From the Sideline — Alabama Took Positive Steps in Win Over ULM

It would be easy to categorize Saturday's win over ULM as a "ho-hum" victory. 

The Tide offense didn't do much for the first 30 minutes. While the Bama defense was holding the Warhawks to 0-10 on 3rd down conversions, Alabama's offense wasn't dramatically better. The 2-for-9 output had many who bleed crimson thinking "Uh oh"....more so for the Georgia game ahead, than the 2nd half of the contest with ULM.

But things picked up after the break. Fewer drops, and a wearing down of the ULM defense, allowed Jake Coker to have much better numbers in the 2nd half, and the offense - as a whole - to look much more efficient.

I still think the biggest key for Alabama is the ability to hang on to the football, and to kick it more consistently. Adam Griffith's first two made field goals of the year were encouraging. So too was the plus-one on turnovers. That number needs to be better, but it's a lot better than a week ago.

If JK Scott will return to form, and the turnovers stay on the right side of the ledger for the Tide, I still don't think anybody will have huge success against the Alabama defense - even a squad as gifted as Georgia's.

The win against the Warhawks was a step in the right direction, but there are still many more to be made before this team is where it needs to be.

Later in the week, I'll talk about the addition of Bo Scarbrough, and his potential impact on the matchup between the Tide and the Bulldogs.