Are you expecting an easy win vs. Texas?

[TIDE-HSV]

I dunno Earle, I don't think it was a gadget play ala what Auburn was throwing at us in the first quarter but it was something intended to deceive Florida. First, the formation with Julio and Maze split, Dial flexed weak side, Peek lined up tight strong side, and Ingram in a wingback alignment was something that we've never ran before. Second, we had Julio coming on a jet sweep from the weak to strong side and faked the hand off with Maze flying up the sideline. They keyed on the sweep from Jones and the fly from Maze with GMac taking a few steps right to sell that side of the play then he took one step back and found Peek wide open after he sold a block and cheated left.

It was our variation on the "oh sh*t" play concept that gets everyone going in one direction with one back or tight end sneaking back the opposite side for an easy catch. It's not a gimmick, but it's definitely a misdirection play that you can only "get away with it" once.

I realize that it's a matter of degrees of gray, but most plays, other than a QB sneak, have a component of deception to them. It would describe the majority of plays in Fran's playbook, for example. I tend to think of gadget or gimmick plays as being those involving multiple players handling the ball, particularly in a way or position where they usually don't. The TB pass by MI to JJ, I would classify as a "gimmick." Mounting a concerted fake to one side and then passing back to the weak side is really pretty common. JMHO, of course, and Danielson's...

 

[rgw]

I guess that is why I typically have my own set of definitions when explaining "trick plays" but I know my own don't mesh with everyone else.

Gadget plays are things like tailback passes, reverse passes, fleaflickers, etc. Like you said, anything that uses "slight of hand" with the ball to create ambiguity for the defense.

Gimmick plays are things like Florida's jump pass plays or oh shoot plays (like what we saw with Arkansas in 2008 where their TE fell to the ground, QB bootlegged right, and the TE got up then crossed left for an easy TD). Many offensive play calls have a degree of deception by formation - which was a big key of our Florida gameplan in the SECCG - or misdirection to dictate the flow of the defense BUT these plays are "one shot" calls that are unlikely to frequently be successful. It would be very unlikely that we could run this same play again in the BCSCG. We might be able to execute the same "concept" - flowing one direction and sneaking one player the opposite direction - but it would have to be done out of different formation and different post-snap look.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I don't know. That play was so well-designed that it might make a new opponent bite, particularly late in the game...

 

[rgw]

The big thing from the Florida game was the formation multiples we used. Last year, Florida was really well prepared to attack our passing game because they scouted our formations well. They knew what was coming just by how we lined up. This year we came out of the gate using our base personnel but lining up in a spread formation with Dial split wide. We did things like that throughout the game, including on the Peek TD.

I hope we do something similar to Texas. They'll have a month to prepare for us, show them a lot of things they've never seen before the dictate coverage and create advantageous matchups...like getting Maze on a LB on a wheel route (that was a masterful setup formation-wise by McElwain).

 

[TIDE-HSV]

The big thing from the Florida game was the formation multiples we used. Last year, Florida was really well prepared to attack our passing game because they scouted our formations well. They knew what was coming just by how we lined up. This year we came out of the gate using our base personnel but lining up in a spread formation with Dial split wide. We did things like that throughout the game, including on the Peek TD.

I hope we do something similar to Texas. They'll have a month to prepare for us, show them a lot of things they've never seen before the dictate coverage and create advantageous matchups...like getting Maze on a LB on a wheel route (that was a masterful setup formation-wise by McElwain).

I think that's what we'll see. I think we learned a lesson with the AU game, where we started out trying to win with 20% of our play book...

 

[rgw]

McElwain overall is probably Alabama's best offensive coordinator since Homer Smith but sometimes he befuddles me as much as he amazes me. There are games like the Tennessee and the Auburn game where it looked like he was calling the plays with "one arm tied behind his back" and then games like Virgina Tech and Florida where he throws the book at the opponent's defense. Of course, some of it may just be that we put too much emphasis on X's and O's and not the Jimmy's and Joe's when things go wrong...but there definitely is a noticeable difference in the multiples and playcalling variety in those two best offensive performances and the two worst performances.

Of course, the overall gameplan for Tennessee and Auburn may have been playing safe with the ball because we felt they couldn't win without a few turnovers but Saban spoke to how risk aversion is way to get beat. And also, you have to consider that Tennessee and Auburn had two weeks to prepare and the Vols caught us on the 8th game without a bye.

 

[CapitalTider]

Of course, the overall gameplan for Tennessee and Auburn may have been playing safe with the ball because we felt they couldn't win without a few turnovers but Saban spoke to how risk aversion is way to get beat. And also, you have to consider that Tennessee and Auburn had two weeks to prepare and the Vols caught us on the 8th game without a bye.

No inside knowledge, juts my opinion of course, but I think that was exactly part of the problem, we thought we could beat TN and AU with a vanilla offense. Outside of the two big trick plays it worked against AU, but it almost bit us against TN. The TN offense and Crompton performed better than I or anyone I think expected. In the TN game I have to wonder if McElroy's struggles were also a concern. It was in the middle of his slump and wasn't that when the possibility of McCarron seeing action first came up? I think Saban's statements about forcing the ball downfield more support some of this.

 

[rgw]

Personally, I think that Tennessee had the best offensive gameplan against us of any team we faced this season. It didn't show up on the scoreboard, but schematically they had us off-balance at times and seemed to have the perfect playcall for the exact defense we called or audible to in several key situations. You have to wonder if that was another situation where they had some of our hand signals on offense and/or defense like was rumored after the Auburn game. Of course, that just might be damage control for not wanting to admit that Kiffin had us scouted pretty dang well and knew what was coming in several situations.

They definitely could have put a few more points on the board if they had a little bit more trust in their quarterback. Instead they elected to manage him and let him make easy throws for when they had us in a "money call" situation like LB on tailback running a wheel route when we were in cover-1 robber or a DE on a TE when we called a fire zone blitz.

And to give some more knowledge to the Texas fans reading: they created these situations by maintaining a commitment to the run. Like I pointed out, with a better QB they might have had the plan to take us down that day pretty convincingly. The X's and O's were there but the Jimmy's and Joe's weren't yet they still had a shot but their kicker had the leg strength of a preteen girl. Utah had success by throwing with no intention of establishing the run but I still don't think that's the blueprint for taking it to this defense. I think a commitment to the run, a willingness to take 2 or 3 yard gains that may wear down the unit a little, and being able to establish the play fake are the keys to attacking the defense. The most physical teams we've played have been the ones that have had the most success against Alabama this year.

 

[ThePoloLounge]

In a word, no.

Texas will be ready and we'd better be ready for war.

 

[bayoutider]

Are you expecting an easy win vs Texas? That is the question.

The answer is simple for me and that answer is no. We have never beaten the Longhorns and to right that wrong we have to prepare like the Allied countries prepared for D-Day. This will have to be an all out assault there will be no second chance the next day. These opportunities only come around so often therefore we cannot take anything for granted. We have to play this game as if our lives depends on it. Should Alabama win this game the list of accomplishments will be legendary. To become legends they must beat Texas.

 

[BamaClay]

No. We must respect them or we will regret it.

 

[WishIwasInBama]

every game we went into this year that I expected an easy win i.e. the barn and tennessee we struggled so i will go with no. even if the team wins by 20 it won't be easy IMHO.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

As was the same for running offenses that went against Texas.

Texas leads the nation in run defense, giving up 62 YPG (just ahead of Alabama). The Longhorns have faced two good running games. Oklahoma State averaged 191.8 YPG, and Texas A&M averaged 190.4 YPG. They ranked 24th and 25th respectively. In those games, Oklahoma State managed 134 yards, while Texas A&M gained 190 yards on the ground. That was well over what Texas gave up on average. The difference with those two teams, as opposed to Alabama, is they lacked sound defense, and had a bad turnover marigin. However, Alabama will bring one of the nation's best defenses, with the same punishing running game (and timely passing game) into the matchup with Texas. Alabama ranks 9th in the country in rushing, a few clips higher than the two running games that did give Texas problems. To suggest Texas will slow down Alabama's running game, as some Texas fans have, is far from a given, depsite the Longhorns' lofty run defense ranking.

 

[JPT4Bama]

Short answer no. Long answer, hell no. We will need to play our best game of the season to win, and I expect we will. But, it will absolutely not be "easy".

 

[jps1983]

every game we went into this year that I expected an easy win i.e. the barn and tennessee we struggled so i will go with no. even if the team wins by 20 it won't be easy IMHO.

Yep; I think either team can win big (both great defenses that can create turnovers). I think our ball control offense keeps the game close, but I think we have an advatange in the Ol-DL matchup on both sides, so I voted a close win for Bama, but I wouldn't be surprised by a close UT win or a big win by either team. It depends on who comes to play, who controls the ball, and who can create turnovers.

 

[bamacon]

For Texas to win they will have to do things they simply have not done all year. Why I have such confidence is that Bama has had to face difficult opposition, varied offenses/defenses, and adverse circumstances and they have passed each one-some barely and others with flying colors. Texas has faced two solid defenses and sucked wind against both. They may like to compare their rivalry game with AU and say it was an abberation, but that would not be being honest. Their defense was terrible in the game and never asserted itself against a very mediocre opponent. In boxing it was toe for toe from the first to the last bell. Bama's D had bad plays. It righted the ship and did dominate especially when it HAD to. Back to the boxing analogy it is like the fight where a lucky punch almost causes the champ a loss even though at the post game interview the champ looks flawless and the opponent looks like they went through a meat grinder.

Answer me this: Did Texas' D win that game by fixing the holes and asserting its dominance, or did the offense win it by outscoring the other terrible defense on the field?

Auburn- 332 yards (139 yds. 42% of which came on two plays, one of which should have been called back)

A&M-532 yards

 

[TideFan in AU]

For Texas to win they will have to do things they simply have not done all year. Why I have such confidence is that Bama has had to face difficult opposition, varied offenses/defenses, and adverse circumstances and they have passed each one-some barely and others with flying colors. Texas has faced two solid defenses and sucked wind against both. They may like to compare their rivalry game with AU and say it was an abberation, but that would not be being honest. Their defense was terrible in the game and never asserted itself against a very mediocre opponent. In boxing it was toe for toe from the first to the last bell. Bama's D had bad plays. It righted the ship and did dominate especially when it HAD to. Back to the boxing analogy it is like the fight where a lucky punch almost causes the champ a loss even though at the post game interview the champ looks flawless and the opponent looks like they went through a meat grinder.

Answer me this: Did Texas' D win that game by fixing the holes and asserting its dominance, or did the offense win it by outscoring the other terrible defense on the field?

Auburn- 332 yards (139 yds. 42% of which came on two plays, one of which should have been called back)

A&M-532 yards

Some Texas fans act as though the TAMU game was the only time they struggled all year on defense, but after doing a little research today, I saw where they gave up 420 yards passing to Texas Tech. Their defense is good, but I don't think it is as good as some of their fans like to believe it is. It is definitely not the immoveable object some of them portray it to be.
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[RayDog]

Texas defends Tech differently from their normal schemes, rushing four and using a lot of zone coverage. The idea is to make Tech complete a dozen passes to drive the field and hope they make a mistake or miss a first down along the way. This makes for an ugly stat line in terms of yards allowed. It has near zero relevance to the upcoming game. The last two times Texas lost to Tech a really good Tech receiver had a lot to do with it, Wes Welker and Crabtree. The A&M game was similar in some respects as for unknown reasons Muschamp decided to take the same approach as above. He said after the game it was his fault he chose the wrong game plan. What many of us realized before the game was that Texas needed to blitz a little more to pressure Jerrod Johnson and stick with the usual Cover 1 with man or pattern matched zone under, rather than a straight zone. Johnson also ran for 97 of A&Ms 190 yards rushing. I don't really see McElroy replicating that, based on what little I've watched of him. Between the zone coverage and an athletic dual threat QB I find it hard to see how that game relates to the upcoming championship either. I don't think Alabama will see much zone at all in this game, as I suspect Texas will primarily rely on their standard cover 1 man under the majority of the time, with some pattern matched zone to mix it up a bit. Coach Akina has never been very successful teaching zone coverage anyway.

 

[trenda]

Answer me this: Did Texas' D win that game by fixing the holes and asserting its dominance, or did the offense win it by outscoring the other terrible defense on the field?

The Texas defense wilted down the stretch against the Aggies. The Aggies last four possessions on offense resulted in 208 yards, a FG, TD, TD, Missed FG (at the UT 6 yd line). Of that 208 yards, 99 came on the ground (including yds subtracted due to sacks). That's 6.6 ypc and does not include a 32 yard run that was nullified by an illegal motion penalty.

I fully expect Texas to show that they are worthy of their ranking. At the same time, it's not real difficult to poke holes into their claims of superiority with factual data (and not just opinionated claims).

The proof will be on the field. That's why they play the game.

 

[bamacon]

The Texas defense wilted down the stretch against the Aggies. The Aggies last four possessions on offense resulted in 208 yards, a FG, TD, TD, Missed FG (at the UT 6 yd line). Of that 208 yards, 99 came on the ground (including yds subtracted due to sacks). That's 6.6 ypc and does not include a 32 yard run that was nullified by an illegal motion penalty.

I fully expect Texas to show that they are worthy of their ranking. At the same time, it's not real difficult to poke holes into their claims of superiority with factual data (and not just opinionated claims).

The proof will be on the field. That's why they play the game.

So take away those and they still gave up 324. My point is that they gave up points and yards in bunches throughout the game. Bama's D might have a bad series/drive or a bad quarter (2nd vs. UF) but have not had an entire game where they broke down. Like I said it would be a first for both teams if Texas just scores and drives at will be the first time they have solved a good defense and the first time our time could not stop someone.