Rapid Reaction From Tide's Comeback Win Over FSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Between the two weather delays and the ghosts of last year's matchup with Florida State, it almost would have been easy for Alabama to roll over and die against Florida State. However, the Crimson Tide clawed, fought, and scratched its way through the first half. Then, second-year quarterback Keelon Russell flipped a switch that Alabama fans had been waiting on.

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Russell threw three touchdowns in the final 2:36 of the first half, and finished the day with four total against a Seminole defense that left so much to be desired through the first two games of the season. With the Crimson Tide's X-X victory over the Seminoles, we can now fully turn our attention to conference play. But first, what are three reactions to the Tide's comeback victory over the Seminoles?

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Slow Starts Will Bite Alabama Eventually...And it Could be Soon

The Crimson Tide, again, started slow against Florida State, facing a 14-3 deficit at the end of the first quarter. The Tide's offense sputtered in the opening frame, with just 13 rushing yards and an average of 1.3 yards per carry. Florida State was efficient and effective with the ball, and early punches in the mouth had Alabama fans reminiscing not so fondly of what last weekend's first half looked like against Kentucky, and what last season's opener against Florida State felt like in Tallahassee.

Oh, but after that, Alabama went 75 yards in 12 plays, 63 yards in two plays, and 56 yards in two plays on three touchdown drives to end the first half. While the Tide's slow start didn't bite them in the rear end against the Seminoles (or the Wildcats last weekend), sooner or later, Alabama will need to play a complete game. Will it be next weekend, when Alabama takes on South Carolina and Lanorris Sellers? The week after, when Alabama goes on the road against a high-powered Mississippi State offense? Or will it be October 10, when Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs come to town for the fourth matchup in three seasons between the two giants of the SEC? Eventually, Alabama will need to play a complete game, and that includes starting fast on the offensive side of the ball.

Did it start to click for Keelon Russell?

Speaking of playing fast on the offensive side of the ball, did it feel like the game started to click for Keelon Russell late in the first half? The Crimson Tide's signal caller was late on his reads and indecisive with his decision-making prior to the final three minutes of the first half. After that, it was like Alabama rolled a new quarterback out there. 119 yards and two of Russell's touchdowns came at the end of the first half, coincidentally, right after Alabama and Florida State had to go back to the locker rooms for a 30-minute lightning delay (the second time the game was delayed due to lightning in the area). While the Tide didn't look perfect, by any means, in the second half, we've talked all season long about how Alabama's defense would need to carry the Tide's offense while it found its footing early in the season. On a night early in the season that Alabama's defense didn't have its best stuff, allowing 471 yards and 36 points to a Florida State offense previously ranking outside the top 100, with no 100-yard receiver, and the only bright spot being Ousmane Kromah. On Saturday night, Ashton Daniels threw for 377 yards, rushed for seven more, and scored four total touchdowns on the Crimson Tide's defense. Duce Robinson returned to his prime form with six receptions for 135 yards and a score. Keelon Russell kept it cool, calm, and collected, tossing three touchdowns and scoring another on the ground, with no turnovers, providing sparks for the Alabama offense whenever it needed it.

RUN. THE. DAMN. BALL.

Alabama again ran for over 200 yards on Saturday, with 247 yards and three scores on the ground. Saturday night wasn't necessarily a one-man wrecking crew, with Trae'shawn Brown and Daniel Hill both toting the rock over 10 times, and all four of the Tide's rushers accounting for more than 50 yards. BUT...There is a way to go about running the ball that I think Alabama is still trying to figure out. In the first half, every time Alabama had a first and 10, it was a handoff to the left side of the offensive line. If I could pick up on that, sitting in a press box on a Saturday afternoon after hours of lightning delays, then other teams who have staffs that watch more hours of film than I ever can have definitely begun to notice. Mix it up. Last week against Kentucky, it appeared that counter runs began to work for the Tide. This week, immediately after the game, it feels like running on the outside hips of the tackles is Alabama's strong point.

No. 10 Alabama improved to 3-0 on the season after Saturday night's victory over Florida State. The Crimson Tide will return to conference play next Saturday, September 26, hosting South Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.