Alabama football’s offense has had a bit of a problem getting plays started this season. The Crimson Tide have had far too many bad snaps in 2023, and it has remained an issue through five games.

Bad snaps weren’t a major concern for center Seth McLaughlin entering the season, but it’s certainly a problem the Crimson Tide will want to get fixed as SEC play continues Saturday at Texas A&M. Head coach Nick Saban was asked about the issue during his Monday press conference.

“We gotta have just a little better focus, I think, on the importance of the snap” Saban said. “Because this has been a pretty consistent issue.”

The most visible snap-fu during Saturday’s game at Mississippi State came when quarterback Jalen Milroe was looking to the sideline and wasn’t expecting it. Though the Crimson Tide got on the fumble, it occurred on third down and ended the drive.

On Monday, Milroe attempted to take the blame for the play.

“I take full ownership of that,” Milroe said. “I should be more vocal, more louder, so it allows the snaps to be on point. So I take ownership of that. Going into Mississippi State, it’s a loud environment, and it took me being more vocal at some points in the game.”

That one could be chalked up to miscommunication due to cowbells at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. Many of the other bad snaps, most of which have been low and required Milroe to stoop down, can’t be.

“It makes it harder for the quarterback to be able to function when he doesn’t have a dependable snap to deal with,” Saban said. “Whether he’s faking, whether it’s a play-action pass, whether he’s trying to read coverage, because you gotta take your eyes off whatever you’re looking at to be able to catch the ball, so that’s something we’ve been working on and we certainly need to continue to work on it and improve.”

Whatever the issue is, Milroe agreed with Saban that it has to be fixed quickly. The Crimson Tide will play in another loud environment on Saturday in College Station.

“That’s definitely something me and Seth are going to get together about,” Milroe said. “And, you know, it’s not something to worry about. We’re gonna build and grow from it and learn from it.”

Alabama and Texas A&M are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be aired on CBS.

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