Alabama’s defense creates turnovers but shows clear holes in deep pass and run defense

# Snapshot No. 7 Alabama is 4-0 but its defense is showing two recurring weaknesses: susceptibility to deep passes and to the run. Turnovers have helped mask those issues, yet recent injuries leave little margin for correction heading into a matchup with No. 16 Mississippi State.

# What has happened on the field Over the last two games against Florida State and South Carolina, Alabama surrendered 471 and 419 yards respectively. Combined, those two games accounted for 890 yards on 137 defensive snaps, which works out to 6.5 yards per play.

Florida State finished with 471 yards and 36 points while producing multiple explosive plays: the Seminoles had double-digit plays of 15+ yards and 377 passing yards on 17 catches. South Carolina ran 40 times for 216 yards — including a 56-yard run — and hit a 41-yard touchdown pass.

Those numbers show consistent vulnerability to big gains through the air and on the ground. Yet Alabama's defense has still managed to create turnovers: three interceptions against Florida State and a pick-six plus a fumble recovery against South Carolina. The unit also got off the field on third down, making stops on 11 of 29 third-down attempts across those two games.

# Injury context and immediate risk

Other front-seven players are also sidelined, including defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman and linebacker Cayden Jones. Head coach Kalen DeBoer warned that depth and health will determine whether the 4-0 start can hold up as the schedule ramps up.

# Why turnovers haven't solved the underlying problems Turnovers and third-down stops are high-impact plays that can change game flow. Alabama's ability to make those plays has allowed the team to win while giving up large yardage totals. Still, yardage and explosive-play trends matter because they indicate how often opposing offenses reach scoring range and how much work the Alabama offense must do to win close games.

As opponents become tougher, the margin for relying on turnovers shrinks. Mississippi State presents a tougher test than the recent opponents, and Alabama's personnel shortages along the defensive front may make it harder to limit big plays.

# What to watch vs. Mississippi State

• Umeozulu on the edge: will backups generate pressure or will the Bulldogs exploit matchups?
• Mississippi State's approach to attacking deep and running the ball early to test Alabama's depleted front.

# Bottom line Alabama's defense combines playmaking (turnovers, third-down stops) with clear, repeatable weaknesses (deep passes allowed and run defense). Injuries to key edge rushers and other front-seven players reduce depth and raise the risk that those leaks will cause problems against Mississippi State and tougher teams ahead.