Alabama had two offensive linemen on the All-SEC Coaches preseason teams. And even with three new starters, the size of the unit was heralded among the biggest in the conference on the beef index. Yet, through two weeks and a 1-1 record, the performance hasn’t lived up to the billing.

“We’re still finishing blocks when we’re in the right position. But that’s the thing, we need to be in the right position, we need to play with the right technique,” sophomore guard Tyler Booker. “Our mindset is still about being dominant, nasty, and finishing blocks. That’s still there. … We’re still the same offensive line. We just have to back up all the stuff we talked this offseason. We have to prove it now.”

On Monday, Saban answered “not really” when asked if he considered changing the group of five linemen: Kadyn Proctor at left tackle, Tyler Booker at left guard, Seth McLaughlin at center, Darrian Dalcourt at right guard and JC Latham at right tackle. Ahead of the Tide’s second fall scrimmage, it flipped Dalcourt and Booker for more veteran balance.

Alabama is currently 70th in the country through two weeks with 156.0 rushing yards per game. It’s tied for 117th with seven sacks allowed, the second-most in the SEC (South Carolina has allowed 10). In the loss to Texas, the unit allowed five sacks and mustered 3.1 yards a carry. Specifically on the pass protection issues, Saban said it wasn’t Texas out-scheming the Tide.

“I think we were too soft-setting in the line,” Saban said. “We’ve got to be firmer in protection. The pocket can’t collapse, but people have to get open. The quarterback has to process quickly and get the ball out of his hand. We can’t hold the ball. It’s a combination of all those things.

In addition to McLaughlin’s erratic snaps, two Alabama touchdowns were also overturned due to penalties. One came back due to a holding call on Proctor, negating a 30-yard catch-and-run by Jermaine Burton. The first came on a broken-down scramble where quarterback Jalen Milroe left the pocket but remained behind the line of scrimmage and threw a pass. Darrian Dalcourt, anticipating Milroe ran it, went upfield to block and was called for a penalty.

Booker said “it’s hard to be mad” about the flag since it’s one of the considerations a team has to make with a mobile quarterback. On Proctor’s struggles — he was beaten on the rush multiple times —  Booker was quick to offer his advice.

“You’re an 18-year-old playing in front of 100,000 people, playing against one of the most talented teams in the country. You’re going to make mistakes. I told him my story. I gave up a sack against Texas A&M last year. I just took him through my mindset. The thing that inspired me about Kadyn is, he and I have that same mindset. After he had those bad plays, we talked it through, he was like, ‘All right, let’s roll.’ That’s what kept me going last year. To see that out of him after that game, and to see how my season ended up after giving up that sack to A&M, I’m very excited to see how he responds.”

No. 10 Alabama’s next game will be against South Florida (1-1) this weekend in Tampa, Fla.

RELATED: ‘Future is now’ for Alabama, Saban would be ‘shocked’ if Tide don’t regroup

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

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].