The more physical team lost by three touchdowns. Our QB is the best college QB I have ever seen.
Bama Game Thread: Official Postgame Thread Bama vs. USCe...
- Thread starter TIDE-HSV
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I'm not sure it matters when there's 9 years between games. We played them in Tuscaloosa in 2009. We used to play each rotating opponent from the east back-to-back games each rotation. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. We don't play USCe again for another 5 years.
Almost reminded me of a Big 12 team which disappoints me.
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Good win. I feel like we saw our young LB's struggle today and especially 8. He looked a little confused today, but they keep talking about how inexperienced he is. I feel like he and 35 will learn from what South Carolina were doing to them today. It looked like we were having trouble fitting the gaps on their outside runs. I thought the OL did a better job today with the exception of the second drive when they sacked Tua twice. I do wonder if maybe there was a bad hold or snap on the missed XP because it just didn't look like all of his other XP's.
Long story short, today was the first game in a long time that I've had to listen on the radio with no TV and not being in the stadium. All the stuff you guys have been saying about Eli is right. Down and distance was often missing. Called gains (or losses) and stated field position didn't always foot. There were plays at a time that I had no idea what was going on. I was reminded of John Forney's last year or two, and used all the bad words yelling at my radio.
So my observations lack the nuance that would have come with actually seeing the game or having a decent verbal picture. That said, my thoughts were:
1. Tua and the WRs are the best combination we've ever had in Tuscaloosa. They might be the best in CFB history. If there's one better, I'd love to be reminded.
2. The running game is a problem. I don't know if USCe was stacking the line or not (see first paragraph), but the OL got no push until the game was in hand and the USCe defense was demoralized. I counted at least three times that the TE or HB got pushed so far backwards so fast that the RB was brought down by friendly fire....the TE/HB's butt, which was a good 5 yards back from where it should have been. Against an opponent who can do that with a 7-man box (and because I had no idea as to how the D was lining up, I don't know if USCe is one of those or not), that's going to be a problem.
3. Our D did a fine job in the red zone. We could easily have given up 10-17 more points if not for heart and effort down near the goal line.
4. We got little to no pressure on Hillinsky. Also couldn't tell that we affected him much. That's a problem.
5. USCe was the first team to make our freshman ILBs look like freshmen. They got schooled today. Here's hoping they learn fast. Bigger challenges with better offenses await.
6. The kicking team defense was outstanding. Punt and KO coverage, and most especially the defense against fake and onside kicks. Well done.
7. God bless him, our punter might be able to perform in practice, but he's just not anything in the same galaxy as reliable when the lights come on. Normally, I like for specialists to specialize. PKs don't punt. Punters don't do PKs (unless it's the 50+ yarders like JK Scott used to try). Reluctantly, I have to think that Reichard is our best option at both spots.
8. How in the name of all that is holy can we continue to doink kicks off the uprights? Eli said that the missed XP was partially blocked, but left out the detail about whether the kick was low or there was penetration of the protection. So I don't know what happened there. I do think Reichard is the long-term answer at PK, but the growing pains do hurt.
9. What is going on with all the penalties? So many were mental errors....offside, false starts, roughing the passer (at least twice!), substitution infractions. They hurt bad enough today. Against a less-overmatched team, they could turn the outcome.
Bad news: This team, as it exists right now, has some significant flaws. Without improvement, we will lose at least two games (LSU and the barn), and maybe a third.
Good news: We're young, should improve, and the challenging part of the schedule is 4-6 weeks away. There is time to become by then what we are not today.
Key needed changes:
- Be able to get 2-3 yards on the ground when the opponent's D's heads and hearts are still in the game and they know we're going to run.
- Turn the kicking specialists into a net neutral. Right now, they're a liability. Not to be confused with punt or KO coverage, which are really good.
- Affect the opposing QB often enough to get into his head. Don't have to sack him. Don't have to be on him every play. But based on the first three games, our pass rush is way down the list of things the opponents' O has to worry about.
- Quit committing the stupid penalties. Right now, we're killing our own drives and prolonging the opponents' drives beyond what they (the opponents) have earned.
So my observations lack the nuance that would have come with actually seeing the game or having a decent verbal picture. That said, my thoughts were:
1. Tua and the WRs are the best combination we've ever had in Tuscaloosa. They might be the best in CFB history. If there's one better, I'd love to be reminded.
2. The running game is a problem. I don't know if USCe was stacking the line or not (see first paragraph), but the OL got no push until the game was in hand and the USCe defense was demoralized. I counted at least three times that the TE or HB got pushed so far backwards so fast that the RB was brought down by friendly fire....the TE/HB's butt, which was a good 5 yards back from where it should have been. Against an opponent who can do that with a 7-man box (and because I had no idea as to how the D was lining up, I don't know if USCe is one of those or not), that's going to be a problem.
3. Our D did a fine job in the red zone. We could easily have given up 10-17 more points if not for heart and effort down near the goal line.
4. We got little to no pressure on Hillinsky. Also couldn't tell that we affected him much. That's a problem.
5. USCe was the first team to make our freshman ILBs look like freshmen. They got schooled today. Here's hoping they learn fast. Bigger challenges with better offenses await.
6. The kicking team defense was outstanding. Punt and KO coverage, and most especially the defense against fake and onside kicks. Well done.
7. God bless him, our punter might be able to perform in practice, but he's just not anything in the same galaxy as reliable when the lights come on. Normally, I like for specialists to specialize. PKs don't punt. Punters don't do PKs (unless it's the 50+ yarders like JK Scott used to try). Reluctantly, I have to think that Reichard is our best option at both spots.
8. How in the name of all that is holy can we continue to doink kicks off the uprights? Eli said that the missed XP was partially blocked, but left out the detail about whether the kick was low or there was penetration of the protection. So I don't know what happened there. I do think Reichard is the long-term answer at PK, but the growing pains do hurt.
9. What is going on with all the penalties? So many were mental errors....offside, false starts, roughing the passer (at least twice!), substitution infractions. They hurt bad enough today. Against a less-overmatched team, they could turn the outcome.
Bad news: This team, as it exists right now, has some significant flaws. Without improvement, we will lose at least two games (LSU and the barn), and maybe a third.
Good news: We're young, should improve, and the challenging part of the schedule is 4-6 weeks away. There is time to become by then what we are not today.
Key needed changes:
- Be able to get 2-3 yards on the ground when the opponent's D's heads and hearts are still in the game and they know we're going to run.
- Turn the kicking specialists into a net neutral. Right now, they're a liability. Not to be confused with punt or KO coverage, which are really good.
- Affect the opposing QB often enough to get into his head. Don't have to sack him. Don't have to be on him every play. But based on the first three games, our pass rush is way down the list of things the opponents' O has to worry about.
- Quit committing the stupid penalties. Right now, we're killing our own drives and prolonging the opponents' drives beyond what they (the opponents) have earned.
4Q, I don't disagree with anything you say except the guaranteed losses. We do need to improve in order to more better assure we won't drop a game, but the team as it stands today can win them all until at least Georgia in the SEC championship game. No one is stopping this QB/WR corps without injuries occurring. Now, they may outscore us, but that's a lot of pressure to have on your offense. So I say we can beat LSU and Auburn today but it would be a bumpy ride.
Our line play has to improve on both sides. We look like the Kirby defenses of old, never being able to get pressure without blitzing, and most of those blitzes still getting picked up. I don't know what to think about the offensive line. Being a pass first offense should not disable the OL from being about to open up running lanes. But I love us getting the RBs involved as receivers.
The freshmen on defense will continue to grow up and be ready for the the better teams when we get to them. But our offense has to keep the pedal to the metal. I'll say I've never been more confident in one to do it.
Our line play has to improve on both sides. We look like the Kirby defenses of old, never being able to get pressure without blitzing, and most of those blitzes still getting picked up. I don't know what to think about the offensive line. Being a pass first offense should not disable the OL from being about to open up running lanes. But I love us getting the RBs involved as receivers.
The freshmen on defense will continue to grow up and be ready for the the better teams when we get to them. But our offense has to keep the pedal to the metal. I'll say I've never been more confident in one to do it.
We're on the same page. Keep in mind, I don't think the losses to LSU and the barn are guaranteed. I think they're probable only if the team doesn't improve on (1) the running game, and (2) at least two of the other three cited points.
There is time, but we have to make good use of it, and thus far progress has been slower than any of us would have liked.
Injuries have no doubt played a part in that. However, identifying the cause of the problem is not the same as implementing a solution. We will get better on a few key points. Or for whatever reason, we won't. If the latter, we will lose, probably more than once. Simple as that.
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Good SEC road win in a hostile environment, though there were a ton of Bama fans there. The biggest area of concern, if there can be one in a 24 point win, was LB play. I thought overall Bama LBs had a bad day. Running game struggled but as others have said that was partly taking what USC was giving. Bama WRs had a great day.
Overall offense should be fine, but there’s work to be done on defense. A mediocre running game & a true freshman qb did some damage today...LSU, auburn, UGA, Clemson, OSU, etc. bring better skill players to the table, D must improve.
Overall offense should be fine, but there’s work to be done on defense. A mediocre running game & a true freshman qb did some damage today...LSU, auburn, UGA, Clemson, OSU, etc. bring better skill players to the table, D must improve.
Danielson seems to always fail to understand what is obvious to everyone watching.
Gary is a zero on the ten scale.
IMO, Bama is better than both LSU (-7) and AU (-9). Both will score, but neither can stop Bama's passing game. IMO, Bama would be able to get enough stops
to win the game, esp vs AU.
UGA may beat Bama by 2 TDs. Tua and the WRs might can overcome UGA's edge but the more physical team usually wins and UGA appears to be much more physical. OTOH, Bama has the coaching and psychological edge.
But a lot can change between now and then.
Now, they may outscore us, but that's a lot of pressure to have on your offense. So I say we can beat LSU and Auburn .[/QUOTE]
We'll beat au like a drum.
We'll beat au like a drum.
I still see fixable stuff on defense. This game was missed tackles. They guys were there but they just didn’t finish. Last year the guys were not even close to being in the right spot. Just lost! I have far more confidence in this group on D than last year.
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When we listen to Gary's interviews after the game he is always hugely complementary about Alabama and Tua in particular. His commentary and memory of the previous games is extraordinary. When ,however, he becomes such an advocate for a close ball game he is like a dog on a bone. He just can't give it up and the CBS crew support him with replays while the game continues. He drives us completely mad with that game after game. My other complaint is that CBS goes into full promo mode and moves away from calling the game for practically the entire forth quarter. Anyone can see that sports is only a sideline for CBS in everything that they cover and they do such a sloppy job. Sports coverage on TV in general is becoming almost too much to watch.
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