Nick Saban analyzes how Jalen Milroe handled the blitz vs. Texas, where the offense needs to improve

Jalen Milroe once again got the start for Alabama against Texas in last week’s 34-24 loss at Bryant Denny Stadium. He had an up-and-down day in his second start of the young season, notably throwing two interceptions during the game.

The Longhorns defense came out with a blitz, which didn’t make it easy for Milroe. However, Nick Saban said he thought Milroe handled himself well despite the pressure he was facing.

That said, focusing on the little details can go a long way toward making the offense look better going forward, according to Saban.

“The issue in the game was — I think we only got sacked once on the blitz. And the back cut the linebacker and he got up and still sacked the quarterback. The other issues were really, basically, four-man rush, three-man rush,” Saban said during his Wednesday press conference. “So I think that he has done okay. I think that what we need to do as an offense is everybody’s got to pay more attention to detail. We can’t give bird and rabbits so the other team knows when we’re passing so they can tee off, aight?

“All these little things sort of add up to create a disadvantage for you if you don’t get them fixed. These are all things that our players need to understand and need to do so we can protect better and the quarterback can have a better chance to operate.”

Nick Saban on the intermediate passing game: ‘We have not been consistent’

One area Alabama especially struggled against Texas was in the intermediate passing game — between 10 and 19 yards. Saban pointed out the plays aren’t necessarily designed to get certain yardages. It’s about going at different parts of the defense.

But decision-making is key. It could be the quarterback getting the ball out quick enough, the offensive line giving him time to make a decision or receivers running proper routes.

Regardless, Saban said it’s a team-wide issue to clean up the offense and make it easier on the quarterback.

“Look, when you have a pass play, it’s not designed to go five yards, it’s not designed to go 10 yards, it’s not designed to go 20 yards down the field. You have a pattern,” Saban said. “And most patterns attack various levels. And then, you read the defense, and you decide where should I throw the ball? Sometimes, it’s 20 yards down the field. Sometimes, you’ve got to take the check down and it’s a five-yard play, aight? We have made some explosive plays in our first two games.

“We have not been consistent in what you referred to as the ‘intermediate passing game’ and making decisions and get the ball out of our hand quickly and run good routes so we’re open and things are pretty decisive for the quarterback because of the picture. Everybody needs to do a better job. Protection needs to be better. The pocket doesn’t need to be collapsing on the quarterback with a four-man rush. All those things need to get better. And we’re gonna work on it.”