Good break down. I said in another post defensively we came in with the stop the run and dare Mett to throw it plan. Well, he threw it and had the best game of his career. We never adjusted, but I think the staff thought he would return to his usual form at some point.Watched the game again last night - two thoughts about Alabama in game adjustments:
* After the first half, you changed your defensive approach. You went from your base defense while rarely rushing more than 4 to a pressure defense in base. That opened up the middle in the passing game even more than is typical for this defense, which we all know is already open if the QB is patient and takes the short stuff. This allowed Zach to have a 200 yard second half and made it possible for them to convert so many 3rd downs. It helped you stuff their running game, but cost you in the passing game.
* You refused to adjust your offensive game plan when it was clear that they were keeping both safeties back to support their pass defense, and your offensive line was gashing their defensive line and linebackers. Your O-Line and TEs dominated their defensive front 7 the entire game. You expected a defensive game plan like you got in both games last year, and failed to adjust when they did something unexpected.
IMO, this is one of those rare games in which you coaching staff hurt your players. Had you stayed with your original defensive game plan, or been willing to adjust your offensive game plan, you win handily, IMO.
As for the offense I screamed at the tv repeatedly when we continued to throw the ball instead of take advantage of our line's performance. My guess, and this is only a guess is that when LSU showed their defense AJ repeatedly checked out of the run and into the pass play. Which is the correct adjustment, unless you're having the worst night passing of your career. At that point you have to look at the fact that your line has handled their front even with the box stacked. AJ was making the right adjustments each time, we just weren't executing.