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The Tuscaloosa News
How does Alabama football grade out after struggling mightily on road vs Missouri?
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- How does Alabama football grade out after struggling mightily on road vs Missouri?
COLUMBIA, MO — Facing another top-15 SEC matchup, its second straight SEC road game that was also a top-15 matchup, Alabama football struggled.
But the No. 8 Crimson Tide found a way in the waning moments to add to its resume, securing a 27-24 road win against No. 14 Missouri .
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With the Missouri win, Alabama has its third straight ranked win with a potential ranked opponent in Tennessee coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium Oct. 18.
Here's how the Crimson Tide graded out against the Tigers .
Alabama football offense: C
Alabama was not flashy. Ty Simpson was accurate but flustered and rushed, with a run game that continued to be inconsistent. But Alabama kept the ball. And Simpson found a way in the passing game, targeting Lotzeir Brooks on a deep fourth-down pass to set up a nail-in-coffin touchdown pass to Daniel Hill .
Alabama defense: B+
Just like against Vanderbilt, Alabama's win over Missouri proved to be a tale of two halves. One defined by explosive run plays by Jamal Roberts and Beau Pribula , while keeping Ahmad Hardy , relatively contained. The second? Limiting Missouri's success with the ball with an offense that kept the Missouri offense on the sideline, while helped by a Bray Hubbard interception and Dijon Lee's first career interception.
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Alabama special teams: B
Alabama did trust Conor Talty to bail its offense out and he hit two field goals, including a career long of 48 yards, to keep the Crimson TIde in front. Blake Doud pinned Missouri deep once, but struggled to pin Missouri when he needed to. But Alabama's special teams stop of running back Jamal Roberts on a fourth-and-4 fake punt try helped secure the win for the Crimson Tide, while Cole Adams also recovered a late-game on-side kick
Alabama coaching: B-
Heading into Saturday's matchup, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said the deciding factor in the Crimson Tide-Tigers game would not be time of possession but third downs. Alabama dominated third down situations. And Alabama also dominated time of possession. But a questionable punt call late, giving Missouri a chance to win with more than a minute left could have set Alabama up for failure.
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Alabama vs. Missouri overall: C+
For the first time since Florida State, Alabama looked glazed and out of control at times. The Crimson Tide looked behind. But unlike Florida State, Alabama won.
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 grades after top-15 SEC road win vs Missouri
