tuscaloosanews
For Alabama football defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, the mission this week is clear: stop the run, stop Florida State. Simple, yes, but far from easy. Shutting down the Seminoles' rushing duo of running back Ousmane Kromah and athletic quarterback Ashton Daniels will demand a unified effort from the Crimson Tide defensive front.
Daniels, now in his fifth year of college football, has a well-known scouting report: he's a far more dangerous runner than passer. "I think when you watch him, he is a big, strong, physical runner. He is just a physically strong guy, difficult to bring down, and he's played a lot of football," Wommack said. While that's high praise, the unspoken truth is that Daniels won't beat a solid defense from the pocket.
When Alabama clashes with FSU on Saturday, Sept. 19 (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium, it won't be the Crimson Tide's first encounter with Daniels. Last November in the Iron Bowl, he completed just 18 of 39 passes for Auburn but gashed Alabama for 108 rushing yards on 23 carries in a 27-20 win. His career completion rate hovers around 60%, he's never averaged more than seven yards per attempt, and he's thrown nearly as many interceptions (23) as touchdowns (26). Daniels can hurt defenses with his legs, and as Wommack noted, he can also connect on big plays when he escapes the pocket and extends passing downs. However, he needs a reliable running game to avoid third-and-long situations. If Alabama's defense contains FSU's rushing attack, it should be another strong outing for its NCAA-best third-down defense.
Key Analysis
The matchup to watch is FSU running back Ousmane Kromah against Alabama inside linebackers Caleb Woodson and Luke Metz. Contact will be plentiful, but the aftermath is what matters. At 216 pounds, Kromah prefers to break tackles rather than elude them. He's surpassed 100 yards in both Seminoles games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. According to Pro Football Focus, 180 of his 231 yards have come after initial contact. Woodson and Metz have been stellar for the Crimson Tide through two games, combining for 20 tackles against Kentucky. If Alabama's defensive linemen control the line of scrimmage, allowing the linebackers to corral Kromah, the FSU offense will be severely limited.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack praised linebacker Caleb Woodson's effort: "There was one play that kind of rolled off the table and bounced outside, and because of his effort, he went and cleaned it up. And had he not been there, that could have been an explosive run play, which we did not give one up on the day."
Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, typically fond of screen passes, called only two against Kentucky. The first was a tunnel screen that resulted in Keelon Russell's pick-6 at the goal line on UA's third play from scrimmage. Two weeks is a small sample size, but entering Week 3, Alabama's defense ranks in the NCAA's top 10 in total defense (6th, 185.5 yards per game), third-down defense (1st, .043), and first downs allowed (5th, 19). Transfer kicker Lorcan Quinn has booted 16 touchbacks in 18 kickoff attempts.
Around the SEC: The most telling sign that Arkansas football fans are fed up with losing, even with new coach Ryan Silverfield, is evident at online ticket brokers. Georgia, the No. 2 team in the country, visits Fayetteville, and Reynolds Razorback Stadium should be packed. But after an embarrassing 43-10 loss to Utah, ticket demand is extremely low. Upper-deck seats are available for $25, the cheapest in the league this week. Missouri fans will pay more to see Troy. Lower-bowl tickets can be had for under $100. At last check, SeatGeek had a 40-yardline seat on row two for $99. The stadium might be full on Saturday, but the cover charge is minimal.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said he told his players about this week's heated matchup with Ole Miss: "You don't have anything to worry about as far as attention on you all week and everything. There's just gonna be so much attention, hatred, everything on me." Yes, Lane, you did a fine job making it about Lane.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Originally reported by tuscaloosanews.