Alabama’s last two games have put offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb squarely in the crosshairs, and the criticism kept rolling on SEC Nation. After the Crimson Tide managed just 17 points against Georgia and 10 against Tennessee, the conversation around Grubb’s playcalling has only gotten louder.
Paul Finebaum said the reaction from his callers spiked again after head coach Kalen DeBoer defended Grubb as a “great” play-caller during Monday’s press conference. Finebaum called the push to fire Grubb an overreaction, but he also made it clear the frustration is real and growing.
Roman Harper was especially blunt about what Alabama put on tape against Tennessee. The former Alabama and NFL safety said he could not get past the decision to come out throwing with quarterback Keelon Russell, who he described as relatively young and inexperienced. Harper said the Crimson Tide needed to lean on something simpler and sturdier, especially in that road setting.
“I can love somebody; it doesn’t mean I’m happy with them,” Harper said. “I can still get their back; it doesn’t mean I’m happy with them. And you don’t have to be happy with the performance, because ultimately I’m looking at Kalen DeBoer and his whole staff that they have to figure out a path to victory each and every week and coach your team up accordingly to that week in regards to the team you’re going against.
“It was almost like Ryan Grubb didn’t know that they were going to be playing a road game in Knoxville last week. Coming out, throwing the football all over the ballpark, understanding how tough the Neyland (Stadium) environment is? You have to [support] your players, give them an easy outlet.”
Harper also pointed out that Alabama’s first “downhill run” did not come until late in the first quarter, on the third drive.
Chase Daniel had the same kind of reaction. The former Missouri quarterback and SEC Nation analyst didn’t dance around it, asking, “What are we doing?” Daniel said Alabama got out-physicaled despite being Alabama, and he echoed the concern about asking too much of a young quarterback too early.
“You are physical. You are Alabama and got out-physicaled.
And look Keelan Russell, for everything that I’ve seen on tape … he’s playing well but he’s still a young quarterback. You have to gain that confidence as the game goes on.
So Ryan Grubb - I did not like the play calling this past week. We’ll see how it goes this week.”
Tim Tebow offered a broader view, stressing that game plans change from week to week depending on the defense on the other side. The former Florida Heisman Trophy winner said Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had “a wonderful game plan,” while also making a larger point about the Volunteers’ defense as a unit.
“I think when we evaluate it, we need to make sure we do it week by week because not every game plan is the same, it’s difference actually every week versus what that defense is doing,” Tebow said. “And yes, I do think (Tennessee defensive coordinator) Jim Knowles had a wonderful game plan, but I also believe that Tennessee’s defense is maybe the best in the country.
… That’s a really good defense. Do I think, looking back, they should have gotten to some downhill running game early, take some pressure off Keelan Russell?
Probably.
“But also, you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Tennessee’s defense. (Alabama’s) offensive line got punched in the face over and over and over again. Tennessee’s defense is a really unique, special defense that especially up front, it might be the best with a lot of different coverages.”
Alabama is 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC heading into Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. The Aggies are 4-3 and 1-3 in conference play.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Central at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, and the game will air on ABC.
In Other News...
Nick Saban Just Shared A Side Of Himself Alabama Fans Know Well
Nick Saban spent part of ESPNs College GameDay broadcast in Salt Lake City sounding like a man who has found a new sport to study, and Alabama fans probably recognized the familiar edge of his curiosity right away. The former Crimson Tide coach, now a minority owner of the NHLs Nashville Predators, talked about how his appreciation for hockey has grown and why the sport has held his attention, especially when the conversation turns to how winning teams are built.
The setting made the moment stand out even more, with the crew on hand ahead of a college football game in a city that will host the 2034 Winter Olympics. Saban drew parallels between constructing successful football and hockey teams, a reminder that even in a different arena, he still sees the same themes of discipline, structure and team building, only now with skates instead of cleats. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Saban Still Has Rival Coaches Talking Like This
Utah coach Morgan Scalley used his Week 8 turn on College GameDay to spotlight something Alabama fans have long known: Nick Sabans football mind still carries enormous weight around the sport. Scalley said a conversation he had with Saban about cover 3 defenses left him humbled, a reminder that even among top coaches, Sabans grasp of the game continues to command respect.
The exchange also fit neatly into a larger conversation about Utahs strong start under Scalley, but the Saban anecdote was the part that lingered. For Alabama observers, it was another small sign that long after his sideline days, Saban still shapes the way rival coaches think, teach and talk about defense. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into The Bye With One Big Roster Concern
Alabama snapped its two-game losing streak with a 31-20 win over Texas A&M, a result that offered some relief after a stretch that had started to test the early part of Kalen DeBoers tenure. The postgame mood was naturally better than it had been the previous two weeks, and DeBoer spent part of his press conference pointing to the value of the bye week as the Tide reset and sort through what the next stretch of the season can look like.
Still, the conversation did not end with the final score. DeBoer talked through the teams performance and the ongoing player evaluations that come with this point in the schedule, while also expressing optimism about getting key players back after the break. For Alabama, the bye arrives with momentum restored, but also with one important roster concern that will shape how quickly this group can settle in once the season resumes. [Read more 🡒]