Slow starts haven’t been a problem all year by any means for the Alabama offense, but recent games make it feel like it.
The Crimson Tide didn’t recover from its slow start against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Then, Alabama pulled off a victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the C after trailing 17-0.
“We’ve got to stop doing first-quarter shenanigans, waiting to get the run game going in the second or third quarter,” Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Saturday. “We’re capable of doing it earlier in the game. We’ve got good enough players. The scheme is there. We’ve just got to execute earlier in the football game.”
No. 9 Alabama will have a chance to start the game faster next week when it faces No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN). The winner of that matchup will advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, set to take part in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
“It’s not been the case all year, but some critical games it didn’t feel like we were ready for the physical strain early on,” Grubb said. “The guys know that. They’re up for the challenge. I think we’ll see a different football team in the first quarter of the Rose Bowl.”
Grubb, however, did say he wants to see the Crimson Tide carry over the “resiliency” he saw in the Oklahoma game. The Hoosiers are more than likely going to be able to punch back if Alabama starts strong.
“What they showed, what we felt they’ve been capable of all year, is when the chips are down, you’ve got to be at your best,” Grubb said. “Play to our standard. Not our circumstances.”
