Ryan Fowler’s Reaction: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Alabama vs Tennessee Edition

Every Monday, Nick Saban spends part of the afternoon showing his players the good plays, bad plays, and ugly plays from the previous Saturday. 

The good section highlights what the team did well in the game; individual plays, series of plays, moments of the game that went good for the Crimson Tide. 

The bad section focuses on plays that were run incorrectly, maybe a play designed to pick up more yardage but failed. It might include simple mistakes, a turnover or just a simple missed block or tackle. 

The ugly section could also be called the disaster section, plays that went completely wrong or injuries. Ugly plays are learning moments for the team. Part of discussing the bad and ugly plays includes thinking through what they could have done differently. 

Alabama vs. Tennessee 

Good: The Crimson Tide beats the Tennessee Volunteers for the 15th straight time, a sweet victory for someone who remembers what the hurt feels like after losing seven straight to the Vols.

Bryce Young took another major step in the right direction, behind a porous offensive line performance. Young was forced to escape pressure and turn nothing into a positive gain.

Another huge positive was the atmosphere inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, credit the Crimson Tide fans. Nick Saban also credited the fans, especially the student section, for the amazing performance. Saban showed his appreciation by mentioning them in the post-game press conference and running to the end zone after the game.

Salute to the many former Alabama players for coming back to Tuscaloosa to help celebrate another victory of Tennessee, do not tell those players that beating Tennessee does not mean anything. 

Bad: The simple mistakes that allowed Tennessee to find the end zone on multiple occasions, Saban said they were not just busted coverages, but the result was several costly mistakes. Alabama’s secondary needs the bye week to get some areas of concern cleaned up before the final few regular season games.

The offensive line needs to be more consistent in pass protection and even create some more rushing lanes. Communication seems to be another area that needs some attention during the bye week.  At times, the Crimson Tide lacks a killer instinct which will need to be developed if the Tide wants to hoist up a National Championship trophy in Indiana during early January.

Just a little more attention to detail and focus would help the Crimson Tide accomplish their goals, which I think starts on the practice field during the week. 

Ugly: Tennessee attempted to slow Alabama’s offense down multiple times with several questionable injuries. College football needs to somehow prevent this from happening which will create some major obstacles in proving validity in an actual injury or one that is being faked. The Crimson Tide maybe one of those teams that has to overcome mistakes with a talent gap for most teams they will play this year, except the possible matchup in Atlanta. 

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One final note, do not take it for granted that Alabama has not lost to the Tennessee Vols in 15 years, this type of accomplishment may never be duplicated. This type of streak makes you back up and marvel on what Nick Saban has accomplished in Tuscaloosa. Cigar smoke is always a welcome smell in October when the Orange and Crimson get together for the annual meeting. 

Coming up Monday on The Game with Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9, we will discuss the good, bad, and ugly.  You will also have a chance to win a framed Daniel Moore print, “ Unrivaled,” which recognizes Alabama’s 18th National Championship, starting at 2pm on Tide 100.9 and on the free Tide 100.9 app.