Ryan Grubb says he has pressed every button to ignite sputtering Alabama run game
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Alabama’s running game has been as maligned as any in the nation this season, and the finger-pointing has been ongoing throughout the fall.
Some blame the offensive line’s lack of perceived push, others look at the injuries and inconsistencies of the tailbacks, while the rest have their sights set on offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
The former Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks play-caller was asked about the schemes he’s employed to get the Crimson Tide’s stagnant ground game going, and he explained that he’s truly emptied the playbook.
“I’ve used ’em all,” Grubb said of the strategies he’s used.
Ty Simpson and the Alabama aerial attack have done well to bail the offense out in many scenarios because the running game has been lackluster in many ways. The Tide average just 116.2 rushing yards per game, which comes on 3.6 yards per carry.
No current tailback has topped 500 yards on the ground yet this season, as veteran Jam Miller leads the way with 493 yards despite having missed multiple games due to injury.
The Alabama running game enjoyed great success to end the regular season, as the offense racked up 507 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in its final three outings. But the SEC Championship Game brought with it a different reality, as Grubb’s group accounted for -3 yards on the ground.
The Crimson Tide’s opponent in the opening round of the College Football Playoff is Oklahoma, which happens to rank fifth in the nation in allowing 81.4 yards per game on the ground. The Sooners gave up just 80 during their upset win in Tuscaloosa earlier this season.
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
