Just seven days ago, the Alabama football offensive line looked all out of sorts.
It couldn’t keep pressure away from Jalen Milroe. It didn’t consistently open holes in the running game. Penalty after penalty occurred, with more holdings than an investment portfolio.
Fast forward to walking off Camp Randall Stadium, and those offensive line woes felt like a thing of the distant past.
The big men up front moved people, punished defenders, protected Milroe and led the way for a strong offensive performance in a 42-10 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday.
“I liked the balance of what we were able to do, both run and pass, and that starts up front,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said.
The Crimson Tide offensive line only committed two penalties: Two false starts. And that’s understandable considering it was a road game. A week ago at home, Alabama’s offensive line accounted for nine penalties alone. Six of those were holding calls.
What changed? The lineup is an easy spot to which to point. Everyone was finally available. Kaydn Proctor started his first game of the season at left tackle after missing time with a shoulder injury. That allowed Tyler Booker to return to left guard. Meanwhile, Elijah Pritchett got the start at right tackle; Wilkin Formby, who had started the first two games there, committed a handful of penalties against South Florida and struggled overall.
With Proctor, Booker, Parker Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts and Pritchett leading the way most of the game, No. 4 Alabama (3-0) rushed for 181 yards on 34 carries (a 5.3-yard average) for three scores.
“That group was amazing today,” running back Jam Miller said. “Just seeing them move guys, creating holes for the running back, making a pocket for the quarterback, it was just great to see what they do.”
Miller was the beneficiary of the offensive line’s work. He ran for 71 yards on nine carries (7.9 average) and a score. On that play, the offensive line mauled the Wisconsin front, walled the Badgers off, and Miller darted to the end zone for the 34-yard rushing score.
“They just opened up the seams,” DeBoer said. “I felt like really not any missed assignments. I’m sure there’s something in there we’ll find. When it came to running the football, just getting those big bodies all working together.”
The pass protection was solid, too. Milroe usually had time to make decisions and make good throws. Case in point: The touchdown to Ryan Williams. Wisconsin brought five, but Milroe had time to let Williams get aways downfield. Then Milroe threw a sharp pass in a relatively small window for the 31-yard score.
The offensive line also gave him plenty of time while the Badgers’ front moved around as Milroe found Germie Bernard in the end zone right before halftime.
“They played really physical,” Milroe said. “Did a really good job communicating. The biggest thing we harped on throughout the week was being a great communicator. How can we be the No. 1 team in the country being a great communicator? They did a really good job with that.”
The offensive line will face tougher fronts, but the Crimson Tide built positive momentum up front Saturday after a disastrous game a week ago. The matchup against Wisconsin showed what a fully-healthy offensive line of starters can do for Alabama, and it looked sharp.
Maybe, just maybe the offensive line can be a strength after all.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
