Dallas Turner the last two weeks

I've been especially impressed with him and Malachi Moore the last two weeks. While I know Lawson is making all the calls pre-snap, it's Moore and Turner who seem to be making all the plays. They've really stepped up.

I like what I have seen from Keenan. He’s been the true surprise of the defense in my opinion. Tim Smith also had a good game on Saturday. If we can get them, Oatis and James Smith all rotating then I like our chances.

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If a truly dominant d-tackle emerges

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Tim Keenan is currently on pace to have between 29-34 pressures this season, which would be the most from a defensive lineman since Christian Barmore in 2020 (39).

After seeing how much weight Keenan lost last year/this off-season, I had a feeling he would be pretty good this year. Once Saban mentioned that he was playing “like a starter,” I had pretty high expectations of him and he’s lived up to them so far. He’s a tough SOB to move in the middle of the line; he gets really good leverage and is pretty damn quick for 315#.

We’ve started to see more and more of James Smith. He looks like he could have a significant role going forward. He and Payne provide us with some quality depth inside, with very little drop off relative to the guys in front of them.

I don’t think we have a 2016/2017 type of unit but it is clearly much better overall than any point since the start of the 2018 season.

They were let down by the offense in the Texas game. Held up well until late despite Milroe spotting them the 10 point margin of victory. Probably end up flip flopping the score - or thereabout - if Milroe didn’t look like JV out there. People would be talking about how the defense has carried Alabama and contained a powerful Texas passing attack.