Studying film ahead of Saturday’s game at No. 1 Alabama, Missouri running back Damarea Crockett noticed players flinching when they went up against the Crimson Tide. Receivers would brace themselves for hits, even if no one was near them. Players weren’t relaxed. They looked scared.
They may have had valid reason.
Alabama has won its games by an average score of 40 points. The Tide won last year’s national title, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has yet to appear in the fourth quarter this season.
Crockett sees the numbers, but he doesn’t plan to play afraid.
“They bleed,” he said.