Alabama’s first road trip of the season came with the usual early-season messiness, but the Crimson Tide still walked out of Lexington with a result that looked a whole lot better than last year’s trip to Florida State.
Kentucky had Alabama in a first-half fight, and the Tide went into the break trailing 17-13. Then the second half flipped completely. Alabama shut the Wildcats out after halftime and rolled to a 45-17 win, outscoring Kentucky 32-0 over the final 30 minutes.
That finish matters, because there was plenty to fix. But there’s a big difference between ironing out problems after a 28-point win and doing it after a loss. With Florida State next on the schedule, here’s the read on Alabama coming out of Week 2: two truths and a lie.
The biggest truth is that Alabama’s defense looks like the real deal.
Kentucky is not the kind of offense that will stress every weakness Alabama has, and there will be much tougher quarterbacks ahead than Kenny Minchey. LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina and Kamario Taylor of Mississippi State are lined up back-to-back after the Florida State game. Still, through two weeks, Kane Wommack’s group has been hard not to admire.
The Tide have played fast and physical. They’ve shown they can line up heavy or light and still function.
They’ve also found ways to get after the quarterback with just four rushers, with Yhonzae Pierre getting help from complementary pass-rushing pieces. Transfers Caleb Woodson and Devan Thompkins each had two sacks against Kentucky.
Just as important, Alabama is dictating games on early downs and forcing opponents into ugly third-down situations. Through two games, the Crimson Tide lead the nation in third-down defense, allowing just 1-of-23 conversions.
That kind of production is not an accident. Alabama looks better on the defensive line, stronger at linebacker, and dangerous everywhere behind that front. Put it together with an elite secondary, and this unit is already shaping up to be a problem.
Another truth: the offensive line is closer than it might look.
If the concerns are centered on the run game, there’s enough on tape from Kentucky to suggest Alabama is not far off. There were missed assignments.
There were plays left on the field. There was also real movement up front and enough push to create space for the backs.
One missed assignment here, another read there, and the offense left some yards behind. A missed RPO read by Keelon Russell may have cost Trae'shawn Brown a touchdown. Those are the kinds of details that can stall drives right now, but they’re also the kinds of issues that tend to improve as the line settles in and Russell gets more comfortable.
Even with the rough edges, Alabama still ran for 150 yards in the second half against Kentucky. And that came without sophomore guard Michael Carroll, who is arguably the best offensive lineman on the roster. The Tide should have him back against Florida State.
After two weeks, the line already looks like a major step forward from last season.
The lie? That Keelon Russell’s game at Kentucky was some kind of major warning sign.
For a first-time starter making his first road start, the expectations some fans seem to have placed on Russell are a little unrealistic. He’s a 19-year-old college sophomore. This was never going to be smooth from the jump.
Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb appear comfortable letting him grow into the job because they know what’s waiting on the other side: a quarterback with superstar upside. The flashes are there. What Alabama still needs is consistency.
Russell did look rattled at times against Kentucky. He had too many turnover-worthy plays, and against better competition, that kind of sloppiness can get you in trouble fast. Without Alabama’s defense, the Tide could have been in a much tougher spot in Lexington.
But he also settled down after halftime and looked much better once the ground game started working. Play-action opened up cleaner throws, and Alabama’s offense found a better rhythm. DeBoer and Grubb would do well to give him some easier early-game throws to build comfort, and they need to keep leaning on the run game the way they did in the second half.
There will be more bumps ahead for Russell. Still, when it all starts clicking, Alabama is going to be a problem for everybody else.
In Other News...
Florida State's Latest Shakeup Comes Right Before Alabama
Florida State made a notable administrative change just as Alabama is preparing to see the Seminoles on the schedule, announcing that Michael Alford is out after four years as athletics director. Bruce Warwick will step in on an interim basis while the school searches for a permanent replacement, adding another layer of uncertainty around a program already under pressure.
The move comes with concerns growing around Florida State footballs recent results under Mike Norvell, and the timing only sharpens the focus on what the Seminoles look like heading into a high-profile matchup with Alabama. For a game that already carried plenty of attention, the off-field shakeup gives it an even more unsettled backdrop. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Top 10 Return Puts One Big FSU Question On Offense
Alabamas climb back into the AP top 10 came with the kind of finishing kick the program wanted to show after the opener. The Tide pulled away from Kentucky 45-17, and the second half offered a cleaner look at what is starting to take shape on both sides of the ball. Jackson Lloyd has settled in well at left tackle, not allowing a pressure through two games, while inside linebackers Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson have been active pieces in a defense that is settling into its identity.
The next test is less about ranking movement and more about the kind of roadblock Alabama needs to clear against Florida State. Keelon Russell has already said his own play has to improve, and that kind of self-assessment matters with a matchup like this looming. Alabama is also carrying the memory of a previous loss to the Seminoles, which adds a little extra edge to a game that already feels like an early measuring stick for where this offense really is. [Read more 🡒]
Keelon Russells Early Alabama Issue Is Harder To Ignore Now
Keelon Russells first major bump in an Alabama uniform came with a little extra visibility Saturday, when the quarterback was flagged multiple times for intentional grounding in the win over Kentucky. It was the kind of outing that can happen to a young passer still settling into the speed and pressure of SEC football, but it also put a spotlight on the parts of his game Alabama will need cleaned up quickly as the schedule keeps moving.
Kalen DeBoer pointed to execution and decision-making when addressing the penalties, a reminder that the Tide are still looking for more comfort and control from Russell in those moments when a play breaks down. Russell, for his part, said he got off to a slow start and said he is committed to improving in the games ahead, which is the right response even if the bigger question now is how fast that progress shows up. [Read more 🡒]