Alabama Football has a penalty problem again

Last season, Alabama football had a lot of problems with foul penalties, ranking fourth in the country for most penalty yards. In the first half of Week 2 against USF, penalties reared their ugly head again, bringing the Crimson Tide's offense to astonishing levels.

Alabama went into halftime with a 14-6 lead over the Bulls, but suffered 8 penalties for 60 yards. 7 of those penalties were assessed on the offensive line, resulting in -45 yards. Two holding penalties were assessed against new starter Geno VanDeMark, who slid into the left guard position while Tyler Booker kicked out to left tackle to replace injured sophomore Kadyn Proctor.

Right tackle Wilkin Formby was assessed three holding penalties, one of which was extremely costly. On 2nd-and-10 in the second quarter with just 2:27 left until halftime, Jalen Milroe ran right for a 74-yard touchdown that would have given the Crimson Tide a 15-point lead late in the half. Unfortunately, Formby was flagged for holding and Alabama ended up having to punt, one of four punts by James Burnip in the first half.

It's clear early in the season that penalties could be an Achilles heel for Kalen DeBoer and Co. A new coaching staff doesn't seem to have solved the problems that plagued the Tide last season. Now, massive early changes in the offensive line could be the trigger for the Tide's troubles.

Hopefully, Proctor's return soon will fix the glaring issues plaguing Alabama as the 2024 season begins.