Game notes: AU vs Bama

[hscoach]

                                             AU vs Bama

It’s not how you start; it is how you finish.

First, congrats to the Bama players and coaches the victory.  This was a game that could have gone either way.  Bama, especially defensively, made some huge plays and then the offense decided to join the party in the 4th quarter.  I don’t say this often but the coaching on the offensive side of the ball leaves me frustrated.  How can you go into a game, after being hurt by the blitz in early games, not be prepared for the same type of game plan?   The play calling has left something to be desired.  Knowing the blitzes are coming don’t you work your shorter passing game and allow your athletes to make plays after the catch?  Also, hot routes should be worked into the game plan.

OFFFENSE:  The offense trailed in the game until the last 24 seconds of the game.  The huge drive was a gift since Bigbsy went out of bounds to stop the clock and save Bama a timeout and put extra time on the clock for them on that last drive.  The offense put together 388 total yards of offense which included 317 passing yards and 71 rushing yards.  I have Bama with 5 three and outs and 4 of those were in the first half.  As for negative plays, I have Bama with 4 tackles for losses, 8 sacks, and an interception.  For plays that covered 10+ yards, I have Bama with 10 passing plays and 2 running plays.  Eight of the passing plays were in the 2nd half and 1 10+ yard run was negated by a penalty.  Bama got into the red zone twice and kicked one field goal and muffed another field goal attempt.  They scored their big game tying touchdown from outside the red zone. 

QB:  Young completed 25 for 51 passes during the game for 317 yards.  This is a 49 % completion rate, but I will give more information on this later as he was under pressure most of the day.  There were also some drops that added to these stats.  I’m not saying he had a great day, but under the circumstances he did a decent job.

RB:  Robinson was hit most of the day on or behind the LOS most of the day.  He did have a big run and some big catches. 

Rec:  Metchie was the man as he had over half the completions with 13 catches for 150 yards.  Metchie was also the go to guy in overtime.  Brooks came in and had 2 catches and the only touchdown catch, in regular time, in the game.  Bolden had 3 catches while Williams had 2 before his exit.  Both tight ends, had a catch and if I remember correctly they were catches that were for 1st downs.   

OL:  This, in my opinion is the main concern for the offense.  I see too many times where the defense gets under the pads of the offense.  When this is done the offense cannot get a push.  There were at least 3 times where it was 3rd or 4th and 1 and the offensive line couldn’t get the push to pick up that yard.  Too me they play a little too nonchalant and don’t have enough meanness.  It doesn’t seem to bother them when they get beat.  I don’t know for sure if this is coaching or talent.  I also saw at least once where it looked like the OL-man took a cross over step which allow the DL-man to cross his face and make the play.  I don’t like saying this, but how does it take so long to make adjustments?  Why are they not prepared coming into the game?  It seems the OL-men that were recruited were some of the best in the nation.  Something has to change here whether it’s coaching or personnel.

Def:  The defense, in my opinion, won this game by keeping it close as AU had good field position early in the game.   The came up big in the second half again when AU had good field position.  The defense gave up a total of 159 yards which included 137 passing yards and 22 rushing yards.  For negative plays, I have the defense with 10 tackles for losses and 6 sacks.  I have the defense with 4 three and outs and one 1 and outs since they intercepted the first down pass.  For plays that covered 10+ yards, I have AU with 5 passing plays and 2 running plays.  Only 1 passing play in the 2nd half went for 10+ yards.  They got into the red zone 3 times, aided by penalties a couple of times, and scored one touchdown and kicked a field goal.  The other time they were sacked and taken out of field goal position. 

DL: The DL played very well.  They made the plays at or behind the LOS many times.  They pressured the QB numerous times.  The tackles along the DL were pretty much divided up equally among the starters and backups.

LB: The played extremely well.  They were all over the field making plays. 

DB: They played one of their better games.  They did give up a couple of completions, but they were usually outstanding catches.  There was one where Jobe missed making the play as he actually overran the play.  There were a couple of one-handed catches where the offensive player just made the play as the coverage was there.  They came up and make many tackles with sure tackling technique.  It didn’t look as if they busted any coverage during the game.  On the touchdown, the defender overran the play and slipped and the LB missed one of the few tackles during the game.  Battle’s tackle on Bigsby short of a first down probably saved the game and helped him out of bounds on the tackle which saved Bama a timeout.

Special teams: There were a couple of plays that were crucial.  First the missed field goal because of a fumbled hold probably cost Bama 3 points.  The partially blocked punt set AU up in good field position and the defense made a huge stop.   They did give up a 19-yard return that also put AU in good field positon.

Penalties:  Bama was credited with 11 penalties but really had 12 as one was declined.  They were divided up with 5 on offense, 4 on defense, and 2 on special teams.  Now this is a huge concern but what is also a huge concern is that almost all of these were major penalties which mean 10 to 15 yard penalties.  Only 2 of them were of the 5-yard variety.  I will say there were a couple of questionable calls like the roughing the passes.  I don’t say this often, but there were a few missed that could have been called against AU.  They could have been huge like the missed PI early in the game.  Also, the hands to the face that knocked the offensive players helmet off and cost Bama a good gain.  Finally, there was a missed facemask.

Finally, if Bama going to continue to play after the next game, they, in my opinion will have to defeat UG.  They have to clean up the offensive line play.  I have said this more than once and the same problems seem to continue.

Extra:  Bama dropped back to pass, not counting overtime 58 times.  Out of all these attempts, the QB was sacked 8 times.  He completed 31 passes, on many of the attempt he was under pressure and got the ball off or scrambled.  On about 16 of these passes there was no pressure, and they were completed.  There were at least 3 drops possibly 5 if you asked the receivers if they should have had the ball.  Also, there were 5 passes where he had to tuck and run.  These pressured can be divided up among different players, TE’s, RG, RT and probably more that I missed.
Feel free to comment:

18 and Counting

[2Stater]

Thanks Coach. You've pointed out everything we all are seeing and screaming at the TV about. Having said that, I'm very happy we came out with the win. After we were stopped on 4th and 2 with a couple minutes left in the game, I thought we were toast.

[hscoach]

One thing I left off; AU only had 30 more yards than Bama did in penalties.  AU had 159 total yards and Bama had 129 yards in penalties.

[Chechem]

One thing I left off; AU only had 30 more yards than Bama did in penalties.  AU had 159 total yards and Bama had 129 yards in penalties.

The ESPN summary I saw said Bama had 11 for 129; Boogs had only 7 for 52 yards.

As always, thanks for the assessment, coach.  

[hscoach]

One thing I left off; AU only had 30 more yards than Bama did in penalties.  AU had 159 total yards and Bama had 129 yards in penalties.

The ESPN summary I saw said Bama had 11 for 129; Boogs had only 7 for 52 yards.

As always, thanks for the assessment, coach.  

Yes I  worded that wrong.  What I was trying to point out was thst AU had only 30 more total yards than Bama did penalty yards.

[Chechem]

One thing I left off; AU only had 30 more yards than Bama did in penalties.  AU had 159 total yards and Bama had 129 yards in penalties.

The ESPN summary I saw said Bama had 11 for 129; Boogs had only 7 for 52 yards.

As always, thanks for the assessment, coach.  

Yes I  worded that wrong.  What I was trying to point out was thst AU had only 30 more total yards than Bama did penalty yards.

My mistake; I misunderstood. 
The disparity between 129-52 penalty yards should shut up the idiot Aubs.  But it hasn't.   

[ricky023]

Well done hscoach as always all year. RTR!

[lstephen]

Seemed to me that most of the OL problems in the first half were on the right of the line.  Putting Owens in seemed to help.  And Gary never told us about the change at Center.  I don't know if it is something the coaches see in practice or what but it took too long to correct.  Also, when your right side is consistently getting beat, run and pass, and you have an all world left tackle, why on earth do you keep running right?

Thanks for the analysis coach!  ROLL TIDE!!!

[hscoach]

Seemed to me that most of the OL problems in the first half were on the right of the line.  Putting Owens in seemed to help.  And Gary never told us about the change at Center.  I don't know if it is something the coaches see in practice or what but it took too long to correct.  Also, when your right side is consistently getting beat, run and pass, and you have an all world left tackle, why on earth do you keep running right?

Thanks for the analysis coach!  ROLL TIDE!!!

It did seem most of the problems were on the right early.  However, there were a few on the left, and if I remember correctly, the TE was involved. But I also remember the LT stepping or looked like the stepped with the wrong foot, a cross over step instead of a jab with the right foot and allowed the defender to get inside.  What worries me is the length of time it takes to correct the problems.  Also, the OL as I said seem to be too nonchalant about the job.  They need more or a mean streak in my opinion.

[carl childers]

Concerning the OL: is it poor preparation, poor evaluation of talent, or something different? One thing I do know is that it's very frustrating to watch. Pardon my language, but good linemen have to have piss and vinegar through their veins, and these guys seem soft. Just my opinion.

[ricky023]

Carl our O-line is very weak. We have 1 or 2 maybe that block constantly and we need new blood in there on the rest. CNS has softened to much I think. When he first come he would push our team but now it just doesn't seem to be pushed. RTR!

[hscoach]

Concerning the OL: is it poor preparation, poor evaluation of talent, or something different? One thing I do know is that it's very frustrating to watch. Pardon my language, but good linemen have to have piss and vinegar through their veins, and these guys seem soft. Just my opinion.

I don't know the answer for sure, but this did bring some things to mind.
Also, am not saying this is the reasoning.

First, being in Tx for so long it reminded me of when Mack Brown was the head coach at UT.  UT got many 4/5* athletes.  It was suggested that the coaches at UT didn't develop these athletes to a higher level.  Maybe that is what is happening at Bama with the current OL coach.

Second, the OL coach is an ex-head professional coach.  The questions I have; Is he putting his all in it or is he looking for his next pro coaching opportunity?  Also, in the pros, as stated by some ex-Bama players, the practices are not as tough in the pros as they were at Bama.  Is the OL coach bringing that mentality to the college practices. 

I agree they don't have the, as you say piss and vinegar, they need.  But I have noticed some poor technique that seems to be there each week.

[Old Tider]

In other words, our offense will never match up to Georgia which has one of the best defensive lines in the country. 

[hscoach]

In other words, our offense will never match up to Georgia which has one of the best defensive lines in the country. 

In my opinion they will have to play their best game of the year.

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

In other words, our offense will never match up to Georgia which has one of the best defensive lines in the country. 

In my opinion they will have to play their best game of the year.

Bill O'B will definitely need to show something better than he has

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