News Article: We Still Haven't Gotten Our Identity Back
- Thread starter CrimsonTsunami
- Start date
IDK Bosa was a beast, and their running back tooActually, we didnt do our job... thats why they looked that way
I don't think I really saw a difference in physicality. It just looked to me like young guys being out of position, mediocre secondary play, and predictability/relying too much on Cooper on offense. None of the other teams we played were good enough to make us pay (I don't really count Ole Miss thanks to injuries), and OSU was.
Good post, but I respectfully disagree. Based on what I saw, they physically pounded us, playing like a traditional Alabama team far more than Alabama did.
I did not either. On defense we dominated on 1st and 2nd down and gave up 5 huge plays and several 3rd down conversions that may have led some people to think they were faster and stronger and more physical than us. I don't get the doubting of who we are recruiting and how they are being physically prepared
.
No way OSU was faster or more physical than we were. More prepared, maybe so. In fact, that would be my opinion. We just got beat. Too many mistakes, too many injuries, and a very motivated team that had at least equal talent and coaching. That's not a recipe for a win.
It is obvious we don't have the same mojo that we had from 2008-2012. But what we have to remember is the turnover in personnel that has happened. We lost a lot of really good leaders from those years. Now, we've had great leaders in 2013 and 2014, but not the same ones and perhaps not as many. We've also lost some good coaches and while the replacements aren't chopped liver, it's difficult to replicate what was built during those earlier years.
I saw someone mention the rules changes and that is a definite factor. The hard hitting game is a thing of the past. The HUNH has been a big change on the offensive side.
Having said all of these things, the past two seasons were 11-2 and 12-2, and perhaps a couple of plays away from playing for the NC both years. Maybe we haven't gotten our identity back yet, but we're awful close.
It is obvious we don't have the same mojo that we had from 2008-2012. But what we have to remember is the turnover in personnel that has happened. We lost a lot of really good leaders from those years. Now, we've had great leaders in 2013 and 2014, but not the same ones and perhaps not as many. We've also lost some good coaches and while the replacements aren't chopped liver, it's difficult to replicate what was built during those earlier years.
I saw someone mention the rules changes and that is a definite factor. The hard hitting game is a thing of the past. The HUNH has been a big change on the offensive side.
Having said all of these things, the past two seasons were 11-2 and 12-2, and perhaps a couple of plays away from playing for the NC both years. Maybe we haven't gotten our identity back yet, but we're awful close.
The problem is that ezekial elliot hit 230 yards on us on 20 attempts averaging 11.5 a carry. Take away his 85 yard big gainer and that is still 145 with 7.6 a carry. that is a phyically imposing back or a physically imposing line. Elliot hit 200 yards three times in the year and they were against Whisky, us, and Oregon.
Also consider people have elevated to our level by either inventing complicated offensive schemes or copying us on how we recruit and build teams. tOSU was a hybrid of us and UF in 09. They plain out beat us at our own game with a little bit of Urban jazz added to it. Also CNS and CKS havent figured out the HUNH after the last 3 years of being stung by it. We also dont have shut down corners or the dbs like we have had in the past. We are a fragmented team that is good enough to win big games, but is reliant on our offense to out score opponents rather than a dominating defense.
Yet the uber offenses have only succeeded in capturing 1 title since 97(2010*) . The rule changes dont change the end result as much as people worry about it.
Well that is subject to one's interpretation. If getting back to a dominating defense is yours then I saw we are going in the right direction, but some interpretations involve getting rid of Kiffin's offense and going back to the run heavy type. Im more in favor of the former than the latter of those interpretations.
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Engineer, agree with a lot of what you say. Last year was a fine season by anyone's standards, even ours. But from what I saw we got blasted off the ball by TOSU. With the possible exception of Henry and Ragland, they looked stronger, tougher and faster at just about every position. We finally began to hit back from the middle of the third to the middle of the fourth, but the offense couldn't cash in.
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What I remember against OSU was us completely controlling the game early. I think we were up 19-7 or something like that when we got a turnover deep in their territory. I wanted us to pound the ball down their throats and score. If we had, I still think we would have won that game. However, we got cute on first down, and Blake threw an interception. OSU controlled the game after that. I could be wrong, of course, but that is what I remember.
I didnt feel the same way when I was there. It seemed that the score shouldve been 21-7 them at the half. They gave the ball up twice, setting us up with easy situations to score. Cyrus not coming up with the pick six was huge for them. As far as running the ball down their throats, its hard to say because at that point of the game we couldnt stop Jones or Elliot to save our lives. Plus it seemed that they were content to let us have the run as long as amari didnt win the game. Its a game of what ifs that has one definitive statement "tOSU was the better team that night".
I have to agree with this. Keep in mind they gave us 14 quick points and we had them on the ropes 20-6 late in the first half. Say what you will but IMO they pounded us in the second half, we had no answer for Jones, Elliot and their big play WR. I know it is not something you want to hear, but tOSU beat us at our own game.
I'm not denying they blasted us off the ball and dominated the LOS to a certain extent. I'm saying that didn't happen because they were stronger or faster than us. That happened because they were better prepared and more focused, and had a better plan. We got out coached and out played.
Yeah, as much as we probably don't want to admit it, CUM flipped the cards on CNS and basically did to us what CNS did to him in the 2009 SECCG.
It happens. All great coaches get outcoached at times and lose a game nobody thought they would.
However, I don't necessarily think we need to read a "changing of the guard" or "CNS is declining as a coach" or anything like that. Bama is not going anywhere right now except to stay in the top 5 discussion.
It happens. All great coaches get outcoached at times and lose a game nobody thought they would.
However, I don't necessarily think we need to read a "changing of the guard" or "CNS is declining as a coach" or anything like that. Bama is not going anywhere right now except to stay in the top 5 discussion.
I look for a much better defense this year. We are both deep and talented on the D-line, we have more speed at linebacker with Williams and Evans which should really help in third and long situations as well as in the pass rush. With more PT for Brown and Humphrey, we should be much improved on the corners.
I just think we're gonna have a quicker, faster D and with Scott's leg flipping the field like he does, I see us being much more dominant than we have recently.
Also, if we can avoid injuries, I expect a much improved running game. We should have an old fashioned Bama style O-line for Henry, Drake and future legend D. Harris. (I'm really high on him.) And with a little luck, we get Bo back this year.
I just think we're gonna have a quicker, faster D and with Scott's leg flipping the field like he does, I see us being much more dominant than we have recently.
Also, if we can avoid injuries, I expect a much improved running game. We should have an old fashioned Bama style O-line for Henry, Drake and future legend D. Harris. (I'm really high on him.) And with a little luck, we get Bo back this year.
On a slightly different angle to this "mojo" discussion, I don't remember nearly the number of legal problems during the championship years. But that may be wishful thinking. Thoughts>
I'm with you on Harris TMac and I think he and Bo will be a great tandem in the next 2-3 years.
I hope so, but they have said that since 2011. Scott should be good as usual.
It may rest on our Oline. Henry is great in open space, but he isnt the bruiser back that Alabama is used to.
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