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Alabama's kicking struggles play out again early


Alabama fans prepare for the worst whenever they see a kicker line up for a field goal in a high-pressure situation. It's one of the great mysteries in sports: For all Nick Saban's greatness, he's been perpetually unable to find a reliable answer at placekicker.

That puzzling trend played out early in Monday's College Football Playoff national title game. Alabama kicker Andy Pappanastos had missed 2 of his past 3 kicks entering the game.

When he lined up for a 35-yard field goal, his first attempt split the uprights. But Alabama was called for a false start, pushing Pappanastos back an extra five yard.

His second try was … not very good. Pappanastos, a senior, was just 16 of 21 on the season.

Yikes.

Twitter may have found the perfect solution, though.

That needs to happen.

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