Alabama Football: 10 Things We Learned from Tide's Win over Missouri

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide jumped out to another fast start and coasted to a 42-10 win over Missouri.
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Alabama braved the weather and a long road trip to unfamiliar territory and emerged with a 42-10 win over Missouri.

A 40-minute lightening delay was about the only thing that could slow down the Tide's offense early on, which had jumped out to a 27-0 lead before play was suspended midway in the second quarter. 

Things got sloppy when play resumed, with miscues on special teams and a pair of uncharacteristic turnovers drawing the ire of Nick Saban. 

What observations can Tide fans take away from its latest win?

Here are 10 things we learned from the Tide’s victory over Missouri.  

10. Bringing the Heat

C.J. Mosley recorded a sack on a blitz in the first quarter.
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Alabama’s defense is tough to crack for veteran quarterbacks, but in the case of Missouri freshman Corbin Berkstresser, he was facing an impossible task trying to move the ball against a dominant unit.

Saban and Kirby Smart dialed up various blitzes that Berkstresser and Missouri’s patchwork offensive line never saw coming. 

The Tide harassed Berkstresser and were able to pressure him consistently, resulting in three costly turnovers for the Tigers and just three points scored by the offense.  

9. DL Controls the Trenches

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Alabama’s defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage against the Tigers, as evidenced by Missouri gaining just 26 yards rushing on 28 attempts. 

The Tigers were held to 152 yards of total offense, due largely in part to the Tide’s domination in the trenches.  

With Missouri’s offense basically forced to be one-dimensional, Alabama’s defense was able to stuff them repeatedly even though the Tigers had several chances to get back in the game in the second half.  

8. Ground Explosion

Yeldon had a career-best 18 carries for 144 yards and two TDs against the Tigers.
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With soggy conditions, Alabama came into this game with somewhat of an advantage due to its capability of relying on its veteran offensive line and a talented stable of running backs to carry the load. 

The Crimson Tide came out and essentially pounded the Tigers into submission, rushing for 351 yards and accounting for all six of the touchdowns that the offense put up. 

Eddie Lacy (more on him later) and T.J. Yeldon led the way, with each topping 100 yards and finding the end zone multiple times.  

7. Fast Starts

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Alabama has jumped out to an early lead in every game this season, and it only took two plays for that trend to continue. 

Lacy sprinted for a long score and lifted the  offense to put up 21 points after 15 minutes of play. 

Through six games, Alabama has outscored its opponents 83-0 in the first quarter.  

6. Eddie Lacy Has Career Day

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Eddie Lacy has battled nagging injuries to start the 2012 season but has started to pick things up and run with the authority he showed over the course of his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. 

After a bye week, Lacy wasted little time in announcing his intention to have a breakout performance, taking his first carry 73 yards for a touchdown.

The junior would find the end zone two more times en route to an 18-carry, 176-yard performance, which set a new career high for the Tide’s featured back.  

5. Road Warriors

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The Tide continued its strong play on the road by jumping all over the Tigers early. 

After its latest demolition in the 'Show Me State', Alabama is now winning its road games by an average margin of 45-8. 

With two of its next three games on the road, Tide fans are hoping to see that trend continue as SEC play heats up.  

4. Need to Keep McCarron Healthy

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A.J. McCarron put together another efficient performance going 16-of-21 for 171 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

However, the biggest concern for Tide fans was his health after he left the game late in the third quarter with a knee injury. 

The gritty junior would not miss any action and was able to return to the game. The offensive line (more on them later) has to do a better job of protecting him and keeping him upright.  

3. Special Teams Miscues

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After doing nearly everything right (including blocking a Missouri punt in the first quarter) before the lightening delay, Alabama appeared to relax a bit, with its special teams unit suffering multiple breakdowns. 

After placekicker Jeremy Shelley booted an extra point to make it 28-0, Missouri’s Marcus Murphy took the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to get the Tigers on the board. 

Minutes later, punter Cody Mandell bobbled a snap that gave Missouri added momentum and an opportunity to put up another score before halftime. 

The defense would bail them out, but the Tide have some areas to try and fix over the course of practice next week.  

2. Valuable Experience in Bad Weather

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The inclement weather provided the Tide with an opportunity to play a game in less than optimal conditions. 

Of course, if they are able to keep starting hot out of the gates, it may not matter. 

The team’s lethargic play after the restart is understandable, considering the circumstances. 

But, two fumbles and a muffed punt will be invaluable teaching tools for Saban should this situation arise later in the season.  

1. Offensive Line Getting Stronger

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Alabama’s decorated offensive line has taken its fair share of criticism due to the high number of sacks they have given up (11) and the team’s inconsistency running the ball. 

While they may have some issues with the former, the offense had another strong day racking up 522 yards of total offense and the aforementioned banner day on the ground. 

Alabama averaged more than seven yards per carry against the Tigers and asserted themselves from the game’s outset, which greatly contributed to the team’s performance before the weather delay.  

 

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