Catch Them If They Can

We know … the only record that counts is the one in the win-loss column. But that doesn’t mean we should pass on these other runs at history by Bama's D, a pair of QBs and one very disciplined Navy.

- Hallie Grossman

SCORE, TIDE, SCORE

THE FEAT Through the first 10 Saturdays, Alabama had nine defensive touchdowns, the most in FBS play since 2004 and tied for the season record held by Southern Miss (2011) and SMU (2012). Those nine TDs are three more than any other defense has managed this year—Ohio State has six—and have come courtesy of seven players.

THE FUNDAMENTALS Jonathan Allen, Alabama’s two-time All-SEC defensive lineman who has scored on two fumble recoveries this season, says the Tide are opportunistic because they literally practice what they preach. “In practice, even if it’s an incomplete pass, we want to try to pick it up and return it for a score,” he says. In that way, they learn how to be offensive players too. “Scoop and score. That’s something we live by.”

THE FUTURE The Tigers loom. Auburn’s offense, No. 12 in efficiency, is back to looking like a Gus Malzahn–helmed attack and has only 10 turnovers all year, which is good for a top-20 FBS ranking. Still, the Bama D makes its living harassing opposing quarterbacks, and Auburn has already allowed 16 sacks. “They don’t have to blitz,” says Eddie Gran, Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. “They can send four and get to the quarterback.” And that leads to hurried throws, which leads to errant throws, which leads to intercepted throws, which leads to … well, you get it.

THE VERY FIRST 6,000-YARD MAN?