Game notes: Bama vs LSU

[hscoach]

First, let me send congrats to the Bama players and coaches on the win.  I would also like to acknowledge the LSU team had a very good game plan and played an excellent game.  If Miles wasn’t your coach you probably win this game.

Offense:   This was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde football game for the offense.  When it was good it was great, when it was bad it was real bad.  I think the coaches gave up on running the ball too quickly.  The running backs averaged over 7 yards per carry.  It is hard to believe, watching the game, but Bama out rushed LSU.  One of the best examples I can give is the first drive of the game.  On 2nd and 3 and Bama throws the ball twice and goes three and out.  Bama had 6 three and outs in the game and 4 of them were in the 2nd half.  What was surprising was Bama had less negative plays than LSU did.  They had one sack, 2 tackles for losses.  They also had a huge fumble when driving and a fumble on a punt, which I will address later.  There were missed opportunities like the over throw early that would have been a touchdown.     The O put together a 92 yard drive against a very good defense.  In the red zone they scored on 2 trips while a big fumble cost Bama points, points left on the field.  The different screen passes Bama ran were very effective in the game.

QB:  AJ missed some big passes in the game.  He missed one for a TD and one that would have been a huge first down in the 4th quarter.  He did complete over 50% of his passes, but missed because of bad throws.  The rec’s helped him out with some big catches.  With all that being said, he came up huge when things mattered.  No time outs and he went 4/5 on what became the game winning drive. 

RB:  They ran hard all night in a hard hitting game.  During the game, the running backs had positive yards almost every time they carried the ball.  This is obvious since they averaged about 7+ yards per carry.  They only ran the ball 22 times.  One of the main reason for this is LSU had the ball for so long.  They also picked up the blitz pretty well.

REC:  This game featured different rec’s.  Kevin Norwood and Christian Jones led the Bama rec’s with 9 of AJ’s 14 completions.  Also, KN came up huge on the game winning drive and had all the catches except for the screen.

OL:   They had a pretty good game.  They came up big on the last drive and allowed AJ plenty of time to throw the ball.  In the game, most of the night the running backs were to or past the LOS before they got contact.  I think I heard this on ESPN, but someone said Barret Jones suggested the screen that went for the TD.

Defense:   The D had a tough night.  They only had 2 three and outs all night.  At my count I have them for at least 6 missed tackles.  The other major concerns I have is the bad angles the D was taking and the yard after contact by LSU.  LSU had a good game plan and attacked the flat area with quick throws which exposed the LB and Safeties in coverage.  They ran outs and then came back with what we called a shake route and got a big first down.  One of the surprising stats I have is Bama’s D had 9 negative play last night.  There were 6 tackles for losses and 3 sacks. They also had no take aways during the game.  In the beginning I thought they were attacking 3/13 most of the night, but it seems LSU went after everyone.  ZM had a good game and threw for 298 yard on 22 completions.  The Bama blitz did not get there many times.  I think, this game showed Bama does not have a dominant pass rusher on the DL.    The LSU team was ready for the corner/safety blitz and hit the voided area a couple of times.  The Bama D was also aided by the penalties and drops by the LSU players.  Also, Miles help keep Bama in the game with some of his decisions. There were times the Bama players lost contain on the running plays.  If you look most of the completions were in the 5 to 10 yard range and the yards were made after the catch.
   
DL:   What I noticed here was the inability to get off blocks at times.  Also, it looked like the DL were playing high and getting pushed back.  I did think JW had a pretty good game because the rerouted the play numerous times.  I don’t think they did a very good job getting their hands up to alter the ball.
 
LB:   They got blocked many times.  The LSU fullback did a good job taking the legs from the LBS.  They were also ask to cover and just didn’t get there.  Don’t get me wrong they made plays, but not like they have in the past. 

DB: These are the guys that missed most of the tackles.  They also lost contain a couple of times.  There may have to be a change and put someone else in coverage beside VS.  Too me, he is a pretty good run stopper, but pass coverage against a wide rec or back is not his strongest asset.
 
Penalties:  There were big penalties on both teams.  The offensive pass int was bs in my opinion.  Both were fighting for position and I am not even sure the ball was catchable.   This put Bama in a first and 25 when they were driving. 

Special teams:  Cade kicked the ball well all night.  I think they gave up height and took distance.  CM punted the ball well most of the night and he had plenty of opportunities to punt.  The big mistake was the fumble on the punt.  What should be done in that situation is catch the ball and save yardage.  If you are lucky enough to gain some yards then that is a plus. 

Finally:  LSU played a hell of a game and could have easily won the game.  I t reminds me of last year’s game at Bama.  I think Bama is in for a big test this next week with A&M.   They can’t continue to miss tackles.  Also, someone has to become a beast on the pass rush.  I hope this huge emotional game will not affect their preparation for next week.

Please feel free to comment.

Good Luck and Roll Tide Roll 
14 and counting

[bamalum67]

Great job, as usual, Coach...but tell me, how is your BP this morning?  Mine is better than it was last night with 1 min 51 secs to go!

[hscoach]

I actually came off the couch and yelled when they scored on the screen. 

[KoKoPuf]

Good job, hscoach. I also thought Bama gave up on the run too early. Both Lacy & Yeldon were able to go for at least 4-5 yards on almost every attempt an AJ clearly wasn't on his game early. I thought AJ appeared to lose confidence after the overthrow to Cooper and didn't regain it until the last drive. Bama never came back to the deep play action after the overthrow maybe because Cooper was out. The Bama D was a disappointment. Bama seems to have a talent for making mediocre LSU QB's look like All-Americans. Having said all that, everyone stepped up at the end to pull it out for Bama and AJ kept his Heisman chances alive with a gutty finish.

[ricky023]

If had a BP it would have been 200/200, lol. Thanks hscoach. RTR!

[window licker]

One more thing Coach.......we've GOT to stop fair catching the ball inside the 10. This has happened numerous times this season with both PR's. Against a D like LSU, that 10-15 yds is a BIG deal.

I was screaming at the TV why were we not running the ball more. LSU had no answer for that.

[lstephen]

Thanks, coach.  Great as always.  The only thing I'd say is that was a pretty good team we palyed last night.  Which is, at least partly, why we looked so "bad".  Defense did hold them to 17.  Hope we came out pretty healthy.  We'll need everyone against A&M.  ROLL TIDE!!!

[BAMAWV]

I hope everyone realizes how much work is involved in providing us with your analysis. I also hope you enjoy it too, and it doesn't become a drudgery. I know the other boards come here as part of their Sunday ritual and others are forwarding these notes to friends, etc. On a Crimson Tide scale you have become a internet sensation, but I don't understand why the outsiders don't sign up so they can take advantage of the question and answer part you have been so good about. I'm pretty sure SC would welcome all that wanted to sign in to join our discussion of your notes. RTR

[bama87]

Great job HSC. I think we gave up on run game. It would have given the D much needed rest while controlling the clock.
What is your take on going quick more often to change things up. In 2 minute AJ was in sync and was getting the ball out. I think we pound it against A&M to keep that offense off the fild.

[Bamaphile]

Thanks, HSC! 

Do you see LSU picking apart our defense as a one-time thing because of their athletes, or do you think they have given other teams that we'll play a blueprint for how to try to beat us?

[hscoach]

Good job, hscoach. I also thought Bama gave up on the run too early. Both Lacy & Yeldon were able to go for at least 4-5 yards on almost every attempt an AJ clearly wasn't on his game early. I thought AJ appeared to lose confidence after the overthrow to Cooper and didn't regain it until the last drive. Bama never came back to the deep play action after the overthrow maybe because Cooper was out. The Bama D was a disappointment. Bama seems to have a talent for making mediocre LSU QB's look like All-Americans. Having said all that, everyone stepped up at the end to pull it out for Bama and AJ kept his Heisman chances alive with a gutty finish.

I think their QB is more than mediocre.  I actually think, with this week off they simplified things for him and he did a good job executing.

[hscoach]

One more thing Coach.......we've GOT to stop fair catching the ball inside the 10. This has happened numerous times this season with both PR's. Against a D like LSU, that 10-15 yds is a BIG deal.

I was screaming at the TV why were we not running the ball more. LSU had no answer for that.

I agree, with you.   You are taught to put your heels on the 10 yard line and anything over your head let it go.  Saying this I think that punt was angled to the sideline and may have gone out of bounds even closer to the goal line.

[hscoach]

I hope everyone realizes how much work is involved in providing us with your analysis. I also hope you enjoy it too, and it doesn't become a drudgery. I know the other boards come here as part of their Sunday ritual and others are forwarding these notes to friends, etc. On a Crimson Tide scale you have become a internet sensation, but I don't understand why the outsiders don't sign up so they can take advantage of the question and answer part you have been so good about. I'm pretty sure SC would welcome all that wanted to sign in to join our discussion of your notes. RTR

I do enjoy it because it allows me to talk Bama football with other fans.  Thanks for the complement.

[hscoach]

Great job HSC. I think we gave up on run game. It would have given the D much needed rest while controlling the clock.
What is your take on going quick more often to change things up. In 2 minute AJ was in sync and was getting the ball out. I think we pound it against A&M to keep that offense off the fild.

I like the idea of going up tempo against some teams.  I don't like the ideas, like you of doing it against A&M.  I want to keep their offense off the field as much as possible.

[hscoach]

Thanks, HSC! 

Do you see LSU picking apart our defense as a one-time thing because of their athletes, or do you think they have given other teams that we'll play a blueprint for how to try to beat us?

I think it is a blue print for a way to beat Bama.  The problem is do other teams have the personnel, OL and Running backs esp a strong fullback, to do what LSU does.  I do think it exposed the lack of an outstanding pass rusher as well as the coverage by LB and safeties in the flats.

[Guest]

Username:
Password:
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

There aren't any users online.

Loading Tweet...