Alabama’s ground game hasn’t just struggled this season - it’s been a point of contention from the opening kickoff. For a program that’s long prided itself on physical dominance at the line of scrimmage, the lack of production in the run game has been a jarring shift. And as the Crimson Tide prepares for the College Football Playoff, there are more questions than answers about how - or if - this rushing attack can get back on track.
There’s been no shortage of finger-pointing. Some have zeroed in on the offensive line, citing a lack of push up front.
Others point to the revolving door at running back, where injuries and inconsistent play have made it tough to establish rhythm. And then there’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who’s taken plenty of heat in his first season in Tuscaloosa.
Grubb, who came to Alabama with a résumé that includes stops at Washington and in the NFL with the Seahawks, has been open about the challenges. When asked about the strategies he’s used to jumpstart the run game, his answer was blunt and telling: “I’ve used ’em all.”
That’s not coach-speak - it’s a reflection of how deep the Tide have had to dig to find answers. And yet, the numbers remain underwhelming.
Alabama is averaging just 116.2 rushing yards per game, with a pedestrian 3.6 yards per carry. For context, those are numbers more commonly associated with mid-tier offenses - not a perennial national title contender.
No running back on the roster has cracked the 500-yard mark this season. Jam Miller, the veteran leader of the group, leads the team with 493 yards - and he’s missed time due to injury. That stat alone paints a clear picture of how fragmented the backfield has been.
To their credit, the Tide found a late-season spark. Over the final three games of the regular season, Alabama piled up 507 rushing yards and punched in 10 touchdowns on the ground. It looked like maybe, just maybe, the pieces were starting to come together.
But then came the SEC Championship Game - and a harsh dose of reality. Alabama managed negative rushing yards in the loss, finishing with -3 on the ground. That’s not just a setback; it’s a red flag heading into the postseason.
Now, the Tide face a massive challenge in their Playoff opener: Oklahoma. The Sooners boast one of the stingiest run defenses in the country, allowing just 81.4 rushing yards per game - good for fifth nationally. And they’ve already proven they can shut Alabama down, holding the Tide to just 80 yards on the ground in their upset win in Tuscaloosa earlier this season.
For Alabama, the path forward is clear but difficult. The passing game, led by Ty Simpson, has done its part to keep the offense afloat. But if the Tide want to make a serious run at another national championship, they’ll need more balance - and that means finding a way to get something, anything, going on the ground.
Grubb says he’s emptied the playbook. Now we’ll see if Alabama has anything left in the tank.