Alabama football accomplished its first mission. The Crimson Tide captured another SEC West crown on Saturday, pummeling Kentucky, 49-21, at Kroger Field. It was Alabama’s best start to a game since Week 1 against Middle Tennessee and featured another set of star performances from quarterback Jalen Milroe and defensive back Terrion Arnold.

Before the Tide plays its final game this season in Bryant-Denny Stadium against Chattanooga, let’s close the book on a productive trip to Lexington. Here’s how we graded Alabama.

Offense: A

Alabama outgained the Wildcats, 444 yards to 253. Behind Milroe (280 total yards) and Kobe Prentice (74 yards and a touchdown), the Tide scored touchdowns on its first three possessions. Milroe bought time in the pocket, once throwing an ill-advised interception in the second quarter, but overall, he felt in control of the game’s tempo.

It was also another record-setting day for Milroe, who was benched in Week 3. He became the third Tide player to produce six touchdowns in one game and the first to split it up evenly with three rushing and three passing. He now has 10 touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Defense: A

UK running back Ray Davis averages 100.3 yards per game with nine total touchdowns. Though he scored two against Alabama, a fixture of the Wildcats’ offense could never get it going. He carried the ball 12 times, the longest was a 6-yard gain. He finished with 26 yards overall as Alabama, playing without two defensive starters — Deontae Lawson (ankle) and Jaylen Key (quad) — smothered Kentucky on its Senior Day.

Arnold forced two turnovers, a fumble eventually returned by Caleb Downs to the goal line and a diving interception in the second quarter. With the backups in late in the fourth quarter, the traveling contingent of the Million Dollar Band chanted “two more points” while Kentucky had the ball deep in its territory, wanting a safety. Throw in three more sacks and it was a good day at the office.

Special teams: B

Replacing an injured Ja’Corey Brooks (shoulder), Kendrick Law and Roydell Williams were serviceable in fielding kickoffs. Both produced 50-plus yards on two attempts. James Burnip also flipped the field twice with good punts. Kicker Will Reichard didn’t get a chance to make his first field goal since the Tennessee game, but converted all seven points.

The lower grade, compared to the rest, comes via the punt return game. For the second time this year, Kool-Aid McKinstry muffed a punt that gave an anemic offense an easy set-up for points. Nick Saban defended McKinstry on that one, but McKinstry’s struggles against rugby-style or “radical punts” as Saban called it, have been a sticking point.

Coaching: A+

According to Milroe and Arnold, coaches placed wooden rat traps around Alabama’s football facilities to remind players that this was a trap game. While a textbook cliché, it’s the latest example of Saban and his staff finding the right buttons to press to keep Alabama on track. From the in-season growth of the LANK friends, Milroe and Arnold, to defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe and linebacker Jihaad Campbell and more, UA is helping its players excel.

Overall: A

Alabama has turned itself into a national title contender after a 1-1 start. The Kentucky game showed its biggest improvements. Winning a division title should be celebrated, even in Tuscaloosa, as attention likely shifts to UA’s senior day next weekend, the Iron Bowl on Nov. 25 and a Dec. 2 date with Georgia in Atlanta.

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