Domination met alarming turnovers. Despite a historic blowout, Alabama's passing game and special teams revealed crucial flaws before their Auburn showdown.
Alabama did exactly what it was supposed to do Saturday afternoon, overwhelming Eastern Illinois 56-0 inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. It was a game defined by total domination: on the ground, on defense, and on the scoreboard.
But even in a blowout win, the Crimson Tide revealed a few troubling cracks that could loom large as they head into next weekend’s rivalry showdown at Auburn.
First, the good news: Alabama’s rushing attack was on another level. The Tide bulldozed Eastern Illinois for more than 260 yards on the ground and punched in eight rushing touchdowns from six different players.
It was the most rushing touchdowns Alabama has scored in a single game since September 29, 1979, a staggering historical marker that underscores just how explosive and deep this backfield has become. Whether it was the starters or the reserves, everyone who touched the ball found daylight.
The defense, meanwhile, delivered one of the most smothering performances in school history. Alabama allowed just 34 total yards. Yes, total, which marks the fewest yards surrendered in a game since October 13, 1962.
Nearly everything Eastern Illinois attempted was swallowed up at the line of scrimmage. The Panthers finished the day with 14 total rushing yards and were unable to complete even the simplest plays without meeting a wall of crimson. It was a vintage Alabama defensive masterpiece.
But despite the incredible final score and historical feats, the Tide walked away with legitimate concerns.
Quarterback Ty Simpson struggled mightily in the passing game, finishing 11–16 for 147 yards with two interceptions. Against an overmatched opponent, those turnovers were jarring. “Yikes” doesn’t feel like an exaggeration. For a team heading into one of the toughest environments in college football next week, ball security and confidence at quarterback suddenly feel like unresolved problems.
Special teams didn’t help ease any nerves either.
Kicker Conor Talty missed his lone attempt of the game, an uncomfortably short 28-yarder. It was another “Yikes” moment in a game that should have been nothing but smooth sailing.
In rivalry games, field goals matter.
Momentum swings matter.
Missed chip-shots matter even more.
And now comes Auburn.
The Iron Bowl may not feature two top-10 teams this year, but the danger is real, especially in Jordan-Hare Stadium, a place where Alabama has suffered more than its share of heartbreak.
Auburn has made adjustments in recent weeks and looks like a much different team than the one that struggled early in the season.
Combine that with Simpson’s shaky outing and Alabama’s continued inconsistencies in the kicking game, and next Saturday suddenly feels a lot less predictable than Crimson Tide fans may want to admit.
Alabama did what it needed to do against Eastern Illinois: dominate, send a message, and build momentum.
But if the Tide want to survive their trip to Auburn and keep their postseason hopes alive, they’ll need more than historical rushing stats and elite defense.They’ll need cleaner quarterback play, dependable special teams, and the mental toughness that has defined the program for more than a decade.
Because next week, nothing will be gifted.
Not in Jordan-Hare.
Not in the Iron Bowl.
Alabama must rise to the moment, or risk watching their season slip away in the most unforgiving place imaginable.