Ryan’s Reaction

Every Monday, Nick Saban spends part of the afternoon showing his players the good plays, bad plays, and ugly plays from the previous Saturday.

The good section highlights what the team did well in the game; individual plays, series of plays, moments of the game that went good for the Crimson Tide.

The bad section focuses on plays that were run incorrectly, maybe a play designed to pick up more yardage but failed. It might include simple mistakes, a turnover or just a simple missed block or tackle.

The ugly section could also be called the disaster section, plays that went completely wrong or injuries. Ugly plays are learning moments for the team. Part of discussing the bad and ugly plays includes thinking through what they could have done differently.

85th Meeting of Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

Good

Alabama came into the game as a 40-point favorite against Vanderbilt, the Commodores were over matched early in this contest. The Crimson Tide offense was once again balanced when you look at the statistics, rushing for 228 yards off of 34 rushing plays and adding another 400 passing yards off of 30 passing plays. Bryce Young threw for 316 yards in the first half and ended the day with 385 yards, I thought the offensive line showed some improvement against an inferior defensive front. Ja’Corey Brooks stepped up with a 2-touchdown performance, 6 receptions for 117 yards. Brooks maybe a guy who steps up to be the leader of this group as his size advantage favors the Tide.

Last time these teams got together, the Crimson Tide defense gave up only 78 yards which is still the lowest production for an opposing offense in the Saban era. So, even though the Tide did not match that performance, this was still a solid day against an offense that presents some challenges.

Also, I thought Will Anderson had his best performance of the season with 2.5 more sacks and 3 total tackles for loss. Henry To’oTo’o continues his productive season with a 6 tackle performance which lead the team. Overall, I thought this was Alabama’s most complete game in all three areas.


 

Bad

I still think Alabama needs to do more in the rushing game, if you look at the statistics, they are skewed. The Crimson Tide should be able to push around a less talented defensive line, they did this at times and other times they lacked physicality at the point of attack.

Nick Saban commented that he was pleased with the overall offense and Bryce was taking what the defense was willing to give up. RPO is a big part of the offensive play calling, I am referencing the design running calls, just does not seem likes the Tide has the push up front.

The rushing attack helps open those passing lanes and get the safeties closer to the line of scrimmage for run support. If the rushing production increases, this offense will be almost unstoppable and will create a lot of stress for opposing defensive coordinators.


 

Ugly

Once again, Bryant-Denny was not filled to capacity in the SEC home opener; however, the atmosphere was still outstanding. Temperature was a little closer to football weather as we started the game at 80 F and the temperature fell into the 60s as the game progressed.

Jordan Battle went out with an injury where he grabbed the back of his hamstring. Battle went into the medical tent but emerged a few minutes after without his helmet and still favoring his leg. Battle is a leader in the secondary and will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days. Byron Young also went down in the second half, Nick Saban provided an update in the post-game press conference that Young has a sprained ankle. Injuries are always the ugly, hopefully these two injuries will not linger around.


 

Coming up Monday on The Game with Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9, we will discuss the good, bad, and ugly. You will also have a chance to win prizes from Daniel Moore Art, starting at 2pm on Tide 100.9 and on the free Tide 100.9 app.

Alabama vs Vanderbilt Week 4 2022

 

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