Will Anderson: Alabama defense 'definitely' starting to play to standard

Will Anderson has had a dominant season on Alabama’s defense this year. He has 97 tackles and leads the team with 17.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. As Alabama gears up for the CFP National Championship game against Georgia, Anderson said that the Crimson Tide’s defense is coming together and clicking at the perfect time.

“Most definitely,” Anderson said when asked if Alabama’s defense is playing better. “But I think it all comes back to how, what I was saying earlier in the past few weeks, stuff like that, all the pieces are starting to fall together. Everybody is starting to play to the standard, play to the Alabama standard. Everybody is always focused on what we have to do. I think everybody on defense knows what we have to do.”

Alabama’s defense has been good throughout the year, although it has lacked consistency at times. But as the end of the season nears, the unit is playing at an extremely high level. Alabama just held Cincinnati to six points in a 27-6 win in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Now, a rematch against Georgia awaits on Monday, January 10.

“The intensity at practice has been real and energy has been good,” Anderson added. “Meetings have been excellent. I think where all the pieces are starting to fall together. I think that’s why the defense has been playing the way it has. We talk all the time, we say we have one more game to play, put everything together, get all the pieces lined up right. And I think that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Anderson on what’s next for Alabama’s defense

In addition to Anderson, Alabama’s defense has gotten significant contributions from other players. Henry To’oTo’o leads the team with 105 tackles, and Jordan Battle is a star in the secondary. Phidarian Mathis also has nine sacks, and there are many others making a difference.

As Alabama prepares for its second matchup with Georgia in three games, Anderson wants the unit to make sure it is continuing to focus on the little details.

“As the season is going on and we’re coming up on our final game, I think it’s really critical now that we pay attention to little details and make sure that we’re all on the same page and keep cutting down on mental errors, keep having fun, and playing together as a unit,” Anderson said. “I think that’s what we’ve been doing right now.”

Alabama and Georgia face off on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Indianapolis. The Crimson Tide won the matchup in the SEC Championship, 41-24.