Alabama was firmly on upset alert in Week 4 going up against Ole Miss. Why not? After a miserable performance against USF the week before, the Tide looked as vulnerable as ever.
Despite all the talk, Nick Saban and his team responded with a resilient performance against Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. The 24-10 victory wasn't always pretty, but it showed that it'll take a lot more to kill the Alabama dynasty.
Which players stepped up and did the work needed to change the narrative around the Tide?
Alabama players who shut up doubters vs. Ole Miss: No. 3 QB Jalen Milroe
No one benefited more from seeing Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson lead the Alabama offense than Jalen Milroe. The quarterback may not be the finished article — he's certainly not Bryce Young — but he's by far the most effective quarterback the Crimson Tide have available right now.
Milroe proved that himself against Ole Miss, going 17-of-21 with 225 yards and a touchdown through the air and 28 yards on the ground.
In fact, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees may want to take note of just how unreliable his offensive line is and ask Milroe to use his legs even more often. He can already sling it downfield.
Milroe isn't the perfect QB, but playing to his strength could lead Alabama to plenty of success. The signs were there against Ole Miss.
Alabama football players who shut up doubters vs. Ole Miss: No. 2 RB Jase McClellan
It's time for Alabama fans to pool their money to buy every billboard and advertising space between Rees' home and the Alabama campus. Blanket Tuscaloosa with signs saying "Tommy, give the ball to Jase McClellan."
McClellan got the ball against Ole Miss and he certainly ran with it. The running back had 105 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
It's not that McClellan has been doubted this year, but he didn't get used to the full extent he could have in the first two weeks of the season. He finally had more of a chance to make an impact with 13 carries against South Florida last year.
McClellan should be an even bigger part of the Tide attack. He made that very clear against Ole Miss.
Alabama had transitioned philosophically towards a passing offense over the past few years because they had premiere talent at quarterback. They don't have that anymore.
What they do have is a quarterback who can run and strike a defense over the top. They also have a running back who can carry the load. Fully committing to the rushing attack is key to whatever the offense hopes to achieve this year.
Alabama players who shut up doubters vs. Ole Miss: No. 1 LB Dallas Turner
Dallas Turner was an absolute non-factor against Texas with three tackles, no sacks, no tackles for loss, no pass deflections. The linebacker came into the season expecting to be a playmaker. In the biggest game of the early season slate, he was a ghost.
Well, Turner has spent the last two weeks proving that he is one of the most dangerous defenders in the land. Ole Miss was his best performance yet.
Turner had five tackles, four of them solo, with three tackles for loss including two sacks. He also forced a fumble.
The Rebels offensive line couldn't cope with Turner. He hurried Jaxson Dart twice and made him considerably less effective by moving him off his spot all game.
The key to Turner's performance is when he came up with the biggest plays. The fourth quarter belonged to No. 15. That's when he logged both of his sacks. One of those came on a third-and-11.
With Turner disrupting the quarterback, Alabama's defense can absolutely carry the team to SEC contention.
