Happy Monday, everyone. Go back fifteen years or so and it would be tough to imagine Alabama fans being frustrated after beating LSU by 11 points. It’s a different era though, and this is where we are.
Issues with the running game and deep ball continue to dominate the conversation.
“We’ve got to do a better job giving lanes for the running back to go hit it confidently and hit it hard,” DeBoer said. “It’s everything. It’s an effort across the board. When we run on the perimeter, let’s make sure we get
the blocks out there. But yeah, we certainly got to be better than what we were.”
Simpson was especially hard on himself when it came to the deep-passing woes. He did make one solid play downfield, finding Lotzeir Brooks late in the first half that led to a Ryan Williams touchdown before the break.
Despite that, the redshirt junior said he had to be better moving forward.
“Kind of brutal to be honest with you,” Simpson said of the deep-passing performance. “There was a couple that were underthrown. There was a couple that were overthrown. Just kind of didn’t find a great rhythm, being honest. That’s something we need to work on in practice. But we still threw for 200-something yards. But yeah, it’s something we definitely need to work on.”
Oklahoma will almost assuredly move up in the playoff rankings this week after BYU’s blowout loss to Texas Tech, and will likely be right on the precipice. Alabama should expect anything and everything from this group, particularly coming off of a bye week.
There were a few standout performers on Saturday.
On linebacker Yhonzae Pierre: The outside linebacker showed off his impressive burst that is turning him into a true pass rushing threat for the Crimson Tide. He tallied two more sacks against LSU, including a strip sack in the second half. Pierre now has five sacks over his past three games.
On linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green: He also forced a turnover when he jarred the ball loose in the first quarter. Plus, Hill-Green had a fairly productive day off the bench with five tackles and one tackle for loss in addition to his forced fumble. He might not get as many snaps as Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, but Hill-Green remains a vital part of the defense.
On safety Bray Hubbard: The fumble he created early in the game took an unlucky bounce and actually helped LSU move forward, but he got the ball loose regardless. Plus, Hubbard tallied five tackles and broke up one pass. He was making plays all over the field.
Pierre continues to make waves. At this point he may well be off to the NFL after the season.
Lotzeir Brooks deserves a mention as well.
Brooks’ 67 yards against LSU were his most in a game over the course of his young career, reflective of his increased responsibilities in the passing game. He didn’t play at South Carolina on Oct. 25, but in his last three showings, the freshman from New Jersey has hauled in at least three passes. His 53-yard catch Saturday was one of the most important of the game, and he’s up to 322 receiving yards in 2025.
That deep ball was beautiful, and it was Brooks who drew the pass interference that wasn’t called as well. He and Ryan Williams should be able to create a consistent vertical threat.
This was amusing.
An LSU fan wandered onto Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium during a TV timeout just over a minute into the second half of Alabama football’s matchup vs. LSU on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Before the fan was escorted off the field, he made an obscene gesture with his middle finger at Alabama fans in the stands. He was guided off the field by a member of the Crimson Tide’s staff, sticking his tongue out at the crowd.
Once he reached the sideline, an officer met him with handcuffs and restrained him before being removing him from the stadium.
Matt Stahl has the video for you.
Dude was hungry. You don’t just put down your hot dog and let it get cold.
Matt Hayes notes that the SEC could get as many as six playoff bids this season.
Remember, the deadline to change the CFP for the 2026 season (and expand the field) is Dec. 1, and the SEC and Big Ten have been bickering for months about format (16 or 20 teams, automatic qualifiers, selection committee, etc.). No automatic qualifiers sets up the possibility of the SEC (and/or Big Ten) dominating the playoff for years to come.
Look at this year’s 12-team format: there isn’t an ACC team worthy of a Top 12 ranking, but the conference champion will get an automatic bid. Texas Tech is the only Big 12 team that appears to be a lock for a spot.
The highest-ranked Group of Five champion receives a spot, and that scenario would leave nine CFP spots for a deep SEC, a top heavy Big Ten and potentially Notre Dame. It’s not as crazy as you think.
Can you imagine the national hissy fit if that were to happen? Oklahoma beating Alabama would make this substantially more likely, so let’s not root for it.
Last, Jahmyr Gibbs had himself a day against Washington.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell took on the play-calling duty for his team’s Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, and Campbell directed the Lions to a 44-22 victory by getting the football in the hands of running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Gibbs ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and caught three passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. The rushing yardage is the second-highest single-game total in the former Alabama ball-carrier’s career.
We could use some of that on Saturday.
That’s about it for today. Have a great week.
Roll Tide.
