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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football's Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan discuss challenge of stout UGA defense
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football's Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan discuss challenge of stout UGA defense
Alabama football offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan faces a major challenge in cracking Georgia's stout defense Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But, at least he can't complain about how long it took him to evaluate the video of the explosive plays the Bulldogs have allowed this season. There was a 36-yard catch by Clemson's Antonio Williams in the season opener, and through three games, that's about it. There was a 26-yard run by Tennessee Tech 's Aidan Littles, but that came against backups, late in the fourth quarter of a 48-3 blowout.
"The explosive play cutup is not long, so that didn't take a very long time to watch," Sheridan said Monday.
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Meanwhile, the Alabama offense has feasted with explosive plays in the passing game, thanks to quarterback Jalen Milroe 's penchant for completing the deep ball, and the running back tandem of Jam Miller and Justice Haynes has broken some big plays as well. Something must give on Saturday, when the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide kick off the SEC's most important game of the season to date (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC).
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer will take all the explosive plays he can get against Georgia, but said he's also mindful of the importance of keeping his defense rested. Georgia's physical offensive line and running attack can consume a lot of clock, and wear down a defense at the same time.
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"There is a piece to also not having one side of the ball on the football field, especially your defense, and how that will wear you down especially in a game like this when you know it's gonna be physical," DeBoer said. "You want to have that opportunity to play team football. We want to make sure that exists so that one side of the ball, especially the defense, isn't out there becoming vulnerable as the game goes on."
In just about any major statistical category, the Georgia defense is making its presence felt.
It ranks fourth in the nation, among 133 FBS teams, in total yards allowed (202). It also ranks in the top 10 in scoring defense (6 points allowed per game), first downs allowed (45), and pass efficiency defense. Heck, the Bulldogs haven't even allowed a touchdown since Roydell Williams punched in a game-winning score for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, and we're already a month into the following season.
"I think they're excellent. When you look at them, there's lots of things that stand out, but first and foremost they have quality players, I think at all three levels. Long, fast, explosive players," Sheridan said. "And then on top of that, I think the coaching staff up there does an excellent job. They're excellent coaches. They have a great system in place, they have years together running that system. So it's a great challenge, they're excellent."
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Best among them is All-American free safety Malaki Starks , who will roam the secondary looking for misreads and errant throws from Milroe. Also active in run support, Starks is a playmaking presence who is comfortable in multiple roles for Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.
"I think what stands out is his versatility as a player. He can play close to the line of scrimmage, and he can play in the deep middle part of the field. He can cover man to man," Sheridan added. "I think he's an excellent football player, but obviously has experience in their system. They can put him in different spots and different personnel groupings, and he's excellent in all areas."
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football's DeBoer, Sheridan discuss challenge of UGA defense
