Alabama football’s worrisome defensive statistics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Alabama football is off to a 5-1 start, but the Crimson Tide’s defense has some lingering problems as they prepare for “The Third Saturday in October.”

Alabama’s defense has struggled mightily since going up 30-7 at halftime in Week 5 against Georgia. Since halftime of that game, Alabama has allowed 92 points in its last three contests. The defense ranks 55th in the country in total defense, giving up an average of 342.5 yards per game.

What’s more worrisome for the Crimson Tide, is that they’ve only played against one top-50 offense thus far with Georgia ranking 28th nationally, but its next three games are against top-50 offenses. Tennessee boasts the No. 9 offense, Missouri is ranked No. 45, and LSU is No. 25. All three teams have gunslingers at quarterback, and receivers who could give the Alabama secondary trouble.

Bama has also struggled getting off the field on fourth downs. The Crimson Tide rank 119th in the country, giving up 12 fourth down conversions on 17 attempts. The team that caused havoc in the first half of the Georgia game has seemingly disappeared, and they will need to reappear if they aim to win the next three games and potentially make the College Football Playoff.

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