Tuesday Question - 10/6/09
by Ivory Tower on Oct 6, 2009 11:09 AM EDT
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PrintGenerally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...
Not that the Rebels would have, but am I the only person who watched the first quarter of the Alabama/Kentucky game and thought that the Rebels could have a two-score lead should Alabama be so accommodating for them?
Call me a homer; just do it after the jump.
Don't go putting text in my HTML that ain't there, but Kentucky used Randall Cobb's quickness effectively in the first quarter to get some first downs. Most folks, I think, would stipulate that Dexter McCluster would have been able to do all Cobb did and more. Meanwhile, Greg McElroy did finish with a career day against the not-quite-Arkansas-like defense of the Wildcats, but everyone did see him start 2-9, right? It may be all coach-speak but Nick Saban told the Montgomery Advertiser that he wasn't happy with his team's performance on Saturday.
"Some people think winning cures everything," he said, "and I am certainly happy that we were able to win, but I also think you have to focus on the symptoms of what you need to do to improve. It's no different than when you start to get a cold. If you do nothing about it, you'll surely get the flu, but if you try to take care of yourself, maybe you minimize your chances of getting sick. Certainly that's what we want to do with our team to maximize our potential to continue to get better."
Despite Saban's metaphorical language, he is holding the flu excuse in his pocket. No, what Saban is telling the Advertiser is that for the brief and occasional moment against Kentucky, his team did not look like the complete team we have been talking about since September 5. There were flaws.
Who knows if the Rebels will be able to exploit any of these. Saban is a crafty fellow. He will be pounding on the heads of 20-year-old men in the hopes that they will not be complacent with their shortcomings. He will tell them he expects perfection. But my biases can't leave me be, and I can't help but thinking that - for Ole Miss - that game could not have played out any better. Flaws exposed, but no wounded pride. Isn't that exactly what you want the opposition to be - in fact, what Ole Miss surely was heading into Columbia - proud, but a little flawed?
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It appeared to me...
…that McElroy could have possibly gone to the Graham Harrell/Ryan Mallett school of quarterbacking, in that once he tries to throw on the run, he becomes an average QB. One thing our D has been able to do is flush QBs out all season, and with Sir Powe blowing up O linemen all season, it could help rattle him a bit to make bad throws, hopefully to the boys in red/blue. I just have a good feeling about this game. Something is going to snap into place, and we’ll finally start playing like we know we can.
Great observation.
I think it’s also noteworthy that no ‘Bama back had 100 yards. That’s the first time that has happened this year. Meanwhile, I wonder about the effect of Donta’ Hightower’s absence. This was a thin linebacking corp from the beginning, and now one of their two talented starters is gone.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
this last game?
Cause Mark Ingram has 140
Terrence Cody drinks your milkshake!
by Wallacewade04 on Oct 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I would also fact-check
the idea of “thin linebacking corp.” UA is Linebacker U this year. Granted, no one is talented enough to replace Hightower on his own, but that’s because Hightower played a multitude of roles. But “thin” is not the right word.
Ummm, yeah?
Anders, Reamer, McClain, Tana, Nico, Jerrell, Chavis and Upshaw? (I’m sure I’m forgetting some folks)
Yes, we lost Hightower (huge, huge loss) and Square, but by no stretch is this LB corps “thin”
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 6, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm glad you can name all of your linebackers
but the fact is that coming into the season, Alabama had among the fewest returning starts at linebacker in the league. Hightower and McClain were the extent of the Tide’s mentionable experience at linebacker. If those guys have done something really remarkable that I’ve missed, then count me as first in penance. However, I’m not ashamed to say that I had to look them up. Statistically, they aren’t stars. Anders is a pleasant surprise. But the rest combined are averaging something like 5 total tackles per game. And that’s often in a 3-4 set. You’re confusing “depth” with “having more linebackers on the field,” in my opinion. Admittedly, I am not the expert on Alabama football (that’s beyond my pay grade) and the gods will likely pay me back for my hubris this weekend, but where I come from a lack of verifiable production from the folks on the bench means that you have little depth. And don’t get all hot and bothered – because it takes one to know one.
On a different subject, I don’t know where I got the “no back with 100+.” My error. My bad. I feel confident I read it somewhere. In retrospect, it was likely written by Rick Cleveland or someone on Bleacher Report.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
Ok, experience
Anders, McClain, Reamer, Chavis and Upshaw have experience (the last two obviously have less experience. But, I hope that the game doesn’t rest on our LBs , and, given the state of your O-Line vs our D-Line, it probably shouldn’t. Still, if your backs get to the second level, Upshaw is quite good, Anders is hell off the edges, Reamer will likely be a role player this week, and McClain is a beast. And, I do like our safeties in run support.
Here’s to a hard-hitting game.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 7, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhm...what?
First, off, just because not all the linebackers are racking up 10 tackles a game, doesn’t mean Alabama is thin. Almost all of them have been into play at some point in time, and they’re led by arguably the best LB in the nation. If I were you, I’d worry about how the Ole Miss offensive line will play, since they have been a disappointment so far this season. Oher’s absence is looking apparent, and the pressure on Snead has caused him to throw over a pick a game. How’s that give you a good feeling knowing Alabama picked the ball off 3 times against Kentucky?
Reamer started all last year, Anders was a significant pass rusher registering a few sacks, and this year he’s caused a lot of QB hurries and got a couple of sacks too. He has already shown he can play pass coverage if needed when he harassed Arkansas receivers. McClain and Hightower were definitely the best of Bama’s LBs, but to think that’s where the talent, or the experience stops really does prove you don’t follow Alabama football.
Also, just to compare, Alabama has faced a pass-rush oriented team in Virginia Tech. They play very similarly to Ole Miss, trying to utilize the speed rush around the edge. McElroy has shown no signs of JPWsyndrome so far, and I don’t think Ole Miss can bring anything that will cause him to show it this game.
Good luck to the Rebels though, and hopefully this isn’t a snooze-fest.
Roll Tide.
I don't think...
…that it’s gonna come down to us stopping McElroy. They’re gonna get a few plays where they get some yards but our D is better than they’ve seen.
It’s gonna come down to our Snead vs their D. We’ve got to hold onto the ball. No turnovers and we’re in the game til the end. Just hope we can get to 24. I don’t think they can do that against our D. 24-21 Rebels.
Disagree...
Va. Tech is a more complete D than Ole Miss…they have a secondary. That said, you have a very good front four.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 6, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Our secondary has been one of the best in the SEC so far this year.
From last year, we essentially replaced a small linebacker at strong safety with a guy who you don’t want to throw at, a former wide receiver got an extra year of experience under his belt at corner, and we return our other two starters, who were pretty decent last year. I’m not worried about our defense. They’ll be the best you’ve faced by a long shot, and they’ll put the O in a position to win. Will the offense take the opportunity? That’s the million dollar question.
by Whiskey Wednesday on Oct 6, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with most everything you say here except
that Ole Miss will not be the best D we’ve faced by a long shot. Va Tech has an excellent defense, and so does Ole Miss. i really wouldn’t rank one above the other.
by HarveyBirdmanAAL on Oct 6, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Against that Murderers' Row of
Memphis, Vandy, South East Lousiana, and South Carolina…oops, they beat you.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 7, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with everything you just said.
0 Turnovers- We win.
1 or 2 Turnovers- Close game that we lose.
3 or more- A Bama blowout.
I also think we should come out with a pass first, run second approach. We need to show that we are confident in Snead and use early success in short to mid range passes to open up running lanes for Bolden.
Pig Pen this here's Rubber Duck, and I'm about to put the hammer down.
I think.
.And therefore that’s why I’m an armchair coach.
For Kentucky to be able to put 20 points on Alabama speaks volumes about Alabama’s defense. If Jevan, our receivers, Dexter and Brandon come to play, this one is ours.
Having said that, I still took Alabama in the office pool. Got to catch up with Ghost. lol
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. - H. L. Mencken
by BimBamOleMissByDamn on Oct 6, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions
BAD REBEL ALERT!
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 6, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
teehee
*
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. - H. L. Mencken
by BimBamOleMissByDamn on Oct 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
as the excuse goes
those two touchdowns came when Alabama didn’t really care anymore
what we showed Kentucky was Vanilla, hardly any corner blitzes no wildcat formation on offense and we pretty much just took what they gave us (a lot of turnovers) and got out of there with a double digit win without really exerting ourselves
Terrence Cody drinks your milkshake!
by Wallacewade04 on Oct 6, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. We gave up 204 yards...
in the second half, of that 2/3rds were when the game was out of reach (4 scores). When they turned it on (to get that all-important 17.5 point cover, for instance), UK was helpless.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 6, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
X factors
For whatever reason, Bama doesn’t play well against us. You know that the Bamanites are thinking about the fact that the last 4 games have been ridiculously close.
Also, where are the refs domiciled? If history is any indicator, the close (and blatant fuck ups) will go Bama’s way.
We make it hurricane, y'all make it drizzle.
If you
watched the game two things had to come to mind..
Was Bama really taking UK seriously?
And if they were, what was UK doing that gave them suceess?
To answer the first one…IMO i’d say NO. We have been a bit of a slow starting team this year but Sat was more than that. It ws almost like they were at practice…I believe we thought we could waltz right over UK. The Kats though, were pissed over the UF game and played their hearts out early on. Is this an excuse? HELL NO. Its terrible to think any SEC team could over look a fellow SEC’er. I really don’t care who we are playin next. Its my belief, that this over looking or slow starting will in fact cost us a game this year…
On to number 2….As i mentioned UK was playing really hard and we were not. They were having some success running to the right, where Hightower use to be. Reamer, the LB who replaced Hightower, is about 40+ lbs smaller and not the athlete Donta was/ still is. Don’t expect to see the same LB rotation you saw against UK. The odd thing was how their O line was able to (using a OTS word here) neatrulize our D-line. Hopefully this was due to our heads being up our asses/ Reamer playing out of position and not the fact that they out manned us. Though late in the game, UK started throwing the ball much more and it did seem our hearts weren’t in it. being up 38- 13 can do that. Again, this is no excuse but it did look like we just didn’t care.
20 points is too much to be giving up to UK. I was hoping to see it single digits. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Our D did play well against Arky even after Hightower went down…so expect to see a much more focused unit on Sat….Anyways….
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy. - The Ghost of Jay Cutler
So, you're thinking we cover 6.5...me too.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 6, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ole Miss vs. South Carolina
Since we are speculating on previous games. I remember thinking as I watched that game I wish Bama was playing BOTH of these teams right now at the same time. But I knew that things will be different in Oxford.
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