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Alabama offensive line blasted for performance in 1st half vs. Michigan
Alabama’s offensive line struggled mightily in the 1st half against Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Monday night.
The Tide’s OL was routinely overwhelmed by Michigan’s defensive front before the break. The pressure from Michigan resulted in 4 3-and-outs on Alabama’s first 5 possessions of the game. On those 4 drives, Alabama accumulated a total of -5 yards on 12 plays.
For the half, Michigan’s defense totaled 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Seven different Wolverines were credited with a tackle for loss before the break.
Alabama’s offensive line did struggle at this this season, especially relative to previous seasons. The Tide finished just 9th in the SEC in tackles for loss allowed with 78 this season. Amongst SEC teams, only Arkansas allowed more sacks than Alabama (43) did in 2023.
True freshman Kadyn Proctor is starting for Alabama at left tackle in this game. Proctor had a rough half, with pressure often coming off of the left side of Alabama’s OL.
Alabama was able to move the chains a few times on its 6th drive of the half, which resulted in a field goal just before the break. Michigan took a 13-10 lead into halftime.
Here’s some of the reaction to Alabama’s offensive line play in the 1st half vs. Michigan:
Alabama’s offensive line play right now has to be highly concerning for Saban and staff. If they can’t do better than that, this is over.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 1, 2024
A complete 180 from the offensive line play we saw in early December.
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 1, 2024
Alabama’s offensive line is getting BODIED
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) January 1, 2024
Feels like Alabama's offensive line has turned back the clock to the Arkansas game.
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) January 1, 2024
Offensive line is gonna need some major adjustments at halftime
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) January 1, 2024
alabama’s offensive line struggling with counting
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) January 1, 2024
Alabama OL looks like a MAC unit so far. Lower-end MAC unit
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 1, 2024
Alabama looks unprepared for this game, which is very surprising.
Defense looks confused at time. Milroa and OL not reading/picking up the blitz.
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) January 1, 2024
Alabama OL can’t pass protect so far against Michigan. Not sure why Alabama isn’t running the ball more.
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomon35) January 1, 2024
Michigan looks like the more prepared team right now.
The Alabama OL/Jalen Milroe are overwhelmed by all of the games, stunts, blitzes, etc., and the Michigan offense is breaking a ton of tendencies with personnel choices and pre-snaps shifts & motions.
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) January 1, 2024
This is probably the worst Alabama's OL has looked since the first half of the Tennessee game Oct. 21, when it gave up 3 sacks before halftime.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) January 1, 2024
Alabama’s OL is so trash. This is the game plan you need against Milroe. Get after his ass. He can’t go through his progressions fast enough yet.
— Trent Smallwood (@SmallwoodTrent) January 1, 2024
Who let Steve Addazio coach the Alabama OL for the Rose Bowl?
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) January 1, 2024
Alabama’s OL is in shambles right now
— Jamie Plunkett (@FrogPreacher) January 1, 2024
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.