To some, it may seem like the ultimate in first-world college football problems, but Alabama continues to seek both a high-scoring offense and a time-consuming offense.
The high-scoring objective is being met each week, as the top-ranked Crimson Tide have racked up at least 42 points in every game during their 5-0 start entering Saturday’s matchup at No. 24 Texas A&M, which has a 3:30 p.m. EDT kickoff on CBS. Controlling more of the clock would help coach Nick Saban from a defensive standpoint, with that side of the ball having already lost starting inside linebackers Joshua McMillon and Dylan Moses for the season and defensive end LaBryan Ray until next month.
“As an offense, we need to be able to go out there and sustain drives to keep our defense off the field and to give them some rest and try to wear their defense out,” Alabama junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said this week in a news conference. “Our mindset offensively never changes, but once Coach Saban says you need to slow down the tempo, then we kind of understand what he’s asking of us.
“That’s when we end up running the ball maybe first and second down, and third down becomes really important, because we hope to extend that drive. Once you get a first down, you kind of try and do the same thing.”
Alabama has started two true freshmen on the defensive line and two true freshmen at inside linebacker for most of the season, with those newcomers getting plenty of playing time. In its Southeastern Conference opener at South Carolina on Sept. 14, Alabama’s defense was on the field for 86 plays and allowed 31 first downs and 459 yards in the 47-23 victory.