Emergence of Power Run Game Is Alabama's Key to Victory over Texas A&M

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Austin Shepherd didn’t mince words when asked about the Alabama offensive line’s performance in Saturday’s 14-13 win over Arkansas.

“Personally, I thought I played terrible,” the senior right tackle said. “I kind of take responsibility for it. I don’t think any of us had a good game. Probably the worst game we’ve played as a unit just to be straight up. I mean, I thought we were prepared. We just kind of didn’t execute like we wanted to.

“I went back and watched it and it was kind of just one person here and there. I mean, one play I give up a sack, the next play Cam (Robinson) gives up a pressure, the next play right guard gives up pressure—just a lot of inconsistency. We just got to be more consistent.”

That’s been a common theme so far in 2014. Alabama’s trademark on offense during Nick Saban’s time in Tuscaloosa has been an ability to pound opponents into submission in the running game.

It’s been largely missing in 2014.

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But that power run game and the ability to put it all together will be key to an Alabama victory this week over Texas A&M.

The Crimson Tide’s running game was a big reason why they survived a shootout last season in College Station. It allowed Alabama to better control the the tempo of the game and keep Johnny Manziel off the field.

In that game, Alabama rushed for 234 yards. In Alabama’s last two games this year, however, the Crimson Tide have rushed for 234 yards combined.

Alabama is averaging 4.91 yards per rush this season, which puts it at just No. 37 in the country. That average is its lowest total since 2008.

Year	Yards
2008	4.55
2009	5.01
2010	5.09
2011	5.49
2012	5.59
2013	5.8
2014	4.91

So what’s the problem?

It has to begin and end up front with the offensive line. Where Alabama has had physical maulers who could impose their will on front sevens in the past, this year’s group hasn’t been so intimidating.

Center Ryan Kelly’s absence has hurt. Bradley Bozeman has had to play in the last two games. Right guard is still a mix of Leon Brown and Alphonse Taylor, neither of whom has yet to take control of the starting position.

Saban says it’s a matter of technique.

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“It wasn’t that we weren’t blocking the right guys, it’s more that we weren’t finishing the blocks,” he said. “We would get on the guy, the guy would slip us, come off and make the tackle. That’s the big thing that we need to do up front. Same thing in pass protection. We overset them, we get beat inside, just basic fundamental execution needs to be better and we need to finish better.”

Shepherd agreed.

“I mean, just technique really,” Shepherd said. “For instance on my play, just the wrong set. I watched some guys' wrong technique. We’re in an outside zone, and they just overreached the linebacker, and the running back cuts back and the guy’s in the hole. I mean, just little stuff. If we had done little things right, we would’ve been fine, but it just didn’t happen, and we’ve got to fix all that.”

The Crimson Tide have also been without one of their top playmaking running backs. Kenyan Drake broke his leg against Ole Miss and will miss the rest of the season. He was averaging 5.09 yards per carry, which is the highest among regular running backs right now.

“It's been tough,” junior running back T.J. Yeldon said. “We really could use him. He was our speed guy, we could use him out wide. But things happen and we just have to move on.”

If there was a game for Alabama to put it all together and run the ball at will, this would be it. Texas A&M’s offense operates quickly and efficiently, and there’s no better way to counter that than by keeping it off the field as much as possible.

Alabama is capable of doing that. It just hasn’t shown that yet this season.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats come from cfbstats.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.