Official Post Game Thread - Everything Here, Please...

[Bama Reb]

You can never pin a loss on one player, NO player stood out today... Maybe Javy, because that punt return was amazing...
But overall, we just got whipped everywhere:
O-line was ineffective(too many d-lineman going through UNTOUCHED)
Receivers weren't catching
QB missed too many open throws
Running backs missed holes
DBs couldn't cover receivers
when DBs covered receivers, DBs tried to tackle around the arms
D-line couldn't get pressure
Play calling on offense was ineffective(3rd and 3 and you try a 40 yard pass when you KNOW they are blitzing as opposed to throwing a quick screen/slant OVER it)
Defense looked lost
Field Goal kicker has his usual game
too many UNNECESSARY penalties
other than that, we played pretty good and of course, the Andre situation didn't help us, but last time I checked, Andre doesn't play defense, you can't say "the defense was on the field all night".... Because, well, Utah scored with ease their 1st 3 drives

Well said. It appeared to me as if the Utes watched and prepared for the Tide far more than the Tide watched and prepared for the Utes.

I heard this from a reporter friend of mine. According to him, if Urban Meyer did give Utah any assistance, it's going to be requested that he receive consequences from the SEC office. He didn't know what these consequences were (probably some sort of fine or scheduling issue). From what I understood, he seemed to believe there was a rule that SEC coaches can't help other teams outside of the conference against a team within the conference.

I doubt UM actively helped the Utes along the lines suggested here. If you remember, he coached there before he went to UF. The Utes had been running that type offense for years, and UM simply brought that spread offense to UF with him. The only thing UM and the Gators did was expose our weaknesses on both sides of the ball so the Utes were able to take advantage of them.

Congrats to the Utes for a well-executed game plan and a well-deserved win.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I doubt UM actively helped the Utes along the lines suggested here.

Incorrect - it was reported quite widely. He didn't seem to feel he had breached any rule...

 

[fundytide]

If Urban Meyer spent any amount of time helping the Utes over the past month, I would be very disappointed if I were a UF player, coach or fan. Shouldn't he be spending his time preparing for Oklahoma?

 

[buzzincuzzin]

It's STILL us agin the world huh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GrayTide]

Congratulations to Utah, they played hard, were well coached, and obviously had a great game plan. I am proud of our team and coaches, a 12-2 record was beyond my expectations. But this game showed we still have some glaring problems that cannot be denied:

1. The big question mark coming into the season was the OL, last night showed that there is still a huge void in talent and depth beyond the starting 5. Of course losing Smith and Johnson did not help, but that is football.
2. UF passing game exposed our CBs they do not know where the ball is and as a group do not tackle well. Utah saw this in game film and used it perfectly.
3. It is hard to blame JPW who spent the entire game under duress but he did panic throw on several occasions and still locked onto Julio most of the night.
4. Utah simplly had more speed and quickness at every position and as much as I hate to say this, we resembled a Big 10 team against an SEC team.
5. The DL all season has been excellent against the run, but we have a total lack of a pass rush.
6. Looking back over the season, not detracting from winning the SEC West and being ranked #1 for over a month, we beat some teams who were nowhere near as good as they have been (LSU, Arkansas, Georgia, Clemson, Auburn and Tennessee). That obviously played to our advantage and probably had a lot to do with not getting the respect from the media we thought we deserved.

I am ecstatic over a 12-2 season and with another great recruiting class coming in it should fix most of our problems. Next year will be interesting the talent level should be solid albeit lacking experience, but I am confident that we have the coaching that will address that and truly get us back atop the SEC.

 

[fundytide]

There have been lots of comments about the loss of Andre and then Johnson and how it might have affected the game and there is no question that taking one of the best 10 players in college football off of the field (and then his replacement as well) will have major consequences. BUT...

I recall one of the commentators (Switzer maybe?) saying in the pre-game show that Bama would not have recruited any of the Utah players. If we have such a massive talent advantage, how could we lose this game?

Coaching? I don't think anyone believes that Kyle Whittingham is a better coach than Nick Saban- even Kyle Whittingham. I don't believe for a second that the coaching staff as a group is better at Utah than Bama. Nope.

Scheme? Both of Bama's losses this year were to spread offenses and we were particularly suspect against the spread (and wildcat) when it went up-tempo. This is what concerns me.

I understood that Saban's defensive scheme was the ideal one to counter the spread. I understand why it may not have worked against Florida if they have more talent, but it should have been successful against Utah with the talent advantage.

And as for offensive tempo.... if you think Utah ran "hurry-up" in the first quarter last night, wait until you see what Gus Malzahn considers 'hurry-up'.

As for our offense, I hope they get a LOT better before we open the season next year against VTech. Bud Foster's defense will be far, far better than what Utah put on the field last night.

Looking back on Bama's season it seems to me that we were playing on the knife's edge all year. When we were ahead on the scoreboard and confident, it was like a freight train that couldn't be stopped. When we were behind or getting challenged sometimes we looked like the little engine that couldn't. Hallmark of a young team and a developing program, I guess.

 

[Bama Reb]

Incorrect - it was reported quite widely. He didn't seem to feel he had breached any rule...

I didn't realize that. Why would he do that? After we've already lost to them in the SECCG, he has to go out and insure our loss in the Sugar Bowl as well? I don't see the reasoning behind such actions. That is so low class. I thought only Tubby was that low. I guess cum is even lower than Tubs..

It's STILL us agin the world huh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't it always?

 

[selmaborntidefan]

How Is This Possible...

Coming into 2008, I think every Alabama fan in the world would have been thrilled if you had told us, "Alabama will win TWELVE games this year, beat Auburn by five touchdowns, win the SEC West, spend five weeks at #1, and lead Florida by three going into the fourth quarter of the SECCG."

Why then do I feel so sour this morning?

EVERY Alabama fan in the world would've taken it if the Almighty made a deal with us prior to this year. You can throw in some other tidbits:

Tennessee will have a losing season and fire its coach and hire an incompetent buffoon.

Auburn will make Tennessee's offense and coaching hire look like a stroke of genius

Dennis Franchione will be standing on the sidelines watching his former team rout Clemson and hold the twin tandem to 10 yards rushing

Sly Croom will be drawing unemployment

You will beat LSU in overtime in Baton Rouge

You will lead Georgia, 31-0, at half-time



This morning I have that eerily similar hungover feeling that I had on January 2, 1990. Remember 1989? 10-0 and #2 in the country, feeling pretty as punch, a shocking block win at Penn State, a rout of Tennessee.....and then came Auburn and Miami.

There's a differnece, though.

I EXPECTED to lose to Miami in 1990. They were that much better than us. But I saw Utah from the start as a 'no win' situation. Think about it: if Alabama had come back and won that game last night, say, 31-28, the pundits this morning would be talking about how great Utah is and how overrated Alabama was.

If we had smoked them by four TDs, it would have been 'ho hum,' that's what you're supposed to do.

Instead we lost - and now condemnation will rain down upon us as if we committed the unpardonable sin. I'm hoping at the least it's treated as 'Utah won' rather than 'Alabama lost.'

I went from feeling like its 1992 to 1994 (when we lost to Florida but beat Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl).....to 1989, when I felt the whole year was washed away in two losses.

Maybe it's just psychological. Remember, our coach fled the coop four days after that last loss. No, not even thinking of St. Nick doing the same - just a psychology to it all.

Thanks - Nick Saban and Alabama Nation for making this the best year in Bama football in a VERY long time.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

You are correct - it's a matter of rising expectations.

 

[SavannahDare]

So, I was at the game last night. Not sure if it was shown on tv or not (I haven't looked at my tivo of it yet), but it was irritating to have the Utah section chanting "Urban Meyer" whilst doing the gator chomp at us (either just before or very early in the game). Just added to the "weird" nature of the whole night.

My thoughts on this loss are simple:
~Anyone who "forgot" just how thin we are on the OL this season has been too easily swayed by the wins we came away with all season long. The loss of AS, then MJ, was nothing short of devastating. Lack of depth to compensate for them not playing was what made the difference last night.

~Our defense was not adequately prepared. I mean, seriously, even during the game Utah ran so many of the same plays repeatedly and we didn't even adjust to it. So not only did our D look like they hadn't a clue going in, they weren't focused or flexible enough during the game to make adjustments that were necessary.

~I am still proud of this team. They overachieved all season long and gave us fans a nice surprise season. I am optimistic about our rising sophomores and recruiting in upcoming years (And, boy, am I glad we have that JUCO OL, Carpenter, coming in! Oh, and DJ Fluker can't get here fast enough!!).

Thanks to the coaches and players for a great ride this season!!

 

[Vinny]

I was just impressed with Utah's speed and disipline on both sides of the ball. They talked the smack, but they also backed it up. I am looking foward to signing day and getting a top recruiting class coming in.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

You're dead to rights on #4 and 5. Keep in mind the slim remainder of Shula holdovers are being flushed out now that we are at the conclusion of this season, with only a very few remaining. We are only going to get better...

Flushed out? Nice metaphor . . . particularly on how it applies to Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Johnson, Andre Smith, Nick Walker etc.

Alabama played a bad game against a fine opponent. For once, can we skip the dissertations about the emotional and spiritual deficiencies of our upper-classmen?

 

[SeattleBama]

I echo all of the positive comments listed in this thread, but I do have to say that it is my belief that the players were not prepared mentally for this game. Too much down time and reflection. We had a breakdown in every single phase of the game. We need true pass blockers, a quarterback who can run the ball, at least 3 jacks, cornerbacks that can tackle and defend a pass, a kicker who can put the ball in the endzone on kickoffs, etc. DT_velo:

 

[AlabamaTide22]

Some thoughts about last night...

Our tackling was horrible Period.
We were un-inspired and Utah wanted it more.
Our kicker is terrible.
We need more speed on this football team.

Lastnight was also a perfect example of when we have individual football player, especially star players who break rules and because of their bad judgement they hurt an entire football team...is unexceptable. IT was clear that the action's of Andre Smith and the results of him not being there were hugh. Our offensive line was horrible and much of the blame can be put on the shoulders of Andre.

Anway great season and we have a lot to look forward too, but that showing was bad and hopefully our young guys will learn a lesson.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

This loss is on the coaches. Even the makeshift Bama offensive line outweighed Utah's defensive line by 20.

So why run the ball only 21 times and try 40+ pass plays?

We should have pounded the snot out of them. Instead, we line up in single back or shotgun and try to throw the football all over the field.

Last night's offensive playcalling was absolutely atrocious. Even down by 21, we should have seen Huber and Coffee in the backfield. Not empty, or shotgun, or single-back with three wide...

 

[BamaFossil]

Re: Some thoughts about lastnight

I agree our O wasn't in top form and Andre might have made some difference... but IMO not in the final outcome. Andre couldn't have done much to stop their scoring 31 points.

I agree with your conclusion that it was a great season. Of course we'd all like to have had a couple more wins... but it is what it is.

 

[rolltidescott]

Re: Some thoughts about last night...

Our tackling was horrible Period.
We were un-inspired and Utah wanted it more.
Our kicker is terrible.
We need more speed on this football team.

I agree with 3 of your 4. The SHORTEST field goal we attempted was 47 yards. Yes, the misses hurt, but 50-yard field goals are not 'automatics'.

 

[GrayTide]

We do need more speed on this team. IMO the SEC, with the exception of UF, is heading the way of the Big 10. Bulk, run oriented offenses that have a difficult time with teams that possess speed and quickness that shoud have been obvious last night. There were a lot of people on here who made fun of UM's offense saying it would never work in the SEC, 1 NC and playing for another in his first 4 years should be proof that smashmouth football is not necessarily the best way to win. I for one hope that in this upcoming recruiting class there is a lot of speed.

 

[CHES-Franklin]

I am stunned. I am sitting on the third floor at the Hilton Riverside Business Center waiting to print my boarding passes.

As the team was loading out at the hotel last night they seemed very low key, and even tempered. A business trip type mentality. I can tell you the few I ran into after the game were VERY disappointed. Very few were stirring about in the hotel after the game.


Players still seem somber this morning as they are walking right past the business center as I type for I guess a last team meeting before everyone departs.


Interaction with Utah fans was limited for us. Utah came out and fired on all cylinders. Nothing but congrats to their team!!! The few interactions we had with Utah fans was not positive, and I will leave it at that. I guess they really did have that chip on their shoulder.

All in all a great trip. A terrific turnout by Bama fans. New Orleans did a terrific job of hosting the event as this was our first time here.

Thats all I've got!!

 

[Littlewing]

Re: Some thoughts about lastnight

I agree our O wasn't in top form and Andre might have made some difference... but IMO not in the final outcome. Andre couldn't have done much to stop their scoring 31 points.

I agree with your conclusion that it was a great season. Of course we'd all like to have had a couple more wins... but it is what it is.

with our normal o-line they don't get 31 points because we sustain drives and protect JPW.