What changed for Alabama from Week 13 to Week 14 – The Crimson White

Linebacker Justin Okoronkwo (#41) tackles the ball carrier in Alabama’s game against Auburn on November 30.

Alabama earned its ninth win of the season, winning the Iron Bowl 28-14.

The team looked like a different product than it did the week before against Oklahoma, where the Crimson Tide didn’t score a single touchdown.

“I think the biggest thing we did was realize how much this game means to a lot of people,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “For the state of Alabama, for the guys that come from the state of Alabama and also for the guys that are seniors.”

On Saturday, fans saw a major offensive change that led to victory and restoring Alabama’s playoff hopes after losses to No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Miami and No. 12 Clemson, which are now moving to new spots in the ranking list on Tuesday evening.

Offensive performance

Alabama’s offensive performance was highlighted by Milroe’s improvisational skills and wide receiver Germie Bernard’s first 100-yard game of the season.

Last week, fans saw continued quarterback runs with little success, resulting in 15 rushes for 11 yards for Milroe. There were fewer designed runs for Milroe this week and more passing plays failed and he was left to struggle.

Milroe finished the game with two more runs than he did against Oklahoma, but he finished the game with 97 more yards and three touchdowns.

The running backs eventually came into play more as Jam Miller saw 28 carries and finished the game with 84 yards, while Judge Haynes had seven carries for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Milroe also threw the ball more efficiently this week. With two fewer pass attempts, he had seven more completions and a total of 256 passing yards. He still had one interception, up from three the week before.

Backing up Milroe, Bernard was targeted 10 times, caught seven times and finished with 111 yards.

“I just try to take every game like it’s a big game,” Bernard said. “I know it’s a rivalry and I know how much it means to the program, but my preparation never changes.”

Consistency is key, but if targeted runs aren’t Milroe’s main concern, they give him the freedom to throw or scramble. If he’s consistent, he could be a Heisman finalist: After dominant performance against LSU Heisman odds Shot from +5000 to +1800. But if he isn’t, it can lead to results like the following Oklahoma game.

Sales

Alabama lost the turnover battle again, now in two straight games. Another week, Milroe was responsible for three turnovers. He threw an interception after a ball sailed over the receiver’s head, fumbled once while being sacked and coughed up the ball again on the scramble. Wide receiver Ryan Williams also fumbled the ball on the team’s first drive.

However, the defense still managed to force two turnovers, which helped mitigate the damage Auburn could have done from Alabama’s four turnovers.