Alabama Football Never Changed in 2024

Norman, OK -  The Alabama Crimson Tide will return to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in an unfamiliar position.

Get our free mobile app

It is the first time since 2010 that Alabama will play a regular season game with virtually no chances of making the college football postseason, whether BCS or CFP when the Crimson Tide kicks off against the Auburn Tigers at 2:30 p.m. CT next Saturday.

Alabama has three games to thank for that, as this is also the first time Alabama has lost three games in one season since 2010 - October 5 at Vanderbilt, October 19 at Tennessee and November 23 at Oklahoma.

In each of those three games, Alabama lost in the same method - the offense sputters while the defense fails to get stops, and the life of the Crimson Tide can be felt getting squeezed out of the Alabama football team.

Alabama has lost three games this season: Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. In all three of those games, Alabama gave up over 150 yards rushing, over three yards per carry, and multiple touchdowns on the ground.

Vanderbilt

56 carries, 166 total yards, 3.1 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns.

Tennessee

43 carries, 214 yards, 5 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns.

Oklahoma

50 carries, 257 yards, 5.1 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns.

What makes the Oklahoma loss sting so bad?

The Sooners' leading rusher was Jackson Arnold with 131 yards. Oklahoma only had over 100 yards rushing in one other contest - FCS school Maine.

The biggest criticism of this Alabama team was the 4-2-5 and the ability to stop the run using that defensive set.

Alabama came into the game ranked No. 52 in the country, giving up 3.64 yards per rush and 132.2 rushing yards per game.

With 50 carries, 257 yards, and 5.1 yards per carry later, Alabama still has questions about its run defense.

The cracks were in the foundation early - the Crimson Tide struggled against an option-heavy team in South Florida. The Bulls had 206 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry. However, Alabama won 42-16 (despite it being a one-point game in the fourth quarter) and nobody batted an eye.

Three losses later and Alabama football never changed in 2024.

The thing that should scare a lot of Alabama fans?

Jarquez Hunter averages seven yards per carry for the Auburn Tigers, who need just one win to become bowl-eligible.

The Sportsbook at Pear River Resort and Casino in Mississippi sponsors coverage of Alabama and Oklahoma. Want to get in on the sports betting action? Download the free Pear River Sportsbook app in a state where sports gambling is legal!

Alabama will return to Tuscaloosa for the final regular season game against the Auburn Tigers. Kick-off for the Iron is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT.