No. 10 Alabama enters Saturday’s home matchup with Eastern Illinois looking less for less enhancement and more rhythm ahead of next week’s Iron Bowl.
The Crimson Tide (8-2, No. 10 CFP) can’t boost their playoff standing by beating the lower-division Panthers (3-8), but they can address the issues that surfaced in last week’s 23-21 loss to Oklahoma. The defeat moved Alabama’s postseason margin for error to none, though the Tide still control their path to the SEC title game and College Football Playoff.
“We have to use this week to continue to get better,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “That is the priority. That’s where our head needs to be in order for us to continue to have the outcomes we want.”
Alabama lost the turnover battle for the first time this season, finishing minus-three against the Sooners. Quarterback Ty Simpson has committed a turnover in six straight games, an area DeBoer’s staff hopes to fix quickly.
The Tide will also look for improvement along a reworked offensive line after debuting new starters Wilkin Formby and freshman Michael Carroll last week. With center Parker Brailsford dealing with a foot injury, Saturday offers another chance to mix the lineup a bit.
Alabama expects to lock in before the annual rivalry showdown at Auburn next week.
More college football news:
