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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football changing offensive signals to prevent Oklahoma sign-stealing
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football changing offensive signals to prevent Oklahoma sign-stealing
Alabama football will be changing offensive signals in practice this week in advance of its matchup against Oklahoma . On Monday, UA offensive coordinator and play caller Ryan Grubb was asked about comments made by Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin several weeks ago, in which Kiffin suggested OU's defensive staff was highly effective at interpreting signs from the opposing sideline.
Is it a concern for the Crimson Tide ? Grubb, for one, backed up Kiffin's assertion.
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"They're good at that, No. 1. And No. 2, we're changing everything. So if coach Venables is listening, just know they're all changing," Grubb said with a laugh. "They do everything within the parameters of the game, though. There's nothing illegal about what they do. They're good at what they do, so you certainly have to take that into consideration."
The NCAA is now in the second year of the helmet communication era, which allows quarterbacks and one defensive player, usually an inside linebacker, to have in-helmet, pre-snap communication with a coach. That innovation put a dent in the value of sign-stealing, but plainly didn't eliminate it altogether.
UA head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about signals changing this week, as well.
"I think across the country, there's some element of every team doing something. For us, our staff does a pretty good job, but you've certainly got to make sure you're always doing your best to change things up," DeBoer said. "We've got huddle, no-huddle, there's a lot of different things we do."
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Alabama plays host to Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC).
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football changing signals to prevent Oklahoma sign-stealing
