Alabama football didn’t play well in Saturday’s loss to Texas. The Crimson Tide struggled on offense and Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers carved up the defense on the way to beating UA 34-24.

The Tide are regrouping before a road matchup with South Florida this Saturday. Before that, here are three positives to be taken from the Texas game, despite the ugly loss.

Jalen Milroe can throw deep

It wasn’t the best night for Alabama’s quarterback. He spent most of it running for his life, getting sacked five times.

He also threw two ugly interceptions. Some of the issues that he was criticized for last season popped back up.

But it wasn’t all bad. Just like he did during an SEC offensive player of the week effort against Middle Tennessee State, Milroe showed he has incredible athletic ability and can make would-be tacklers miss badly.

He also has worked through at least one of his problems from last year. Milroe can throw the ball deep to great effect.

The Crimson Tide’s highlight of the night came in the third quarter, when Milroe flung the ball downfield, hitting Jermaine Burton in the end zone. The 49-yard touchdown put Alabama in the lead briefly.

Against MTSU, Milroe had three touchdown passes, all downfield throws. If he can get more protection and make better decisions all the time, his upside as a quarterback could be huge.

Amari Niblack can be a weapon

Saban said during camp that he thought the 2023 group of tight ends was better than the Crimson Tide has had for several seasons. That group includes Maryland transfer CJ Dippre, as well as Robbie Ouzts, Danny Lewis Jr. and Niblack.

Niblack came to Alabama largely untested as a blocker, having been mostly a receiving tight end throughout his high school career. Saban said he was improving that area and praised him throughout camp.

Niblack has made a big contribution to the passing offense and that was no different on Saturday. For Milroe’s second touchdown throw, he picked up a bad snap and got the ball to the tight end, who started making moves.

39 yards later, Niblack was in the end zone. It was his second touchdown catch of the season after he grabbed one against MTSU as well.

For a team that lacks an obvious No. 1 receiver, it’s important to have weapons all over the field. If Niblack gives another option in the passing game, it could be a big deal for the Tide.

Special teams are just fine

For an Alabama program that had a popular meme poking fun at its kickers until recently, the special teams have been excellent so far. Will Reichard didn’t try a field goal against Middle Tennessee State but hit three in the Texas game.

The furthest came in the third quarter, a 51-yarder. Reichard nailed it and also made kicks from 42 and 30 yards.

James Burnip had a brilliant game punting the ball. He got plenty of practice at it, but he hit three kicks over 50 yards and three that ended up inside the Texas 20-yard line.

Burnip’s long for the game was a 61-yarder. He averaged 52.6 yards per kick.

Add in an 18-yard kick return by Kendrick Law and it was a solid night for special teams.

MORE: Can Alabama football improve its pass rush after 0-sack Texas game?