Checking the temperatures in Tuscaloosa after the Crimson Tide’s blowout win over Texas A&M.

VOLCANIC ERUPTION

The rushing attack. Finally, Alabama got the kind of ground performance everyone expects from the team. The 298 yards and 6.6 yards per carry average they put on the Aggies were both the second-best figures the Crimson Tide has posted this season. The way they did it, with the offensive line clearing highway-sized holes and running backs getting 10 yards downfield without being touched. The physicality they played with, running over hapless Texas A&M defenders, should be just as exciting as seeing the offensive line in excellent form. Even better, Austin Shepherd avoided major injury when he left the game, and center Ryan Kelly should return against Tennessee.

REIGNITED

The Cooper-Sims connection. Once again, Alabama has the A&M defense to thank, but Amari Cooper and Blake Sims reminded the country that they’re one of the most dangerous tandems in the country. Sims hit a streaking Cooper for touchdowns twice against the Aggies, withe the quarterback showing excellent touch on a fade route on the first and even better timing to release the ball just as Cooper blazed past his defender on the second.

SUFFOCATING HEAT

The run defense. These days, teams might as well just give up on the run against Alabama, because they’re not going to find any room to breathe. The Tide have only given up 100 yards on the ground once this season, limited the Arkansas Razorbacks, who had been averaging more than 300 yards coming in, to just 89 yards two weeks ago, and smashed Texas A&M’s rushing attack to 31 yards and 1.3 yards per carry. From Trey DePriest and Reggie Ragland to the defensive line blowing up blocking schemes, the entire unit is working as one to disrupt offenses.

COOLED OFF

The criticism of Alabama’s special teams. After two weeks of head-scratching play, Alabama pulled it together against Texas A&M. There was only one questionable play, when Christion Jones (he of multiple fumbles in the previous two games) fielded a punt in traffic, ignoring his ball control issues. But for the first time in four games, Alabama didn’t miss a single kick, and they didn’t fumble away a kick for the first time in three weeks. That’s progress for the Tide.