When the Alabama offensive line takes the field on Saturday, it will face its toughest task of the year. The line, which has only allowed 11 sacks all year, will have to figure out how to stop a Missouri defense that has 38 total sacks this year, good for 10th in the nation and first in the SEC.
The Tigers defense is led by ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray. The two players have combined for 20.5 total sacks this year. Ray, a Bednarik Award semifinalist, currently leads the SEC in sacks with 12. Golden is sixth in the SEC with 8.5 sacks this year.
“Those guys are pretty good,” Alabama fullback Jalston Fowler said. “They remind you of [linebackers] Tim [Williams] and Rashaan [Evans] coming off the edge all the time. You could put their front four anywhere and they can just move pretty good.”
Another tough task for the Alabama offensive line will be creating holes for the running backs. The Missouri defense allows an average of just 126 rushing yards per game. In the six games since it lost 34-0 to Georgia, the team has only allowed one opponent to rush for more than 150 yards in a game. The Tigers have also registered 90 tackles for loss this season.
“They have lots of tackles for loss, lots of sacks,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Their front guys do a really good job. Shane Ray and Markus Golden both are guys that have created a lot of havoc up front for a lot of people this season.”
Beyond the defensive line, the Tigers are led by linebackers Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer. The duo has 103 and 100 tackles, respectively. The defense has also forced 22 turnovers while the offense has only lost the ball 13 times.
“Their defense is very opportunistic,” Saban said. “It gets lots of turnovers. They are plus nine in turnover ratio, which is really pretty high.”
Practice report:
-The team practiced indoors in full pads and helmets.
-Running back T.J. Yeldon did not go through drills for a second consecutive day. Yeldon held two footballs and watched to the side as the other running backs went through drills.
-Tight end Brian Vogler once again went through drills during practice. Vogler ran out a little late but still went through drills with the tight ends. He did wear a brace on his left knee.
-Linebacker Ryan Anderson and left tackle Cam Robinson, both of whom are nursing shoulder injuries, went through drills but were limited.
-Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart went through drills but still appeared somewhat limited. Stewart suffered the same injury as Vogler but on his right knee.
-A scout from the Dallas Cowboys was in attendance for practice.
