SI Vault: Tide And Punishment

[pmull]

As Florida now painfully knows, Alabama has the best defense in the nation. It's also one of the best ever

"We thought we could run the ball efficiently, but Alabama tackles really well," said Gators running back Jeff Demps, who was held to four yards on three carries a week after rushing for 157 yards against Kentucky. Added Rainey, who entered the game averaging 102.8 yards and 6.5 a carry but finished with a mere four yards on 11 attempts, "Just call it a punch in the mouth."

How spectacularly good has this Tide D—with 10 starters back from last year's unit, which finished fifth nationally—been through five games? Alabama leads the country in scoring defense (8.4 points) and rushing defense (39.6 yards), and also ranks third in total defense (191.6 yards). "We come to punish people," says Upshaw, who had four tackles and an interception, which he returned for a 45-yard touchdown. "But everything we do starts with Coach Saban. Everything."

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[Coach Hank Crisp]

This is the cover story for next weeks issue of SI. Gotta like what Lars Anderson is writing.

"It's like you're playing a defense from the NFC South when you go against Alabama," says an offensive coordinator on a team that has played the Tide this season. "After studying them and seeing them up close, I can honestly say they have no weak spots. Their linemen are monsters. Their linebackers look like linemen. Their safeties look like linebackers. Their corners are big. And all of them are incredibly fast—NFL fast. On top of that, they are the most disciplined, gap-sound team I've ever faced, which means they're never out of position. Saban is as good of a defensive mind as I've ever come across."

[bama57]

Yet Saban and Smart are judicious with their blitzes. In Alabama's 38--14 win over No. 14 Arkansas on Sept. 24, the Tide blitzed only once. As Bill Oliver, the architect of the Tide's national-title-winning 1992 defense, watched that game from his lake house in Alexander City, Ala., he felt as if he were gazing at a work of art. "Alabama doesn't need to do anything tricky to dominate other than line up and play," says Oliver, who coached defense for more than 30 years. "I personally haven't seen a defense with this much talent in a long, looooong time. It's a pretty bunch."

[cbbama99]

Yet Saban and Smart are judicious with their blitzes. In Alabama's 38--14 win over No. 14 Arkansas on Sept. 24, the Tide blitzed only once. As Bill Oliver, the architect of the Tide's national-title-winning 1992 defense, watched that game from his lake house in Alexander City, Ala., he felt as if he were gazing at a work of art. "Alabama doesn't need to do anything tricky to dominate other than line up and play," says Oliver, who coached defense for more than 30 years. "I personally haven't seen a defense with this much talent in a long, looooong time. It's a pretty bunch."

That some mighty big praise from someone like Brother Bill.

[Chechem]

Yet Saban and Smart are judicious with their blitzes. In Alabama's 38--14 win over No. 14 Arkansas on Sept. 24, the Tide blitzed only once. As Bill Oliver, the architect of the Tide's national-title-winning 1992 defense, watched that game from his lake house in Alexander City, Ala., he felt as if he were gazing at a work of art. "Alabama doesn't need to do anything tricky to dominate other than line up and play," says Oliver, who coached defense for more than 30 years. "I personally haven't seen a defense with this much talent in a long, looooong time. It's a pretty bunch."

Gotta love that man.

[Jamos]

It is so gratifying to read articles, such as this one, complimenting the team and coaches for what they have accomplished so far this year with this team. This team is very good right now but I think there's a lot of room for improvement in many areas.

It's almost scary to think how good Bama can be this year if they continue to improve their position and team skills as much in the weeks to come as they have from game one through game four. Hopefully they won't buy into all that they hear and read about how good they are and just listen to the coaches, one game at a time. RTR!!

 

[bama87]

I think this team is just beginning to come of age. They are just now tapping into what they are capable of. We have so much depth, that guys are fighting for playing time, which inturn makes everyone better.

[BAMAWV]

"It's like you're playing a defense from the NFC South when you go against Alabama," says an offensive coordinator on a team that has played the Tide this season. "After studying them and seeing them up close, I can honestly say they have no weak spots. Their linemen are monsters. Their linebackers look like linemen. Their safeties look like linebackers. Their corners are big. And all of them are incredibly fast—NFL fast. On top of that, they are the most disciplined, gap-sound team I've ever faced, which means they're never out of position. Saban is as good of a defensive mind as I've ever come across."

Wow! I can't wait til the "Kick Coverage" and "Offense" editions come out.

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