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Nick Saban reveals Alabama's best solution to overcome running game struggles

Danby: Daniel Hager6 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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© Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images | © Mateo Rosiles/ Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since opening the college football season with a shocking 31-17 loss at Florida State, Alabama has been one of the best teams in the country. The Crimson Tide have rattled off eight consecutive victories (four against ranked SEC opponents) and seem poised to make a run to the College Football Playoff for the first time under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.

If there is one flaw however, it would be the lack of run game in the Alabama‘s offense. It ranks third to last in the SEC in rush yards per game (111.9 YPG) and is just one of four SEC teams (LSU, South Carolina, and Texas) without a 400-plus yard rusher.

During Friday’s edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ legendary head coach Nick Saban revealed the best solution for Alabama to overcome its run-game struggles. He also admitted that it is hard to win a national championship with a one-dimensional offense, no matter how strong the pass game is.

“I think it’s hard,” Saban said. “I really do, but if you’ve got a good enough quarterback and good enough receivers, which that’s the strength of their team to me. Ty Simpson and the receiver corps, and they make a lot of explosive plays. Now they have struggled to run the ball. The offensive line is going to have to continue to improve because they have pretty decent backs.”

Alabama is one of four SEC teams without 400+ yard rusher

“But they have not been able to sustain and finish the run game at all, which puts them behind the sticks a lot. But they make more explosive plays on run downs. 1st & 10, so I’m like throw the ball when they think you’re gonna run it and just keep getting explosive plays that way. If you want to run it, run it when they think you’re gonna throw it and maybe you’ll do a better job and develop some confidence in your ability to run the ball.”

Luckily for Alabama, its pass game is elite. Quarterback Ty Simpson ranks second in the SEC in passing yards (2,461) and is tied for the conference lead for passing touchdowns (21). He has two superstar wideouts to help aid his game, Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams, who have combined for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Alabama‘s specialty with the pass game will be good to employ this weekend in its game against Oklahoma, as the Sooners rank second in the SEC in rush defense (82.4 YPG). Kickoff for the massive SEC game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.