Tide may make some offensive adjustments

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama head coach Mike Shula said Sunday the Crimson Tide might make changes in its offensive approach this week, but added that “if we do, we’ll change within our personality."

Shula’s Sunday teleconference consisted primarily of questions about the Crimson Tide offense in the wake of Saturday’s 24-16 loss to Mississippi State. It was the first Southeastern Conference road victory for MSU in six years and dropped Alabama, which did not score an offensive touchdown in the game, to 6-4 on the season.

“Whether it’s in our run or play action or drop-back or misdirection, we can change some things," Shula said. “We’ll look at them. Some things we do may look better against the defense you face this week than against the defense you faced last week."

The defense Alabama is facing this week when it plays at No. 12 LSU (ESPN, 6:45 p.m. kickoff) is one of the toughest in the country. That’s particularly true in Baton Rouge, where LSU is 6-0 and has outscored its six opponents by a combined score of 274-36.

Shula said Alabama will face a “difficult" week as it attempts to bounce back from the Mississippi State loss.

“After the game, we talked to the team about being a better football team than the way we played," Shula said. “The guys had practiced and done all the things we asked them to do. Somehow we’ve got to do the things on game day we’re capable of doing and not doing right now.

“I thought [against Mississippi State] that we got off to a good start, with a good kickoff return and a good opening drive. We had it second-and-goal at the 2 and didn’t get in and that was very disappointing. Then we didn’t play like we are capable for the next quarter-and-a-half."

One particularly problematic area was pass protection. The Mississippi State pass rush -- particularly defensive end Titus Brown of Tuscaloosa -- harassed UA quarterback John Parker Wilson for most of the game.

“They got a lot of pressure, especially from the right side," Shula said. “That’s not all on the offensive line. Sometimes, the ball has to come out faster. Sometimes with a young quarterback, he wants to wait to throw downfield instead of taking what’s underneath.

“But that’s on the coaches, too. We can call plays for that. We are not going to panic. We just have to stay positive this week."

Injury update

Starting safety Rashad Johnson, who left the Mississippi State game with an ankle injury, is likely to miss at least the early part of the Crimson Tide’s practices for LSU.

“Rashad left the game with an ankle sprain and we’ll take a look at him today," Shula said. “My gut feeling is he won’t practice on Tuesday."

Hall not looking at NFL

DJ Hall, the Crimson Tide’s record-setting junior wide receiver, said Sunday that he had no intention of leaving UA early for a possible NFL career.

“I’m not coming out," Hall said. “I’ve got a lot left to accomplish here."

Hall currently leads Alabama with 48 catches for 857 yards this season. His 123 career catches are just 29 away from Freddie Milons’ school record of 152.

“I want to play next year and I want to graduate because football is not going to be there forever," said Hall, who is majoring in human environmental studies.

Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0225