Kelly: What is this Alabama football team?

This is an opinion column.

alabama football appears to be having an identity crisis at the end of the season.

Is this a good football team? The Crimson Tide looked nothing like they did on the field at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, which was later vandalized by fans.

The strange and confusing thing is that a good football team will appear wearing red and white jerseys throughout 2024. I would even call it an elite team a few times. As long ago as Georgia’s first half and though it’s hard to remember, it happened. Same thing with shutting down Missouri. And the trampling of LSU.

Really. None of this was a dream. Actually, everything happened this year.

But somehow on Saturday Alabama lost to Oklahoma 24-3An unseeded, unexciting and often unimpressive team in 2024. The Sooners’ team is good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Oklahoma then defeated the Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 SEC), who beat Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri and LSU.

At least the same players, coaches and staff.

The product, performance and execution were not a replica of Alabama’s best moments or games under new coach Kalen DeBoer. Actually, it’s far from that. The Crimson Tide failed offensively against the Sooners (6-5, 2-5). Quarterback Jalen Milroe couldn’t get past defenders. The Oklahoma defense smothered him on the ground. Then Alabama’s passing game looked very different.

What happened to the offense that seemed unstoppable in Baton Rouge two weeks ago?

The Alabama defense didn’t do much to help the offense enough other than early interception. The Crimson Tide more than delivered, allowing 205 yards in the first half alone. Oklahoma had no such business going on; The Sooners entered the game ranked 86th among FBS teams in offense, averaging 143.5 yards per game. Then Oklahoma passed Alabama for 257 yards and two rushing scores.

What happened to the defense that allowed just one touchdown in two games against Missouri and LSU? You know, the one with at least three results in five consecutive matches?

It certainly didn’t show up on Saturday.

The inconsistency of this Alabama team was staggering. Just when you think you know what to expect, Crimson Tide decides to surprise you. Beat Georgia, lose to Vanderbilt. Beat South Carolina, lose to Tennessee. Beat Missouri and LSU, lose to Oklahoma. Did this really happen?

Make it meaningful.

I thought the loss to the Vols wasn’t necessarily a shock, it was painful. Two other losses fuel the confusion. Confusion over how an Alabama team capable of winning big games could lose some bad ones.

The losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma were a slap in the face and showed how average the Crimson Tide team can be if it doesn’t play well. On the other hand, if you’ve been paying attention to Alabama’s transformation over the last few years, this slap might not be that shocking.