Alabama Football: 3 overreactions from shootout win over Ole Miss

1. Regardless of playoff, Pete Golding should be replaced

Last Saturday was a bad game for the Crimson Tide but it was a terrible game for defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Allowing the most total yards in a game in school program history is not a good look.

Golding is in his third season as the defensive coordinator for the Tide and his second as the main guy. When Tosh Lupoi left the Tide to be the Cleveland Browns’ defensive line coach after the 2018 season, Golding was given the keys to control the defense.

Last season, the Crimson Tide’s defense finished the season 13th in points allowed per game (18.6) and 37th in rushing yards allowed per game (137.4). The Tide finished with the worst rushing defense in the Nick Saban era. This was partially due to the unexpected start of two true freshman inside linebackers after some key injuries right before the season.

The Tide have allowed 450 total yards from the Texas A&M offense last week. They have been declining every week of the young season. There have been key areas on the Tide’s defense where they still have not gotten better. The defensive line has only accounted for two of the five sacks in three games this season. They still over-pursue the quarterback in the pocket to allow an easy run. There seems to be a lack of urgency from certain plays and allowing easy short passes.

There are some players listed as starters who are not ready. It’s easy for the opposing offense to attack the deep middle section of the field were safety Daniel Wright is. Mainly, there is a lack of an overall sense of focus on plays before they happen.

There were plenty of opportunities where the running back for the Rebels was given a big play on a screen because there was no man assigned to him on multiple occasions.

The Tide’s defense is way too talented to beat consistently due to lack of preparations.

If the defense cannot get better, Golding may soon find himself out at Tuscaloosa in favor of a defensive coach like former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator and Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.