Title: Alabama’s 21-Game Home Winning Streak Ends in Shocking Texas Defeat
In a shocking turn of events, the University of Alabama’s 21-game home winning streak came to an abrupt end as they suffered a surprising loss against the Texas Longhorns. Prior to this game, Alabama had also won an impressive 57 consecutive non-conference games. The Longhorns, who seemed destined for yet another tough defeat on a big stage, emerged victorious with a stunning 34-24 triumph at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The game appeared to be going Alabama’s way when they took a 16-13 lead against Texas with just 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Jalen Milroe connected with Jermaine Burton on a deep corner route for a thrilling 49-yard touchdown pass. However, what followed was an unexpected surge from Texas, reminiscent of what could have happened last year had Quinn Ewers remained healthy.
Texas quickly mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points in just 11 plays. Ewers, who replaced Milroe, played a pivotal role in this sensational turnaround. After the go-ahead touchdown, Ewers showcased his skills with a 50-yard pass to Ja’Tavion Sanders, followed by a six-yard touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell.
Milroe’s subsequent pass was intercepted by Jerrion Thompson, leading to Jonathan Brooks scoring on the very next play. Milroe, despite his efforts, struggled to consistently break through the Texas defense. The Longhorns’ defense proved too formidable for him, and he was unable to find success in consistently containing their advances.
The defeat has left the Crimson Tide with significant questions to address in Tuscaloosa, questions that they usually do not have to face in September. One of the major concerns revolves around their quarterback situation. Will Quinn Ewers be the next in line? Ewers showcased his potential during the game, accumulating 349 passing yards and throwing two touchdowns. His impressive performance raises the question of whether Coach Saban and Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees will consider utilizing Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner or sophomore Ty Simpson until Julian Sayin arrives in 2024.
Alabama’s loss also highlighted some ongoing issues, such as penalties and deficiencies in the secondary. The team’s worrying habit of accruing penalties continued, with ten penalties for 90 yards in this game alone. In addition, the secondary struggled to contain the Longhorns’ passing game, especially in the fourth quarter. These problems, coupled with a lack of a standout game-changer like Will Anderson on the defensive line, contributed to their downfall.
Moreover, Alabama’s inability to efficiently convert on third downs and their subpar running game against Texas’ explosive passing game further added to their defeat. The team’s running backs, featuring McCellan, Williams, and Miller, could only manage a combined 63 yards on 20 carries. The ground-and-pound strategy that has worked for them in the past fell short this time.
With this loss, Alabama finds itself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position. Their best chance at making the College Football Playoff is to win all their remaining games, as no two-loss team has ever made it to the four-team playoff. Additionally, even within the SEC, Alabama now trails behind a resurgent Texas, with the Longhorns poised to take the Big 12 title with just one loss or less.
Looking ahead, Alabama will face significant challenges on their path to the SEC championship. Teams like No. 4 Florida State, No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State, No. 6 USC, and others are all vying for spots in the College Football Playoff. Furthermore, within the SEC West, LSU and Texas A&M have also suffered non-conference losses, making the divisional race slightly less intense. Upcoming games against ranked opponents No. 20 Ole Miss and No. 9 Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium will test Alabama’s ability to bounce back.
As the Crimson Tide move forward, they must address the concerns raised by this loss and strive to regain their dominant form. Coach Saban and his team will need to strategize and make crucial decisions to ensure they remain competitive in the race for the SEC championship and potentially the College Football Playoff.
