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Alabama football defense goes to the tape to prepare for Georgia, but not the video you'd think

Takeaway chances are a non-negotiable in Alabama football's defensive scheme. And it will remain a non-negotiable, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said, against Georgia: An offense that has one turnover through three games.

For Wommack, the Crimson Tide's main key to success remains for his defensive players to get their hands on the football.

"It will be a challenge, right?" Wommack said. "What do they call it, an unstoppable force against an immovable object, right? We're trying to create a lot of takeaways. It's who we are. It's what our identity is. And they do a really good job of taking care of the football. And we've got to do our best to be able to be plus-1 in the turnover margin on Saturday night."

To make this a reality for Alabama, outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson said he turns on film. It's not of Alabama. And it's not of competitors in the SEC or across college football. It's of the players each member of his room wants to become.

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"A lot of times, what I'll do with my guys is show them NFL tape," Robinson said. "Those are some of the best players in the world, and there's opportunities everywhere. We see them. It's just the ball. We talk about the ball speaking to us. It's a running back being in a pile or a running back running a little bit loose in a certain situation. There's always opportunities. And when they're there... we got to capitalize on those moments."

Robinson said the examples he turns to most often are Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who "everybody loves."

"That's one a lot of guys see naturally just because he's one of the best at doing it," Robinson said of Warner.

Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throw over Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throw over Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Through three games, Alabama has two interceptions and four forced fumbles. The Crimson Tide also has 21 pass deflections, including three each by safety Keon Sabb and husky Devonta Smith.

Alabama will take on Georgia at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Alabama football defense is preparing to force takeaways vs Georgia