The Alabama Crimson Tide hit the road yet again to take on the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday afternoon. Alabama comes into this matchup in the unusual position of not being in position to earn a playoff spot this season. The Tide comes in at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference, losers of two of their last three games. Ole Miss sits at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference following Saturday's 31-28 win at Texas A&M. The opening kick for this SEC showdown is set for 3:30pm EST.
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For the first time since 2019, Alabama has two losses in the regular season. Coincidentally, that was also the last time the Crimson Tide failed to make the College Football Playoffs. It will likely be a playoff-empty season this year as well for Nick Saban's squad. On Saturday, they will look to avoid losing two straight games for the first time since 2010. Last Saturday night, Alabama was stunned by LSU in overtime 32-31. The Tigers converted a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown and forgoing the game tying extra point.
“I can't blame the players. I'm responsible for this stuff.” Saban said to the press in regards to his team's disappointing loss on Saturday.
'Bama quarterback Bryce Young finished the game 25-of-51 for 328 yards and brought the Tide back from repeated deficits. He found Ja'Corey Brooks seven times for 97 yards and a touchdown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs was second on the team with eight catches for 64 yards. Gibbs added 99 yards on 15 carries. For the game, Alabama had 465 total yards of offense and converted on just 6-of-16 third down conversions. They did go 2-of-2 on fourth down. The Crimson Tide shot themselves in the foot with penalties, nine in the game for 92 yards.
DeMarco Hellams led Alabama with 12 tackles in the game. Alabama held the potent Tigers to 365 yards of total offense including just 185 through the air. LSU was just 5-of-12 in third down conversions. They had six sacks and 11 tackles for loss in the game but couldn't stop the final two-point conversion for the loss.
Game Week Central – Ole Misshttps://t.co/j6l1duTVeG#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/OBVdv6smgb
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 7, 2022
To avoid a third loss and second overall, Alabama will need to live up to the numbers they've put up this season. Alabama ranks 4th in the country in scoring offense this season. They have the 18th best rushing attack and the 26th ranked passing attack. 'Bama is 33rd in the country in the red zone. Penalties are a real issue for Alabama, ranking 129th in the country. Nick Saban's bunch hasn't faired much better with the turnover, ranking 97th in the nation in turnover differential. Defensively, Alabama is 11th in defensive scoring despite allowing a combined 80 points in their two losses. They are 10th against the run and 27th against the pass. In the red zone defensively, the Crimson Tide have delivered, ranking 23rd in the country.
Key Injuries: Saban downplayed concerns regarding Young's shoulder after the game so the Heisman winner looks good to go for this game.