how many of Hill's 400 yards against OM were in garbage time?
200 of his 401 came in the fourth quarter alone. I didn't even calculate the third quarter. He had 177 yards in the fourth quarter against Arkansas.
If we get them down early, I think we can drop back in zone and get a few INTs.
I love Jess' previews -- but he is definitely NOT a sunshine pumper. I also know he knows us -- probably better than anyone else I read....
But, when we look at games like this, we always look at "us" -- but A&M has lost 2 games in a row by 17 and 15 after beating Ark in OT (should have lost that one) -- so, 3 weeks ago, something happened to their team. Not sure if it was simply they were doing it with Smoke and Mirrors -- or if they have to get a team down early and then just pour it on -- or what....but that team has lost 2 in a row, should be 3..... and we are playing at home after they've had 2 bad losses -- and I'm sure that they are pretty dog tired at this point.
3 tough games in a row can take a mental toll on you - and now you have to go into TTown and pull out a win?
I just don't see that happening....regardless of how the matchups look on paper. They can't feel confident -- and the key to beating Bama the last few years has everything to do with confidence.....
Not only should they be on a 3 game losing streak, they also just played their toughest opposition thus far. Their offense has stalled against MSU and Ole Miss, and the offense wasn't very spectacular against Arky.
I compared some stats from the teams and found this:
- In 7 games, TAMU has gotten 196 first downs (average of 28 per game) but allowed 144 to its opponents (20.57 average).
- In 6 games, Bama has gotten 146 first downs (24.333 average) while only allowing 89 (14.833 pg).
- While TAMU prefers quick passes, they've allowed 1.43 sacks per game. Bama's offense isn't as fast and has allowed 1 per game.
- As far as the defenses go, TAMU averages 3.14 sack per game. The defense got 8 against SMU, though. Alabama averages 2.17 per game.
- TAMU averages 6.29 penalties per game, and Bama averages 6.5. However, TAMU is penalized 59 yards per game compared to Bama's 49.
- TAMU's defense allows its opponents to score 22.6 points; Bama averages 33.2 points per game. TAMU scores 43.9 points; Bama only gives up 15.3 points per game.
Bama needs to cut the pre-snap penalties because the 49 yards per game doesn't show the fact a 3rd and 1 became 3rd and 6. If Bama does that, TAMU will have some issues stopping Bama's offense because that defense is still suspect.
Bama's DBs need to jam the WRs to get them off their routes and allow the DL to put pressure on Hill. Clearly, the TAMU OL isn't what Manziel had.
Last week, Ole Miss caused major confusion between Hill and the receivers. Herbie kept talking about TAMU's offense requiring the WRs and Hill to see the same coverage because the coverage dictates the routes in Sumlin's air raid. I don't want our scheme to be too complex this week and confuse our DBs, but the complex secondary might be the best thing for the young TAMU WRs and Hill.
Another intangible not mentioned by some - Bama is at home. We saw the entire team play better at home compared to the WVU, Ole Miss and Arky games.