The Crimson Tide’s rushing game this season has been about as productive as a sock in the dryer—lots of potential, but ultimately a lot of nothing. Senior running back Jam Miller has been carrying the bulk (or what’s left of it) with his impressive 504 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he’s missed four games this season due to some mysterious injury (possibly from carrying the team alone) and had to sit out parts of a fifth game. It’s safe to say that the rushing attack has not exactly met Alabama’s lofty standards—who knew a state famous for BBQ would struggle with anything that resembles a ground game?
Despite the running woes, Alabama has managed to win games, which is a bit like that friend who shows up to a potluck without a dish and still manages to leave with leftover cake. In a last-ditch effort to resurrect their run game, Miller finally showcased some of his abilities with 83 rushing yards versus Auburn. Then there’s Daniel Hill, who snuck in with an average of 4.9 yards per carry against Oklahoma, contributing to a most-stunning 43-yard performance. (Hold the applause for the second-longest run of the season—it’s a culture of low expectations, after all.)
The team has had its moments against top-tier opponents. Whether it’s Vanderbilt, Missouri, or the infamous late-season BBQ session against Eastern Illinois, Alabama has managed to scrape by without embarrassing themselves—mostly. But now, the real question arises: how can Alabama shore up its running game while facing the powerhouse known as No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl? Spoiler: throwing the ball is not a winning strategy when your rushing game resembles a limp noodle.
“Gotta get started earlier,” said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, clearly channeling his inner philosopher. “We have a tendency to wait until the second and third quarter to launch the run game. It’s like we’re planning a surprise party for our opponents, but forgot to invite ourselves.” Yes, there were some games where it felt like the players were still mentally scrambling for their Gatorade bottles while the clock ran down. But fear not, Grubb believes fans will be in for a real treat when the Tide rolls into Pasadena—like a surprise performance at the county fair, though perhaps with fewer clowns.
Your heart sank just a little there, didn’t it? The dreaded negative rushing yardage following a painful 28-7 loss to Georgia would put any fan into a brief coma. The Tide recorded a pitiful -3 yards, with Grubb hoping the New Year brings not just champagne but a fresh perspective on the ground game. And trust me; fans are ready for a different Alabama team to grace the field—perhaps one that remembers how to run without tripping over its own feet.
“It’s all about preparation,” added the wise Jam Miller. (Clearly, he’s read “How to Win Friends and Influence Rushing Yards” in his spare time.) “Indiana is a great team. I’ve watched their film. They don’t make mistakes, so preparation will be key.” It appears the magic wand of ‘whoever tackles the best wins’ is still in full effect. Where do I sign up for some of that preparation, again?
As the Tide gears up for battle, we must acknowledge their less-than-stellar performance against Oklahoma, where they managed around 28 rushing yards (counting the gallant efforts of their quarterback, who seemingly earned a PhD in being sacked). And now, facing Indiana, which is ranked No. 3 for rushing defense and has allowed minimal yards per game, the “what could go wrong?” dance is getting old fast. All we can do is set our clocks for the 3:00 p.m. CT kickoff on January 1, 2026, and see if they can pull off a miracle like finding Wally in a Where’s Waldo book!
Our Rose Bowl coverage is courtesy of Taco Casa, who knows a thing or two about quality (not that we’re implying anything). Like a cactus in the desert, they’ve managed to stand tall since ’74. And speaking of standing tall, look for coverage from Academy Sports and Outdoors—where you can find apparel that says “I don’t know what’s happening, but I’ll be the best-dressed disaster at the game.” Mismatched socks, here we come!
For more Crimson Tide coverage, check out Wyatt Fulton of Tide 100.9, who’s probably wading through fans wearing shirts like “I Survived the SEC Championship” and “I Need a New Hobby” to bring you the latest. Follow him at @FultonW_—he promises to keep you updated on Alabama, even if the running game seems lost in translation.
