Greg McElroy considers how Alabama is finding ways to win
Greg McElroy expressed admiration for the way Alabama has been grinding out victories during a recent edition of the Always College Football show.
No. 11 Alabama edged host Texas A&M 26-20 to extend its winning streak to 4 games since losing to Texas. The winning streak began with a victory at South Florida, then victories over Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
The ESPN analyst admits that his alma mater isn’t as dominant anymore but still contends that they’re capable of winning out the rest of the regular season.
“Are they as flashy as they once were? Are they going to be a team that routinely hangs upper 40s on everyone they play? No. Is the gap between them and everybody else as significant as it once was? The answer is no,” McElroy said. “But they can beat everyone on their schedule.”
McElroy evaluates the SEC West and doesn’t see a capable challenger for Alabama.
“I think Alabama can play with everyone. We’ll continue to believe that until another team rises up and potentially knocks them off. Is it possible? Absolutely it’s possible. Anything is possible,” McElroy said. “But they are in firm control of the SEC West at the moment.”
McElroy raves about an Alabama defense which hasn’t allowed over 34 points this season. 3 times this season, Alabama has limited opponents to 10 points or less. McElroy was particularly impressed with the unit against the Aggies.
“They have an unbelievable defense. I think their defense is terrific,” McElroy said. “If you look at the relentless pressure that they were able to put on Texas A&M. They really did an amazing job.”
Meanwhile, McElroy beams about the strides quarterback Jalen Milroe has made since being benched after the Texas loss. Milroe passed for 321 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception against Texas A&M.
“I think he does do a really good job of throwing the ball down the field,” Milroe said. “That is going to keep a lot of defenses really honest. The big plays are something that you really have to account for, for Alabama.”
McElroy envisions Alabama becoming even more potent as the season goes along.
“Alabama is starting to round into form. While it will not always look pretty, the ultimate goal is to win the game…Alabama is finding ways to win in a bunch of different ways,” McElroy said. “…The best is certainly yet to come for the Crimson Tide.”