Nick Saban prides Alabama on avoiding simple mistakes, but the Crimson Tide found themselves wrapped up in all kinds of confusion against Ole Miss on Saturday.
The chaos began early in the third quarter when Roydell Williams ran for a first down on 2nd & 5. While Williams was granted the first down, not every indicator said so. The chains didn't move right away, and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said Alabama was under the impression that the result of Williams' run was a 3rd & 1.
The Tide opted to run a quarterback sneak with Jalen Milroe, believing they only needed a yard for a first down, but the result of Milroe's sneak was a 2nd & 9 rather than a first down. Alabama still wasn't aware of the situation on the following two plays.
After two more runs brought up a 4th & 4, officials intervened to told Alabama that it was fourth down rather than third down. Saban was forced to run Will Reichard out for a short field goal, after thinking the previous play was a simple 2nd & 5.
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While it appeared Alabama lost a down, it wasn't the result of the officials miscounting. Instead, there was some kind of lapse in communication after Williams ran for the first down. The Tide didn't kick a field goal on third down, but it wasn't until moments before the field goal that they realized it wasn't third down.
Best explanation: CBS Sports Gene Steratore telling viewers Alabama lost a down by lack of communication among officials. A 1st Down was never given by officials. Alabama ran a QB sneak up the middle thinking it was 3rd& inches. They didn’t convert and essentially lost a play
— Rudy Martzke (@FakeRudyMartzke) September 23, 2023
The sequence might have cost Alabama four points, though the Tide were able to take the lead and then score a touchdown on their next series.
While Alabama was able to create some breathing room later in the half, every point was critical for Saban's team at that stage of the game. Ole Miss limited Alabama to just six points in the first half as the Tide's uncharacteristic offensive struggles persisted.
