Some people have chosen to reserve their judgment on the Alabama defense until the Southeastern Conference Championship Game; however, others have seen its overall improvement in the last seven games.
Not having enough time to work in the preseason (no spring at all) played a role in its early struggles, but the Crimson Tide has found its stride with Pete Golding as of late. A lot of commotion was made of Alabama surrendering 91 total points — 30.3 ppg — through its first three matchups, and fans wanted Golding to be released from his duties. Something clicked at its team meeting during the week of the Georgia game, and the Tide has been much better since then.