Initial Impressions from the Oklahoma Game

Well, that was something.

Alabama opened last night’s game looking like the team we saw in Atlanta. Frankly, they looked like an unprepared team perhaps led by a coach who had been distracted at practice. Down 17-0 in the second quarter without so much as a single first down for the offense, rallying for 27 consecutive points in 27 minutes of game time was unimaginable.

Luckily, we didn’t have to imagine it because we got to watch it happen in real time.

Look, Oklahoma let Alabama off the mat in this one and the Tide took advantage. In the span of three minutes near the end of the first half, the Sooners dropped a likely touchdown pass, then a punt that gave Alabama a field goal try, then threw an easy pick six right to Zabien Brown with no Oklahoma receiver in the area. The Tide went into the half tied despite being outgained 236-100, but then came out of the locker room looking like the better football team and scored themselves a playoff win.

A few impressions:

Kane Wommack got his wish

Wommack reminded everyone this week that turnover margin wasn’t just about the offense, challenging his group to take the ball away. It only happened once, but it was a critical play in the game. Mateer said after the game that he “got tricked” by simulated pressure, but there was also a clear miscommunication on the route since Brown was the only player in the flat.

Just as important, Alabama was able to take care of the football in this one. Ty Simpson didn’t play his best game by any stretch, but he did play a clean one.

The dropped passes have to improve

I don’t know what the official count of dropped passes will be last night, but it was ridiculous. Isaiah Horton started the night with a drop on third down that wasn’t the easiest catch in the world, but should be made by a player with NFL aspirations. Ryan Williams had his nation-leading tenth drop later in the contest and Kaleb Edwards had one bounce out of his hands. This is a potentially fatal flaw that must be addressed if this team is going to advance any further.

Lotzeir Brooks has taken Williams’ job

Brooks was easily the offensive star in this one, despite his bonehead decision to run Oklahoma’s first kickoff out of the end zone. Brooks caught 44 of the 75 yards on Alabama’s first scoring drive, including the last ten on a superb effort.

Brooks later burned the Oklahoma defense for a 30-yard score, his first two touchdown catches of the season. They couldn’t have been more timely for Alabama. Brooks led the Tide with five catches for 79 yards and simply must continue to be a big part of the game plan.

Josh Cuevas made an impact in the game

Cuevas got loose for twenty yards on the drive capped by Brooks’ highlight reel play, and it was a sight for sore eyes. He had become Ty’s security blanket before injuring his foot, and in his first game back grabbed four catches for 43 yards. He looked fine, and should be even better in 12 more days.

Daniel Hill has to be the primary running back

Jam Miller may not have been 100% in the game, but the difference between him and Daniel Hill was still stark. Hill is never going to be an elite runner, but his power allows him to gain as much as the offensive line earns and that’s enough. He managed to run through one tackle on his five yard touchdown, and finished the night with 43 yards on 9 carries while Miller gained only 11 on seven totes. It’s tough to justify starting Miller going forward.

LT Overton was replaced by committee, with good results

We still don’t know what’s going on with LT, but outside of an early run bust where Keon Keeley was pinned inside when he was supposed to be setting the edge, the Bandit position looked like a strength. Jordan Renaud started the game but Keeley and Kelby Collins also got some run, and all three made plays. Keeley and Collins even showed up in the box score with a sack each. Hopefully LT is able to return for the Rose Bowl, but if not then the position looks to be in decent shape.

Alabama had the better special teams

Pick your jaw up off the floor after reading that, but Oklahoma managed to out-awful Alabama’s special teams. To be clear, it was not a great night for the Tide in this department. Brooks made his poor decision in the return game and Blake Doud shanked two punts. But, Tim Keenan III was gifted a punt block when Oklahoma’s punter dropped the football, and the punter shanked one of his own that was worse than either of Doud’s. Most shockingly, Conor Talty calmly split the uprights on two field goal attempts while Lou Groza winner Tate Sandell missed two of his three tries. The one from 35 yards out with the ball centered was frankly baffling and sealed Oklahoma’s fate in the game.

It was a weird night in general, but in this playoff era it’s all about survive and advance. It doesn’t have to be said that they will need to start better against an Indiana team with a Heisman winner at QB instead of an uneven Mateer, but for now we breathe a sigh of relief.

Roll Tide.