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Here are our grades for Alabama's No. 1 football after the ugly loss to Vanderbilt

Here are our grades for Alabama's No. 1 football after the ugly loss to Vanderbilt

Throw this report card in the trash, Alabama football.

It didn't make the fridge anyway, considering it's Vanderbilt. But now the testimony deserves to be burned, shredded and destroyed.

That's exactly what's bound to happen when you allow the Commodores' offense to impose its will on you, like Vanderbilt did in defeating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

It was the first loss for new coach Kalen DeBoer with the Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC). Here's how we rated Alabama in the upset against Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1).

Offense: C-

The offense made plays at times. Five touchdowns, to be exact. Ryan Williams added two more touchdowns to his remarkable season tally, which now stands at seven through five games. Jalen Milroe also used his legs and arm for points. But the offense also had costly ball losses. The first quarter pick six, which came from a deflected ball, gave Vanderbilt a double-digit lead before Alabama could blink. Then Milroe's sack in the fourth quarter, which resulted in a fumble, was the last thing the Crimson Tide needed. Alabama's offense would have taken the lead with a touchdown on this drive. Instead, the Commodores turned the fumble recovery into a touchdown a few minutes later. Alabama's offense had its own issues at times, but the Crimson Tide wouldn't have been in the game without them.

Defense: F

Kane Wommack's unit didn't force Vanderbilt into a single three-pointer. The Crimson Tide allowed more third-down conversions (12) than in the previous four games (11). Wommack asked his players for something to take home, but they didn't get anything. Vanderbilt scored on its first three possessions. It only happened twice. The list goes on and on when it comes to how Alabama's defense fell short. And when it came down to it on the final trip on the very last day, there was no stopping the Crimson Tide. Vanderbilt's option offense proved to be too much for the Alabama defense. Wommack needs to hit the reset button quickly to fix this group.

Special Teams: D+

It is inexcusable that Alabama gave up a first down due to “illegal numbering” with two number 2 players on the field during a punt return. That extended Vanderbilt's drive, during which he scored a touchdown. Alabama's special teams didn't do enough to make up for this embarrassing faux pas. Emmanuel Henderson also almost deflected a kick-off but was saved by his elbow.

Overall: D

The first loss to Vanderbilt since 1984 was nothing short of unacceptable. This is especially true for an Alabama team with so much talent on the field and on the coaching staff. The Crimson Tide was not ready to play and there were several undisciplined moments. Alabama, particularly on defense, will want to learn as much from the film as possible over the next day or two and then never watch it again.

Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama AL.com and Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And Instagram.

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