Bama Game Thread: Official Postgame Thread Bama vs. USCe...

Tide&True

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Sep 24, 2004
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Here is my take on this game: Yes, we showed a lot of flaws but better to see them now than get exposed later.


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Tideflyer

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Dec 14, 2011
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Long story short, today was the first game in a long time that I've had to listen on the radio with no TV and not being in the stadium. All the stuff you guys have been saying about Eli is right. Down and distance was often missing. Called gains (or losses) and stated field position didn't always foot. There were plays at a time that I had no idea what was going on. I was reminded of John Forney's last year or two, and used all the bad words yelling at my radio.

So my observations lack the nuance that would have come with actually seeing the game or having a decent verbal picture. That said, my thoughts were:

1. Tua and the WRs are the best combination we've ever had in Tuscaloosa. They might be the best in CFB history. If there's one better, I'd love to be reminded.

2. The running game is a problem. I don't know if USCe was stacking the line or not (see first paragraph), but the OL got no push until the game was in hand and the USCe defense was demoralized. I counted at least three times that the TE or HB got pushed so far backwards so fast that the RB was brought down by friendly fire....the TE/HB's butt, which was a good 5 yards back from where it should have been. Against an opponent who can do that with a 7-man box (and because I had no idea as to how the D was lining up, I don't know if USCe is one of those or not), that's going to be a problem.

3. Our D did a fine job in the red zone. We could easily have given up 10-17 more points if not for heart and effort down near the goal line.

4. We got little to no pressure on Hillinsky. Also couldn't tell that we affected him much. That's a problem.

5. USCe was the first team to make our freshman ILBs look like freshmen. They got schooled today. Here's hoping they learn fast. Bigger challenges with better offenses await.

6. The kicking team defense was outstanding. Punt and KO coverage, and most especially the defense against fake and onside kicks. Well done.

7. God bless him, our punter might be able to perform in practice, but he's just not anything in the same galaxy as reliable when the lights come on. Normally, I like for specialists to specialize. PKs don't punt. Punters don't do PKs (unless it's the 50+ yarders like JK Scott used to try). Reluctantly, I have to think that Reichard is our best option at both spots.

8. How in the name of all that is holy can we continue to doink kicks off the uprights? Eli said that the missed XP was partially blocked, but left out the detail about whether the kick was low or there was penetration of the protection. So I don't know what happened there. I do think Reichard is the long-term answer at PK, but the growing pains do hurt.

9. What is going on with all the penalties? So many were mental errors....offside, false starts, roughing the passer (at least twice!), substitution infractions. They hurt bad enough today. Against a less-overmatched team, they could turn the outcome.

Bad news: This team, as it exists right now, has some significant flaws. Without improvement, we will lose at least two games (LSU and the barn), and maybe a third.

Good news: We're young, should improve, and the challenging part of the schedule is 4-6 weeks away. There is time to become by then what we are not today.

Key needed changes:
- Be able to get 2-3 yards on the ground when the opponent's D's heads and hearts are still in the game and they know we're going to run.
- Turn the kicking specialists into a net neutral. Right now, they're a liability. Not to be confused with punt or KO coverage, which are really good.
- Affect the opposing QB often enough to get into his head. Don't have to sack him. Don't have to be on him every play. But based on the first three games, our pass rush is way down the list of things the opponents' O has to worry about.
- Quit committing the stupid penalties. Right now, we're killing our own drives and prolonging the opponents' drives beyond what they (the opponents) have earned.
How did we ever win that game ? A listen to CNS` post game presser might shed some light on some of your observations/concerns.
 

CB4

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Aug 8, 2011
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USCEe had a solid game plan on offense. You could tell it was focused on putting pressure on "the freshman triangle" especially the two ILBs. Make them make decisions and play in space. It was the primary reason they were able to sustain long drives by getting into 2nd and moderate and 3rd and short situations.

On that side of the ball, I thought Diggs and Surtain played well, as did X. Shy seemed "off" a little as did others in the nickel and dime packages. Most of that can be cleared up with greater playing time and experience for some.

The d-line is where I see the biggest issue right now. We got very little pressure early on their QB. It improved late after our offense had taken much of the starch out of them.

On offense line we have a group with potential, but not playing with much cohesion. Owens had a rough day. Neal is going to be good. He just has to learn to use that body of his. Brown should help with his return.

All in all, not a terrible first showing in conference. But we have a few miles to go in terms of being a championship type team.
 
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Bamabuzzard

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Aug 15, 2004
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Here's something to also take into consideration. As much as we make fun of Boom. He's quietly put together a lot of talent on that team. Danielson alluded to it during the game that USCe has a lot of very good athletes on the field. They now have struck gold with a quarterback. No doubt Jake Bentley's time as a starter in Columbia is over. This Hilinsky kid is the real deal and probably the best quarterback to get behind center for USCe in a long, long time. Even better than Garcia. I think USCe's problem is they play with too much emotion, like their HC and it causes a lot of mistakes. There's a fine line in playing with emotion for the positive and letting it completely control how you play. But USCe has the makings of a very good team.
 

GrayTide

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Nov 15, 2005
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We're on the same page. Keep in mind, I don't think the losses to LSU and the barn are guaranteed. I think they're probable only if the team doesn't improve on (1) the running game, and (2) at least two of the other three cited points.

There is time, but we have to make good use of it, and thus far progress has been slower than any of us would have liked.

Injuries have no doubt played a part in that. However, identifying the cause of the problem is not the same as implementing a solution. We will get better on a few key points. Or for whatever reason, we won't. If the latter, we will lose, probably more than once. Simple as that.
I totally agree with the bolded part. I would also add TAMU to that list. I do agree that our freshmen defenders got schooled yesterday, but it wasn't just freshmen who looked as though they did not know how to tackle. The secondary gave up a lot of yards, but a lot of that has to do with a pass rush that continues to disappoint. Overall the defense looked mediocre at best. The OL run blocking is still suspect, maybe getting Brown back will change that, but Owens looked overmatched at center. Reichard did a great job in kick offs and except for the missed PAT, had a good day. We have got to fix the punting though. At this point, and things will likely change, I do not see us making the playoffs.
 
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The Ols

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I totally agree with the emboldened part. I would also add TAMU to that list. I do agree that our freshmen defenders got schooled yesterday, but it wasn't just freshmen who looked as though they did not know how to tackle. The secondary gave up a lot of yards, but a lot of that has to do with a pass rush that continues to disappoint. Overall the defense looked mediocre at best. The OL run blocking is still suspect, maybe getting Brown back will change that, but Owens looked overmatched at center. Reichard did a great job in kick offs and except for the missed PAT, had a good day. We have got to fix the punting though. At this point, and things will likely change, I do not see us making the playoffs.
 

Tide&True

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Just wondering what y’all thought about Muschamp leaving his starting QB in the game so late.


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Con

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Dec 19, 2006
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Just wondering what y’all thought about Muschamp leaving his starting QB in the game so late.


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I thought it was crazy. He got up slow a time or two and they can’t afford to lose him. I can only guess it was to get more game reps.


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B1GTide

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Apr 13, 2012
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I thought it was crazy. He got up slow a time or two and they can’t afford to lose him. I can only guess it was to get more game reps.


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Agreed - they have a solid team, but if they lose this QB then they won't even make a bowl game. Losing him in garbage time just to keep the score closer was stupid. But I bet that USCe fans are glad that he did.
 

RammerJammer14

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btw the way did I miss it but didn’t we play in Columbia last time? I thought we played home and home with everyone???
We did. I think it is because the schedule was completely reset when aTm and Missouri joined the conference. At the time we were supposed to play SC again in about 2yrs, but the conference created an entirely new schedule when the new teams were added. I distinctly remember a couple teams having to play back to back road games against the same team between 2011 & 2012. I think either LSU or Florida was one, having to play a road game against the other two years in a row, which is a bit worse than playing a road game against the same team again 9yrs later.
 

JustNeedMe81

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Sep 30, 2011
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Long story short, today was the first game in a long time that I've had to listen on the radio with no TV and not being in the stadium. All the stuff you guys have been saying about Eli is right. Down and distance was often missing. Called gains (or losses) and stated field position didn't always foot. There were plays at a time that I had no idea what was going on. I was reminded of John Forney's last year or two, and used all the bad words yelling at my radio.

So my observations lack the nuance that would have come with actually seeing the game or having a decent verbal picture. That said, my thoughts were:

1. Tua and the WRs are the best combination we've ever had in Tuscaloosa. They might be the best in CFB history. If there's one better, I'd love to be reminded.

2. The running game is a problem. I don't know if USCe was stacking the line or not (see first paragraph), but the OL got no push until the game was in hand and the USCe defense was demoralized. I counted at least three times that the TE or HB got pushed so far backwards so fast that the RB was brought down by friendly fire....the TE/HB's butt, which was a good 5 yards back from where it should have been. Against an opponent who can do that with a 7-man box (and because I had no idea as to how the D was lining up, I don't know if USCe is one of those or not), that's going to be a problem.

3. Our D did a fine job in the red zone. We could easily have given up 10-17 more points if not for heart and effort down near the goal line.

4. We got little to no pressure on Hillinsky. Also couldn't tell that we affected him much. That's a problem.

5. USCe was the first team to make our freshman ILBs look like freshmen. They got schooled today. Here's hoping they learn fast. Bigger challenges with better offenses await.

6. The kicking team defense was outstanding. Punt and KO coverage, and most especially the defense against fake and onside kicks. Well done.

7. God bless him, our punter might be able to perform in practice, but he's just not anything in the same galaxy as reliable when the lights come on. Normally, I like for specialists to specialize. PKs don't punt. Punters don't do PKs (unless it's the 50+ yarders like JK Scott used to try). Reluctantly, I have to think that Reichard is our best option at both spots.

8. How in the name of all that is holy can we continue to doink kicks off the uprights? Eli said that the missed XP was partially blocked, but left out the detail about whether the kick was low or there was penetration of the protection. So I don't know what happened there. I do think Reichard is the long-term answer at PK, but the growing pains do hurt.

9. What is going on with all the penalties? So many were mental errors....offside, false starts, roughing the passer (at least twice!), substitution infractions. They hurt bad enough today. Against a less-overmatched team, they could turn the outcome.

Bad news: This team, as it exists right now, has some significant flaws. Without improvement, we will lose at least two games (LSU and the barn), and maybe a third.

Good news: We're young, should improve, and the challenging part of the schedule is 4-6 weeks away. There is time to become by then what we are not today.

Key needed changes:
- Be able to get 2-3 yards on the ground when the opponent's D's heads and hearts are still in the game and they know we're going to run.
- Turn the kicking specialists into a net neutral. Right now, they're a liability. Not to be confused with punt or KO coverage, which are really good.
- Affect the opposing QB often enough to get into his head. Don't have to sack him. Don't have to be on him every play. But based on the first three games, our pass rush is way down the list of things the opponents' O has to worry about.
- Quit committing the stupid penalties. Right now, we're killing our own drives and prolonging the opponents' drives beyond what they (the opponents) have earned.
I dont have any issues with this post, but we have to remember few things:

1. We are a pass first offense. Teams are loading the box and forcing us to throw the ball... it is based on last year where Tua struggled. We will continue to see this until LSU game.

2. Carter was struggling all day for the defense. I think there will be changes back there. I see Battle starting soon. Jobe was out of position several times.

3. Rbs did good but we have to continue to get better as we move along the season.

4. I'm little concerned about Sark play callings at times. There were at one point where he called 3 running plays in a row. Hopefully he will get better. I think we will get deep in playbook in November.

5. OL did good job for most part, we just need to work on blocking and RBs need to know where to pick up blitzes and know when to cut. I'm not worried.

6. Defense looked tired becuase of SC had over 86 plays. Lot of that were mental errors and stupid penalties.. clean it up and we probably wouldnt give up lot of points.

Bottom line: I'm not concerned because I see improvements in Game 3 compared to Game 1.

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RammerJammer14

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As far as the game goes, that 4th & 3 play by Najee was AWESOME. Threw one tackler to the ground, hurdled the next guy, then broke a tackle for a TD. I was jumping up and down in the stands like a maniac. The Carolina fan next to me, who was trash talking the entire game, turned to me and said “I’m not even mad. That was amazing.”
 

Evil Crimson Dragon

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As far as the game goes, that 4th & 3 play by Najee was AWESOME. Threw one tackler to the ground, hurdled the next guy, then broke a tackle for a TD. I was jumping up and down in the stands like a maniac. The Carolina fan next to me, who was trash talking the entire game, turned to me and said “I’m not even mad. That was amazing.”
I was glad to see him run with anger on that play...…………...throwing that guy down was pretty amazing in itself.
 

Ole Man Dan

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Apr 21, 2008
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When we listen to Gary's interviews after the game he is always hugely complementary about Alabama and Tua in particular. His commentary and memory of the previous games is extraordinary. When ,however, he becomes such an advocate for a close ball game he is like a dog on a bone. He just can't give it up and the CBS crew support him with replays while the game continues. He drives us completely mad with that game after game. My other complaint is that CBS goes into full promo mode and moves away from calling the game for practically the entire forth quarter. Anyone can see that sports is only a sideline for CBS in everything that they cover and they do such a sloppy job. Sports coverage on TV in general is becoming almost too much to watch.
With me a little goes a long ways. I tune Danielson out after he goes into support mode for the other team. Kind of like tuning out certain guys on news channels, because they refuse to see the light till the train rolls over them.
 

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