Question: What Would Brother Bill Oliver Do with Gol*ing's Defense

[BamaMoon]

I'm really wanting to talk strategy and scheme about defense here rather than to bash PG with another new thread. Defensive knowledge, strategy and scheme are my "weakness" when it comes to football knowledge.

But today I was day dreaming about the 1992 defensive effort against Miami in the Sugar Bowl.

Remember how quickly Miami and Gino tried to get the ball out? But we still got pressure and our DB's were always in position like stink on poo.

How did we do it then? How does the old Miami offensive scheme compare to explosive offensive teams today? Was it the DBs we had that allowed us to cover or was it because of Curry and Copeland being unblockable, or both?What did Oliver do Gol*ing is not doing?

 

[selmaborntidefan]

How did we do it then? How does the old Miami offensive scheme compare to explosive offensive teams today? Was it the DBs we had that allowed us to cover or was it because of Curry and Copeland being unblockable, or both?What did Oliver do Gol*ing is not doing?

Miami ran the ball 381 times in 1992 and threw it 457, a split of 55-45 in favor of passing.
Back then, CFB was much more of a running game.

Seven passers cleared 3,000 yards passing that year, including Torretta (the most being 3818 by Jimmy Klingler). Last year, the WKU quarterback threw for DOUBLE what the leading passing yardage wise was in 1992 (5967 vs 3818). NINE QBs threw for more than FOUR THOUSAND yards last year.

Of course, there's a caveat, too...most teams played an 11-game schedule in 1992 compared to a 12-game schedule today. Okay, fair point. But the highest completion pct has gone up over 7% from then, too.

Oliver decided to take a gamble that Miami COULD NOT run the ball against Alabama under any conceivable circumstance. He would show a look so Torretta called the play, then put 11 on the line for a second or two and then drop anywhere from 4-8 DBs.

But remember - it wasn't just the defense. Holding the ball for 36 minutes while grinding out yards by the 3-4 yard carry was the bigger contributor.

I know the defense - deservedly so - gets a ton of credit in that game because of the turnovers and short fields. But that was a true team game top to bottom. The special teams - starting with Palmer's punt return for our 1st possession - to the offense grinding to the defense forcing three and outs.

I don't think what happened then is applicable to today.

 

[Cruloc]

I'd be happy simply being able to see that Golxing watched film of the opposing offense and attacked weaknesses ruthlessly......while also self-auditing the defense and seeing where the D's weaknesses matches up to the opposing O's strengths and try to limit that.

With CPG we seem to run a base D with little regard to bringing exotic looks or blitzes to confuse the O.

With that 1992 D, we caused confusion and turnovers. Our defenses under Kirby, and especially under Pruitt, caused confusion and turnovers. Our defenses under Lupoi and Pete DO NOT cause CONFUSION and TURNOVERS.

 

[BamaMoon]

Miami ran the ball 381 times in 1992 and threw it 457, a split of 55-45 in favor of passing.
Back then, CFB was much more of a running game.

Seven passers cleared 3,000 yards passing that year, including Torretta (the most being 3818 by Jimmy Klingler). Last year, the WKU quarterback threw for DOUBLE what the leading passing yardage wise was in 1992 (5967 vs 3818). NINE QBs threw for more than FOUR THOUSAND yards last year.

Of course, there's a caveat, too...most teams played an 11-game schedule in 1992 compared to a 12-game schedule today. Okay, fair point. But the highest completion pct has gone up over 7% from then, too.

Oliver decided to take a gamble that Miami COULD NOT run the ball against Alabama under any conceivable circumstance. He would show a look so Torretta called the play, then put 11 on the line for a second or two and then drop anywhere from 4-8 DBs.

But remember - it wasn't just the defense. Holding the ball for 36 minutes while grinding out yards by the 3-4 yard carry was the bigger contributor.

I know the defense - deservedly so - gets a ton of credit in that game because of the turnovers and short fields. But that was a true team game top to bottom. The special teams - starting with Palmer's punt return for our 1st possession - to the offense grinding to the defense forcing three and outs.

I don't think what happened then is applicable to today.

Thanks for your "historic" viewpoints. I think you not only answer some of my questions but you illustrate how the offensive game has changed since then.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Did we play a lot of zone that night? We typically do not play zone anymore.

And then I simply do not recall any defensive ends on any of Nick Saban's teams that were built like John Copeland and Eric Curry. 280 pounders who could get up field and pressure the QB. Both defenses were 3/4 sets yes, but in 1992 we actually played out of a true 3 man front most of the time because the offenses didn't spread things out like they do now. Nick Saban's true defense has actually been a nickle set with 4 down linemen, even if one or two of those guys were true LBs. I can count on one hand the number games where we actually played in the true 3/4 most of the game during these last 15 years.

I don't know that I have explained anything. But the game has just changed so much. I mean Torretta even lined up under C a lot of the time in Dennis Erickson's offense. It was single back, three WR, but Gino would be under C and doing a 5 or 7 step drop unless they were playing from behind.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Did we play a lot of zone that night? We typically do not play zone anymore.

And then I simply do not recall any defensive ends on any of Nick Saban's teams that were built like John Copeland and Eric Curry. 280 pounders who could get up field and pressure the QB. Both defenses were 3/4 sets yes, but in 1992 we actually played out of a true 3 man front most of the time because the offenses didn't spread things out like they do now. Nick Saban's true defense has actually been a nickle set with 4 down linemen, even if one or two of those guys were true LBs. I can count on one hand the number games where we actually played in the true 3/4 most of the game during these last 15 years.

I don't know that I have explained anything. But the game has just changed so much. I mean Torretta even lined up under C a lot of the time in Dennis Erickson's offense. It was single back, three WR, but Gino would be under C and doing a 5 or 7 step drop unless they were playing from behind.

Lamar Thomas was goading us prior to the game BECAUSE we played zone defense, saying, "Real men play man to man" and also going with "I can understand why teams don't" and every other level of self-gloating possible.

I think it's better to say we switched it up, which confused them.

The difference in why the Florida game that year was so close and the Miami one wasn't was largely because Florida had a good RB (Errict Rhett) and Miami didn't really have that as an alternative weapon.

Gene Stallings told anyone who would listen that Miami's strength was NOT their passing, it was their defense. He was far more worried about us being able to move the ball than how to handle Torretta.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Lamar Thomas was goading us prior to the game BECAUSE we played zone defense, saying, "Real men play man to man" and also going with "I can understand why teams don't" and every other level of self-gloating possible.

Thank you. I knew I remembered some detail about zone and I thought it was ole Lamar that mouthed off about it. I just got it switched up.

 

[mlh]

Something different

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I'd be happy simply being able to see that Golxing watched film of the opposing offense and attacked weaknesses ruthlessly......while also self-auditing the defense and seeing where the D's weaknesses matches up to the opposing O's strengths and try to limit that.

With CPG we seem to run a base D with little regard to bringing exotic looks or blitzes to confuse the O.

With that 1992 D, we caused confusion and turnovers. Our defenses under Kirby, and especially under Pruitt, caused confusion and turnovers. Our defenses under Lupoi and Pete DO NOT cause CONFUSION and TURNOVERS.

Defenses under Lupoi and Pete confused the fans more than anything

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Thank you. I knew I remembered some detail about zone and I thought it was ole Lamar that mouthed off about it. I just got it switched up.

He was a braggart till Teague humiliated him

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Not an exact answer but people significantly smarter than me have said some of the things Golding does are brilliant. Literally that word "brilliant".

which to me means that either Golding is a really bad teacher or he just doesn't have good feel for a live game. Maybe he's fantastic in meetings and pregame scheming but just doesn't have the same feel for play calling.

IMO I've always thought Pruitt was the Sark of defensive playcalling. He seemed to always call the right blitz or pressure at the right time. Golding doesn't seem to have that idk.

 

[Lucky Jack]

One of the keys to that defense was that it was a 3-4 and all 3 down linemen required double teams if you wanted to keep them off the QB. We could generate plenty of pressure rushing ONLY 3. Anything more, i.e. one, was practically a blitz leaving at least 7 in coverage and leaving Toretta no time to make more than one read.

 

[westide]

I would pay good money to hear what brother Oliver and Coach Stallings have to say about the current Bama defense.

 

[edwd58]

Had no idea that B Oliver is still alive... I thought he'd been reincarnated as Kevin Steele as their coaching careers were so similar. Both with stops at Bama, the Barn, then tried to do end runs around the head coach to get his job. I still think he gets too much career credit for one magical night against Miami, but that's just my opinion. Glad to hear he's still around.

 

[AlexanderFan]

One of the keys to that defense was that it was a 3-4 and all 3 down linemen required double teams if you wanted to keep them off the QB. We could generate plenty of pressure rushing ONLY 3. Anything more, i.e. one, was practically a blitz leaving at least 7 in coverage and leaving Toretta no time to make more than one read.

Totally this. Nobody on the interior warps the pocket with any consistency. Warping the pocket keeps the quarterback from being able to step into throws amd get away from the outside pressure. It also takes the help away from the outside, further making that pressure more effective. Someone on the inside has to have two guys to block him for our pressure packages to be effective. Otherwise the line just passes the guy off and picks up the blitz.

 

[editder]

Lamar Thomas was goading us prior to the game BECAUSE we played zone defense, saying, "Real men play man to man" and also going with "I can understand why teams don't" and every other level of self-gloating possible.

I think it's better to say we switched it up, which confused them.

The difference in why the Florida game that year was so close and the Miami one wasn't was largely because Florida had a good RB (Errict Rhett) and Miami didn't really have that as an alternative weapon.

Gene Stallings told anyone who would listen that Miami's strength was NOT their passing, it was their defense. He was far more worried about us being able to move the ball than how to handle Torretta.

I remember Lamar Thomas saying, “He explosive, but I’m explosiver,” talking about Palmer. At least I think it was Thomas.

 

[BamaMoon]

Had no idea that B Oliver is still alive... I thought he'd been reincarnated as Kevin Steele as their coaching careers were so similar. Both with stops at Bama, the Barn, then tried to do end runs around the head coach to get his job. I still think he gets too much career credit for one magical night against Miami, but that's just my opinion. Glad to hear he's still around.

Uh, for the record, I don't know if he is or not. Just asking a theoretical question.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I remember Lamar Thomas saying, “He explosive, but I’m explosiver,” talking about Palmer. At least I think it was Thomas.

After the game, when he had been exposed, he still claimed they were the better team and he was the best player on the field

 

[DzynKingRTR]

After the game, when he had been exposed, he still claimed they were the better team and he was the best player on the field

He still says it to this day. He has not grown up at all. In fact he was fired from a broadcasting gig when miami got into a brawl and he exclaimed he would like to go down and throw a few punches.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

He still says it to this day. He has not grown up at all. In fact he was fired from a broadcasting gig when miami got into a brawl and he exclaimed he would like to go down and throw a few punches.

He always was a moron…….. Teague should have planted him like a pot of daisies