JessN: USF wrap-up: Tide rides its defense to ugly win

[JessN]

USF wrap-up: Tide rides its defense to ugly win
by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

Whether wins are ever ugly is a subject for spirited debate, but if there is truly such thing as an ugly win, they’d find a picture of this one next to the dictionary entry.

Alabama beat South Florida 17-3 thanks largely to the intersection of good defense and a South Florida quarterback who couldn’t even throw as well as Alabama’s triggermen. And given what we saw for nearly the entire first half of this game, that’s saying something.

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TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - USF wrap-up: Tide rides its defense to ugly win

Whether wins are ever ugly is a subject for spirited debate, but if there is truly such thing as an ugly win, they’d find a picture of this one next to the dictionary entry. Alabama beat South Fl…

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[BayouBama75]

Good analysis. I think Simpson can make the throws but it seems like he holds the ball too long or the plays calls for him to hold it longer. The quicker timing and RPO plays seem like a good fit for him. To me the play calling from the OC seemed to be lacking compared to years past.

 

[bvandegraff]

"For whatever reason, the accountability demanded of Alabama’s quarterbacks hasn’t filtered down to the offensive line yet."

Truer words were never written.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Solid summary, Jess, but you let the coaches off lightly. This team, in its current state, will eclipse Dubose's final atrocity in 2000.

 

[ROCKEE]

As usual Jess, great analysis.
Hopefully we fix some things this week and get all our starters back.

 

[DrollTide]

The offense is playing a game with which I am unfamiliar.

 

[Tenntiderman]

Solid summary, Jess, but you let the coaches off lightly. This team, in its current state, will eclipse Dubose's final atrocity in 2000.

I keep remembering CNS' words several years ago when the NCAA began changing rules so as to favor fast tempo offenses. "Is this what we want College football to be?" The answer was yes. They did. When college ball chooses a path...high schools follow. Now ....seems like everyone runs about the same offenses. Bama has decided to be a once again physical run team. Bama has the physical look of a team that certainly would be menacing to a DL, but it doesn't look so far that any of them have ever been in a physical dogfight against an opponent who shows the same toughness. Hard to be a mailer when one has never 'mauled' . Our #74 found himself downfield on a running play and for some reason slammed on the brakes which allowed one defensive player to bring down McClellan. Not sure what he was thinking....undercoaching or overcoaching? Cant sit ALL the underperformers. Too many of them.

 

[Windsortide]

Great write up. Thanks

 

[rylandtide]

Milroe is a much better athlete and QB out of the three. Saban may have benched Milroe and kept him out of the game to try and light a fire under him for motivation purposes only. Milroe did actually have success in scoring and moving the ball against Texas. Against SFL, Buchner was not successful and Simpson had limited success. All three QBs had the same OLine (which needs a lot of work).

Milroe starts against Ole Miss. Just my $.02.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Jess, you nail it every time. Thanks for your insight as all I can do is concur.

 

[BamaMoon]

I don't think we are talking enough about the struggles of he RB core.

First time in recent years one of our top 2 or 3 guys don't show a home run threat.

If it isn't a straight up the gut run, we aren't making many yards. Jace and Roydell struggle to bounce it outside or move laterally. Perhaps it's the injuries, but I think this is a bigger problem than anyone is talking about.

Can one of the stud freshmen break thru?

But thanks Jess for bringing it up as a bullet point.

 

[Bamaatthebeach]

Thank you!

 

[merino]

Milroe is a much better athlete and QB out of the three. Saban may have benched Milroe and kept him out of the game to try and light a fire under him for motivation purposes only. Milroe did actually have success in scoring and moving the ball against Texas. Against SFL, Buchner was not successful and Simpson had limited success. All three QBs had the same OLine (which needs a lot of work).

Milroe starts against Ole Miss. Just my $.02.

What are you thinking? Ty Simpson played with the same woeful OL, but had no turnovers, and a couple of perfect passes. Play Milroe, expect two or more turnovers.

 

[TideATL70]

I tend to agree with the point brought up today on SEC This Morning. They know what they have with Jalen and al things considered knew they could beat USF even if they had to run the ball 100% of the time. They wanted to give the backup-OR backups playing time probably hoping one of them would play lights out. Of course, it only tended to muddy the waters between Jalen and Ty.
Who knows- that sounded kind of?? logical to me.

 

[rylandtide]

I guess I am thinking the same thing that Saban is thinking. Milroe is starting Saturday vs Ole Miss; just confirmed by Coach.

Yeah I hear ya on the turnovers, but its obvious that Milroe can throw, run and move the offense. The O line played horrible vs TX and how do we know the Milroe interceptions weren't due to previous sacks or previous pressure from TX D-Line? He has some confidence issue to work through but that comes with age and experience. The other 2 QBs do not have the confidence, athleticism or experience as Milroe, at all. Not even close!

What are you thinking? Ty Simpson played with the same woeful OL, but had no turnovers, and a couple of perfect passes. Play Milroe, expect two or more turnovers.