Game notes: Bama vs UT

[hscoach]

First, let me send congrats to the Bama players and coaches on the win.  It looks like Bama is back on track.  The played well both offensively and defensively.

Offense:   Bama quietly put 500 yards of total offense on the board.  They got in the red zone 3 times and came up with 2 TD’s and a FG.  The other 27 point came from outside the red zone.   It looks to me like Bama passing game is more diverse than in the past.  Maybe it is just the number of weapons at rec.  The thing I am most please with is the way Bama takes what is given, but can still be explosive with big pass and running plays.  If my count is correct Bama had two 3 and out the whole game.   Also if my count is correct Bama only had 3 negative plays and one of those could have been avoided if AJ had thrown the ball away instead of stepping out of bounds.  I do think Bama’s offense got on tract more when they started throwing the ball on first down. 

QB:  AJ had a very good game. He completed 17 of 22 passes and hit 6 different rec’s.  He seemed to find his secondary rec’s and get the ball to them.  I guess the only bad note was his throws on both 2 of his TD’s and the long throw to Cooper were a bit underthrown.  Not a complaint, but I think he had his choice of rec’s on the first TD pass. 

RB:  They again ran the ball well. Also, they picked up the blitz pretty well.  For the most part, the backs were not getting contact until they hit or passed the LOS.

REC:   They made catches and got yardage after the catch.  Cooper is emerging as a player that will cause other defensives to have to make adjustment.  I do think they could have made a couple of more blocks for the running backs, but this was early in the game and did a better job later.

OL:  They played well.  Like I stated above, the rb’s were not getting contact until they were at or past the LOS.  There was a sack that the UT D made a good play on.  I did notice a couple of times where they missed or were late coming off on the combo block.   AJ did have a little pressure but did a good job getting rid of the ball most of the time.  Late in the game, as in others, the OL showed their dominance.

Defense:   The D gave up less than 300 yards.  On hundred and thirty eight of those yards came on 4 pass plays.  I have them for five 3 and outs and 1 four and out.  Two of the three and outs were because of ints.  Also, Bama scored after both of the ints.  They did not sack the QB, but they did make him uncomfortable during the game.  I have the D with 6 negative plays which include 2 ints.  They did have a couple of bust on D when someone failed to cover the TE on the hot read and when no one stepped out and covered the rec on the back out.  One thing I really like about this D is their pursuit.  They don’t give up.  The big complaint was the big pass plays they gave up, but many times the D stepped up and stopped them. 
   
DL:  They did a good job stopping the run and getting pressure on the QB and not letting him find secondary rec’s.   They played discipline D.  The best example was the reverse where the player stayed home and help stop the play.  I also notice #8 has been getting on the field more and more each game. 

LB:   All three played well in my opinion.  CJM made a big play on the screen by reading it early and not allowing the blocker to get too him.  Also, these line backers play sideline to sideline.  CJ also made the int that led to a TD for Bama.

DB:  This was a very good cover game by the DB’s.  They were playing against some quality rec’s.  Probably the biggest help to them was the pressure the QB was getting.  During most of the night the DB’s were in good position to make plays.  There was one pass where the UT made a good throw and the rec made a good catch.   
   
Penalties:  There were 2 big penalties during the game.  One with a bad formation took a TD off the board.  A second negated a big punt return.  However, Bama did score on that drive. 

Special teams:  I think CF kicks the ball better to his left than his right.  Also, on the long field goals he looks like the old CF from last year.   He looked like he wasn’t going thru the ball.  Kickoff coverage needs to improve.  The players ran themselves too far up the field a couple of times and open lanes for their return. 

Finally:  There were too many mental mistakes.  Offense had a formation bust that took a way a TD.  The D had too many men on the field.  AJ ran out of bound and lost four yard on a ball he could have thrown away.  Also, on special teams the return man tried to run before he secured the ball and fumbled, fortunately they got the ball back.  Bama left points on the field.  One TD called back and then missed the FG.  Also there was another missed FG as well as a botched extra point.    I do think the team has progressed the last couple of weeks.

Please feel free to comment.

Good Luck and Roll Tide Roll 
14 and counting

[carl childers]

Good call, coach. One question we were talking about at church today: sooner or later, Bama is not going to have a 20 or 30 point lead going into the fourth quarter, especially with the gauntlet they will run in the their next three games. How does this team respond? Will they be mentally tough enough to nut it up when it is on the line?

[KoKoPuf]

Good work, hs! I thought UT was primed to play their best game of the year but Bama just would not let them make the plays.

[bama87]

Good call, coach. One question we were talking about at church today: sooner or later, Bama is not go
ing to have a 20 or 30 point lead going into the fourth quarter, especially with the gauntlet they will run in the their next three games. How does this team respond? Will they be mentally tough enough to nut it up when it is on the line?

I think so. The offense seems to be clicking. The defense will be tested again this week. I think the only thing standing in our way is ourselves.

[BAMAWV]

Thanks HSC! What did you see, if anything, thats sticks in your mind as attributible to CSS knowing our offense/defense like the back of his hand?

[ALTideUp]

I think they planned to stop us between the tackles, and they did. But ran a little outsode the tackles and passed well. What other teams learned Sat is you must cover the whole field and bring pressure to beat us. That will be a tall order for most schools. I know rhis is gonna sound bad, but the only defense that can do it is ours.

[hscoach]

Thanks HSC! What did you see, if anything, thats sticks in your mind as attributible to CSS knowing our offense/defense like the back of his hand?

It looked to me the safeties were playing pretty shallow t help on the run.  I thought their D line did a decent job early on runs not allowing the OL to get to the 2nd level.  I think the adjustment was more playaction on early downs.

[hscoach]

Good call, coach. One question we were talking about at church today: sooner or later, Bama is not going to have a 20 or 30 point lead going into the fourth quarter, especially with the gauntlet they will run in the their next three games. How does this team respond? Will they be mentally tough enough to nut it up when it is on the line?

That is the big question.  I think Bama's D will keep teams from making long drives.  I thought the last 2 games they have tackled better and played better assignment football.   If the passing game can keep numbers out of the box, then I think Bama will be able to run  the ball.  Only time will tell.

[Old Tider]

Agree that kickoff coverage must improve, but we actually got through a game without giving up a kickoff return for a TD.

[McBaman]

Kickoff coverage has been an issue ever since CNS came to Bama.  Why???

[lstephen]

Thanks, coach.  Enjoyed your analysis as always!

[hscoach]

Thanks to all you guys who respond and enjoy the post. 

If you watch on one of the kick off returns, Bama' s outside guy goes to far up the field and inside.  This creates a lane for the return guy to get to daylight.

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