3 Takeaways from Alabama’s lopsided win over MTSU

2. Alabama’s running game is a question mark

Alabama football has run their offense with a feature back during the Nick Saban era, from Derrick Henry to Trent Richardson to TJ Yeldon. Heading into 2023, however, it seems like things are going to be a bit more diverse in the backfield.

By the time the game was put away and the backups were put in, toward the end of the third quarter, the rushing stats were fairly spread out.

There was obviously Milroe and his seven carries for 48 yards and two scores, undoubtedly the highlight of the night. Jase McClellan got the most work at tailback, carrying the ball ten times for 39 yards and a score of his own. Roydell Williams also got seven carries, gaining 36 yards of his own. He has the best yards per carry number on the night, averaging 5.1 per play.

Those numbers don’t scream dominant Tide rushing attack, so it’s certainly a storyline to be on the lookout for. Alabama football has evolved several times throughout the Saban era, and while that’s mostly been a good thing, there is one concern of late.

This program is at its best when it has a dominant rushing attack. The early signs suggest that this team may not feature one of those.