Kirb Herbstreit explains initial concern with Alabama, how they have grown since

They were not the same Alabama we were used to seeing earlier in the season. Nick Saban‘s team dropped a huge nonconference game against Texas before coming out the following week vs. USF and looking incredibly flat. A loss in Tampa Bay would have sent waves throughout the college football world but Alabama survived.

Issues were clearly afoot for the first few weeks of the year. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit believes it was the lack of a true leader on either side of the ball. Last season, it was Bryce Young offensively, while Will Anderson was the guy on defense. With those two departing to the NFL, nobody filled their void.

“After losing to Texas, they had a couple of choices,” Herbstreit said. “They could either grow up and learn from that or they could shut it down. And they’ve obviously won six in a row and changed their identity.

“I think that the thing I saw when I called that Texas game that was most concerning — wasn’t so much the Xs and Os. The thing I have always marveled about their team is how they have guys like Boog(er McFarland) on their defensive line. Not just great playmakers but guys that the rest of the team feared. They’re just alphas, a player-led team. All of those great Alabama teams, I didn’t see that this year.”

While Herbstreit did not name a specific player who has stepped up in his eyes, winning does help a team grow confident over the course of a season. Alabama is still alive in the College Football Playoff race, with Nov. 4’s matchup against LSU being the next real test. Firm control of the SEC West will be up for grabs.

“That’s the aspect of their team that I think is changing and growing with confidence with wins,” Herbstreit said. “I think from where they were three of four weeks ago to where they are now — if they can beat LSU and kind of keep climbing the ladder, there is a very good chance they’re in Atlanta, facing up against Georgia, with a shot at the Playoff. I think everything is in front of them.”

If the wins continue to stack up for Alabama, they will be one of the more dangerous teams in the country. The confidence will only continue to grow as they play better. Maybe the final thing the Crimson Tide needs to unlock is finding a true leader and them being national championship contenders becomes a serious conversation.