Javion Cohen explains how Alabama can play better around Bryce Young
Alabama‘s last three weeks have been one of their worst stretches in recent history, losing two of their last three games with their most recent overtime loss to LSU making their National Championship hopes as slim as they’ve been in quite some time. The Crimson Tide have struggled in various areas lately, and one that head coach Nick Saban has pointed out is their ability as an offense to play better around quarterback Bryce Young. This week, offensive lineman Javion Cohen explained what it’s going to take for the Crimson Tide offense to play better around their former Heisman Trophy winner.
“I think it just takes us getting on the same page with each other, putting more effort forth, and more trust in each other, and focusing on our game plan more each week,” Cohen said.
Young sustained an injury to his throwing shoulder that caused him to miss some time for Alabama, and had been under duress since his return to the lineup against Tennessee. Young has been sacked five times in their last three games, and was hurried nine times against the Vols and 10 times in their last game versus LSU.
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The Crimson Tide have also been lacking a running game since Young’s return to the lineup, putting together their three worst rushing yard totals of the season in their last three matchups, their worst being a 29-yard day on the ground against Mississippi State.
There’s no question that on both sides of the ball the Crimson Tide have some areas to improve upon, but more consistent play around their star quarterback could be just what Alabama needs to finish their last three games of the season strong.
Nick Saban points finger at himself, takes responsibility for loss at LSU
A lot of different factors played into Alabama‘s 32-31 upset loss in overtime to LSU, with potential blame and finger-pointing all around Alabama’s program. But head coach Nick Saban wants the fingers pointed at him, as he took full responsibility for the team’s most recent loss moments after the game.
“Look I can’t blame the players, I’m responsible for all this stuff” Saban said. “So if we didn’t do it right it’s on me and we’ve got to do a better job of coaching players so that we give them a better chance to have success and when we get opportunities we can take advantage of them
The Crimson Tide have lost two of their last three games, and this is the first time since 2019 that they’ve suffered more than just one regular season loss. On Saturday, Alabama accumulated nearly 100 more yards of offense and gained three more first downs than the Tigers, but lost the time of possession battle, suffered the only turnover of the game, and was called on nine penalties for 92 yards, an issue that’s been haunting them all season.
Ultimately, the elusive playcalling of Tiger’s first-year head coach Brian Kelly got the best of Saban, as Kelly decided to attempt a go-ahead two-point conversation to win the ball game in overtime, which LSU converted winning in walk-off, storm-the-field fashion.
Saban’s onus of Saturday’s loss garners respect and is the sign of a great coach and leader, but with the Crimson Tide’s SEC and National Championship hopes dwindling away fast, it will be interesting to see how the blame is placed and received during the home stretch and conclusion of the season.