The most important drive of the 2021 CFP Title game

[BamaFlum]

My best friend is a Buckeye. He still can't believe that after tOSU flew down the field to score their first TD of the second half only to watch us -- with no DeVonta, no Najee, and Jaylen and Mac both playing on one leg -- score our own touchdown to ice it.

Second- and third-stringers and walking wounded. Amazing.

That to me was the biggest and best moment of the season, much less the game. And it epitomizes what Saban has built.

I think that proves how good Mac is.

 

[Con]

My best friend is a Buckeye. He still can't believe that after tOSU flew down the field to score their first TD of the second half only to watch us -- with no DeVonta, no Najee, and Jaylen and Mac both playing on one leg -- score our own touchdown to ice it.

Second- and third-stringers and walking wounded. Amazing.

That to me was the biggest and best moment of the season, much less the game. And it epitomizes what Saban has built.

I don't think we could have done this in other years, but this bunch just had the right attitude to pull it off. When everyone was complaining about how we were coming out of halftime in other games a little flat, they obviously worked on that during practices so it wouldn't happen when it really counted.

 

[ChattTide]

You all mentioned the Bama drives that were the most important, but to me the most important drive of the game that defined it was the OSU drive that was stopped by Barrmore on 4th down at midfield. The defense was not even set up and OSU snaps the ball. Barrmore slants inside of the guard and tackle and makes the hit behind the LOS. That tackle basically took most of the air out of OSU and Bama went right back down the field and scored.To OSU's credit, they didn't just roll over, but continued to drive the field and got into scoring position twice, but the Bama defense was able to shut the door to keep them out.

 

[teamplayer]

I thought the Slade Bolden TD drive was key. OSU had just scored in 3 plays, Smitty is out, Najee gets a breather, and we're only up 38-24. A three and out there gives the Buckeyes belief. BRob comes out and runs hard, Billingsley makes a big 3rd down catch and Slade gets the TD on a play where Wade just underestimated his speed in motion. It's interesting how we identified different drives as crucial.

This is also the one I was going to mention because when they scored in three plays and only took about a minute off the clock, I thought we were heading for another Florida type ending, especially since Smitty was out. I was very concerned at that point in the game. The offense came out there without Smitty and Najee and took care of business. It seemed to be over after that, and it was.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Watching the game on SEC Network now to determine the best drives. It's early in the first quarter, if anyone is interested.

 

[UAH]

To me, the most important drive of the game on Monday night, was the clock-devouring drive that began the 3rd quarter. Even before halftime, knowing we would get the ball to start the second half, that drive needed to eat clock, and, possibly, result in points. Even a field goal, which our PERFECT FOR THE SEASON KICKER nailed, got the score to 38-17. And, considering Ohio State flew down the field and scored a TD within a minute to get the game to 38-24, and competitive by score alone, that one drive took away time from the Buckeyes. Half the 3rd quarter was taken by that drive. And I believe that was by design. The Buckeyes could not get their defense off the field.

As worthy of an opponent as Ohio State was, that drive, ending with "only" a single field goal, took the game away from them. It made their next scoring drive critical. And, even though they delivered, it would be their final score of the game. It was perfection, it was my personal peak of the game. Roll Tide folks! #18 with more to come!

It is difficult for me to place the exact point of the game but Brian Robinson made a big contribution at a critical time when he came in and gashed the OSU defense with several strong runs. The OSU defense had wilted by this time but this drive did a lot to run the clock. On the other side Barmore played lights out to prevent Fields time to set and throw the ball. Ultimately OSU didn't get a break when a couple of would be touchdown throws were just out of bounds. The game was over when they finally got the ball back. With BR coming back the running back room is in great shape for next year.

 

[bamaga]

There were two, IMO. The drive after the score was tied 14-14 was huge. It kept the pressure on our offense, which led to mistakes. And the second was the drive that you mentioned, to lead off the second half. It did the same thing in demonstrating that there would be no let-up.

The pressure placed on our offense and defense by the success of your offense was something that the Bucks could not handle.

I agree that first half drive, I think it was early in the second quarter, was huge ! Also , the thing about the long drive to open the third was that it was without Smitty, and it showed they didn’t need him to move the football! So it was huge also!

 

[B1GTide]

Rewatching the Rose Bowl - Alabama up 14-0 with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter and it is already obvious that Notre Dame is totally outclassed. I am still in amazement at just how great this Alabama team was.

 

[Padreruf]

Rewatching the Rose Bowl - Alabama up 14-0 with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter and it is already obvious that Notre Dame is totally outclassed. I am still in amazement at just how great this Alabama team was.

I agree...SS and CNS put it on cruise control early...not willing to risk anything or show much.

 

[Bill from NYC]

I think that Christian Barmore taking over the game was what enabled out offense to stay on the field and produce like the champions they are. He dominated vs. the pass and the run. We are going to miss this kid.

 

[Windsortide]

There were two, IMO. The drive after the score was tied 14-14 was huge. It kept the pressure on our offense, which led to mistakes. And the second was the drive that you mentioned, to lead off the second half. It did the same thing in demonstrating that there would be no let-up.

The pressure placed on our offense and defense by the success of your offense was something that the Bucks could not handle.

I agree 100 percent Bama reestablished control of the game and set the tone for the finish.

 

[Tenntiderman]

There were two, IMO. The drive after the score was tied 14-14 was huge. It kept the pressure on our offense, which led to mistakes. And the second was the drive that you mentioned, to lead off the second half. It did the same thing in demonstrating that there would be no let-up.

The pressure placed on our offense and defense by the success of your offense was something that the Bucks could not handle.

I think that the 2 missing DLs were a depth issue. Those guys not being there was a matchup help. Of course..we had guys out here and there. But the Covid thing could have been a bigger factor than it turned out to be.

 

[Con]

After re-watching the game I felt like every drive was an important drive when your defense gives up a 3 play one minute drive. Our guys and coaches were just clutch for pretty much the entire ball game.

 

[B1GTide]

After re-watching the game I felt like every drive was an important drive when your defense gives up a 3 play one minute drive. Our guys and coaches were just clutch for pretty much the entire ball game.

The first OSU TD drive gave me hope - it lasted for about 5 minutes. Even when Alabama fumbled and we tied the game, I knew that we were going to lose unless we got about 3 more of those.

 

[REBELZED]

I think that Christian Barmore taking over the game was what enabled out offense to stay on the field and produce like the champions they are. He dominated vs. the pass and the run. We are going to miss this kid.

I agree about Barmore's performance in this game but as for the bolded part, we have said the same thing about Cody, then Dareus, then Upshaw, then Jon Allen, then Q, then Payne, etc, etc. That is what is so amazing about this period of Alabama football. We just keep replacing generational talents with generational talents.

Who would have thought we could EVER replace a Julio Jones? Along came Cooper, Ridley, Jeudy, Ruggs, Waddle and now Smitty dwarfs ALL of them.

Who would have thought we could EVER replace a Tua Tagovailoa? Along comes Mac Jones and shatters records in a shortened season.

We are just so lucky to have experienced this...

 

[selmaborntidefan]

My Blu-ray/DVD arrived yesterday. I haven't been able to find this particular actual game on You Tube, so I went ahead and got it.

I'll have more to say after a sober viewing without emotion.

 

[Tideflyer]

I agree about Barmore's performance in this game but as for the bolded part, we have said the same thing about Cody, then Dareus, then Upshaw, then Jon Allen, then Q, then Payne, etc, etc. That is what is so amazing about this period of Alabama football. We just keep replacing generational talents with generational talents.

Who would have thought we could EVER replace a Julio Jones? Along came Cooper, Ridley, Jeudy, Ruggs, Waddle and now Smitty dwarfs ALL of them.

Who would have thought we could EVER replace a Tua Tagovailoa? Along comes Mac Jones and shatters records in a shortened season.

We are just so lucky to have experienced this...

Us older guys going back to Coach Bryant, I mean those of us who can remember when he first came home to Alabama, maybe have a broader perspective. Glad I’ve been around to see this. As great as the Coach Bryant era was, IMO, without question, this is the greatest era of Alabama football.

 

[Bill from NYC]

Us older guys going back to Coach Bryant, I mean those of us who can remember when he first came home to Alabama, maybe have a broader perspective. Glad I’ve been around to see this. As great as the Coach Bryant era was, IMO, without question, this is the greatest era of Alabama football.

I agree 100%!!!
Thank you Coach Saban and ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BhamToTexas]

I think the drive to the game was the most important.

 

[Bama_N_Va]

With the score 14-14, Bama had the ball 11:32 compared to 7:04 for OSU. I knew we would win the game at that point.