Crimson Red Sports

LSU vs Bama

First, congrats to the Bama players and coaches on the win.   This game was, like all LSU/Bama games big boy football.  It was a game where many will be spending a lot of time getting those ice baths.

OFFFENSE:   Bama’s offense put together 299 yards of total offense, well below what they have been averaging.   This yardage included 183 yards passing and 116 rushing.  As far as negative plays, Bama had 4 sacks and 3 tackles for losses.  Bama also had 6 three and outs.  For the positive side of the game, Bama had 8 pass plays for 10 plus yards and 5 running plays for 10 plus yards.  Bama got into the red zone 4 times and scored 3 touchdowns while the other was a kneel-down to end the game.  The other scored was a field goal from outside the red zone.  It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.   There were some things that I will mention later that could have helped out and improved this offensive production.

QB:   I thought Hurts played a very good game.  His passing stat was 11 for 24 but I saw at least three balls that were dropped or should have been caught.  The knock I have is that Hurts must learn to throw the ball away instead of taking the sack.  He threw a deep ball that was complete and right on the money even though I thought it could have been interference.  Again, he threw good ball that could have been a touchdown, but the official missed the early contact on the play.   His running got Bama out of a couple of situations and made plays when they could have been huge losses.  I think Hurts proved that if he has time he can throw the ball.  He made a heck of a throw on the scramble for a first down which was between the defenders.

RB:  They ran the ball hard as the yards were tough to get.  They averaged a little over 3.5 yards an attempt.  I do think they missed some blocking assignment in the passing game.  Part of this was the problem with Hurts getting flushed.

Rec:  Six different receivers caught passes.  I was good to not only see the ball spread around but the big catches in crucial situations.   I am glad Foster made a couple of catches after his last few rough games.  Hopefully, it will help him regain a little confidence.  I know Smith had a drop possibly 2 and an I think Jeudy also had one.  These are some of the plays that could have improved the offensive stats.  Jeudy did make a heck of a catch on the deep ball where it looked like the DB knew he was beat and was grabbing for him early.

OL:  I think here LSU defense caused a stalemate with the OL a lot of the game.  There were times that they did an outstanding job but other times they were beat off the snap even though they know when the ball is being snapped.  There was one play where 3 offensive linemen were beat on a pass play which led to a sack.  Cotton was beat more than once and stayed on the combo block too long instead of coming off.  There was one play where Cotton had help from Harris and they both were beat.  What amazes me is that he, as well as others, make outstanding blocks other times.    I know you can get beat every once in a while, but this seems to happen at crucial times.

Defense:   Since Bama’s offense was credited with 6 3 and outs, the defense had to be on the field longer than normal.  Because of this I thought they played well except for a couple of plays.  They gave up a total of 306 yards of total offense.  This included 155 passing and 151 rushing.  Thirty-one yards of the passing stats came on a 31-yard pass that looked like a thrown-up prayer.  As far as the rushing game, 54-yards came on a run where the linebacker got pinned inside and the backside DL went too far inside.  Take those 2 plays out and that leaves LSU with 221 yards of total offense.  Bama is credited for 7 sacks, 5 tackles for losses, and an interception which lead to a touchdown.  LSU had only 2 three and outs but also the interception was on first down which means a one and out.  For plays that covered 10 plus yards, LSU had 5 pass plays and 2 running plays.   They got into the red zone twice and scored a touchdown and kicked a field goal.  The field goal could have been avoided if Averett had come up with the interception he had a chance to make.  A couple of the pass plays that covered 10 plus yard were a result of Bama allowing the QB to get outside the pocket.  With all this being said Bama was fortunate when a couple of receivers were open on deep balls but the QB didn’t make the play.

DL:   They played well.  They played the inside game and allowed the LB and DB’s to play the outside run game, jet-sweeps.  The only problem I saw was the loss of contain on pass plays.  It was hard to get pressure in the passing game with 4 because LSU did a lot of max protection.

LB:  They again played well.  Evans had numerous tackles while having to concentrate on the inside running game but still make tackles on the edge. 

DB:  They played well versus the running game and got beat a couple of times in the passing game.  The good think is that LSU didn’t complete the deep balls they had open.  They did complete a couple of balls where there was good coverage, there were just good throws and catches.  They had a huge responsibility with the jet sweep because you can also play-action off of that motion.

Special Teams:  This may have won the game for Bama.  Scott continually pinned LSU back and didn’t allow returns.  The kick-off coverage was solid, as was the extra point and field goal teams.

Penalties:  Here Bama was outstanding.  They had one holding call which cost Bama a huge passing play.  However, Hurts made a couple of big throws that allowed them to overcome and continue the touchdown drive.

Finally, the Bama/LSU game has become a tough rivalry the last few years.  You can throw the records out.  You know it is going to be a battle for the entire time.  Hopefully, Bama can clean up the OL and continue their march for another National Championship. 

Feel free to comment:

16 and Counting

Thanks hscoach great as always. I have to say this was a costly win. Do you think SD Hamilton can be replaced with enough talent to help win out? I know the long run on the wildcat play lsu had down to the 2 yd. line Keith Holcombe got put on his can and that is what opened the hole. RTR!

I think Wilson can fill in and do the job.  Also, I saw the other day where it may be possible for a couple of injured players coming back.  You are correct Hocolmbe was the one that got pinned back inside.

I think I read earlier that Mack Wilson may also be out for the year with a foot injury.  We are getting thin on experience at linebacker.  Sure hope Fitzpatrick is back at full speed next week.  I also heard that Hand was reinjured.  We have a bunch of young talent BUT it is young!

Great analysis, coach!  Thanks and ROLL TIDE!!!

Thanks Coach for your notes on this bit win/costly one.

S Dion is out for the rest of the season with a fractured kneecap.  Having surgery today (Sunday) I think.

Allie LaForce tweeted that M Wilson is out for the year with a foot injury but no official confirmation of that yet that I've seen.

K Holcombe will take over  for SDH.  Dylan Moses and others will have to fill in where Wilson was playing.

These guys may be good players but they don't have the game experience of the guys we have lost and there will be some drop off.

My biggest worry is the OL.  Various guys keep saying they have to clean up mistakes, etc.  But it never happens.  At this point in the season, I think you gotta admit the OL is what it is, and that ain't very good. Wanting to play better and having the ability to play better are not the same thing. Dissent on the team is never good but I would not be surprised if the RBs start giving the OL an earful.

I didn't hear that about Wilson until today.  Hopefully, and it is sad I say it, but only Hamilton is the player we won't get back.  By this I mean, I don't think the other injures were as serious.    The OL baffles me.  They can look outstanding and then look like crap the next play.

Another great analysis Coach.

It seems to me that the OL does their best work when the pace is quick. Maybe they don't have time to think as much, which could be a plus. Are you seeing that too?

You may be correct.  It does seem they do better with a quicker pace.

The Bama OL has some elaborate blocking schemes.  At times it seems too complex for some of them.  Gone are the days where you simply block the guy in front.

According to writers, LSU regularly rushed 7 against our 6 linemen.  And (as hscoach said) we had some missed assignments.  Whatever LSU did, it was successful at disrupting our offense.  We had some big plays that saved us.

Coach, the dropped passes were a problem, to be sure.  These are young receivers.  Any idea how we can coach them up better?

BTW, everyone drops passes occasionally.  Julio Jones dropped a TD when he was all alone in the endzone yesterday.   :dunno:

Yea but Chechem Julio gets paid to drop passes. Our young guys don't. RTR!

When coaching receivers we did basic ball drills everyday.  Really focusing on catching the ball with the hand, not letting it get into your body, and keeping you eyes on the ball.  Also, I guess you could see that these people get targeted in pass hull.  That is why I thought it was important for Foster to get a catch in the game.

Saban just ssaid that Mack Wilson could be back in 4-6 weeks and that Minkah will likely get some practice tomorrow!  Good news!

I am sitting here watching the game again.  The first sack, LSU rushed 4 and got the sack.  Bama had 6 blockers and Cotton lost his man with help from the back.  Also the middle of the field was wide open and it would have been a good time for a route conversion.  Hurts could have avoided the sack by throwing the ball away.

I have to say, on the second drive first play, I have no idea what the blocking scheme was.  Key goes in, unblocked by the TE, and he makes a tackle for loss.  It is like the TE was expecting the LT to block out.  Since Key went inside, if the TE blocks down there is a chance for a play.

On the big completion on third down LSU is sending 4, but when they see the back stay in they send a backer late.  They have 6 to block 5.  Bo is there to block the LB but has to come off and pick up LG's man because he loses him.  Hurst does a good job stepping up in the pocket to make the throw.

Thanks for the details on blocking and errors.  Much more valuable details than people (me included) saying 'LSU rushed more than we had people to block them).

I was a WR and DE.  So I recall the practices when we were chastised (butts kicked) if we caught the ball against our bodies.  I hope coaching has come along a bit more than what we got.

Coach, did you see the LSU player try to gouge our player in the eyes?  It was during the pushing/shoving after a punt (2nd quarter?).  The LSU guy grabbed a Bama player's facemask, tugged the facemask toward himself and extended his fingers as he did. It was a trashy play!

I will look for it.

Third and 10 LSU looks like they are bringing more than we can block.  However, one drops off into a spy situation which leave Bama with 6 vs 5.  What LSU does it used 23 to jam the  TE while the DL took a wide rush angle.  Bama's LT widens because of this and the alignment of 23.  After the jam on the TE, 23 takes and inside rush to the QB.  LT is shielded by the LG and the man he is blocking.

I just saw 29 grab a face mask in the first scuffle after the second punt.

It's when a couple of LSU guys are blocking a Bama gunner.  I don't have a video of it now, but it was action after the fair catch, and away from the punt receiver.

The camera zoomed in as it was happening.

I did see where Wilson got hurt.  It was on a sack and really didn't look that bad but you could tell he was hurt as he limped off. 

The punt I saw had to be the one you saw.  And I agree.

Sack in the 2nd half.  LT is beat, Bo misses the LB after play action and the RT are beat,   Bama has 7 to block 6 because the TE stayed and they still are sacked.

Huge play by Hurts when Womack gives the DL one shot and loses him to the inside.  Hurts slides to the outside and completes the pass in between defenders for first down to keep the touch down drive alive.

On the long run by LSU, Holcombe got tackled and Wallace did a great job hustling from the backside corner to make the play.  I think Holcombe should have been to the other side of the formation at least a gap over.

After LSU scores Bama throws a short pass to Bo for basically no gain.  The next play Hurts does an outstanding job as he is pressured.  Bo does not pick help block and LG is beat.  Hurts steps up and finds his 2nd rec and makes a perfect throw to Jeudy who drops the ball.  Hurts scrambles for a first down on the next play to keep drive alive.

Tackle for loss, LG doesn't touch anyone until he is on the QB.

OK hscoach that was I was thinking. He was in the wrong place because I never seen him get blocked or tackled like that before. RTR!

Bama trying to run out the clock late.  Running to the right the LT chips the DL for a combo block for Cotton and he gets low and beats Cotton to make a TFL.  I think if Cotton takes a better first step the guy shouldn't get thru.

LSU had 154 yards in the first half and 152 in the second half.  Take away the 54 yard run, which happened in the time after many injuries, LSU had 98 total yards in that half.  Also, the mistakes by the Bama offense put the defense back on the field more than they should have been.

LSU had an 8-min time of possession advantage.  That's on the offense for not making 1st downs.  Who knows:  If D had been on the field for four fewer mins, maybe one less injury.  Just sayin.

Good point.

And LSU got a bunch of garbage yards just before the half, which Coach O used to brag that they beat us in yardage.  Blah blah, grunt, grunt, ...Tahguhs.

Since Pappanastos started out 3 for 5 he has gone 11 for 12 on field goals.

I was just thinking about that. Last year, we complained more about FG kicking than anything. Now, we complain about everything except FG kicking.  :lol2:

Just keep praying that it's not an issue.

Meanwhile, yes he's doing GREAT.   :worship: