Tyler Booker makes Alabama's stance clear on Malachi Moore's penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct
Malachi Moore's frustrations after the Alabama Crimson Tide were upset on the road against an unranked Vanderbilt Commodores 40-35 is a major talking point. After the Commodores got the game-clinching first down on Saturday, Malachi Moore kicked the football after the officials spotted it. He also was upset and did not accept a substitution for backup Bray Hubbard to replace him.
On Monday morning, offensive guard Tyler Booker discussed the situation on "The Next Round."
"We all had conversations with Malachi. We all understand where he's coming from. Like, he's a competitor. Anybody who has been in a situation like that, anybody who has been here for their fifth year, they would feel the same way. Did he go about it the right way? No. But we all appreciate how much Malachi cares. I just want to put that out there first and foremost. That's my teammate. I'm always going to have his back. ... We trust, believe and love him. We're very excited to see how he responds this week. We're all behind Malachi. We all have his back," he said. h/t 247 Sports
This was the first time in 40 years that Vanderbilt defeated Alabama and the first time in program history that Vandy defeated an AP top-five team. The issue regarding Moore is being handled in-house and he should be able to move on from it.
What does the loss to Vanderbilt mean for Malachi Moore and the Alabama Crimson Tide?
Losing to the Vanderbilt Commodores is bad, but it's not the end for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. The 22.5-point favorites were supposed to win the game, as evidenced by their closing. However, with the win over the Georgia Bulldogs the previous week, they still contend for the Southeastern Conference Championship.
Only the Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns and LSU Tigers have not lost in SEC action. The Crimson Tide play LSU in a month, while the Texas teams play in the final regular season game. So theoretically, the Crimson Tide can tie for the second spot in the SEC Championship Game if they win.
This loss dropped the Alabama Crimson Tide to seventh in the AP Poll, but they are still firmly in the college football playoff and should climb up as the season progresses. Winning the SEC may be difficult, but being one of the top-12 teams in college football should be a given for the Roll Tide.