Jumbo Package: Kane Wommack helping Alabama plan for Ohio State

Happy Thursday, everyone. The Tide may get a little extra help from a new head coach in the state.

Wommack’s defense held the Buckeyes scoreless in the last 28 minutes of the game, forced three Fields interceptions and sacked the quarterback five times.

“Unfortunately, there were eight other sacks where we had him truly wrapped up, and Justin Fields got away from us,” he said. “That’s the challenge when you play a dynamic player like Justin Fields that can do so much.”

The Buckeyes face their biggest challenge on defense. No one has been able to stop, or even slow down, Alabama’s offense. Of all the Big Ten coaches we spoke to for this story, each agreed the current Ohio State group is nowhere near as talented as the Buckeyes’ defenses of recent years. The stats certainly back that up: Ohio State ranks No. 56 in the FBS in fewest yards per play allowed. In 2019, the Buckeyes led the nation in that category.

“They’ve always had that super freak, but not this year,” said a Big Ten running backs coach, referring to a stretch of difference-making edge rushers from Joey Bosa to Nick Bosa to Chase Young.

Hopefully Wommack can offer some insight, but this feels like a game where you ask the strength of the defense, corners Patrick Surtain II and Josh Jobe, to limit Ohio State WRs Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson then let the chips fall where they may. Those two have combined for 82 grabs on the season while no one else on the team has more than 12. Making Fields throw to covered receivers while under duress seems like the right play.

Eleven Warriors disagrees with the latter assessment, saying that the Buckeyes team that played Clemson would “roll Alabama like a cheap rug.” Well alrighty, then.

There are more awards to be handed out tonight, and Alabama players are up for many.

Alabama almost had a clean sweep when the major college football awards finalists were announced Tuesday.

The Crimson Tide had a finalist in eight of the nine awards for the College Football Awards show ESPN hosts annually. It will take place Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. CT this year instead of the traditional mid-December slot.

Najee Harris, Alex Leatherwood, Patrick Surtain II, Landon Dickerson, Mac Jones and Will Reichard are all finalists for various awards.

Roman Harper went on the Jim Rome Show to discuss Mac Jones. It’s a solid interview.

Last, enjoy seven minutes of Bradley Bozeman and Marlon Humphrey mic’d up.

Funny stuff.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.