Adams: Alabama's defense makes QB's life forlorn

After Tennessee's 45-point outburst against Georgia, its most optimistic fans might have wondered, "Has the offense turned the corner?"

The question would be worthy of debate if the schedule had been laid out differently, and last week's open date had led to any other opponent except Alabama.

All Alabama's defense gives you are excuses.

Your quarterback threw four interceptions? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.

You had one first down in the first half? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.

You had 1 yard rushing? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.

Your offense's best excuse is your quarterback's worst nightmare.

Alabama leads the nation in total defense and most quarterbacks' Saturdays ruined.

Is UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton next?

You decide after reviewing Alabama's track record. Here's how quarterbacks from Alabama's five BCS opponents have fared:

n Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech: nine completions in 20 attempts for 91 yards.

n Ryan Mallett of Arkansas: 12 completions in 35 attempts for 160 yards.

n Mike Hartline of Kentucky: 17 completions in 31 attempts for 168 yards and three interceptions.

n Jevan Snead of Ole Miss: 11 completions in 34 attempts for 140 yards and four interceptions.

n Stephen Garcia of South Carolina: 20 completions in 46 attempts for 214 yards and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

Taylor ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency, and Mallett ranks 12th in passing yards per game. But you couldn't tell it by how they fared against Alabama.

This is nothing new. Coach Nick Saban has been skewing quarterbacks' stats for years.

You saw it first with his national championship team at LSU. You saw it again with the defense he left his successor Les Miles, who won another national championship.

Now you have seen it at Alabama, where Saban's third team - like his second - is contending for a national championship. And the defense is again leading the way.

It's not just Saban's talent or myriad of blitzes, which seemingly come from every position and angle. It's how the players execute those schemes.

In Year 3 of Sabama, a defense that starts seven seniors seems in complete command of the system, and opposing offenses as well. Changes in personnel haven't changed the results.

The loss of veteran safety Rashad Johnson was a concern in preseason. Enter Mark Barron, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore who leads the SEC in passes defended, is tied for first in interceptions and ranks second on his team in tackles.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower was a prominent member of Alabama's defense until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game.

The loss would have left a huge hole in some defenses. Not Alabama's.

Since losing Hightower, the Tide has allowed only two touchdowns, both scored by Kentucky after it trailed 31-6. In the same three games, Alabama has forced 11 turnovers.

The Tide played Saturday without starting cornerback Javier Arenas, who suffered a rib injury in practice last week. His replacement, Marquis Johnson, broke up three passes in the end zone.

It has been that kind of season for Alabama's defense, which - attrition aside - has looked remarkably similar from one week to the next. So have the opposing quarterbacks.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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