Alabama defense focuses on forcing turnovers

Alabama’s Southeastern Conference opener is a collision between its standout defense and Arkansas’ prolific offense.

The Razorbacks, who lost a 52-41 shootout against Georgia last week, are second in the nation in both passing offense (427.5 yards per game) and total offense (538 ypg). Sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett, a transfer from Michigan, leads the country in passing efficiency, with a ridiculously high rating of 193.5.

Alabama ranks second in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 42 yards per game on the ground, and third in the country in total defense (185 ypg).

As impressive as the numbers are, Alabama’s defense has room for improvement in one key area — producing turnovers. In fact, the Crimson Tide’s turnover margin is zero — they have committed three turnovers and forced three.

Players and coaches said that must improve.

“I think turnover ratio is very, very important,” coach Nick Saban said Monday. “I think it’s something that we continue to emphasize with our players. We’ve got a lot of the same players we had last year, when we got a significant amount of takeaways.

“I think we have to keep working at it, ... and I think the day will come that we get some of those.”

Middle linebacker Rolando McClain got the message.

“We have to get more takeaways,” middle linebacker Rolando McClain said. “That’s something that coach Saban’s been harping on. We’ve done a great job of playing hard. ... But in order to be a great team we have to get takeaways.”

The push for turnovers is urgent because — unlike sacks, which Saban said Saturday have no statistical link to wins — turnover margin is a key to victory. Alabama ranks 10th in the SEC with its zero margin. Arkansas is tied for second in the league with a plus-3 through two games. The Razorbacks have gained five turnovers and committed two in two games. Auburn leads the league with a plus-seven turnover margin.

Cornerback Javier Arenas noted that last year’s team did not force a lot of turnovers early in the season, but got better as the year unfolded.

“So that’s what we’re doing now, working on it in practice so we’ll start to see more turnovers,” Arenas said.

There is no magic wand to wave, but McClain and Arenas said making it a priority can produce takeaways.

“There really ain’t no secret,” McClain said. “You’ve just got to attack the ball, attack the ball carrier ... and that’s really it.”

Arenas said gang-tackling will help, too.

“You’ve got one guy holding someone up, the rest of them try to snatch the ball out,” the senior said. “Proper tackling. Proper technique in the secondary (will help in) getting an interception.”

Saban said practice can produce a more turnover-oriented defense.

“I think if you’re being aggressive and tackling well, gang-tackling, putting some pressure and affecting the quarterback, that you’re going to get opportunities to make turnovers,” the coach said. “It’s been something we have emphasized but we haven’t done. ... So, that is something we need to improve on, there is no question about that.”