Bama vs. Indy in the Rose Bowl - Jan. 1

[BamaMoon]

I watched the TOSU/Indy B1G CG. Watching again.

Initial thoughts:

QB Mendoza has an elite arm. He's tough as nails. He's got decent scrambling ability, but the thing that strikes me about him is he's the kind of QB we can get after. He's not the kind of QB that can scramble and make a house call like a Jalen Hurts or the QB at A&M or USCe. So, I think Womack and the D can get creative with how we pressure him.

I think we can't totally abandon the zone that's worked so well, but if we can disguise pressure and man and get him guessing what's coming like we did to Mateer, we can at least slow down their offense.

I know our offense has to do their part and score points, but I think this game comes down to the Indy O vs. the Bama D.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Thanks for sharing...and welcome back from the brink!!!

It's very possible they are a more complete "team" but there's no question we have a greater collection of elite "talent."

I think about what CNS used to say, "Think players not plays." I sure hope we can gameplan to identify a few key player advantages. Even if we can just steal a FG or possible TD with our talent advantage, it'll give us a boost!!!

For instance, I know Ryan Williams has been MIA in our offense, but if we could figure out a way to get him in space with the ball in his hands, there is nobody on the field as elite as he is in the open field. Think sweeps, reverses, WR screens, etc.

Same would apply to GB. In the open field, he just glides and makes yards!

This might not be the perfect 1:1 comparison but IU is imo similar to 2008-2009 Bama.

Not the most talented yet but a hard nose no nonsense coach quickly turned them around and has them playing at a high level with discipline and defined roles.

We are sort of the ‘08-‘09 Florida with more talent but less discipline and possibly not as well coached.

We win if it goes like the ‘08 SECCG where both teams trade some blows but the other QB (Tebow/Simpson) makes more late clutch plays to pull away.

We lose if IU plays a perfect game like ‘09 Bama in the SECCG.

(Btw I hate that IU is Bama on this example but it is what it is)

RW though is broken. He ain’t helping us.

We live or die with Germie, Brooks, Horton, and Cuevas making plays.

A debate could be made about RW’s is this or that with the ball in his hands with nobody around but it’s irrelevant when he can’t catch and is scared of contact. IU will make contact.

 

[BamaMoon]

This might not be the perfect 1:1 comparison but IU is imo similar to 2008-2009 Bama.

Not the most talented yet but a hard nose no nonsense coach quickly turned them around and has them playing at a high level with discipline and defined roles.

We are sort of the ‘08-‘09 Florida with more talent but less discipline and possibly not as well coached.

We win if it goes like the ‘08 SECCG where both teams trade some blows but the other QB (Tebow/Simpson) makes more late clutch plays to pull away.

We lose if IU plays a perfect game like ‘09 Bama in the SECCG.

(Btw I hate that IU is Bama on this example but it is what it is)

RW though is broken. He ain’t helping us.

We live or die with Germie, Brooks, Horton, and Cuevas making plays.

A debate could be made about RW’s is this or that with the ball in his hands with nobody around but it’s irrelevant when he can’t catch and is scared of contact. IU will make contact.

Good analogy.

I'm trying to figure out "who" Mendoza "is." Is he a bigger/thicker version of AJM? Or is he more like a Joe Burrow??? No matter what. Our defense won't shut him down, but can we limit them to a low point total like TOSU did to them?

Here's the thing, though. If Ty is healthy again and the OL can give him a little time, Indy's defense is susceptible in the secondary. Julian Saying had success against Indy in the B1G championship game and he and Ty have alot of similarities IMO.

 

[Cruloc]

Thanks for sharing...and welcome back from the brink!!!

It's very possible they are a more complete "team" but there's no question we have a greater collection of elite "talent."

I think about what CNS used to say, "Think players not plays." I sure hope we can gameplan to identify a few key player advantages. Even if we can just steal a FG or possible TD with our talent advantage, it'll give us a boost!!!

For instance, I know Ryan Williams has been MIA in our offense, but if we could figure out a way to get him in space with the ball in his hands, there is nobody on the field as elite as he is in the open field. Think sweeps, reverses, WR screens, etc.

Same would apply to GB. In the open field, he just glides and makes yards!

Maybe do a jet sweep with Ryan, but man, the kid just can't catch with his hands. I'm tired of seeing the ball bouncing off his chest or shoulder pads after he's jumped for no reason.

He probably got away with that stuff at Saraland because he was the most talented on the field.....but the kid better learn quickly how to catch with his hands.

Besides that, he better put in more effort in running routes and blocking. He won't go very far without better effort in those areas.

Other thing about him that concerns me....his NIL value is somewhere around 2.5 million. Is that breeding any resentment in the locker room when he's not producing on the field?

 

[BamaMoon]

Maybe do a jet sweep with Ryan, but man, the kid just can't catch with his hands. I'm tired of seeing the ball bouncing off his chest or shoulder pads after he's jumped for no reason.

He probably got away with that stuff at Saraland because he was the most talented on the field.....but the kid better learn quickly how to catch with his hands.

Besides that, he better put in more effort in running routes and blocking. He won't go very far without better effort in those areas.

Other thing about him that concerns me....his NIL value is somewhere around 2.5 million. Is that breeding any resentment in the locker room when he's not producing on the field?

That's what I'm talking about. Don't target him over the middle with passes or with the 10 yard out because we know what will happen.

But, figue out a way to get him 2 or 3 touches in space with a sweep handoff or reverse or WR screen. IOW, get the ball in his hands in the most low risk of ways and then let his feet become a weapon. He makes people look silly with the angles they take on him. I'm talking about "stealing" a big play or a quick strike TD.

I know he's been a Soph. bust, but word is he's still engaged with the team. Use him as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

 

[tideindc]

The prior post on high school ratings clearly shows we have far more “ talent” than Indiana. While these ratings may indicate our guys have higher upside, don’t mean much to me in terms of crushing Indiana. For example, Indiana couldn’t have ever signed the likes of Ryan Williams or Jaylen Mbakwe….but there is little likelihood either does anything for us in that game. Indiana is superbly coached on both sides of the ball and has an outstanding quarterback. They have a couple of three star recruits at wide receiver who are playing extremely well and a rugged , unspectacular running game. We have no running game.

Folks seem to give them little credit to their wins over Ohio state and Oregon..two teams with talent equal to bama and Georgia.


Folks…we need to play our BEST game of the year to win. If we do..we will win.

 

[Power Eye]

Maybe do a jet sweep with Ryan, but man, the kid just can't catch with his hands. I'm tired of seeing the ball bouncing off his chest or shoulder pads after he's jumped for no reason.

He probably got away with that stuff at Saraland because he was the most talented on the field.....but the kid better learn quickly how to catch with his hands.

Besides that, he better put in more effort in running routes and blocking. He won't go very far without better effort in those areas.

Other thing about him that concerns me....his NIL value is somewhere around 2.5 million. Is that breeding any resentment in the locker room when he's not producing on the field?

I think the problem with Williams is he has the yips. I don't think it's a lack of effort or focus, I think he needs to see a sports psychologist. It's like Mackey Sasser back in the late 80s when he couldn't throw the ball back to the pitcher. Unfortunately, I don't think it's anything that's going to get fixed in the playoffs. My guess is that he probably catches the ball fine in practice, but come game time, it's all in his head. No college receiver, on any level, would try to catch a pass with his shoulder like he did on that sideline throw unless there is something mentally going in with them that their brain physically prevents them from making a proper catch motion.

 

[BamaMoon]

I think the problem with Williams is he has the yips. I don't think it's a lack of effort or focus, I think he needs to see a sports psychologist. It's like Mackey Sasser back in the late 80s when he couldn't throw the ball back to the pitcher. Unfortunately, I don't think it's anything that's going to get fixed in the playoffs. My guess is that he probably catches the ball fine in practice, but come game time, it's all in his head. No college receiver, on any level, would try to catch a pass with his shoulder like he did on that sideline throw unless there is something mentally going in with them that their brain physically prevents them from making a proper catch motion.

I understand what you are saying.

His problem is he is still doing what he did in HS...catching the ball with his body. His "hands" are not college "elite" but my point is his "feet" are!

Figure out a way to get the ball in his hands (the easiest way...probably a handoff) and let him go to work with his feet. There's a reason after he gets the ball that defenders have trouble taking the right angles to tackle him. It's because his "feet" are elite too.

To me this in Grubb's job...figure out our advantages and steal some plays with our elite talent!

 

[The Ols]

This might not be the perfect 1:1 comparison but IU is imo similar to 2008-2009 Bama.

Not the most talented yet but a hard nose no nonsense coach quickly turned them around and has them playing at a high level with discipline and defined roles.

We are sort of the ‘08-‘09 Florida with more talent but less discipline and possibly not as well coached.

We win if it goes like the ‘08 SECCG where both teams trade some blows but the other QB (Tebow/Simpson) makes more late clutch plays to pull away.

We lose if IU plays a perfect game like ‘09 Bama in the SECCG.

(Btw I hate that IU is Bama on this example but it is what it is)

RW though is broken. He ain’t helping us.

We live or die with Germie, Brooks, Horton, and Cuevas making plays.

A debate could be made about RW’s is this or that with the ball in his hands with nobody around but it’s irrelevant when he can’t catch and is scared of contact. IU will make contact.

Can we hand the ball to RW?

 

[Cruloc]

I understand what you are saying.

His problem is he is still doing what he did in HS...catching the ball with his body. His "hands" are not college "elite" but my point is his "feet" are!

Figure out a way to get the ball in his hands (the easiest way...probably a handoff) and let him go to work with his feet. There's a reason after he gets the ball that defenders have trouble taking the right angles to tackle him. It's because his "feet" are elite too.

To me this in Grubb's job...figure out our advantages and steal some plays with our elite talent!

Wouldn't it be Grubbs's job to figure that out?

I don't think I've ever seen Grubbs call a jet sweep. WR screen yes, Ryan even scored on one.....but jet sweep no. He's had Ryan in the slot all year because he's smaller and quicker....problem is he does not want to handle any contact over the middle. Once he got his brains knocked out vs FSU, that was it.

 

[Cruloc]

 

[BadgerTidefan]

Midseason form gives us shot. But remember, midseason form still has us topping out on offensive scoring at somewhere between 24 to 30. Higher is we get a defensive score or a short field from a turnover.

We have to keep them in the 20 to 24 range and be +1, at least, in turnovers......to have a shot here.

They are more disciplined, more sound. We are more talented and have higher upside.

But they beat Ohio State, on of the most talented teams in the country.

Yea, If I remember right Ohio State held them to 13 (their low for the year). I think we can get close to that allowing 10 -17. If our offense is hitting on all cylinders, I think we have a great offensive (and defensive) game and score around 30 or so. I'm very optimistically picking 34-17. It would help a lot to get a couple of early scores.

 

[davefrat]

Why is this even a thing?
If ifs and buts were cherries and nuts we’d all have a merry Christmas…
C’mon…blowout…when did that become part of our makeup? It’s not!
They need to be worried about us winning, not them blowing us out!!!
Roll Tide…jeez…

I didn't say we're going to get blown out, I was simply commenting on another comment.

I don't think we'll get blown out, but we could.

GA certainly blew us out a couple weeks ago.

 

[davefrat]

Maybe do a jet sweep with Ryan, but man, the kid just can't catch with his hands. I'm tired of seeing the ball bouncing off his chest or shoulder pads after he's jumped for no reason.

He probably got away with that stuff at Saraland because he was the most talented on the field.....but the kid better learn quickly how to catch with his hands.

Besides that, he better put in more effort in running routes and blocking. He won't go very far without better effort in those areas.

Other thing about him that concerns me....his NIL value is somewhere around 2.5 million. Is that breeding any resentment in the locker room when he's not producing on the field?

I have nothing against Ryan Williams as a person, but as a player he's basically become more a liability than an asset to us.

 

[The Ols]

I didn't say we're going to get blown out, I was simply commenting on another comment.

I don't think we'll get blown out, but we could.

GA certainly blew us out a couple weeks ago.

Please rewatch that game…we lost, we did not get blown out…we did lose, no getting around that, but short fields and injuries told that story…
A little faith brother…you need to find it…no blowout nonsense, that’s not in our playbook @ Alabama.
(Please Do NOT site past Bama losses, it was a thought not an exact statement.)

 

[davefrat]

Yea, If I remember right Ohio State held them to 13 (their low for the year). I think we can get close to that allowing 10 -17. If our offense is hitting on all cylinders, I think we have a great offensive (and defensive) game and score around 30 or so. I'm very optimistically picking 34-17. It would help a lot to get a couple of early scores.

I would think OSU offense is better than ours, so that could be a problem.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Kalen DeBoer previews Rose Bowl vs. Indiana, talks injuries, offensive rhythm, defensive improvements

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer met with the media on Monday. He looked back on last week's playoff win at Oklahoma and previewed a Rose Bowl matchup with Indiana.

247sports.com

 

[davefrat]

Please rewatch that game…we lost, we did not get blown out…we did lose, no getting around that, but short fields and injuries told that story…
A little faith brother…you need to find it…no blowout nonsense, that’s not in our playbook @ Alabama.
(Please Do NOT site past Bama losses, it was a thought not an exact statement.)

I don't need to rewatch the game.

28-7 is a blowout.

And again, I didn't say we'd get blown out by IU.

You can spin it however you like, but losing 28-7, regardless of injuries, and bad field position (which is part of the game after all) is a blowout.

It is what it is.

 

[BigAlinKnoxville]

Even if we can just steal a FG or possible TD with our talent advantage, it'll give us a boost!!!

Don't forget Zabien Brown's obligatory Pick Six.

 

[BamaMoon]

I like what Pate is smoking. He's seeing more clearly some things I've suggested.

It's a much more even playing field. We've seen the type of defense they play...their's just looks better because of their inferior opponents.

And in their 3 toughest games, Mendoza has been held to under 240 in passing and threw 1 INT in each of those games.

He also points out TOSU tried to run the ball too much (they thought they could), but Bama knows that's not our strength and so we won't make that same mistake.

ARE YOU LISTENING RYAN GRUBB???