Alabama Keeps Digging Early Holes Before Rallying to Win

The Crimson Tide have trailed by double digits at some point in each of their last two games before storming back, and coaches say the habit must end before October's SEC gauntlet.

Alabama has made a habit of falling behind early this season, and head coach Kalen DeBoer acknowledges it needs to stop. Two weeks ago against Kentucky, the Crimson Tide trailed 17-13 at halftime after an opening-drive interception returned for a touchdown, then pulled away with 32 unanswered points in a 45-17 win. Last week against Florida State, Alabama fell behind 21-6 before scoring 20 straight on the way to a 50-36 victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

DeBoer said after the Florida State game that the team has to open games better, noting it was the second consecutive week Alabama found itself in an early hole. The slow starts drew boos from the home crowd, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb addressed the reaction this week, telling reporters the team would not have won had it quit as quickly as some fans did. Grubb later apologized for the remark.

The numbers from the Florida State game were strong once Alabama got going. Quarterback Keelon Russell passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and added 56 rushing yards and a fourth score, while receiver Lotzeir Brooks went over 100 yards receiving. Alabama's 247 rushing yards were its best total since Nick Saban coached the program.

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said the urgency players show in practice has to carry over to game day, and DeBoer added that early mistakes against Florida State gave the Seminoles hope the Tide wanted to avoid.

Alabama hosts South Carolina this week, with the Tide listed as 12.5-point favorites, then visits Mississippi State. The schedule toughens in October, when Alabama faces Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU over a five-week stretch, with the Volunteers and Tigers coming to Tuscaloosa.