Bama Ole Miss Is Over: 6-0 Doesn't Feel As Good As It Should

Alabama is half way to the goal of matching the 12-0 regular season mark posted by the 2008 team.

This win, while a solid win, leaves a little to be desired by a careful analyst. Alabama once again showed balance on offense and the defense was stout.

On the offensive side, balance in the running and passing phases kept pace with previous games (almost even) but production was way down. One hundred and fifty five yards passing and 196 yards rushing was definitely good enough to win, but not what was expected going in to this contest.

There were many missed opportunities.

Previously, the offense was averaging 228 yards rushing and 234 yards passing. The offense did not score a touchdown after penetrating into the red zone against the stubborn Rebel defense. Alabama was forced to kick five field goals.

McElroy uncharacteristically, and repeatedly, threw into double coverage in an attempt to get the ball to Julio Jones. On one occasion, his poor choice was made more glaring when one noticed Alabama TE Preston Dial wide open at the five yard line with no defender within eight yards. It cost the team a score.

Ingram, on the other hand, was phenomenal.

Offensively, this game belongs to the Michigander. He rushed for 172 yards and had the lone TD in the game. In addition, he contributed to the passing game hauling in three receptions for 16 yards.

Although the passing game was not productive in the scoring department, McElroy continues to spread the ball around to different targets. GMac found six different receivers, Maze and Jones leading the group with four completions, each.

Credit the Ole Miss defense for a well played game, first and second half. This was without question, a defense prepared to do battle with the No. 3 team in the nation.

The one let down for the Rebel defense came on 4th-and-1 with less than two minutes in the first half. Ingram broke around the left side for a 36 yard score.

The play worked just like it was designed, loading up for a push up the middle, shifting on the snap of the ball to overload the left side of the line. A hole wider than Fat Elvis opened long enough for Ingram to burst through and hit warp speed.

McElroy, though successful, was not as sharp as he had been in previous starts. In the end, he finished with 16 completions on 35 attempts with no interceptions. He was pressured several times and sacked twice.

For whatever reason, Upchurch and Grant were not a part of the offensive game plan on this day. Trent Richardson ran hard but not often. Moreover, after a momentum shifting interception by Kareem Jackson, Richardson fumbled the ball on the first play from scrimmage on the Rebel 16 yard line.

Fortunately, the fourth quarter was dull and uneventful after the Richardson fumble. Tiffin added a field goal at the 13:02 mark in the last frame putting a cap on scoring for both teams.

On the brighter side, the Alabama defense was steady and efficient.

The secondary turned in their best game of the season. Snead was picked off on four separate occasions, twice on very unusual plays that were a result of remarkable athleticism and alertness.

The pick by Kareem Jackson, on the other hand, was due to excellent preparation and execution. Film study of the Vanderbilt game shows that Snead and Hodge scored twice on the same slant pattern. The Alabama staff recognized this tendency and showed Jackson how to defend it if the opportunity arose.

On first and goal, from the Alabama 10 yard line, Jevan Snead stepped up to the line. Jackson made the read and then put himself in the right position to make the play. Had Javier Arenas made a better effort in blocking down-field, the run back would have been up for a score.

Ole Miss was held to a season low of 211 yards (average 298 yds/game). One hundred and forty yards passing and 71 yards rushing was no where near the expectations of the Rebel coaches, player and fans.

The Alabama defense is playing with a sense of purpose.

They are stepping up with full out effort to honor their injured comrades, Dont'a Hightower and Damien Square. McClain may receive his second straight defensive player of the week honor for his contribution.

Special Teams play is continuing to improve with each game.

Kickoffs and punt returns are less anxiety provoking for the coaching staff than in the early part of the season. Alabama is still giving up good field position on the changeovers, but no scores since the jaunts by Virginia Tech's Dorel Roberts and T.Y. Hilton of FIU.

Corey Reamer blocked a punt on the goal line and played excellent on defense and special teams throughout the game. Leigh Tiffin connected on field goals of 25, 21, 22, 21 and 31 yards. He was 1-1 on extra points, totaling 16 of the 22 points scored in the game.

The coaching staff is pleased with the win, particularly on the road. But Saban and staff will not let the offense get off easy for this performance. The coming week of preparation for the South Carolina Gamecocks will be a hard one.

If this group expects to finish undefeated, they will need to iron out the wrinkles in offensive execution. The defense must sustain this level of excellence for the remainder of the season.

The leadership on this team is exceptional.

The Men in Crimson are definitely in stride for a championship run. They've got the pluck and grit to make it happen.

Roll Tide Roll.