Crimson Tide coming back strong
’Bama rolls since loss to Rebs
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The wins, points and big defensive plays have been piling up for No. 8 Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s muscle-flexing hot streak began with a players-only meeting convened after a loss to Ole Miss that was filled with blunders and aborted comebacks.
Since then, the Tide (61, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) has rolled over two top-10 teams on the road with help from a barrage of defensive touchdowns. The blunders have been mostly committed by the other team and as for comebacks, Alabama only trailed once in the past four games — by four points against Arkansas at halftime.
“When we do what we need to do, we don’t feel like anybody can beat us,” defensive end Jonathan Allen said, when asked about the theme of that team meeting. “When we execute to the best of our abilities, and play physical up front and on the back end we feel like we’re a tough defense to score on. If they can’t score, they can’t win.”
Alabama, which hosts Tennessee (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday afternoon, has certainly looked like Nick Saban’s typical formidable team in winning four consecutive games by a collective score of 140-47.
The Tide has forced 11 turnovers, returning four interceptions for touchdowns, during that four game stretch. Alabama has coughed up the ball six times after Ole Miss forced five and cashed in on a couple of long passes for scores in a 43-37 win. One of those big passes was deflected off a helmet and on another, the Rebels appeared to have an ineligible lineman downfield.
Regardless, Alabama players held a meeting at which Allen said a number of team leaders spoke their minds. Linebacker Reggie Ragland said evidence that the message has sunk in abounds even when the TV cameras aren’t around.
“Ever since then, guys have been on each other,” Ragland said. “Guys that never would talk are talking. Guys that were lazy aren’t being lazy any more. We’re doing our jobs. Everybody’s doing our job and if we keep doing that, we’ll be a tough team to beat.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Aggies ponder QBs: Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin spent Sunday breaking down videotape of quarterback Kyle Allen’s nightmarish performance in a 41-23 loss to Alabama on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas.
Allen, one of the SEC’s most accurate quarterbacks during the first five games this season, had three interceptions returned for touchdowns by Crimson Tide defenders and completed only half of his attempts (20 of 40), well below his season mark of 60.9 percent. Kyler Murray, an incoming freshman who led three scoreless possessions in relief of Allen against Alabama, did not fare much better (2 of 4, with one interception).
All of which makes for an interesting call for Sumlin when A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC) returns to action Saturday at No. 24 Ole Miss (5-2, 2-1).
Sumlin indicated he remains committed to using two quarterbacks. But the percentage of playing time for each QB against Ole Miss could be determined by what he spots on video.
“Those are our guys and we’re going to get better. We’re going to coach them,” Sumlin said. “It’s all part of the position. I told those guys in their first meeting, ‘You’ve got to understand, playing quarterback is just like being the head coach. You get way too much credit when you win and you get most of the blame when you lose.’ That’s part of playing that position.’ ”
Buckeyes QB uncertain: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer isn’t ready to publicly announce a starting quarterback for the topranked Buckeyes’ game at Rutgers on Saturday.
Meyer must choose between Cardale Jones, who has started all seven games this season, and J.T. Barrett.
Meyer said he would meet with the two quarterbacks Monday afternoon and announce his decision to them first.
Briefly: Ole Miss’ game at Auburn on Oct. 31 will kick off at 11 a.m. and will be televised on ESPN or the SEC Network. Arkansas’ Homecoming game against Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 31 will kick off at 3 p.m. and will be televised on the SEC Network. Tennessee’s game at Kentucky that day will start at 6:30 p.m. CDT and will be shown on the SEC Network. Mississippi State is off that Saturday. ... Kentucky senior nose guard Melvin Lewis is out for the rest of the regular season with a broken leg sustained in Thursday’s loss to Auburn. Sophomore Matt Elam will replace him in Saturday night’s game at Mississippi State. ... Utah starting tight end Siale Fakailoatonga is out for the season after being injured in the Utes’ 34-18 win against Arizona State on Saturday. Fakailoatonga started the last five games after Evan Moeai was lost for season in the opener. He had 12 receptions for 120 yards.