Game notes: CSU vs Bama

[hscoach]

First: I want to congratulate the Bama coaches and players on the win.  People aren’t going to like this, but Bema does not look like a #1 team.  I am not saying they can’t get there, but they remind me of the 2010 team that did not put it all together until the bowl game against MSU.

Offense:  The offense only got into the red zone 2 times, but they did score TD’s both of those times.  They left points on the field with the missed field goal and the int when they were in FG territory.   They didn’t seem to play the numbers game, people in the box, like they did against A&M.  The very first play of the game CSU had 8 in the box and Bema did not check out of the play.   Bama’s offense had at least 7 negative plays and one of those was an int by AJ.  It wasn’t until 3:30 in the 4th quarter that Bama converted a 3rd down.

QB:  The stats looks, good 20/26 for 258 with 1 TD and 1 big INT. On first down throws, AJ was 9 out of 12 with one TD.  One of the misses was a int that should not have been thrown.  Two plays were negated by penalties one a hold that was a completion and one was a interference call that could have gone either way.   AJ seems to get lazy when he checks down at times and does not move his feet when his check down is on the other side of the play call.  AJ also missed a wide open Howard on a seam throw that would have put Bema inside the red zone. This has caused him to miss wide open recs in each of the three games.   They say that KD went the wrong way on the first TD, but I think AJ went the wrong way on another play later.  Neither AJ, nor the rec recognized the corner blitz which led to a sack. He also missed the opportunity to throw a TD pass when he threw it short and the rec had to out jump the defender when he had him beat on the double move.   

RB:  They only ran the ball 21 times in the game.  They had 73 yards on 21 attempts.  Thirty eight of that came on one run by TJ. 

REC:  Christian Jones had 9 receptions in the game.   Hopefully if anything comes out of this game, it will take pressure off of Cooper when he comes back.  One rec didn’t recognize the corner blitz and did not adjust his route, AJ didn’t see it either.  This led to a sack of 9 yards and went from a 2nd and 1 to a 3rd and 10.  Also, on some of the 3rd down plays the recs aren’t getting deep enough to get the first down.  The recs still don’t do well on the scramble drill and get open for the QB.  I will say White made a good crack block on the LB on TJ’s long run.  Other good news here, is Howard seems to be someone who can push the middle of the field making it harder to double the outside.

OL:   This was a problem.  There were times when Bama OL didn’t get the push they needed and runs were stopped for little gain.  Bama supposedly had a bigger/stronger OL but they made too many mistakes.  I saw the TE more than once miss blocks where the guy was lined up inside.  I saw the center get pushed back into the backfield upsetting the play from the beginning.  I saw OLmen diving at feet instead of stepping to the player.  There were missed blocks because of staying on the combo too long or not even needing to have a combo block.  I saw CK not get enough dept in his drop to take care of a rusher who lined up further outside.   He stepped to flat in my opinion and it led to a sack.  If Bama is to win, even a SEC championship, this has to improve and be more consistent.  Overall the pass blocking was decent, not great. 

Defense: The defense only gave up 283 yards.  CSU didn’t cross midfield until the 2nd half.  They did have 3 three and outs and have 8 negative plays with one being a fumble recovery.  The fumble recovery led to points.  They only allowed 2.1 yards per rush and pretty much stopped the running game both inside and out.  I know there were times the defense was not lined up and others not lined up correctly.  If you watch again watch Mosley jumping up and down yelling at people. There were bad angles on tackling and getting off of blocks has to improve.  I don’t think they communicated well at times.  This game showed how Bama can be hurt by crossing routes as well as clear out routes.  CSU had a huge chance on a rail route that they missed.  I will say they made mistakes, but did pursue the ball well. 

DL:  They played pretty well, but Bama, as I say every year, needs to find a dominant pass rusher.  The bad part I saw from the DL was when they did pass rush they got too far up the field and allowed the QB to step up or scramble out of danger.  This seemed to get corrected the 2nd half.  I thought Hubbard played a pretty good game especially keeping CSU form getting to the edge.

LB:  Again, I thought Mosley played a good game.  This guy has to play sideline to sideline, along with getting the calls to others.  One problem I noticed was the LB’s didn’t communicate the underneath crossing routes well.  I say this because CSU completed one almost right in front on a backer who should have had his head on a swivel, but also should have been yelled that there was a guy coming in his zone. 

DB: If my count is correct, Bama played 6 different corners.  This was not counting Blue because he was injured.  I really didn’t see one play better than the other.  They seem to give too much cushion at time, but I also don’t know what they are taught.  I do know they don’t give up the outside, which they did on the wide rec screen numerous times.  Fortunately, they didn’t have the athletes to take advantage of it.  You have to play that outside in to where your help is coming from.   Also, why are the DB’s falling down so much?  This happened last week too.  One person that stood out to me was Collins.  He was lined up as a LB many times in as a spy/cover guy.  He will come up and hit you.

Penalties:  Bama did cut down on the penalties.  They had 2 for 15 yards. The worse one was the 10 yard holding that took away a 1 down completion, so this was a 20 swing in field position.

Special teams:  Again they come up big here.  Drake blocks the punt and Lee runs it in.    Also, Collins made his presence felt here again.




Finally:  Again, Congrats to the Bama team and coaches.  However and again people aren’t going to like this, I wish they would drop Bama from #1.  I think at this point in the season Oregon and LSU are playing better than Bama.  Can they get there?  Yes.  They need to wake up and do what they are coached to do. 

Please feel free to comment.

Good Luck and Roll Tide Roll 
15 and counting

[BamaFanInACCLand]

Great analysis as usual.  Spot on.   


I agree that Bama needs to wake up if they want to go down in history.  If we had played LSU or Oregon last night, we would have had our A$$es handed to us.

[KoKoPuf]

I have the same concerns, Coach. OL is just not getting it done whether it is because of lack of talent or Mario Cristobal's blocking schemes. My guess is MC's schemes. Hard for me to believe that CK has regressed but clearly not playing as well as last year. Ryan Kelly particularly struggled all night and I doubt if the CSU nose guard is the next Terence Cody.

AJ just doesn't look sharp, nothing I can put my finger on but just enough inconsistency to be frustrating.

But having said all that, I would prefer Bama to be struggling but improving at this point rather than playing great and declining.

[Merk]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

[hscoach]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

I really can't say.  Too me it looks like they are, as CNS says, feeling entitled instead of proving how good they can be.  Everything I see can be corrected, they have to have the desire to be great.  Remember they have been told from day 1 how good they are.

[ricky023]

They may be good but right now as of last night they could get there head handed to the other team on a small plate. RTR!

[Merk]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

I really can't say.  Too me it looks like they are, as CNS says, feeling entitled instead of proving how good they can be.  Everything I see can be corrected, they have to have the desire to be great.  Remember they have been told from day 1 how good they are.

I hear ya. It is just mystifying this is going on.  

[Marshal Dillon]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

Personally, I think we have just lost too many leaders & talent from the team. We lost 9 players to the NFL Draft, including Dee Milliner & Nico Johnson on the D. Plus, the list of injured players had to have some impact.

[bama87]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

I really can't say.  Too me it looks like they are, as CNS says, feeling entitled instead of proving how good they can be.  Everything I see can be corrected, they have to have the desire to be great.  Remember they have been told from day 1 how good they are.
[/quote,]

I agree. Not sure how to fix it. Maybe it is time for a butt kicking by the coaches. Something to snap them out of the funk. I think it maybe time for some old fashion power run football. Nothing fancy just line up and block the man in front.

[hscoach]

Great job, HS. I agree with all points. 

Let me ask you: I played ball in high school and understand a lot of what's going on. Do you think there's something going on in locker room that causing this? I know it's nothing more than speculation but I'm just wondering about an undercurrent.

Personally, I think we have just lost too many leaders & talent from the team. We lost 9 players to the NFL Draft, including Dee Milliner & Nico Johnson on the D. Plus, the list of injured players had to have some impact.

I think that could be part of it also. 

One point I left off.  I hate that Bama has not settled on a defensive line up and they are coming up on the 4th game.  If I had a chance to start for a NC contender I would be working my butt off doing it the way it is taught.

[McBaman]

As always, great notes coach, and thanks.

This team is a mystery as Marshal (I think) said in another thread.  But the mystery better be solved pretty quickly or look out!

Still wonder about the effect of injuries.  Three on offense (Steen, Cooper, Norwood) and three on D (Belue, Jarrick Williams and one I can't remember.)

AJ was very frustrated talking to the press after the game.  Just kept saying problems were bad communication on the O.  Kinda like he was calling out the O to get it together.

[crtuneman]

I agree with you 100% coach. It looks just like 2010. Lots of players not giving any effort, acting like they deserve a title. I was really hoping they would drop in the polls this week. That would wake them up and get their fire back. I just saw a complete lack of intensity on both sides of the ball. Of course, that does not include CJ Moseley, Landon Collins, or Vinnie Sunseri. I think this team should be ranked 3 or 4, IMO. LSU and Oregon are both better than Bama. If they can't get up for this coming game against Ole Miss, then they don't deserve a SEC title.

[Jamos]

The game wasn't a thing of beauty but I thought CSU provided a game plan that should help Bama down the road. I was surprised at the starting lineup on defense but that seemed to Bama's game plan last night, to get the underclassmen some playing time.

The offense looked like they were playing Virginia Tech again. Maybe they will look like they are playing TA&M again when they play Ole Miss next week.

[lstephen]

Thanks for the notes, coach.  Hope we are getting better each game and learn not to play up/down to the competition but to play to the best of our ability.  We certainly have the athletes!

[2Stater]

Thanks, Coach. Great analysis. Bama substituted early and often last night. That doesn't excuse the lackluster performance, but it had an effect, I'm sure. One thing is for sure, Bama does not historically play well after big wins, against cupcakes.

2008 - 20-6 over Tulane after beating Clemson.
2008 - 17-14 over Kentucky after beating Georgia in the "Blackout" game.
2009 - 40-14 over Fla. International in an unimpressive win after beating VT.
2011 - 45-21 over Ga. Southern after cruising through everybody.
2012 - 35-0 over WKU in another sloppy win.

Bama just does not play their best against inferior teams. They did not impress against VT, but came back and beat A&M at their house. We were certainly less than impressive last night against CSU. I don't think Bama takes Ole Miss lightly and will once again right the ship.

If there is a real concern, it is with the DB's and Bo Wallace may very well exploit them next week. However, I think the O will step up like it did with A&M, and dominate Ole Miss.

After next week, we should have plenty of time to improve before meeting LSU, without really being tested.

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