Alabama is about to find out whether last weekend's open date was put to good use.
The Crimson Tide struggled defensively during their 59-31 victory over Ole Miss on Sept. 28, allowing a staggering 476 yards to the Rebels. Ole Miss dual-threat quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, a true freshman, rushed 25 times for 109 yards and threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
This Saturday, the top-ranked Tide visit No. 24 Texas A&M and will face Kellen Mond, a more experienced dual-threat talent.
"It's obviously something we need to do better," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Monday in his weekly news conference. "Players have to be disciplined in doing their job, and if you're a contain rusher, you've got to contain the quarterback. You can't be coming underneath, and you've got to keep the proper leverage on the guy and give the opportunity to push the pocket in the middle.
"It's something we're definitely focused on and need to improve on."
Mond should provide an immediate gauge.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior from San Antonio rushed 18 times for 98 yards, an average of 5.4 yards per carry, and a touchdown in last season's contest in Tuscaloosa that Alabama won 45-23. Mond also threw for 196 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice.
"He played really well against us last year, and we have a lot of respect for him as a player," Saban said. "His total understanding of what they're trying to do has enhanced his performance to some degree. They continue to have good balance, and their quarterback runs hurt us in last year's game."
Said senior defensive tackle Raekwon Davis: "He's a quick guy, so we definitely have to collapse the pocket. We worked a lot in the bye week on attacking the pocket and keeping the quarterback inside."
The 22-point win over the Aggies was the closest game Alabama played a year ago during the regular season.
Reichard update
Alabama freshman kicker Will Reichard hasn't played since suffering a hip injury during the 49-7 win over Southern Miss on Sept. 21. Saban said Monday that Reichard would begin kicking in Monday's practice, but he was standing with other specialists during the portion of practice that was open to the media.
"It's difficult to say right now whether he'll be capable of punting or what exactly his role can be in this game," Saban said. "Maybe he can kick. Maybe he can punt. We'll just have to evaluate it through the course of this week."
Tide tidbits
Saban said Monday that redshirt junior center Chris Owens (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game. ... Alabama holds a 9-2 series lead against Texas A&M and has won all four meetings in College Station. ... Next Saturday's game against visiting Tennessee will be televised by ESPN at 9 p.m. EDT.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.