I watched the game again and he was the weakest link on defense by far. If that's all they can field at ILB were in trouble.I might be practicing BO at ILB the next two weeks.

I agree with you assessment of Holcombe. His effort on the QB run at the goal line was terrible. He was in position to make a play but bit on a stutter step. Losing SDH was a blow but also losing his back-up in Mack Wilson really put Bama behind the eight ball. Rashan Evans plays with such a high motor he needs some plays off to be most effective late in the game. Dylan Moses has great skills but seemed timid when he was in there. The DL got whipped most of the night which made it more difficult for the linebackers to make plays.

While I think you are correct in Holcombe, the real issue it the DL getting their butts kicked. Holcombe has actually played good this year, I remember no game where the DL got mowed over amplifying the problem at LB. I guess we’ll see if AU can duplicate the MS game plan.

I agree the DL got it handed to them. Their job is to tie up the OL and allow linebackers to be clean to make tackles. I am not down on Holcombe and he has played well in limited action this year. He is just on a bigger stage on and there is a reason he was a back-up.

While the DL didn't play their best game, Holcombe is not a SEC middle linebacker. He doesn't get off blocks and doesn't fit or attack down hill. Bama really needs 18 to step up or Mac Wilson to heal up!

Jake Holland says hello.

Our defensive line got whooped worse than I've seen under any Saban team that I can remember. We used to get beat deep a lot with DB's being in one-on-one coverage, but that wasn't the case on Saturday. They just straight up got whooped on the d-line

Maybe they need to turn his insulin pump up during the game. He looked like he was almost in a diabetic coma out there.

MSU ran right at him almost every time. He looks like he's in slow motion and just waiting around for someone else to make the play.I'm not bashing him on a personal level but somebody has got to step up and take his place. They got alot tougher running attacks to stop in the future.

Hootie Jones and Tony Brown ain't made a tackle yet.

Does getting trucked count?

Hootie did not even try to tackle Fitzgerald on the goal line. It was pitiful.

Holcomb is the worst linebacker I’ve ever seen under Nick Saban.... and possibly the worst I’ve seen at Alabama.

I wouldn't go that far, it was a bad game.I've saw him make plays in other games.He's played a lot of ball at Bama.

He has in spots and not as a middle linebacker. I was really surprised at his signing with ua after we played them his senior year at hillcrest.

Bama fans are clearly racist.

Bama held Ms State to 3.5 yards per rush and 6.6 yards per pass

Bama had 5.3 yards per rush and 12.7 yards per pass and Bama won by 7 points, next.

Keith plays as well as he can and that is all you can ask for, I sort of think he had a problem with his insulin pump or something. Losing the majority of your starting linebackers puts a kink in any defense.

Agreed. All I'm saying is that "I" expected more out of a junior that's been on the field as much as he has. If he has a health issue (I've read about his diabetes), then that should be managed differently altogether. He has played well in spots...middle linebacker (every down), he hasn't.

His daddy was a hellofva football player at Bama. I’m sure between him and the coaches he’ll get it worked out. BTW I did see him loafing on a play against LSU and was surprised by that.

I texted my buddy during the game the Tony Brown needed to man up hit somebody or sit his butt on the bench. He clearly did not want to hit.

The only reason Tony Brown is playing is because of his speed, he’s one of, if not the fastest players on the team.

In talking with a friend who played for Bryant back in the day he told me Holcomb had hurt his knee a few games back, thus the reason he is not playing as good. He also told me Ben Davis was a highly recruited LB from Gordo and played with his Dad, and has been held back for whatever reason, and is a man. 6'4 240# 4.6 on 40yrd dash. Maybe he will be stepping up....we will see.

Every time I saw the D get run over, all that I could think of was this youtube video

I couldn't quit watching Hootie miss assignments. That play where he helped Fitzgerald walk into the end zone was the icing on the cake.

IMO he's way worse than Holcombe.

I feel a LOT better about the linebackers now.

I know its page 2 and I'm drunk, but chit man. Hootie was complete bulldoodoo. I would've brought the pain better than he did. And I'm a grown ass man with kids and a career. That was utter pussyish behavior. No excuse under our current administration. Of course CNS won't acknowledge it. And I don't blame him.

I cussed Hootie all night long begging to see Deontay Thompson back there. Hootie can't tackle or cover and is the weakest link on that defense. Holcomb is a distant second. 33 is slow on the rush and never tries to shed the block, just bull rushes and it never works. We desperately need to find a pass rush. The only guys that get to the QB are 32 Evans on the delay blitz, Minkah or the other DB on a rare corner blitz. That's been about it.

I’ve seen him to well on kickoff team and punts. Maybe Saturday was a medical issue and hopefully they get straightened out.