Alabama suffers a potentially devastating loss despite coming away with a season-saving win in the Iron Bowl against Auburn
Alabama’s win over Auburn didn’t come without concern.
It took until the final game of the season, but the Alabama Crimson Tide finally found its run game against one of the best rush defenses in the country, via the Auburn Tigers. That was due in large part to the resurgence of RB Jam Miller.
Miller had 83 yards on 15 carries, carrying the workload with a hefty 5.5 yards per carry. The Tide were riding his coattails, aiming to put away the Tigers. But then Auburn fought all the way back to erase a 17-0 lead and bring the game to a tie at 20 points apiece. And within that comeback came an injury to the very bellcow that Alabama was feeding all night.
Jam Miller exits Iron Bowl on crutches with apparent leg injury
There had been a lot of talk that Alabama should make Daniel Hill the lead back, given his no-nonsense, north-south, fall-forward running style, opposed to the more one-cut and dart-upfield style of Miller.
However, what you saw before that injury was the beauty of Alabama’s run scheme when everything is working. Big bodies getting out in space and opening wide rushing lanes for the speedy Miller to burst through.
Alabama just couldn’t find a way to be efficient on the ground throughout the season. Far too often, it was three yards and a cloud of dust. It cost Alabama the game against the Oklahoma Sooners, and until the team exploded for eight rushing TDs against the Eastern Illinois Panthers, it seemed as if what you saw was what you got on the ground. And then came Saturday night in Auburn, Alabama.
Unfortunately, the run game may change again. Miller was already dealing with a collarbone issue, wearing a protective carbon fiber brace to protect him on impact. Seeing him leave on crutches was a tough sight to see.
Update: Kalen DeBoer said Jam Miller has a lower leg injury that will be further evaluated on Monday.
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