Alabama's Season Hinges on Off Week Adjustments

I remember it well, the mental fatigue that marked college days. There were times I would come home to visit my parents that I wanted to curl up in the fetal position and sleep for days. That was just from classes.

For the Alabama Crimson Tide players, multiply that by a thousand.   

Every team in college football plays a long, hard season, but for teams at the top the pressure is far more intense. Every week is someone's super bowl, their chance to knock off a top team. 

So far Alabama has taken their best shots and sent them packing, but last week against Tennessee the cracks in the foundation were starting to show. 

The framework of the Alabama Crimson Tide was groaning and creaking under the pressure. Like champions in years past, the Tide players dug down deep and made the plays to win.

After eight long weeks the bye week has arrived. The players have a chance to heal up mentally and physically.

While they get some rest, go home and enjoy some of momma's cooking, or get some TLC from a girlfriend, the coaches are left to ponder the final stretch of 2009.  

The problems start on offense and the offense starts with the quarterback. Greg McElroy has endured a mid season slump as he faced some of the better defenses but did bounce back slightly against Tennessee. 

Part of the offensive slump can be traced to the circumstances. Alabama has been playing with a lead for most of the season. When you have a lead you are more into control mode and not score-points mode. 

Against lesser defenses the control mode would end up scoring points, but lately touchdowns have become as rare as fried chicken in Iraq.

Alabama's offensive coordinator must work together with McElroy and his audibles to better challenge the defense. As the down field passing has disintegrated so have the rushing lanes, as teams continue to pull the safeties close to the line. 

So far in 2009 Julio Jones hasn't been effective deep. Against Tennessee his routes were adjusted to shorter patterns and the results were good. Jones is very hard to tackle and can take any three yard out and make 10 or 20 out of it. 

Marquis Maze has been the only significant long threat so far. Alabama might want to give Mike McCoy and Earl Alexander another look. Both are tall, very athletic, and struck deep earlier in the year.

Alabama has lost its balance in the running game. Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Roy Upchurch were masterfully mixed earlier in the year, but the last few weeks the balance has seemed off kilter. Alabama continues to mix it up to keep Ingram fresh, but the timing seems off.

Upchurch in particular was an effective third down weapon early, but teams have figured that out and Alabama has failed to adjust. Alabama needs spend some time rethinking third down strategy. 

Richardson hasn't touched the ball much, but that's probably by design. Freshmen tend to wear down, and limiting his touches in mid season could be critical to having him fresh down the road. He's a freakishly talented player who is a threat to take any particular play for big yardage.

Colon Peek has had a great year receiving and blocking, but his success has caused backups Michael Williams and Brad Smelly to atrophy. When Peek was injured during warm ups just before Tennessee, his absence was noticeable.  

Even if Peek returns for LSU, Williams and Smelly need to get their hands back. Williams in particular is a monster. This is a weapon Alabama needs to develop.

The defense has been amazing all year but perfection is an elusive target. Alabama absorbed a huge blow when they lost Dante Hightower for the year. The pass rush hasn't been the same since, and the staff is still searching.

The biggest area of concern has been at linebacker. True freshman Nico Johnson has taken over the middle spot vacated by Hightower. The speed of his maturation will be critical, but so far he seems to be holding his own.

Courtney Upshaw gained a lot of muscle this offseason. After a great freshman year everyone was excited to see what he could do now, but he seems to have lost some of his pass rushing prowess. It's possible he gained too much weight and lost some speed.

Alabama tried Chavis Williams in Upshaw's spot against Tennessee with little success. 

Previously suspended linebacker Jarrell Harris failed to beat out Nico Johnson in the middle. Harris has speed and athleticism to burn. Alabama needs to find a way to utilize him. He may get another look on the outside.

Eryk Anders has put together a solid season but the last two weeks he has produced fewer big plays. This could be a case of rubber legs. Hopefully the week off will resolve that.

Corey Reamer has been one of the true bright spots. Reamer came to Alabama as a hard hitting safety from Hoover. Most questioned his ability to play linebacker effectively especially after multiple injuries.

Thankfully Reamer's dynamic play in the wake of the Hightower injury has helped Alabama stay undefeated. His upside may be limited but all I can say is thanks for being there!

Alabama must find its best options at linebacker and bring back the complexity of the Alabama pass rush. It may not be as good as it was before, but it has to be better than it's been. There's a reason depth is so critical if you want to play for championships. 

The defensive line has played solid all year.  Marcel Dareus is probably the most dangerous player at the position. I don't know how many snaps he gets, but I know he's a holding call or a sack waiting to happen. This guy may need to play even more. 

As for Mt. Cody,  Cody just needs to be Cody. He's a wrecking ball with feet. Thank God he's on our side.

The secondary has been solid since week three but must continue to improve. Alabama faces several spread teams down the road. They will have to be at their best.  Interceptions could be key.

Alabama cannot play conservatively and win the SEC. Aggressiveness isn't something you can just summon at will. It has to be part of your identity. Alabama needs to decide now if they are satisfied just being there, or if they want to win it all. 

Winning it all will require risk.