Alabama's Offensive Woes Continue as Ryan Grubb Faces Growing Scrutiny
For Alabama fans, the first quarter against Oklahoma felt all too familiar - and not in a good way. Three drives, three punts, just 12 total yards.
The Crimson Tide offense, once feared for its explosiveness and balance, sputtered once again on the biggest stage. And at the center of it all is offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, whose system is now under a glaring spotlight.
Grubb came to Tuscaloosa with a strong résumé - a quarterback whisperer with a knack for dialing up big plays in the passing game. His time with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington earned him a reputation as one of the brightest minds in college football.
But this season, that reputation has taken a hit. And Friday night’s slow start against Oklahoma - arguably the best defense in the country - only added fuel to the fire.
Let’s be clear: Oklahoma’s defense is elite. They’ve made life miserable for plenty of offenses this season.
But Alabama’s lack of offensive rhythm isn’t just about the opponent. It’s been a recurring theme, especially down the stretch.
Over the final four games of the regular season, Alabama went 2-2 and averaged just 18.3 points per game against FBS opponents. That’s not the kind of production you expect from a program with championship aspirations.
Even with extra time to prepare following a 35-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and with Grubb moving back up to the booth to call plays - a change some hoped would spark improvement - the Tide came out flat. Ty Simpson, Alabama’s quarterback, opened the game 2-for-5, and the offense looked disjointed, with no clear plan to counter Oklahoma’s pressure or get the ball out quickly.
This isn’t just a one-game issue. Fans have been voicing their frustrations for weeks, pointing out the lack of adjustments and the failure to put playmakers like Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard in positions to succeed.
The criticism isn’t just about results - it’s about process. The offense has looked predictable, one-dimensional, and slow to adapt.
And that’s where the comparisons to the 2024 Seattle Seahawks come in. Grubb, who called plays for Seattle last season, faced similar criticisms during his NFL stint.
The Seahawks struggled to find offensive rhythm, and Grubb’s play-calling was often cited as a reason for their inconsistency. Now, those same concerns are bubbling up in Tuscaloosa.
It’s a tough spot for Kalen DeBoer, too. The head coach brought Grubb with him from Washington, trusting him to lead the offense.
But with the fan base growing restless and speculation swirling about DeBoer potentially being pursued by Michigan, the pressure is mounting. If Alabama doesn’t turn things around - and fast - the calls for change won’t just be about the play-caller.
They could extend all the way to the top.
To be fair, Alabama did move the ball well against Oklahoma earlier this season. In their Week 12 matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Tide racked up 406 yards and outgained the Sooners.
But turnovers - including a pick-six and two more that led to short fields - doomed them. Oklahoma didn’t have a single scoring drive longer than 50 yards that day, yet still walked away with the win.
That game gave some hope that Alabama could crack the Sooners’ code the second time around. But after one quarter in the College Football Playoff, that hope is fading fast. The offense looks stuck in the same gear it’s been in for weeks - and the questions about Grubb’s system aren’t going away.
For now, Alabama still has time to respond. But if they don’t, and if the offense continues to stall, the offseason could bring more than just scheme changes. It could bring a full-on reset.