The last time the Alabama Crimson Tide faced Louisiana Monroe, it was a dark day in Tuscaloosa. The Tide fell to the Sun Belt opponent in Nick Saban's first year with the team, making one of the worst home losses Alabama has ever encountered. Now the two teams prepare to meet again as the Tide are fresh off an upset loss to Mississippi that saw the offense make more mistakes than it could afford.
Alabama dropped to No.12 in the polls following the 43-37 defeat to the Rebels. They are in a similar situation as last season when Alabama lost to Ole Miss, but went on to do undefeated the rest of the year, win the SEC and head into the College Football Playoffs. Repeating that success will be a tall task for the Tide in 2015 as their offense must get out of its own way in order to excel. Five turnovers to Mississippi led to 24 points for the Rebels and that simply cannot happen again.
Jake Coker is expected to get the nod against Louisiana Monroe over Cooper Bateman who started last week. Coker did toss three touchdown passes, but they are overlooked thanks to the two interceptions he gave up. Coker went 21 of 44 in the game. With the passing game struggling, getting Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake involved will be key. Both running backs were quiet last week as Saban said that was simply what the game dictated as the Tide were down the entire time.
Louisiana Monroe are fresh off a loss to Georgia who faces Alabama next week. The team's defense was gashed for 243 rushing yards against the Bulldogs. The Tide will try and have that success repeated with Henry and Drake this Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Smith has the chance to be a real passing threat against the Tide. He and Rashon Ceaser have accounted for 250 yards in the air so far through three games. He will test the Tide secondary that was hot and cold against Mississippi. Alabama did a good job on the defense, but gave up a few big plays that ended up dictating the game.