"We're starving": Alabama's Jihaad Campbell drops an eye-opening remark at the state of Crimson Tide's defense

The No. 11 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide's first year under head coach Kalen DeBoer has not gone as smoothly as many would have hoped. At 6-2, they are on the outside looking in for the 2024 College Football Playoff.

A slip-up against the No. 14 ranked LSU Tigers could all but end their season.

The offensive side of the ball for the Tide has largely done its job, led by junior quarterback Jalen Milroe and freshman receiver Ryan Williams. But the defense has been spotty this year. They are coming off a 34-0 shutout against a banged-up Missouri Tigers team. But they allowed 24 or more points in all four of their prior games.

Junior linebacker Jihaad Campbell is a pillar of the Alabama defense and understands that his side of the ball can do more contribute.

"We're starving," Campbell recently said to the media. "We're starving bad."

Tough times for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Campbell is tied with junior linebacker Deontae Lawson for the most total tackles on the team at 66. The next on the list is senior defensive back Malachi Moore at 46.

Campbell is also second on the team in sacks at 2.5 behind senior defensive end Que Robinson, who has four.

Campbell knows that if Alabama wants to secure a spot in the bracket, they are going to need to make big plays on defense to give the offense a chance.

"We're trying to take the ball away," Campbell said. "Whether that's a strip, whether that's forced fumbles, whether that's interceptions. Whatever. Whatever we can do to get the ball out of the offense's hands and get it in our hands, and obviously score a touchdown on defense. That's gonna be great for us."

Alabama is still grappling with their 40-35 upset defeat against the Vanderbilt Commodores. If they had won that game, their playoff position would likely not even be a discussion.

Campbell, Lawson and the rest of the defense will have a heavy task in stopping the Tigers on offense. Led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, they've managed to score at least 34 points in five of their six wins.

They're coming off a 38-23 defeat against the Texas A&M Aggies and are looking to bounce back to get themselves back in the playoff race.