sunday throw, and he stood tall in the clean pocket to deliver it. He ended up with a 199 passer rating on the day. This version of Russell combined with an effective running game can terrorize any defense, but they will need to continue to develop.
Alabama has a wealth of athletes on offense.
Alabama’s speed on offense jumped off of the screen yesterday. In particular, EJ Crowell and Ryan Coleman-Williams looked like the two fastest players on the field, but Russell and Lotzeir Brooks both had their opportunities to show out as well. Daniel Hill brought the hammer, and also made a gorgeous catch on a wheel route. Trae’shawn Brown was highly effective again, and perhaps has the best vision of the running back group. Kaleb Edwards can be a red zone nightmare for defenses, and Russell hit him with a beautiful high pointer in the end zone.
The recruiting stars have always been there, we’ve just been waiting for them to develop. If they can build on yesterday’s performance, it could be a special season offensively. Oh, and maybe EJ can quit the hurdling thing? We really need him on the field.
The kicking game continues to dominate.
It’s hard for Alabama fans to ever trust the kickers, but Conor Talty and Alex Asparuhov continue to impress. Talty isn’t just making his field goals, he is generally splitting the uprights. He was perfect again yesterday with a long of 45, and Asparuhov averaged 42.5 on two punts. There were a couple of special teams gaffes late in the game that could have been costly, as Edwards was called for holding on a kickoff return and Ivan Taylor roughed the punter on 4th-and-16. In general, however, the special teams have been a strength.
Next up is a South Carolina squad that was victimized at home by Kamario Taylor yesterday. The Gamecocks have a strong running game led by QB LaNorris Sellers and RB Matt Fuller, and one of the nation’s best pass rushers in Dylan Stewart. Stewart has been working his way back from injury and played only 14 snaps yesterday. He seems to be getting healthy just in time to test young Keelon. Things only get tougher in this league.
Most importantly, Alabama is 3-0 and still has all goals on the table. Hopefully they continue to grow and are able to click on all cylinders by October.
Roll Tide.
