Alabama had another great win Saturday night, beating No. 11 ranked Tennessee at home, 37-20.
There are things to clean up for the coaching staff, but overall a great team win. Ty Simpson was very efficient Saturday night, took care of the football, and outplayed Joey Aguilar.
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Simpson is still a strong candidate for the Heisman trophy. Something tells me this team will peak late and make the necessary adjustments to compete for a national championship.
Below are Roll Tide Wire’s takeaways from the game, as Alabama continues with SEC play.
Daniel Hill needs more reps
Alabama has lacked an interior running game all season. Jam Miller has had health issues. Saturday night, I think he was playing timid, due to the injuries he has had. While Jam is still recovering, whether it be mentally or physically, Daniel Hill can pick up the slack. Hill is a 6’1 244 lb mass, who gets downhill fast. He needs to be a regular part of Alabama’s rushing attack.
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Miller clearly was not himself. The offensive line didn’t always hold their blocks in the running game either. When Hill was running the football, the offense had a spark. It also took pressure off Ty Simpson. Simpson has done an amazing job of managing football games. Ryan Grubb has done a great job of being creative, without a consistent running game.
However, if Alabama wants to go the distance and win a national championship, they need to find a go to running back. Danny Hill can be that playmaker, with more repetitions.
Have trust in the Alabama coaching staff
This team has come an extremely long way since the Florida State loss. Alabama would likely be favored by at least two touchdowns, if they played FSU right now on a neutral field. Alabama looked really good in pass protection this evening. Ty Simpson was not under duress and had enough time to go through his progressions, and throw to the open receiver. Tennessee was leading the SEC with 26 sacks, and Simpson was not sacked one time tonight. Kudos to offensive line coach Chip Kapilovic.
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Ryan Grubb is calling creative plays to compensate for a lack of interior running game. The touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton on 3rd and goal in the red zone, is a perfect example of this. Grubb’s gadget plays have become an effective part of Alabama’ scheme. The last piece of coaching to improve would be how Alabama’s safeties and linebackers pursue in run fits. That was evident on DeSean Bishop’s TD run. Deontae Lawson and Keon Sabb both over pursued, not filling a cutback lane. This allowed Bishop to get to the open field and score.
I trust that Kane Wommack will clean this up. There are many good things this defense does. Run fits at the second and third level, are the last piece of the puzzle. Coach Wommack has great personnel and will become more consistent in this area.
Alabama will peak at the right time
Alabama looked terrible in the opener against FSU. Since then they have made coaching adjustments and Ty Simpson has come alive. The team will definitely be battle tested as they have played a gauntlet of a schedule in the SEC. I think Alabama’s ability to run the football and defend the run will come together at the right time. Defensive injuries at the first and second level are a factor, with players who are out for the season.
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However, I do believe they will improve in the run fits. Also, hopefully Jam Miller will look more like himself, and Kevin Reilly and Daniel Hill will continue to emerge. This is an open year in college football, as no teams are truly great. Alabama will be a tough out for anyone if they make the appropriate adjustments.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football takeaways from Week 8 win vs. Tennessee Volunteers
