Southern Miss vs. Alabama: Game Grades, Analysis for the Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide improved to 3-0 after controlling the Southern Miss Golden Eagles throughout a 52-12 victory.

Following a field goal from Southern Miss on the opening drive, Alabama never ceded control of the nonconference blowout.

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	B+	A-
Run Offense	A-	A
Pass Defense	B	B+
Run Defense	A	A
Special Teams	B	A-
Coaching	A-	A-

Pass Offense

If teams can figure out how to stop Amari Cooper, the Alabama offense will be quite limited. The problem is, however, the junior is an absolute stud and not an easy matchup.

Blake Sims connected with Cooper on eight of his 12 completions, finishing with 168 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Coker was efficient off the bench, finding his target on five of seven attempts.

Run Offense

USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Yeldon registered a meager 6.2 yards per carry, which was the sixth-best average on his own squad Saturday night. Yeah, it was a good day on the ground for Alabama.

Kenyan Drake scored three times, and Derrick Henry led the team with 79 yards, while Tyren Jones added 43 more and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide's blockers washed the Golden Eagles off the line of scrimmage all game long.

Pass Defense

Southern Miss receivers worked the Bama secondary on the opening drive, snagging five passes for 62 yards en route to a quick field goal. But the Tide increased the pressure and did not allow explosive plays, limiting Nick Mullens to 5.9 yards per attempt.

The Golden Eagles were most effective through the air, but Alabama surrendered so little to the USM offense, regardless.

Run Defense

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Nothing. That's what the A'Shawn Robinson-led defensive line surrendered between the tackles. Southern Miss just had 57 yards on 18 carries, managing a single rush that gained more than 10. Overall, it was an outstanding performance by the men up front.

Special Teams

Excluding an unlucky bounce ricocheting off an Alabama punt blocker, it was another solid showing by the special teams. Adam Griffith hit all seven extra points, knocking home a 30-yard field goal, too.

JK Scott's lone punt pinned Southern Miss at its own 10, and Christion Jones averaged 27.8 yards per kick return.

Coaching

Watching Nick Saban chastise offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin after a touchdown was rather comical, especially when the Tide scored seven of them. Alabama averaged 7.5 yards per play, compared to allowing 4.8 to Southern Miss.

Additionally, the Crimson Tide were incredibly disciplined, being called for just three penalties, converting seven of 11 third downs and not committing an offensive turnover.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.