JessN: Analysis: The Numbers Behind Alabama's 2025 Rushing Attack Woes

[JessN]

The numbers behind Alabama’s 2025 rushing attack woes​

by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

As the transfer portal grinds along in the background, we’re going to take a look today at Alabama’s 2025 rushing attack – if “attack” is an appropriate word to use. As was once said about Jaguar automobiles, “they don’t accelerate, they … advance.”

Alabama advanced the ball down the field to the tune of 466 carries for 1,562 yards, a 3.4-yard-per-carry average, and 21 touchdowns. Those were dreadful figures that caused Alabama to rank 123rd out of 134 teams in FBS. The worst of those numbers was the 3.4-ypc figure, which explained why Alabama chose not to lean on the running game more in crucial situations.

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TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - The numbers behind Alabama’s 2025 rushing attack woes

As the transfer portal grinds along in the background, we’re going to take a look today at Alabama’s 2025 rushing attack – if “attack” is an appropriate word to use. As was once said ab…

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[Slowpoke Catracho]

Me trying to find a trend:

 

[JDCrimson]

We are not winning any hardware m running a supercharged version of Mike Leach's offense. All these coaches ran that offense because they couldn't get the players to run pro style. CML's was effective enough to not get blown off the field. But when Pete Golding can shut you down consistently you are going nowhere.

 

[BamaMoon]

Jess, thanks. What I gathered from your article is there was no commitment to the run game, but IMO, it seemed there were too many times we took the ball out of Ty's hands (when he was relatively on/hot that game) only to run the ball with little to no impact.

To me, at times, we seemed overcommitted to trying to run full well knowing we couldn't. The result was usually being behind the sticks come 3rd down!

 

[BamaMoon]

Not at all an expert on OL matters but the one obvious thing that happened way too much last year is the OL could rarely move the LOS in short yardage situations and on other carries, say a 1st and 10 carry, we rarely saw guys getting off the first block and getting to a second level block.

These guys aren't little guys. It's got to be a flaw in something other than strength.

What is it?

Meaness/aggression?

Technique?

Scheme?

So much is wrong is seems a total reset of coaching is needed!

 

[Cruloc]

Not at all an expert on OL matters but the one obvious thing that happened way too much last year is the OL could rarely move the LOS in short yardage situations and on other carries, say a 1st and 10 carry, we rarely saw guys getting off the first block and getting to a second level block.

These guys aren't little guys. It's got to be a flaw in something other than strength.

What is it?

Meaness/aggression?

Technique?

Scheme?

So much is wrong is seems a total reset of coaching is needed!

Culture shift

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

"Was it because of Jam Miller’s frequent injuries?"
Because Jam blocked "less poorly" than all the other RBs, this certainly contributed.

"Did Alabama need a talent upgrade at running back, especially following the loss of Justice Haynes to the transfer portal at the end of the 2024 season?"
Yes.

"Was it the fault of the offensive line, either personnel or coaching, or both?"
Absolutely.

"What of Alabama’s running back coaching?"
Not sure. I regularly wondered why so many of our RBs looked like they were trying to be Barry Sanders out there, and were not making one read and one cut and GOING.

"Or was it the fault of play design, playcalling flow or other sideline factors that can’t be measured on a graph?"
Yes! I don't know who was calling those long-developing-plays-which-kept-KILLING-our-momentum, but those plays and those coaches should be tossed in the ash can.

As you can see by my responses, the answer to the above paragraph [was nearly] “yes” to all.

 

[gman4tide]

The oline was bad, yes. The play calling was bad, yes. But to me, the rb's looked like trent richardson in the nfl...running up the lineman's back when there was a solid run gap 3' to one side or the other. It's almost like they were coached, unless all the defenders fall down and there was nothing but green in front of them, to put their nose on the lineman's back and "get what you can".

 

[BamaMoon]

Culture shift

Other teams/programs blend a significant passing attack with some sort of run game that gives them balance. Almost everyone "strives" for something to that effect....all 130+ D1 programs and yet we are 123rd. It can't be simply defined as a change in culture.

 

[Cruloc]

Other teams/programs blend a significant passing attack with some sort of run game that gives them balance. Almost everyone "strives" for something to that effect....all 130+ D1 programs and yet we are 123rd. It can't be simply defined as a change in culture.

It is DeBoer's offense, there is less reliance on the running game and putting a ton of responsibility on the QB.

Yes, he had a 1000 yard rusher the year he made it to the title game with Washington.....but he isn't up against Oregon State, Arizona, Washington State, Cal, Michigan State, Stanford etc......he's up against Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, Missouri etc......its a different ball game.

He has to adjust to the level of the defenses he's playing, the level of DL's he's going up against.

Can he do that.....sure, if he wants to and has a plan to do so.

But in 2025 we had no chance to run.....and a hurt QB......but he appeared to stick to what he had always done.

Remember his Washington team.....when they finally ran up against an elite defense with an elite DL, they didn't do much. He's facing that regularly in the SEC now.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

The oline was bad, yes. The play calling was bad, yes. But to me, the rb's looked like trent richardson in the nfl...running up the lineman's back when there was a solid run gap 3' to one side or the other. It's almost like they were coached, unless all the defenders fall down and there was nothing but green in front of them, to put their nose on the lineman's back and "get what you can".

That definitely occurred a ton this season, especially with Jam. It didn't occur all the time, so other issues were in play at times as well.

 

[TDBama78]

Our offense is not far from what you would see on the playground when I was growing up, time will tell if the coaching staff has the will and the humility to change and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what those changes are.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

It was bad. Thankfully it’s over.

 

[gman4tide]

Play action will never work in this system until some sort of a resemblance of a running game is found. Could not understand the play action pass plays that were called the last 2/3's of the season. Everyone knew bama wasn't running the ball.

 

[Cruloc]

Our RBs did have what appeared to be bad vision on following blocks or hitting holes. Some breakdowns I watched mentioned this.

 

[CrimSonami]

If I were a running back depending on this year's hodge-podge O-line to block correctly and maintain the gaps I'd have been VERY hesitant, reluctant, doubtful that the play would develop as designed. This sorta failure not only affects the run play but the RB blocking scheme and assignment as well. If the O-line can't execute the play the blocking RB's and TE's, especially the less experienced, are behind the 8 ball. THIS is my NUMBER ONE concern for the coming year.

 

[TRU]

Thanks Jess. Your analysis clearly proves there is a problem. So now the doctors need to diagnose which of the possibilities or combination of possibilities is at fault. Then the patient needs to accept the cure. I am guessing the last step will be the biggest stumbling block.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I don't believe we have had bad running backs. Look a Justice Haynes. He goes to Michigan and is one of the best in the country. It's coaching, technique, or the OL and the OL coach. We've had decent running backs. We can't point at all of them as the reason.

 

[CoolBreeze]

It is DeBoer's offense, there is less reliance on the running game and putting a ton of responsibility on the QB.

Yes, he had a 1000 yard rusher the year he made it to the title game with Washington.....but he isn't up against Oregon State, Arizona, Washington State, Cal, Michigan State, Stanford etc......he's up against Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, Missouri etc......its a different ball game.

He has to adjust to the level of the defenses he's playing, the level of DL's he's going up against.

Can he do that.....sure, if he wants to and has a plan to do so.

But in 2025 we had no chance to run.....and a hurt QB......but he appeared to stick to what he had always done.

Remember his Washington team.....when they finally ran up against an elite defense with an elite DL, they didn't do much. He's facing that regularly in the SEC now.

...and made it to the Rose Bowl. So, just a little tweaking of philosophy, the staff (O LIne + SC coach), personnel (recruiting & portal) and some injury luck and this can be a championship caliber coaching regime.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Our offense is not far from what you would see on the playground when I was growing up, time will tell if the coaching staff has the will and the humility to change and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what those changes are.

Coach is 124-20 overall, 20-8 at Alabama...just get the feeling he knows how to adjust to win ballgames.