mstrat that was a good post and believe it or not I do like Texas and not just the football team. They have some of the most beautiful women in the world roaming around and they are very easy to talk to....
On the football game I have thought all along that this game much like our SECCG will be won or lost up front. OL/DL from both sides will be tested because both defensive co-ordinators are not going to sit back on thier heals and let the other get comfortable with what they do best. For BAMA we will blitz from everywhere and not let McCoy sit back there and pick us apart because he is good enough to pick anyone apart given time and his feet make him dangerous as well.
For Texas I really don't think you are going to play this one straight up (maybe at the start) but if BAMA starts to run for 4-6 yds at a whack there is no way Muschamps is going to sit back and let that happen all game. I do like the fact that we have faced some really good QB's and some very mobile ones as well so our defensive gameplan has been written already. The fact that you guys really have not faced a team who is determined to run the ball other than Nebraska (and really what option did they have??) so for you guys it is alot more to learn in the next few weeks while we just go over fundamentals and schemes you guys are having to gameplan for a running team~!~
Either way I expect both teams to come out and try to impose their will and it will all come down to the big uglys on both sides of the ball for both teams~!~
Some Longhorn fans ( a minority) look at Alabama, decide their defense is built to stop a power running game, and conclude they will have trouble against a West Coast - style offense like Texas'. Rubbish. On defense, Bama may be a little bigger than most, but they've got plenty of speed, too. Plus, Saban and Kirby Smart will put them into position to make plays. I have no illusions about that. But just as Alabama has not sacrificed speed for size, Texas has not sold out for speed at the expense of size. Our tackles for example are big enough, and Sergio Kindle is a vicious hitter.
But you're right, Texas will have to work on defending Alabama's style of offense. Given the long break between games, the Horns will have plenty of time to prepare. The question in these situations is always whether a team can approximate - not duplicate, but come close to - what they'll see after kickoff. The classic case is facing an option attack like Georgia Tech's. If you don't have an option guy yourself to put on the scout team, you just can't approach the speed at which a guy like Nesbitt operates. Once the shooting starts, it can take a while to adjust.
There's nothing radical about Bama's offensive scheme that would require a lot of adjustments, as far as I can see. It does strike me that they like to pull their blockers more than the average college offense... maybe you guys could point out some other aspects. The issue is, how close can Texas come to duplicating Ingram, Richardson, and Upchurch? Some of you will scoff at the question, but the fact is we've got some big, strong, fast young backs who might offer a reasonable facsimile.
From what I've seen of him, Muschamp will open with a base defense and see how things go. As you say, if the Tide is ripping off 4-6 yards a pop, he'll adjust. He'll bring a safety up, which will put pressure on our other DB's to stay with your receivers without much help. Ditto our LB's on your TE. With respect, I think we can keep Julio Jones reasonably in check, which is why in my mind I keep going back to Maze, Hanks and Peek. Your ability to move the ball well may depend a lot on them, just as our offense may depend heavily on Williams, Kirkendoll, and Buckner.
