Ryan Fowler’s Good, Bad, Ugly From Alabama’s 30-14 Win Over Vanderbilt

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

The Good

The Crimson Tide defense came alive in the second half. After a sluggish opening, Kane Wommack’s group made all the right adjustments — swarming the football, tightening coverage, and generating pressure that completely disrupted Vanderbilt’s rhythm. Once Alabama’s front seven settled in, the Commodores had no breathing room, and tackling improved as the game went on. The defense also forced three key turnovers that helped close the door. Strong adjustments, physical play, and better communication defined the second half.

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Offensively, Alabama leaned on the ground game — and Jam Miller was the spark. The junior running back delivered one of his best performances in a Crimson Tide uniform, running with power and patience behind an improving offensive line. His effort helped establish balance and rhythm.

It was also a strong day for the receivers. Ryan Williams showed again why he’s among the nation’s best, hauling in six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He played with confidence and consistency. Germie Bernard provided another steady presence, keeping the chains moving, while tight end Josh Cuevas came through with several key grabs — none bigger than his fourth-down catch in the second quarter that extended a critical drive.

Ty Simpson wasn’t perfect and admitted afterward that he needs to clean up a few mistakes — especially avoiding sacks and the interception — but he still put together another solid outing. Simpson threw for 340 yards, completed 74 percent of his passes, and added two touchdowns. His poise in DeBoer’s system continues to stand out.

And credit to the fans inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The energy was electric, and the noise clearly affected Vanderbilt’s communication. Once again, Tuscaloosa proved why it’s one of the toughest environments in college football.

Altogether, Alabama’s balance on offense, defensive takeaways, and the crowd’s intensity fueled a strong second half and a much-needed home win.

The Bad

The first half left plenty to fix. Vanderbilt moved the ball early, exposing communication issues and missed tackles that extended drives. Offensively, Alabama looked out of sync before halftime. The Tide’s talent eventually took control, but the slow start showed there’s still work to do in terms of execution and discipline.

Keeping the game tied at halftime was crucial. It gave Alabama a chance to reset, make adjustments, and shift the momentum. Those changes flipped the script — the Tide dominated both sides of the ball the rest of the way.

The Ugly

Now for the part some may not like. I have a lot of respect for Vanderbilt. My family has directly benefited from Vanderbilt’s hospital, and I’ll always be grateful for that. But there has to be a group of Commodore alumni who were embarrassed by some of the pregame talk — and even some of the behavior during and after the game.

I respect Diego Pavia as a player; he’s helped elevate Vanderbilt’s program. But his antics and overconfidence reflected poorly on a school long known for class and integrity. And it wasn’t just Pavia — several Vanderbilt players joined in, which suggests that kind of behavior is becoming acceptable under Clark Lea.

Do Vanderbilt alumni really want a “Johnny Manziel on the sidelines” type of image representing their program? Maybe that’s the tradeoff in today’s game — attitude over class — but that’s a decision for them to make.

Final Thoughts

It wasn’t a flawless performance, but Alabama found its rhythm when it mattered most — dominating the second half with defense, balance, and big plays from Jam Miller, Ryan Williams, and Ty Simpson. The halftime adjustments, toughness, and home crowd energy made all the difference.

I’ll have more on this win Monday at 2 p.m. on The Game with Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9 and at Tide1009.com. I’m looking forward to hearing your takes during our weekly “Good, Bad, and Ugly” segment, presented by Daniel Moore Art.

Final: Alabama 30, Vanderbilt 14

Next Up: Missouri