Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram detailed his concern for Alabama coming out of their narrow victory over South Carolina last Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
The Crimson Tide stayed ahead of the Gamecocks for most of the game but two quick stretches allowed for South Carolina to stay in it – and nearly win it at the end – due to stunning momentarily collapses from Alabama.
During this week’s episode of The Triple Option podcast, Ingram noted his concern for the Tide coming out of their 27-25 victory.
“Situationally, you almost lost that game just off situation and awareness,” Ingram said. “So Alabama has a lot of stuff to do, man. Especially coming on the road to Tennessee. They’ve got to fix this thing, man.”
Ingram was visibly frustrated as he summarized Alabama’s rough end to the first half against South Carolina on Saturday as the Gamecocks nearly erased a 14-point deficit on the road in the final two minutes of the first half.
“They’re up 14-0 with four minutes to go in the half,” Ingram recalled of the Alabama game. “I’m just going to talk two quick scenarios. They’re up 14-0, Rob. They’ve (Alabama) got the game in control. Fourth and nine (for S.C. offense) at like the 36-yard line, it’s going to be a long field goal. [Alabama] let a bomb go over their head for 36 yards. Get the ball, okay? We still got a minute and some change, we can go down and score, whatever. Get a personal foul. Now they’re backed up. Jalen Milroe, they get pressured, take a safety. Nine points. Now you punt them the ball. They fumble. We get it! You still have a chance again. Then we throw another interception, they return it to the 19, they get 12 (total) points… So now it’s 14 to 12 within a minute and thirty seconds, Rob.”
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Alabama’s poor situational football to close the half left fans (and former players) scratching their heads in frustration as the Crimson Tide were seemingly going to turn the corner from the previous week’s loss to Vanderbilt. Instead, Shane Beamer was able to motivate his players at halftime with that quick run and make the game a four-quarter contest in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama held the 14-12 lead entering the third quarter but only South Carolina recorded points in the frame with a one-yard touchdown run. Alabama took the lead back in the fourth quarter with a pair of touchdowns to go up 27-19, but there were still two minutes left in the game.
South Carolina drove down the field and scored a 31-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining to bring the game to 27-25 in favor of Alabama. The Gamecocks had the two-point conversion open but quarterback LaNorris Sellers overthrew his man on the play.
It wasn’t over yet, though. South Carolina delivered a picture-perfect onside kick and recovered the football after it bounced through a pair of Alabama specialists’ arms.
“Just recover the ball and let’s get out of here,” Ingram said. “Just recover the onside kick… Anyways, (South Carolina) gets the ball on the onside kick. Now you’re about to lose the game! But fortunately, you get out with an interception. Situationally, you almost lost that game just off situation and awareness. So Alabama has a lot of stuff to do, man. Especially coming on the road to Tennessee. They’ve got to fix this thing, man.”
Alabama presents a challenging test for Josh Heupel’s group this weekend but perhaps the crowd and environment could play into more situational gaffes from the Crimson Tide. That’s not to say that Tennessee hasn’t had problems of its own in that area, but Alabama’s situational response is certainly something to monitor as it enters a hostile environment in Knoxville.
No. 11 Tennessee will host No. 7 Alabama in the Third Saturday in October rivalry game this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium.
Check out the full clip from The Triple Option podcast below:
