Bama Game Thread: Official PostGame Thread - Bama vs. IU...

[KrAzY3]

Also of note:
Pass attempts for Washington in 2023 - 574 for 5155
Rush attempts 411 for 1776

When they played weak run defenses, the offense certainly did utilize a change of pace run game that was somewhat effective. But it was still ultimately live or die by Penix as you illustrated. Fortunately for Washington that year Penix and the receivers were really good.

The issue with the comparisons others make to that year is that was also a one-off scenario. They had 26 fifth and six year seniors and a 6th year first round draft pick QB on a team with 10 draft picks that year (as many as Alabama), all while playing against west coast defenses. You can't replicate those circumstances at Alabama, so it's not repeatable anyway.

Having said that, the offense was actually more unbalanced than it looks from that. First off I'm getting 391/574 but once I remove QB scrambles/sacks it's 356 rushes. Mind you, it is still an example of one of the better DeBoer run games.

This means that they used the quarterback on 63% of the plays and only handed off 37% of the time, which is right in line with what I get each time I check DeBoer's offensive stats at his various stops. They just don't have a commitment to the running game, sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse (averages around 90th) but it's never a big priority.

 

[Jean Lafitte]

If things don't work out well next season with the current Alabama head football coach, then Indiana's head football coach would be the best hire. This won't change even if Alabama waits two more seasons to make a change at football head coach.

 

[81usaf92]

What did the Alabama win and the Ole Miss win over Georgia have in common? Great quarterback play.

I think a big difference was Ole Miss’s defense in the second game didn’t allow Stockton a moment of peace. Yes Stockton had a good day but in Athens he was Superman. Also Chambliss was far more comfortable in the rematch than what he was in Athens.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

i thought they should have pulled ty during the oklahoma game. whatever was going on, injury wise, he had become a liability with all of his turnovers, and he couldn't throw the ball more than 10-15 yards

if you have a one-dimensional offense, you at least need that dimension to function.

I agree that at some point we should have pulled him once it was clear he was struggling so bad with his back that it was negatively affecting the Offense.

At worse we should have started getting both Mack and Russell up to speed so that they would be a more viable option if needed.

If we knew Ty was hurt then every SEC opponent knew too and they did.

Their strategy became selling out to bring pressure and not just affect him but put big hits on him because they knew he was hurt.

For the Most part it worked in that even if they didn’t beat us it made enough of a difference to keep the games close.

Now going into next year we have the same problem most likely in that if Ty moves on we haven’t even remotely prepared a successor.

Who knows if either Mack or KR would have made a difference this year but we’d at least know more about what we have in either guy.

 

[bamamc1]

If Courtney Morgan was allowed to say that to a group of REC boosters we've got an idiot running the program. The GM shouldn't step foot in front of the REC to speak, it needs to be the HC representing the organization.

With CNS, there was no question who was in charge. The one voice angered the media but the message brought forward by Alabama football was clear, to the point, and proved everyone from CNS to the janitors were all singing from the same hymnal.

 

[81usaf92]

What did the Alabama win and the Ole Miss win over Georgia have in common? Great quarterback play.

I think a big difference was Ole Miss’s defense in the second game didn’t allow Stockton a moment of peace. Yes Stockton had a good day but in Athens he was Superman. Also Chambliss was far more comfortable in the rematch than what he was in Athens.

I know Coach Saban is not coming back. He's earned his right to be happy and not have to deal with it. My question is, why are we paying him half a million dollars? When KDB arrived here he talked like he was glad to have him as a resource. My goodness, swallow some pride (if that's what it is) and use the resource. I saw more than one instance in the last couple of days where former coaches of Saban who were coaching in the playoffs this week talking about texting him for advice. I'm sure Saban doesn't feel very good about any of this, either, because KDB was who he supposedly wanted, and he also supposedly wanted Grubb a few years ago. I'm willing to bet KDB didn't text him and probably hasn't talked to him much either, but what do I know.

Some things just don't add up to me.

1) Saban had no input on hiring DeBoer. Saban’s only known endorsements on the guy that could potentially replace him was Sark in 2020 and wait for it… Tommy Reese. Saban has been quoted several times saying Tommy Reese is one of the best football minds he has ever been around and that he is going to be a great HC one day.

2) Other than for funny biggie cook the book skits I don’t think CKD and CNS really talk about preparing for games. Nor do I think they should. At some point you need to distance yourself from legends and be able to be your own guy. Do we really want to go through what Tom Osborne’s influence over Nebraska has been for the last 20 years and what Fulmer and Dye’s effect over their programs have been when they meddled in day to day stuff. Saban either needs to be coaching the team or supporting them as a spectator and a booster. If CKD does ask for advice I’m sure he’ll give it, but in no way should we demand that he should.

3) I also think it’s unfair to assume that he hasn’t talked to him without proof. Plus how would it magically change the offensive line and running situation in 15 days. We are who are in December

4)Grubb… I’ve never been over the moon about him and have thought CKD should’ve stuck with Sheridan. The problem imo is that Grubb is given way too much power in how things are done offensively. Yes he is the OC, but the constant combinations of offensive linemen and weird route combinations are more of Grubb’s doing than anyone else. I don’t think Kap is a good OL coach but how can you be when your OC is constantly changing personnel based on random ticks or feelings. I think it was the worst decision DeBoer has made in two years in bringing him back. But I could be wrong in that assessment by this time next year. So who knows.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

He's saying if what you say is true and Morgan stood in front of a group of boosters and said what you claim he said, its embarrassing.

Funny you mentioned it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007123817458794932

he pretty much said same thing.

 

[RTR2u]

I think a big difference was Ole Miss’s defense in the second game didn’t allow Stockton a moment of peace. Yes Stockton had a good day but in Athens he was Superman. Also Chambliss was far more comfortable in the rematch than what he was in Athens.




1) Saban had no input on hiring DeBoer. Saban’s only known endorsements on the guy that could potentially replace him was Sark in 2020 and wait for it… Tommy Reese. Saban has been quoted several times saying Tommy Reese is one of the best football minds he has ever been around and that he is going to be a great HC one day.

2) Other than for funny biggie cook the book skits I don’t think CKD and CNS really talk about preparing for games. Nor do I think they should. At some point you need to distance yourself from legends and be able to be your own guy. Do we really want to go through what Tom Osborne’s influence over Nebraska has been for the last 20 years and what Fulmer and Dye’s effect over their programs have been when they meddled in day to day stuff. Saban either needs to be coaching the team or supporting them as a spectator and a booster. If CKD does ask for advice I’m sure he’ll give it, but in no way should we demand that he should.

3) I also think it’s unfair to assume that he hasn’t talked to him without proof. Plus how would it magically change the offensive line and running situation in 15 days. We are who are in December

4)Grubb… I’ve never been over the moon about him and have thought CKD should’ve stuck with Sheridan. The problem imo is that Grubb is given way too much power in how things are done offensively. Yes he is the OC, but the constant combinations of offensive linemen and weird route combinations are more of Grubb’s doing than anyone else. I don’t think Kap is a good OL coach but how can you be when your OC is constantly changing personnel based on random ticks or feelings. I think it was the worst decision DeBoer has made in two years in bringing him back. But I could be wrong in that assessment by this time next year. So who knows.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Everything is just frustrating to all of us who are longtime fans. I don't know what else to say at this point.

 

[gtgilbert]

I think a big difference was Ole Miss’s defense in the second game didn’t allow Stockton a moment of peace. Yes Stockton had a good day but in Athens he was Superman. Also Chambliss was far more comfortable in the rematch than what he was in Athens.




1) Saban had no input on hiring DeBoer. Saban’s only known endorsements on the guy that could potentially replace him was Sark in 2020 and wait for it… Tommy Reese. Saban has been quoted several times saying Tommy Reese is one of the best football minds he has ever been around and that he is going to be a great HC one day.

2) Other than for funny biggie cook the book skits I don’t think CKD and CNS really talk about preparing for games. Nor do I think they should. At some point you need to distance yourself from legends and be able to be your own guy. Do we really want to go through what Tom Osborne’s influence over Nebraska has been for the last 20 years and what Fulmer and Dye’s effect over their programs have been when they meddled in day to day stuff. Saban either needs to be coaching the team or supporting them as a spectator and a booster. If CKD does ask for advice I’m sure he’ll give it, but in no way should we demand that he should.

3) I also think it’s unfair to assume that he hasn’t talked to him without proof. Plus how would it magically change the offensive line and running situation in 15 days. We are who are in December

4)Grubb… I’ve never been over the moon about him and have thought CKD should’ve stuck with Sheridan. The problem imo is that Grubb is given way too much power in how things are done offensively. Yes he is the OC, but the constant combinations of offensive linemen and weird route combinations are more of Grubb’s doing than anyone else. I don’t think Kap is a good OL coach but how can you be when your OC is constantly changing personnel based on random ticks or feelings. I think it was the worst decision DeBoer has made in two years in bringing him back. But I could be wrong in that assessment by this time next year. So who knows.

agreed 100% on the OL shuffling. It was baffling and having that many guys rotating through at the various positions makes it incredibly hard for them to build up any chemistry in how they work together with combo's, pulls, etc that really do require a great deal of working as a unit. I didn't know that was Grubb. If so, it's another pretty negative indicator against him.

 

[denver]

Funny you mentioned it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007123817458794932

he pretty much said same thing.

John Talty..any relations to our kicker?

 

[Cruloc]

Funny you mentioned it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007123817458794932

he pretty much said same thing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007129252391719341

And this guy's reply is true.

 

[81usaf92]

I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Everything is just frustrating to all of us who are longtime fans. I don't know what else to say at this point.

I get it. I truly don’t fault anyone for feeling the way they do about a bad ending and a frustrating season. This site sometimes can be more therapeutic after a loss to see that your frustrations are many other’s frustrations. Trust me I’ve been frustrated for over a month and a half too but at this point what can we do other than hope that necessary changes are made and we move forward.

I also get fans who believe that they have seen enough. But again Michigan and Ohio St fans had seen enough for years of Day and Harbaugh. At some point we got to look at more than the scores and Wins and losses and ask “where are we as a team in 3-4 years”. Are we stuck in neutral and/or reverse or are we starting to go forward. I think we will have a clearer understanding after next year with one of his choices in quarterbacks behind center.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007129252391719341

And this guy's reply is true.

I don't have twitter, so what have some of the current players said about last night?

 

[81usaf92]

If Courtney Morgan was allowed to say that to a group of REC boosters we've got an idiot running the program. The GM shouldn't step foot in front of the REC to speak, it needs to be the HC representing the organization.

There is a misconception about the REC that even our own fanbase keeps repeating. It’s that they are an incredibly powerful entity. The average REC member pays 350 bucks a year to see two scrimmages a year and 4 guest speakers at their club in a year. 150 of that 350 goes to pay for the scrimmage expense to the university and the rest goes to pay for a steak and potatoe dinner for those 4 speaking engagements. At the scrimmages the university is constantly begging for money from REC members. So these aren’t exactly the Illuminati types that everyone acts like they are and more like the average poster on this board just with access to two closed scrimmages.

Morgan’s goal was mostly to say 1) temper your expectations on this year and 2) we need money to aggressively attack the portal in the offseason. It could be worse and he tell everyone like Freeze did this year and basically promise a CFP berth and keep running out the Benjamins for us to spend on the portal.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

I don’t know that DeBoer will win us a national title. For one, I’m not sure he’ll be given the time, and I’m not certain he’s capable.. However, the comparisons to Saban and what he accomplished are foolish imo. There is no more Saban, and there isn’t one to be found. He was a unicorn. To say that Saban is the standard for Alabama is not realistic.

I was too young to know what the first few years were like post Bryant, but I imagine they were like this until Stallings came around, who by the way, lost his first three games and had a 27 point loss to Louisville and a 35 point shutout to Florida in his first two years. Year 3 was a decent turnaround though.

I worry that we will drift down a bad path if we discard quality coaches after three years because they aren’t Saban.

Oh for crying out loud. I'm not saying DeBoer should be Saban, I'm trying to get people to stop brushing these blowout losses under the rug to prop up CKD.

Fine, no Saban.

DeBoer has now lost 3 games by 21+ points in his first 2 years. Kirby Smart has had 2 in 10 years at UGA, 3 if you count 20 point losses. This is unacceptable, this is not Alabama football and this is not the right coach for the job.

Is that better for you? I can find other coaches to compare as well. 3 blowout losses in 2 years is not the standard and never should be.

Way to many people continue to think old school around here by continuing to say "he needs time to work things out". We just got ran out of the stadium by a guy who worked it out in 9 months.

Again, what is DeBoer waiting for?

To those that say Bama can compete with anyone when it comes to money, why aren't we? If IU can rebuild an entire team in one off season, why can't Bama?

 

[Cruloc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007069353783529820

 

[Cruloc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007070327529222539

 

[editder]

His offensive-line was award winning at Washington (Joe Moore award), it is basically what you described.

They ran for 1.7 yards per rush against Michigan and got blown out. Alabama today averaged 1.4 against Indiana and got blown out.

I'm not seeing the difference. Same trends, same struggles against elite defenses, same one dimensional offenses. And no, I certainly was not.

Edit: On a side note, since people (not you) want to point to where Saban's team was at at the time of his departure and the holdovers, against the same Michigan team Alabama averaged 4 yards per rush.

Our 2023 team was a couple of bad snaps away from another NC, despite everything. I have no doubt we would have handled Washington in the same manner that Michigan did.

Would have been a fitting way for Saban to go out.

 

[RTR2u]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007070327529222539

Kind of worked for Vandy, too, didn't it?

 

[BamaFan6462]

If Courtney Morgan was allowed to say that to a group of REC boosters we've got an idiot running the program. The GM shouldn't step foot in front of the REC to speak, it needs to be the HC representing the organization.

If this is the case, it is one more red flag among several others. A head coach has to balance delegation and micromanagement. From the outside looking in, I see the delegation from DeBoer but not seeing him digging into the problems the team has been having. Having the REC addressed by a staff member instead of the head coach doesn’t instill confidence. Last season also should have had him paying more attention to the offensive line issues but for an unknown reason he trusted the offensive line coach to fix the problems without verifying it was being done. An offensive coordinator that calls plays that take too long to develop and fail to sustain drives generally has the head coach step in and redirect the play calling to better fit their personnel, but again it appears this didn’t happen. If he can’t or won’t find the balance he needs to correct or at least improve glaring problems within two years, I don’t believe a third year is going to make a difference. Getting rid of him now isn’t an option, but not seeing big staff changes on the offense gives the AD a year to better research a replacement that’s more suited for the job. I think DeBoer’s a good man and want him to succeed, but four years with the same issues could take a very long time to correct.