September 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulls at Bryant-Denny Stadium Caught a pass in the game against the Dogs. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images Top-ranked Alabama looks to take another step toward the league title and the College Football Playoff when it travels to Nashville, Tenn., for a Southeastern Conference game against Vanderbilt on Saturday.
This will be the Commodores' home opener (2-2, 0-1 SEC) and Alabama's first road game (4-0, 1-0).
Both teams played their best performances of the season.
Alabama blew a 28-point lead, but quarterback Jalen Milroe hit Ryan Williams for a 75-yard touchdown with 2:18 left to make it 41-41. The 34 win over Georgia provided the winning run. Zabien Brown's interception with 43 seconds left sealed the victory.
Alabama coach Karen DeBoer talked Monday about using the Crimson Tide's second-half inconsistency as a learning opportunity.
“It's important for us to have this now. Every game offers an experience, right?” DeBoer said.
Vanderbilt rested last weekend after losing 30-27 in double overtime when the top-ranked team was Vanderbilt. 7 Missouri, September 21. Missed a 31-yard field goal in one game.
Milroe, the Heisman Trophy favorite after Saturday's game, threw for 964 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception, and rushed for 273 yards and eight scores.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lee talked about the challenges of guarding Milrow.
“Certainly, every time the ball is snapped, there's an opportunity to make an explosive play,” Lee said. “What he's particularly good at – listen, if you don't take into account him being in bypassed zone reads, he's going to stretch the score, go over leverage, go over the defense. He's already playing against the best players in the country. This was proven in the confrontation.
Williams had 16 catches for 462 yards and five touchdowns. The final touchdown was an exciting play, as Williams twisted in mid-air, caught a thrown ball, split two defenders with a spin move, and then won a race to the end zone. Contest.
“He has the best balance and body control I've ever seen,” Leah said of Williams.
Vanderbilt's defense is allowing 5.1 yards per game and giving up an average of 23.3 points per game. However, the Commodores will take full advantage of Alabama's passing ability downfield (something they've struggled with) as well as its strong run game (Vanderbilt had Missouri's Nate No. Earl ran for 199 yards).
Therefore, the best defense may be a good offense. Vanderbilt, who is tied for the national lead in turnovers all season, will take care of the ball and run as much as possible.
Pavia is key to that. He passed for 721 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for 279 yards and two scores.
Alabama is allowing 15.0 points per game, 4.3 yards per carry, and eight turnovers.
Penalties have been an issue for both teams; Alabama averaged 8.5 penalties for 77.3 yards, while the Commodores averaged 8 penalties for 83.3 yards.
Alabama dominated the series, winning the final 23 games. The scores in the last three games were 55-3 (2022), 59-0 (2017) and 34-0 (2011), with 2017 being the only game in Nashville.
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