Alabama Crimson Tide Dominate Eastern Illinois Panthers; Notch 56-0 Shutout
In a game that had all the competitive suspense of a heavyweight boxer taking on a middle schooler, Alabama football steamrolled Eastern Illinois 56-0. It was a classic November cupcake feast at Bryant-Denny Stadium, moving the Tide to a 9-2 record and serving as a much-needed palate cleanser after last week’s tough loss to Oklahoma.
This was less a football game and more a carefully orchestrated therapy session for the Crimson Tide. Senior Day provided the perfect backdrop for Alabama to work out some kinks against an opponent that was, to put it mildly, completely outmatched. The game plan was simpler than a microwave dinner, but it didn’t need to be complex. The real objective? Send a message and get out healthy.
A few key players, like Parker Brailsford and Germie Bernard, took the day off to nurse minor injuries, which was the smart play. The last thing Alabama needed was another significant injury heading into the Iron Bowl.
Alabama Sends a Not-So-Subtle Message
You have to love the sheer pettiness. After the College Football Playoff Committee Chairman, Hunter Yurachek, publicly questioned Alabama’s running game, it was clear the Tide had a point to prove. From the opening snap, the mission was to run the ball down Eastern Illinois’s throat, and they did just that.
Alabama’s own social media team got in on the action, gleefully trolling the committee throughout the game. It was a masterclass in giving a collective middle finger without saying a word. The team finished with a whopping 269 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Sure, it was against Eastern Illinois, and it won’t magically solve their season-long rushing struggles, but it was a statement. This is the kind of spite-fueled performance that makes college football great.
What’s Going On With Ty Simpson?
For the last couple of weeks, the Ty Simpson who looked like a Heisman contender has been missing in action. This game should have been the perfect “get right” opportunity for him to shake off the funk. It wasn’t.
Simpson played only the first half, finishing 11-of-16 for 147 yards and two more interceptions. That marks seven straight games with a turnover, a trend that is setting off alarm bells all over Tuscaloosa. One pick was a great defensive play, but the other was a Hail Mary before the half that felt unnecessary. Whatever is going on, Alabama needs the 2026 top draft pick version of Simpson to show up for the Iron Bowl. The Tide’s playoff hopes might just depend on it.
The Future Of Alabama Football Looks Bright
While Simpson struggled, the backup quarterbacks, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, looked razor-sharp. When Coach DeBoer talked about having the best QB room in the country, some folks scoffed. But Mack and Russell are making that claim look pretty solid. Mack was a perfect 5-for-5 passing and even scampered for a 20-yard touchdown, showing off his wheels. Russell came in and casually went 7-of-9, showcasing the kind of arm talent that has scouts drooling.
Ultimately, Alabama did what it had to do. They secured a dominant win, let the backups get some valuable reps, and most importantly, exited the game without any new injuries. Now, all eyes turn to Auburn.
