BSC National Championship Bama vs LSU game notes:

[hscoach]

First, let me send congrats to the Bama players and coaches on a record setting performance for the 14th National Championship for the University of Alabama.  It was a great game plan for both the offense and defense.

Offense:  The coaches put together a great game plan and it was executed by the players.  Players stepped up for those who were injured players and Bama did not miss a beat.  

1.    I had AJ throwing 20 times on first down and completed 13.  This was huge for the success of the team.
2.    Center WV had an outstanding game.
3.   Bama had 7 negative plays on offense however they were not huge losses.
4.   The OL provide very good pass protection.
5.   Bama finally threw the flag route, something I have wanted and mentioned all year.
6.   I would have love to have seen a screen pass down near the goal line early on 2nd or 3rd and goal.  
7.   The score could have been worse if there had not been the two overthrows and the drop by BG near the goal line.  
8.   Bama’s offense controlled the ball which enabled the D to sit on the sideline and stay fresh.

QB:  I consider this the best game AJ has played.  He made very good decisions.  I will say he was helped out by a few outstanding catches by his rec.  His decision making did not hurt Bama.  One thing I want to point out especially.  It was 3rd down and AJ had to scramble.  Bama was looking to throw a wide rec screen it appeared.  AJ got pressure and scrambled and got what he could.  He didn’t throw the ball which was important because there were linemen down field.  I also think he showed more leadership in this game.

RB:  Both running backs ran hard.  Both hit the holes extremely hard, especially TR.  Also, I did notice the flair the back out once, something else I have mentioned before.  There was at least once TM came off of the edge and TR picked him up so he was NO factor.  

REC:  The rec had a good game.  KN showcased the type of talent he could be.  A couple of those catches were not easy.  Also, it looked to me like he just glides when he runs and when TM was trying to cover him he was have to really push himself.  BS made big catches and runs after the catch as did many others.  Also, I did see them blocking downfield a little more.   I hate that MM got hurt, but he has been a true leader all year.

OL:  Too me he was the biggest difference.  The OL sustained their blocks longer and did a very good job on the combo block.  There were only a few of complaints that I have. First, I could be wrong, but it looked like the pulling linemen were a little hesitant at times instead of taking their path and getting up in the hole.  Second, on the first drive Bama missed picking up a stunt and forced AJ to get rid of the ball early. Third, the RG and RT miscommunicated and allowed the D lineman to come in untouched.  I stated above, WV had an outstanding game and most of the mistakes were minimal.    

Defense:  This, in my opinion, is the best defense Bama has ever had.  I say this because of how offensive football has progressed.  They totally dominated LSU and I have to say JJ looked scared from the start.  I want to give you my perspective on how dominant this game was.  First, I don’t really know how many tackle the safeties got credit for, but I only counted a couple and one was when MB was up around the LOS.  Another was when RL got the rec and took him out of bounds.  The front 7 along with the corners dominated this game.  Not only did they hit them, and I was watching on TV, but it looked as if they were bringing the wood every time.
  
1.    I have Bama creating 10 negative plays which include a fumble and an interception.  Three in the first half and 7 in the second half.
2.   The option was good for -2 yard if my stats are correct.
3.   Total domination, is the best I can say.
4.   They played great assignment football.

DL:    They all played well.  They beat the OL of LSU.  Each player was in on numerous plays or was controlling the LOS where the LB’s could run and make plays.  

LB:   Again like the first game, I thought JH had a very good game.  Of course so did all the other backers.  TD came in and did a very good job after CJ got hurt.

DB:  The corners played very well.  They kept their leverage and did not allow a wide rec screen or the option to get outside.  This is huge because it allows the inside pursuit to get to the ball.

Penalties:  1 for 5 in the fourth quarter, this is focus.

Special teams:  What was supposed to be the weakness of the Bama team, help win this game.  First, the kick off cover team did a great job.  It looked like the cover team I saw at the beginning of the year.  There was no return past the 28 yard line.  
CJ did a great job filling in for MM.  I think he could be special in the future.
 
Finally, I would like to thank all the players, especially for those who will not be back next year,  and coaches.  You have done an outstanding job and have made us Bama fans proud.  You seniors have set the standard high for those new and returning players.  Congrats for National Championship number 14 and looking forward to the next one.   I wish you continued success and God Bless

Please feel free to comment.

Good Luck and Roll Tide Roll  
14 and counting

[SUPERCOACH]

Great notes coach.  You are right about the kickoff cover team, I had forgotten about how well they played at the beginning of the year.

If AJ stays healthy, I believe he will hold most of the QB records by the time he leaves.  He is going to be a good one I do believe.  There is no doubt he has the skills, but he grew up on Monday and has taken over this team.  I especially loved seeing him in Trent's ear on the sideline.  I can only imagine he was getting him fired up for the TD that happened not long after that.

What a great game!

[XBAMA]

very good Coach , I can't help but agree with your great assessment ...
the lsu folks have been on miles the last couple of days about yanking JJ putting JL in ...
I believe the way miles put it was "I didn't want to get him killed"    

our D was awesome and our O weren't to bad either !  ROLL TIDE !

[2Stater]

Great observations, Coach. You are right, we all watched it. Probably the greatest defensive performance ever from a Bama team, especially in a game of this magnitude. I still can't believe what I saw. This was a very special year!

[BAMADCHAMPSHIPS]

Great notes coach. I can't wait for the your A day notes!

[ricky023]

Great job all year Hscoach. I too think I saw the best defense in Bama history and not underrate the 2009 team. A shutout in the NCG, that is big time good. RTR!

[Chechem]

Thanks, Coach, for the insight every week, and especially for bringing it home with this thread.  Roll Tide.

What's your pick for the spring game? 

[brainman62]

Coach,

Thanks again for an excellent review of the game.   I have enjoyed these all season and have shared with other members of my family that aren't much interested in hitting forums...they have enjoyed as well !!!

One thing I thought that was awesome in the game was how the D stretched out the option plays and never really attacked it.  Instead they just kept pursuing Jefferson making him move more toward the sideline.  When the play got stretched out, JJ couldn't toss to the RB, no room...and the DBs had converged on the play.  The D stuffed that all night long !!!   Excellent game plan on that !!!

Also, thanks to all the players, coaches and other members of the staff that made this a truly unforgettable season !!!

Looking forward to next season !!!   Roll Tide !!!!

[double nickel]

Very nice, I too get a kick out of the people saying he should have put Lee in the game.  If Jefferson was being pressured almost every play by the front 4, all Lee would have done is not move and get killed.  Jefferson did complete the passes he could, they just didn't have the opportunities due to the fact they simply couldn't get the running game started at all.

[Merk]

Great remarks, Coach. Thanks for your hard work all season breaking down each game. I really learned a lot.

It occurs to me that after watching this game, a number of media compared our defense to an NFL caliber defense. As good as they have been all season, I was reluctant to really believe that. However, after watching the BCS game, I now believe that this defense could compete effectively in the NFL with some teams.

This is such a special group.

[cbbama99]

Amazing analysis as always, coach. I have gotten used to seeing these notes since September and I don't know what I am going to do for the next eight months without them. Maybe come on once a month and put some notes up on a faux game, just to keep all of us happy?  

[BAMAWV]

Somewhere around 2 minutes left in the 1st half, BATR started running at about 5 yds. a clip. This continued after the start of the second half. Their adjustments at halftime did not work. It wasn't too much after that, maybe halfway in the 3rd, that LSU quit.

Thank you HSCoach!

Roll Tide  

[hscoach]

Great notes coach.  You are right about the kickoff cover team, I had forgotten about how well they played at the beginning of the year.

If AJ stays healthy, I believe he will hold most of the QB records by the time he leaves.  He is going to be a good one I do believe.  There is no doubt he has the skills, but he grew up on Monday and has taken over this team.  I especially loved seeing him in Trent's ear on the sideline.  I can only imagine he was getting him fired up for the TD that happened not long after that.

What a great game!

I agree AJ can be very good.  Maybe that one little butt tap by Saban help straighten out this head.  One of his best throws was the one BG dropped near the goal line.

[hscoach]

Thanks, Coach, for the insight every week, and especially for bringing it home with this thread.  Roll Tide.

What's your pick for the spring game? 

I will go out on a limb and pick Bama.

[hscoach]

Coach,

Thanks again for an excellent review of the game.   I have enjoyed these all season and have shared with other members of my family that aren't much interested in hitting forums...they have enjoyed as well !!!

One thing I thought that was awesome in the game was how the D stretched out the option plays and never really attacked it.  Instead they just kept pursuing Jefferson making him move more toward the sideline.  When the play got stretched out, JJ couldn't toss to the RB, no room...and the DBs had converged on the play.  The D stuffed that all night long !!!   Excellent game plan on that !!!

Also, thanks to all the players, coaches and other members of the staff that made this a truly unforgettable season !!!

Looking forward to next season !!!   Roll Tide !!!!

You are correct the LB/DE did a great job stretching out the option and the corners did a good job keeping them inside. 

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