Obviously, I didn’t care for the final score of Alabama’s game at Vanderbilt Saturday.
However, part of me cared even less for the fact that Alabama in the second half didn’t look significantly different from Alabama in the first half.
Because we’ve been there, right? We missed something in chalk talk. Our opponent has found a matchup or two they’re exploiting. Let’s do the best we can and get to the half, where we can figure it out. Second-half adjustments are just the salve we need.
It was 23-14 at halftime. I expected Alabama to get the lead halfway through the third quarter and never relinquish it. (Instead, Alabama never led.)
Alabama’s defensive line seemed serially incapable of imposing its will. For every reasonable-looking stop, there were three or four gashes. We couldn’t even attempt a game-winning drive because we couldn’t ever stop Vanderbilt from getting first downs. No question it was an embarrassing loss.
I am, however, more embarrassed by the significant percentage of Alabama’s fan base who are joining agitating sportswriters in calling this an apocalyptic loss, or (worse) immediately throwing Kalen DeBoer under the bus. Yes, I remember the last time Vanderbilt beat Alabama. It was 1984. I was 13 years old. It was 30-21 at Bryant-Denny. It was homecoming. (The score was 30-21 Vanderbilt at one point Saturday night. Couldn’t believe neither announcer mentioned it when it happened.)
(And I actually think that’s what’s wrong with a lot of folks—they have no significant memory of pre-Saban Alabama, and therefore no perspective.)
First of all, the loss is apocalyptic as you make it. Alabama can still set ’em up and knock ’em down, all the way to the playoff. Sound ridiculous? Anyone wanna talk about Alabama 17, South Florida 3 (which was much closer than that) last year? You know, Saban’s final year (and also the final year before playoff expansion)? Saban’s final team that won the SEC, made the playoff, and finished 12-2?
Saban’s the GOAT. But his final team was eminently capable of losing that game.
(And need I remind you that we tiptoed by Arkansas? That we stole the Iron Bowl?)
Secondly, I trust the man who needs to fix it. Kalen DeBoer has won everywhere he’s been, and he’s left a steady trail of players who would run through a wall for him. He almost won the national title last year with considerably less talent. And I assure you, Coach DeBoer grasps the gravity of this situation. Instead of taking ridiculous shots at him—I actually saw someone insinuate that because his nipples occasionally showed through his sideline attire, that he was not a serious coach—let’s give him a chance to react.
Stop acting like babies.
Roll Tide!