Alabama’s Defense Continues to Overwhelm Up Front
Back To SEC
By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
The Crimson Tide, for a staggering fourth time in six years, lead the nation in rush defense.
Halfway through another college football season, Alabama continues to dominate at the line of scrimmage. The Crimson Tide, for a staggering fourth time in six years, lead the nation in rush defense, the rock-solid foundation for the program’s consistent success.
Players like Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams are now setting the tone for one of the game’s most-impressive team traditions.
This fall, Alabama is allowing just 69.1 yards per game, a total that is more than eleven yards clear of the next unit and is on pace to be the lowest in the country since 2008. Teams are averaging merely 2.22 yards per carry against the Crimson Tide and have scored only twice on the ground. To date, Alabama has given up just three rushes of 20 yards or more. Only Ole Miss has topped the 100-yard mark on the Crimson Tide; the Rebels totaled 101 yards, and it took 33 carries.
In addition to completely shutting down opposing run games, Alabama leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the country with 23 sacks. The Crimson Tide led the nation with 52 sacks in 2015.
Nearly 20 different players, 18 to be exact, have recorded at least one tackle for loss for Alabama. From Allen, Foster and Williams to the likes of Ryan Anderson, Rashaan Evans, Christian Miller, Dalvin Tomlinson and Shaun Dion Williams, the Crimson Tide have a depth chart filled with some of the nation’s most talented defenders. No front seven is better; no front seven is more of a catalyst for its program.
For college football’s top-ranked team, the meat of the schedule is approaching; Alabama will play at Tennessee, Texas A&M and at LSU in consecutive games. Though there is no pathway for production, both the road to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff will go directly through the Crimson Tide front line; like opposing ball-carriers, don’t be surprised if it stops there once again.
‘