Alabama soccer is now ready it has not often been in throughout the Nick Saban period: not on the high. The Crimson Tide misplaced 32-31 towards LSU in additional time on Saturday, falling for the second time this season. This marks the primary time that Alabama has misplaced a number of video games earlier than Thanksgiving in over a decade, and any hopes of an SEC or nationwide title are all however useless.

Not lots went proper for the Tide in Baton Rouge on Saturday. The offense wasn’t as environment friendly as normal, as Bryce Younger posted a season-low quarterback score of simply 70.1. When the offense did rating, the protection faltered because the Tigers answered each Tide rating on the very subsequent drive.

This recreation continued a development of Alabama wanting not fairly as sharp as normal this season. The Tide have struggled at many factors this season, particularly on the highway. Whereas Alabama has been a university soccer dynasty for years and can probably proceed to be one, the Tide simply look uncharacteristically off this season.

With out additional ado, let’s go over a number of the key gamers in Alabama’s disappointing loss to LSU.

3. Jermaine Burton

For a group as absurdly gifted as Alabama, it’s unusual to see large receiver be such a weak spot. The Tide have struggled to seek out consistency on the receiver place this season after having so many stars on the place lately. That lack of consistency has impacted Younger, as he has to do far more than he did with Jameson Williams and John Metchie final yr.

Sophomore Ja’Corey Brooks leads the group with 473 yards and 5 touchdowns, however he ranks one hundred and fortieth in FBS receiving yards. The following closest is Jahmyr Gibbs with 365 yards, however he’s a operating again. That leaves Burton as the subsequent closest receiver with a mere 325 yards this season.

Burton transferred from Georgia with lofty expectations, however he has been very disappointing this season. Saturday’s recreation was only a microcosm of his season, as he completed with simply two catches for 19 yards. Burton has had his share of disappointing video games this season, however this can be a low level.

When Burton is making extra headlines for what he did after a recreation moderately than throughout it, one thing is unsuitable. If the Tide need to salvage something from this season, the receiving corps has to enhance drastically. That falls on your complete unit, however Burton is certainly the most important offender.

2. Invoice O’Brien

Alabama’s offensive struggles transcend simply the receiver place. All the offense appeared out of kinds towards LSU, notably once they solely put up 9 factors and failed to succeed in the tip zone within the first half. Whereas the execution on the sector wasn’t nice, the problems finally fall on the coaches.

Offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien is undoubtedly the one most at fault right here. The previous Houston Texans head coach has come below hearth for his play-calling capability in prior video games, however this recreation made that fireplace hotter than ever. Many Alabama followers outright known as for his job on social media throughout the recreation.

Simply to place it on the record- I don’t know how any of you log onto this app and defend Invoice O’Brien on the day by day.

How are you going to watch this and say that he’s the very best selection Alabama might have reached out to and purchased as offensive coordinator?

— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) November 6, 2022

Alabama has limitless expertise and arguably the best head coach in school soccer historical past. This group has limitless potential, however O’Brie has held them again this season. Tide followers have a respectable motive to be indignant at their offensive coordinator.

1. Nick Saban

Many see Saban as the best school soccer coach of all time, and for good motive. Nonetheless, he’s not infallible, and Saturday’s recreation proved it.

For starters, Saban allowed O’Brien to proceed to battle regardless of clear proof the sport plan wasn’t working. Saban mentioned he is ready to override any play name, but didn’t for some motive. The identical situation additionally applies to defensive coordinator Pete Golding to some extent.

Although, the most important fault in Saban’s recreation concerned his PAT decision-making. When the Tide scored to take a 15-14 lead early within the fourth quarter, Saban determined to go for 2. The choice to strive for a three-point lead made sense, however the play failed and led to a way more questionable determination later.

With lower than 5 minutes left, Alabama scored once more to take a 21-17 lead this time. Nonetheless, Saban made the puzzling determination to go for 2 once more. It failed, once more. These missed factors proved expensive for the Tide.

Think about that Alabama decides to kick on simply a type of makes an attempt. If that kick goes via, then Will Reichard’s kick late within the fourth quarter is for the win, not the tie.

Some have gone so far as to assert that Saban’s dynasty at Alabama is falling after the LSU loss. Whereas that appears very reactionary, Saturday was nonetheless removed from his greatest teaching efficiency.