The No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide got back on track Saturday with a 56-0 win over Eastern Illinois.
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The Crimson Tide offense outgained the Panthers 539-34 in total yards in the shutout. However, Alabama did commit two turnovers via Ty Simpson interceptions against Eastern Illinois.
Turnovers were a problem for the Crimson Tide in their 23-21 loss to then-No. 11 Oklahoma in Week 12. The offense’s poor showing against the Sooners led to a coaching change for Saturday’s game against Eastern Illinois.
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Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was moved from the sideline to the press box for the contest.
During his postgame news conference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer explained the change, saying the team thought the game against an FCS opponent was the right time to test the move.
The Crimson Tide hoped to see better “communication” on offense.
“It’s something he’s (Grubb) been thinking about here for a while now and just communication, trying to see if there’s a way where you’re always trying to make things better,” DeBoer said, via Touchdown Alabama Magazine. “And it doesn’t mean it was bad before, but just something different and you know, today was a good opportunity to do that.”
9-2 Alabama has a big matchup coming against 5-6 Auburn on Saturday. The Crimson Tide cannot afford to lose the game if it hopes to make the SEC championship or College Football Playoff.
DeBoer isn’t sure if Grubb will call plays on the sideline or from the press box.
“We’ll hash that out and kind of see what we want to do moving forward,” DeBoer said. “Thought it was good though. I thought the communication was really good, and you know there’s an impact I think he makes when he’s around the players.
“They feed off him and just I thought the communication again between the coaches and him just being right there with them and overseeing everything and getting a feel of what’s happening.”
Auburn is looking to earn bowl eligibility when it hosts Alabama. The Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak by blowing out Mercer 62-17 on Saturday.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.