Well, for reference, he's said that it was May before he felt normal after the last surgery and subsequent games. I'm sure that the game churned up the inflammation pretty well. I wouldn't mind playing Mac the next two games, with Tua ready to come in off the bench if needed...He was limping pretty badly at the end of the game.
The only problem I see sitting him for an extended period of time is rustiness. There was NO DOUBT the entire first half was Tua adjusting to not playing for 21 days. The double edge of that sword would be him being inserted after sitting for two games then laying a complete egg in the Iron Bowl because of lack of reps. There was no doubt he had knocked the rust off in the second half of this weekend's game when he was throwing lasers all over the field. Compared to fumbling, bumbling and throwing an ill advised pick in the first half.I don't know the status but the oddmakers have him listed a questionable. Personally I'd save him for Auburn. We can win the next two with Mac.
I like this plan. Stay sharp, bench him at the half, build depth.If Tua's able to play, I'd start him in both games. But I'd pull him as soon as the games are in hand. That keeps him from getting too rusty, keeps the rhythm of the offense in place, but also gives Mac some meaningful reps going into the Iron Bowl.
That would be a good plan. I watched the entire second half and didn't really notice any problems with Tua until the end when they showed him on the sideline. After seeing the limp I was wondering how he kept going late in the second half. Even saw Mac warming up at one point. Let Tua sit unless he's absolutely needed, so he's much stronger for the Barn.Well, for reference, he's said that it was May before he felt normal after the last surgery and subsequent games. I'm sure that the game churned up the inflammation pretty well. I wouldn't mind playing Mac the next two games, with Tua ready to come in off the bench if needed...
I concur........ sound planIf Tua's able to play, I'd start him in both games. But I'd pull him as soon as the games are in hand. That keeps him from getting too rusty, keeps the rhythm of the offense in place, but also gives Mac some meaningful reps going into the Iron Bowl.
I agree. I was watching him at the end of the game limping. He did NOT limp like that after the injury in the 10RC game. He was walking normally leaving the field after that injury. Was he just sucking it up so fans would not think he had been injured?He was limping pretty badly at the end of the game.
I really, really hope the plan is to get the ball out of his hands as soon as possible next game. Don't leave him in the pocket one fraction of a second longer than necessary, even if it's mainly handing the ball off.Saban said at the presser today that Tua did not have any setback from the game. His ankle was sore and he plans to give him a day off from practice. Sounds as if the plan is to play him against MSU though if the ankle feels better later in the week.
We can win our next 2 games without throwing the ball past 10 yards. I would hope our strategy would be to do just thatI really, really hope the plan is to get the ball out of his hands as soon as possible next game. Don't leave him in the pocket one fraction of a second longer than necessary, even if it's mainly handing the ball off.
You don't want him rusty for Auburn, and you need to win by large margins thru the end of the season. He needs to play unless he can't play.He still looks gimpy to me. I would not even think of playing him until the Auburn game, and I’d only play him postseason if we are in the playoffs. Of course, that would ruin a Tua/Jalen showdown in the Sugar Bowl, which Oklahoma fans(and Jalen I assure you) want very badly....
Did you not hear CNS last week. The DRs cleared him and Tua wants to play. So you'd sit him against his will?He still looks gimpy to me. I would not even think of playing him until the Auburn game, and I’d only play him postseason if we are in the playoffs. Of course, that would ruin a Tua/Jalen showdown in the Sugar Bowl, which Oklahoma fans(and Jalen I assure you) want very badly....
While I thoink Alabama should be super cautious with him, yes I do think he has to play. I'd be happy with Alabama just running all over a team with a pass here or there thrown in, but knowing Tua he's going to find a couple wide open guys for TDs anyway.You don't want him rusty for Auburn, and you need to win by large margins thru the end of the season. He needs to play unless he can't play.