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Alabama football shows confidence in dominant home win vs Missouri: Key observations
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football shows confidence in dominant home win vs Missouri: Key observations
A confident Alabama football team returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The No. 15 Crimson Tide responded to its recent loss to Tennessee with dominance against No. 17 Missouri , beating the Tigers 34-0 at home ahead of its second off week of the season.
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Alabama 's defense recorded its second shutout, the first time the Crimson Tide has had multiple shutouts in a season since 2022.
Alabama is idle next week ahead of a road date against LSU on Nov. 9 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Here are key observations from Alabama's 34-point win.
Alabama football defense returns to 'swarm' mentality
Oct 26, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) breaks up a pass intended for Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images
Alabama's defense played like it had something to prove.
Never mind that the snaps were played against either an injury-riddled quarterback or one who has struggled mightily. Malachi Moore , who's been a savior for the defense over the past two weeks, Bray Hubbard and Qua Russaw took advantage and provided the fireworks with interceptions, along with pressures by Jihaad Campbell and LT Overton.
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Kane Wommack's defense may have not been provided much of a challenge. But the Crimson Tide lived up to the stage it was given, putting together its best performance of the season.
Alabama run offense shows life
The start looked familiar: early-down runs with little to no success, leading to long third-down chances and multiple appearances by punter James Burnip .
But as the game continued, the run game opened up a bit, leading to touchdowns by running back Jam Miller and quarterback Jalen Milroe inside the 11-yard line, and a 35-yard burst by Justice Haynes .
Alabama found a bit of room to run, helped by Milroe's early-down tendency to move the ball using the horizontal pass game. Did it always work? No, but it proved to be enough to open up the offense more than it had been in the past three weeks.
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Problems remain for Alabama football offense on third down
Progress was made for the Alabama offense. But it was not solved.
Alabama failed to convert on each of its first seven third-down opportunities. The Crimson Tide's first third-down conversion came on a 26-yard Milroe pass to Ryan Williams in the fourth quarter.
The Crimson Tide didn't need third-down success. But it remains a glaring reminder of potential struggles.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football shows confidence in dominant home win vs Missouri
