Can Alabama football make the College Football Playoff if the Crimson Tide can’t establish a consistent running game? 🐘 Former Alabama national championship quarterback Jake Coker joins Mick Gillispie on Last Call to break down Alabama’s offensive struggles, Keelon Russell’s development, mounting injuries, and the massive SEC showdown with Lane Kiffin and LSU!
Coming off a 31-20 victory over Texas A&M, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide enters its bye week at 6-2 with serious questions about its offensive identity, roster depth, and College Football Playoff chances.
🏈 ALABAMA’S RUNNING GAME IS A MAJOR CONCERN
Jake Coker explains why Alabama’s offensive line and tight ends have struggled to create running lanes. After producing just 68 rushing yards against Texas A&M, can the Crimson Tide rediscover the physical, downhill running game that helped define the program during the Nick Saban era?
Coker compares today’s Alabama backfield to legendary Crimson Tide running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram while examining the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage.
🔥 KEELON RUSSELL, RYAN GRUBB & THE TEXAS A&M GAME PLAN
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns against the Aggies, but is he developing quickly enough to lead a College Football Playoff contender?
Jake breaks down offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s creative play-calling, including the touchdown to Marshall Pritchett, Rico Scott’s explosive receiving performance, pre-snap motion, quick passes, and route combinations designed to attack Texas A&M’s defense.
🛡️ KANE WOMMACK’S DEFENSE & SECOND-HALF ADJUSTMENTS
How did Alabama slow down Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed?
Coker analyzes defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s adjustments, coverage disguises, and pass rush. Alabama dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Texas A&M 14-0 while allowing just 15 yards and zero first downs!
🚨 ALABAMA’S INJURY CRISIS & ROSTER DEPTH
How much are injuries hurting the Crimson Tide?
Mick and Jake discuss the impact of losing starting center Racin Delgatty, the importance of offensive line communication, and injuries involving Ryan Coleman-Williams, Zabien Brown, EJ Crowell, Terrance Green, and others.
Coker also shares his personal experiences with knee surgeries, including the challenges he faced while playing at Alabama, and discusses Coleman-Williams’ toughness while playing through a knee injury.
The guys examine how NIL, the transfer portal, and modern roster construction have changed college football depth compared to Alabama’s championship teams.
🐯 ALABAMA VS. LSU: PLAYOFF HOPES ON THE LINE?
Alabama travels to Baton Rouge on November 7 to face Lane Kiffin’s LSU Tigers in a pivotal SEC matchup!
Can Kalen DeBoer and Keelon Russell survive Death Valley? Will Lane Kiffin’s offensive tempo create problems for Kane Wommack’s defense? And would another loss put Alabama’s College Football Playoff dreams out of reach?
Jake Coker gives his perspective on what Alabama must fix during the bye week before facing LSU.
⛳ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
Pearl River Resort – Home of Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, featuring The Oaks and The Azaleas. Don’t miss .38 Special on November 14!
Patriot Roofing & Builders – Call 205-919-4494.
Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City – Your destination for a relaxing coastal getaway!
👍 LIKE this video, COMMENT with your Alabama vs. LSU prediction, and SUBSCRIBE to The Next Round for Alabama football news, SEC football analysis, college football predictions, and more!
#AlabamaFootball #RollTide #JakeCoker #AlabamaCrimsonTide #LSUFootball #AlabamaVsLSU #CollegeFootball #SECFootball #KeelonRussell #KalenDeBoer #RyanGrubb #LaneKiffin #CollegeFootballPlayoff #TheNextRound #LastCall
SUBSCRIBE:
@NextRoundLive – youtube.com/@nextroundlive
@TNRClips – youtube.com/@TNRClips
FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzLZht7dYxjNcBNpWN
FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-round/id1797862560
WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/
MOBILE APP: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-next-round/id1580807480
SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/
Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive
Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive
Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive
Follow everyone from the show on Twitter:
Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway
Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive
Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor
Scott Forester: / scottforestertv
Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR
Brooks Carter: /BrooksACarter
Sponsor the show: sales@nextroundlive.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
