ARLINGTON, Texas -- Their grip kept tightening.
Tighter. Tighter. Tighter.
The perfect pocket USC quarterback Max Browne had that led to a perfect 7-of-7 start? It was disappearing fast. Then gone. A swarm of Alabama defenders suddenly buzzed around him. Swatted at him. Dragged him to the turf.
USC's starting left tackle, Chad Wheeler, quickly proved too slow for speed rushers Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Wheeler's replacement, young Chuma Edoga, then twice forgot to block Jonathan Allen, allowing the star defensive end a free pass to the quarterback and sacks on consecutive series.