JessN: Bama-USF wrap-up: Defense shines, offense sputters as Bama pulls away late

[Gallowglas]

I'm not as sold on our defensive showing in this game. We got lucky that Brown could not hit a few receivers that were wide open numerous times. Brown was able to partially make up for that with his feet. And while 16 points is not too shabby, we should have been a little better than that. If we play anything like this against Ga, its going to get pretty ugly.

I came here to say the same thing. I'm not saying that Brown isn't an athletic QB that could give any defense fits, but they were in our red zone way more than I am comfortable with given the talent gap.

I'm glad things came together in the second half defensively, but I would be hard pressed to say that it was a consistent performance.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Still. 10 more SEC qbs have passed for more yards.than he has. He's almost bottom 25 percent in production.

More likely due to the rushing game than anything.

 

[Krymsonman]

He passed up open receivers in favor of flinging the deep shot on at least 3 occasions.

That was my biggest question while watching the game. Were we calling only deep shots against a sell out rush defense, or was Jalen simply choosing to go deep over throwing to open shorter routes.

 

[gtgilbert]

More likely due to the rushing game than anything.

Even then, we are 5th in total offense with both UGA and TX right behind us (within 60 yards) and they've both played pretty good opponents while we haven't really yet. TN and ARK are ahead of us and have both played top 15 teams.

 

[westide]

Defense has given up only 1 TD so far. Bama's front seven one of the best. Secondary will continue to improve. Aaron Murray did an offensive film review. Pointed out that the offensive miscues can't be pinned on one thing. At times the wrong line calls were made, receivers ran poor routes and did not get good separation. Jalen also didn't throw the ball quick enough on occasions. The Film Guy on another podcast acknowledged Bama's offensive woes, but still maintains that when Bama gets it right they are the most explosive offense in the country. I believe we will see a dramatic improvement against Whisky or I will be consuming a lot more whisky.

 

[Krymsonman]

Even then, we are 5th in total offense with both UGA and TX right behind us (within 60 yards) and they've both played pretty good opponents while we haven't really yet. TN and ARK are ahead of us and have both played top 15 teams.

I'm not sure that Michigan qualifies as a good opponent this year. They look like just a shell of what they were last year. Texas could have scored 50 on them, but chose to take their foot of the gas in the second half.

 

[gtgilbert]

I'm not sure that Michigan qualifies as a good opponent this year. They look like just a shell of what they were last year. Texas could have scored 50 on them, but chose to take their foot of the gas in the second half.

Michigan > USF even if UM is not what they were last season.

 

[BamaNation]

here's the targeting on Justin Jefferson (Jess' point #5). Maybe "textbook" according to the rule book (crown of helmet, yada yada), but it was also a textbook tackle in that situation. What's Jefferson supposed to do? His only other option is to think "oh, I can't tackle the ball carrier because due to the angle of attack and the runner lowering his helmet too and me pivoting and form tackling him from this side will result in targeting." ... Foolishness.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1832607347736211937

 

[colbysullivan]

Defense has given up only 1 TD so far. Bama's front seven one of the best. Secondary will continue to improve. Aaron Murray did an offensive film review. Pointed out that the offensive miscues can't be pinned on one thing. At times the wrong line calls were made, receivers ran poor routes and did not get good separation. Jalen also didn't throw the ball quick enough on occasions. The Film Guy on another podcast acknowledged Bama's offensive woes, but still maintains that when Bama gets it right they are the most explosive offense in the country. I believe we will see a dramatic improvement against Whisky or I will be consuming a lot more whisky.

I'm very curious what his reasoning is.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm very curious what his reasoning is.

I can almost tell you without watching it as to why. He is a HUGE believer in CKD's offense and believes his schemes, when run right, are next to impossible to fully defend. In the one video I posted his only concern for Bama this year was whether CKD had the right players to run it.

 

[westide]

I'm very curious what his reasoning is.

Well, I think he believes that when a team can turn a 14-13 game in the 4th Qtr into a 42-16 win it is evidence of explosiveness. Also, explosive plays were called back because of penalties such as Milroe's long run for a TD. If the USF DB doesn't hold Williams multiple times there would have been a couple of more explosive plays or TDs. Who knows what would have followed if we don't fumble twice. The explosiveness hinges on the phrase "when Bama gets it right." The key is cleaning up the penalties and mistakes which I think the coaches and players will do.

 

[Krymsonman]

Well, I think he believes that when a team can turn a 14-13 game in the 4th Qtr into a 42-16 win it is evidence of explosiveness. Also, explosive plays were called back because of penalties such as Milroe's long run for a TD. If the USF DB doesn't hold Williams multiple times there would have been a couple of more explosive plays or TDs. Who knows what would have followed if we don't fumble twice. The explosiveness hinges on the phrase "when Bama gets it right." The key is cleaning up the penalties and mistakes which I think the coaches and players will do.

Yeah. I wonder what the score would have been if you just take away the three turnovers. What happens if we actually start the second half at mid-field. What happens if Jalen doesn't fumble the snap at the goal line etc. I'm not even going to count the penalties, just the three fumbles. The only thing the turnovers did was give USF hope that they might be able to pull off the upset.

 

[TideMan09]

I'm not as sold on our defensive showing in this game. We got lucky that Brown could not hit a few receivers that were wide open numerous times. Brown was able to partially make up for that with his feet. And while 16 points is not too shabby, we should have been a little better than that. If we play anything like this against Ga, its going to get pretty ugly.

Considering the sheer amount of turnovers, that put our defense on our heels all game long, I thought our D did as well that could expected..

Combine that with TD's we made that got called back, even though we let USF, hang around longer than I liked up until late 3rd quarter..

The game was never in doubt at least or I never thought so anyways..

 

[gtgilbert]

here's the targeting on Justin Jefferson (Jess' point #5). Maybe "textbook" according to the rule book (crown of helmet, yada yada), but it was also a textbook tackle in that situation. What's Jefferson supposed to do? His only other option is to think "oh, I can't tackle the ball carrier because due to the angle of attack and the runner lowering his helmet too and me pivoting and form tackling him from this side will result in targeting." ... Foolishness.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1832607347736211937

This has already been discussed a ton. The penalty was not that the contact was to the runners helmet. In this instance, it's that JJ used the very top of his helmet to make contact. If JJ makes contact with the front(ish) area of the helmet or his face mask, which is the right form anyway, it's not a penalty.

 

[BamaNation]

This has already been discussed a ton. The penalty was not that the contact was to the runners helmet. In this instance, it's that JJ used the very top of his helmet to make contact. If JJ makes contact with the front(ish) area of the helmet or his face mask, which is the right form anyway, it's not a penalty.

It's a dumb rule applied inconsistently. That's the point.

 

[gtgilbert]

It's a dumb rule applied inconsistently. That's the point.

I disagree.that it's a dumb rule. Hitting with the top of the helmet is really bad form and is a great way to cause injuries to either the player being hit, or more likely the player hitting. CTE is real, as are spinal column injuries and hits with the top of the head can be a major factor in both. In the past, some versions of the targeting rule might have been inconsistently enforced due to some clauses being less.than clear, but this portion of contact with the top of the helmet has been consistent within the scope of the rule.

 

[BamaInBham]

Still. 10 more SEC qbs have passed for more yards.than he has. He's almost bottom 25 percent in production.

Come on man, you’re much better than this. You know that a much more insightful metric is yards per attempt - Jalen is 3rd in the conference. He is also 3rd in passing efficiency at 200+, a much better overall metric. But after 2 games with most games being vs mediocre or bad OOC opponents, stats don’t mean much. As you know you have to watch the games. Disappointed in your “unwise” and unfair use of stats.

 

[Nolan]

The game just gets too fast for him when the other team brings pressure. It was one of his problems last year and apparently again this season.

I trust this coaching staff to address those issues. Unlike last year, when we were all over the place.

 

[colbysullivan]

It's a dumb rule applied inconsistently. That's the point.

I couldn’t stand the “When in doubt, it IS targeting” part. If that’s the case, then why are you reviewing it? That would mean it’s in doubt, and would therefore be targeting…

 

[BamaSully]

Come on man, you’re much better than this. You know that a much more insightful metric is yards per attempt - Jalen is 3rd in the conference. He is also 3rd in passing efficiency at 200+, a much better overall metric. But after 2 games with most games being vs mediocre or bad OOC opponents, stats don’t mean much. As you know you have to watch the games. Disappointed in your “unwise” and unfair use of stats.

Thank you sir