Tide finding knack for interceptions

TUSCALOOSA — Earlier in the year, Tide head football coach Nick Saban said he wanted his team to be a ball-hawking-type defense.

Eight interceptions in the past three games are exactly what Saban expected, right?

For Saban, the reasoning behind the team’s recent interception haul is simple.

“Sometimes you get interceptions because you have opportunities,” Saban said. “We have had some opportunities in the last few games and guys have been able to finish plays and make those plays.”

Alabama’s recent play from a pass-protection standpoint has led to the Crimson Tide jumping into a three-way tie for first in the SEC — Vanderbilt and Arkansas are the two other programs — with 15 interceptions.

Against LSU last weekend, No. 21 Alabama (6-3, 4-2 SEC) grabbed three interceptions on three straight Tiger possessions in the second quarter, leading to 10 points.

One game earlier, against Tennessee with Alabama winning 24-17 in the third quarter, Kareem Jackson cut in front of Denarius Moore, intercepted the ball in Alabama territory, and the Tennessee offense was never heard from again.

“It’s emphasized so much in practice,” said safety Rashad Johnson, who leads the team with five picks. “I mean, we have a chance to intercept the ball, and we don’t intercept it, and the coaches are on us a bunch.”

When pressed on the art of the interception, both the players and coaches agree that part of it has to do with the play call, but a lot has to do with instinct, speed and soft hands.

For example, some of Johnson’s interceptions occurred when he happened to be in the right place at the right time. But against LSU, on his one interception, he read quarterback Matt Flynn’s eyes then sprinted halfway across the field, and grabbed the ball near the sideline.

“I think mixing coverages and mixing the calls are something that may help,” Saban said. “But some guys have made some great breaks on the ball this year and had more opportunities than others and finished those plays.”

Mississippi State freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll has not thrown an interception in 137 attempts — meaning all eyes will be on the Alabama defense and how they approach his decision making.

Along with Carroll versus the Tide’s defensive backs, here are some other pressing issues that come to mind as the Tide travels to Mississippi State (5-4, 2-3)

Power running game

Big, strong runners give Alabama’s defense problems. That is the way it has been all year.

The first warning sign came after Arkansas’ Darren McFadden torched the Tide for 195 yards rushing. He was not tackled for a loss. Then BenJarvus Green-Ellis blasted through Alabama’s defensive front for 131 yards.

The Bulldogs bring a physical running attack with 6-foot-1, 240-pound Anthony Dixon, who last year had 121 yards rushing in MSU’s 24-16 victory over Alabama.

“This is one of those games where it’s going to be won up front,” said linebacker Darren Mustin. “There is no secret about this game. There’s not going to be any schemes. It’s going to be who wins it up front. That’s pretty much it.”

Loss hangover

At his Monday news conference, Saban had a poignant message for media members attending.

In response to those who deemed last weekend’s tilt with LSU the biggest game of the year, Saban said of Mississippi State, “It’s the biggest game of the year. Right or wrong? So that’s good for this week’s papers, right?”

Was Saban being his normal combative self? Probably. But he did have a point. If Alabama loses to Mississippi State, what does that mean? Goodbye Cotton, Capital One and Outback Bowls.

Another loss to MSU could send the season down the same path it went on last year. This is why Alabama needs to do all it can to forget LSU and move forward.