The Alabama Crimson Tide handled the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night in a game that did not have the offensive fireworks many were hoping for.
With a quarterback matchup that featured Ty Simpson going up against Garrett Nussmeier, it looked like an offensive battle could be brewing.
Instead, it was a defensive slugfest into the fourth quarter as both offenses struggled all night to find any kind of rhythm.
Ultimately, Simpson did just enough, but it was the Tide defense — a unit that has been on the receiving end of tons of criticism over the last two years under Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack — that really was the difference maker.
This is a group that’s come a long way from being shredded in Tallahassee during week one by Florida State, and the coaching staff knows it. After the game, DeBoer was asked about the defense and he praised the way they have come along this season.
“I feel like they’ve been playing pretty solid,” DeBoer said when asked about whether the unit has turned a corner.
“I feel like they keep getting better, whether it’s turning a corner or not….I think there is a mindset that they have that is built on trust, guys are doing their job, there’s less of the explosive plays, less mistakes…I like the way they play and I like their mindset, and I’m confident they’ll go back to work tomorrow.”
Next up for the Tide is a showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in Tuscaloosa for what the team hopes if the third revenge game of the season after losing to them last season and what would be the third avenged loss of the year.
While the offense clearly has work to do, the strides the defense has made strides to be able to hold up their end of the bargain.
DeBoer deserves a ton of credit for that fact, and everything is very much ahead of this team down the stretch as they begin their November. This kind of defense will give them a chance against anyone.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
