Happy Monday, everyone. The Tide seemed to have a little extra motivation on Saturday. A lot of it probably came from talk in the media about the defense, but some players clearly took exception to some minor trash talk from Vanderbilt players during the week. Whatever the cause, the results were beautiful:
Actions speak louder... #OutworkYesterday#RollTide pic.twitter.com/KeKIGQFcUG
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 24, 2017
They speak louder, indeed.
The Commodores never crossed their own 44-yard line and that came on the game's first drive and only got there because of a 15-yard Alabama penalty. Texas A&M crossed the 50 three times and even got inside the red zone before throwing an interception late in the third quarter.
First downs totaled eight for the Aggies that day in Bryant-Denny Stadium while Vandy had three -- two by offense and one via penalty.
I would say that keeping 2011 LSU on their side of the field in the national title game was more impressive, but I think Vandy has a better QB. In any event, only three first downs in a 60 minute game is patently absurd.
-- The Crimson Tide gained 677 yards of total offense, while its defense held the Commodores to 78 yards. That 599-yard differential was the largest margin in Alabama history. UA also ran for 496 yards Saturday, which was the most during the Saban era.
-- The Tide ranks fifth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 303.5 yards per game. Three of the teams ahead of Alabama (1. Georgia Tech, 2. Navy and 3. Army) each run a triple-option offense.
I’d say that 300 yards a game qualifies as running the damn ball. Jalen was hardly spectacular in the passing game, but he did manage to use the short-to-intermediate middle of the field more. If he’s able to keep the linebackers honest, the running game will continue to dominate.
He took all that emotion and pent-up aggression and planted it right into the chest of Vanderbilt offensive lineman Bailey Granier in the first quarter. The hit deposited Granier onto the field turf and made for happy slow-motion viewing for Crimson Tide fans.
“I had a little juice,” Evans joked. “Just being out for two weeks, you kind of get some pushups in, some sit-ups, so you feel pretty good out there.”
Evans was back, and he played with controlled aggression.
“(It was my) welcome back play,” Evans said.
I mean, might as well watch it again:
Play nice, Mr Evans. pic.twitter.com/IphgZxGY3W
— FunnyMaine.com (@FunnyMaine) September 23, 2017
Ouch.
Jalen Hurts' record is nothing short of remarkable.
He's 17-1 as the Crimson Tide's starter and the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
Yet even he seems fascinated and amazed by his backup, Tua Tagovailoa.
Hurts' jaw dropped when he watched Tagovailoa evade a pack of rushers and deliver a 27-yard touchdown strike to DeVonta Smith in the third quarter.
"I was like, 'Wow,'" Hurts said. "He made me say wow. I was like, 'Wow, he just did it. That's a heck of a play.' [It was like] he was playing a video game."
Crimson-clad spectators praising its backup quarterback with a slew of reserves in a 59-0 loss on its home field was salt in Vanderbilt’s gaping, bleeding wound.
It only continued. Tagovailoa completed 8 of his 10 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Nick Saban acknowledged after the game his team “could have thrown more,” but decided to mercifully take three kneel-downs as the clock expired.
Tua didn’t look to be quite ready for prime time in previous weeks, but he showed his arm talent in this one. The only pause I would have is that he seemingly never looked to the left side of the field, but you can’t argue with the results. I still have a feeling that Tua will see very meaningful action before this season is over.
Alabama earned 52 first-place votes in the latest AP Poll after their 59-0 victory at Vanderbilt on Saturday
No. 2 Clemson received eight first-place votes while No. 3 Oklahoma got one. Penn State and Southern California rounded out the top five.
Alabama remains the heavy favorite to claim the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, per Las Vegas Superbook. The Crimson Tide, who dominated Vanderbilt in a 59-0 victory on Saturday, are currently 7/4 odds to win the title.
Following closely are the defending national champion Clemson Tigers, who sit at 5/1.
Alabama and Clemson may well be on another crash course. Based on the anger we saw on Saturday, I can only imagine the emotion that would be generated by the sight of those orange helmets again.
Oddsmakers apparently don't have much respect for Alabama's upcoming opponent.
Even though Ole Miss has given the Crimson Tide trouble in recent years, Alabama enters Saturday's home matchup against the Rebels as a 28-point favorite, according to odds from Danny Sheridan.
Hard to believe that the Tide defense will have a hard time getting up for Ole Miss either, considering recent results.
Defensive end Jonathan Allen's statistics for the Washington Redskins on Sunday night weren't gaudy, but they were significant. Washington's first-round draft choice in April, the former Alabama All-American recorded the first sacks of his career in his third NFL game.
Good for Mr. Allen. There are a few clips of Sunday’s action featuring former Alabama players at the link.
That’s about it for today. Have a great week.
Roll Tide.