Handing out grades from Alabama’s 48-14 win over Western Carolina.
OFFENSE: B-
The Crimson Tide piled up 612 yards of total offense, but it came at a cost. Amari Cooper, Brian Vogler, Cam Robinson and Jalston Fowler all left the game after suffering injuries during the game, bad news for Alabama as they head into the Iron Bowl and a potential SEC Championship game. Blake Sims wasn’t as sharp as he has been at home, but he still completed 17-of-25 passes for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sims did throw an interception on what appeared to be a miscommunication between two receivers who bumped into each other. Jacob Coker played the second half and had his best performance to date, going 12-for-18 throwing the ball for 112 yards and a score. Alabama had 11 different players catch a pass and rushed for 275 yards on the afternoon.
DEFENSE: B
The Catamounts legitimately picked apart the Crimson Tide defense early in this game. Quarterback Troy Mitchell found receivers all over the field during the fourth quarter, with Alabama defenders apparently asleep at the wheel. Alabama clamped down outside of the Catamounts first drive, forcing three straight three-and-outs and four punts in row before Henry’s fumble near the Crimson Tide goal line led to a quick score. Alabama allowed just 76 total yards in the second half.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
Alabama didn’t get many opportunities in the return game, with Western Carolina seemingly set on short kickoffs to limit any chance of a big return, but Landon Collins did break free for a 30-yarder on one of them. The Crimson Tide decided to try out a new kicker in this one, giving freshman Gunnar Rayborn a chance. He hit 2-of-3 field goals, with the miss coming on a 31-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Alabama also snuffed out the Catamounts returners, limiting them to 18.8 yards per return.
COACHING: B-
Cameras caught Nick Saban expressing his displeasure in the offense’s execution on the sidelines, especially when the Tide turned it over on two of their first five possessions. Saban did the right thing by getting many of his starters out of what turned out to be a very physical contest after halftime, but it didn’t save him from losing multiple players to injury in the second half.
OVERALL: B-
Alabama pulled it together after a bit of a shaky start, pulling out to a 24-point lead by halftime. The win was costly and just about the worst-case scenario for the Crimson Tide, as they suffered a litany of injuries to key players throughout the game. Fans will have to hope the injuries were just dings and players were kept out for precautionary measures, as Alabama’s slate only gets tougher from here.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
