šŸˆ "Alabama's defense isn't as good as it has been." What's this based on other than speculation? Through three games...

bamachine said:
Also, when you are scoring at will, more possessions for the other team and also, more time playing second and third team defense.
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That goes along with my thoughts that it's speculation.

Let's take one thing; more possessions for the other team. You're right, it does and has led to that. This season opponents have had 45 series against Bama. Last year through three games they had 35. Yet, we're looking at fewer points allowed this season than last.

I don't have the snap count from last year for defense and I've not bothered with it this season. But, it stands to reason that more second and third teamers have played this year than last but the numbers remain the same.

I get where the speculation comes from. But, so far, we've not seen it come to fruition. Is it speculation or over reactions? I'm tempted to say the former more than the later.

In a sense it reminds me of another thread that was posted here following Ark St. about the rotations with the QB's. The poster didn't like the way the season started pointing to the number of series Jalen has received. The problem there is like the thought here--the numbers don't support the contention: the rotation through the first two games this season was the same as it was last season.
 
I've wondered too if our offense is scoring so quickly if the defense is getting adequate time to rest. With our depth at certain positions it's worth taking a look into, especially as we get deeper into the season and the offense doesn't slow down for anyone.
 
Let's not forget to that a good chunk of that yardage form 2018 is from 2nd and 3rd string. We didn't play 2nd and 3rd string vs FSU last year and we did a good bit vs Louisville this year. I believe we gave up at least 1 TD to them on 3rd string and maybe even the other TD to a mix of backups.
 
BamaFan334 said:
I've wondered too if our offense is scoring so quickly if the defense is getting adequate time to rest. With our depth at certain positions it's worth taking a look into, especially as we get deeper into the season and the offense doesn't slow down for anyone.
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I don't think it comes down to as much "rest" as it does "odds". If you give a team X number of more opportunists, it's bound to move the ball some. With a ball control offense, we may only score 1/2 as many points; however, the other team only gets 1/2 has many opportunities to move the ball too...
 
94 Grad said:
BamaFan334 said:
I've wondered too if our offense is scoring so quickly if the defense is getting adequate time to rest. With our depth at certain positions it's worth taking a look into, especially as we get deeper into the season and the offense doesn't slow down for anyone.
Click to expand...
I don't think it comes down to as much "rest" as it does "odds". If you give a team X number of more opportunists, it's bound to move the ball some. With a ball control offense, we may only score 1/2 as many points; however, the other team only gets 1/2 has many opportunities to move the ball too...
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Good point. I guess where my post would actually make a difference is on the injury front.
 
TerryP said:
I don't have the snap count from last year for defense and I've not bothered with it this season.
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Quick and dirty from what I can see. (I honestly did not realize nobody has tried a FG on us yet in 2018.)

I went play by play and this includes punts/FG/penalties/etc (Removing ST stuff to the side).

2017
FSU - 69 (1 FGA, 6 Punt)
Fresno - 72 (1 FGA, 6 Punt)
CSU - 86 (1 FGA, 3 Punt)
TOTAL - 227 (3 FGA, 15 Punt) = 209 non special teams defensive snaps

2018
Louisville - 82 (8 punt)
Arky State - 97 (8 punt)
Ole Miss - 73 (9 punt)
TOTAL - 252 (0 FGA, 25 Punt) = 227 non special teams defensive snaps

That equates to 6.49/5.97 plays per series in 2017 and 5.6/5.04 plays per series in 2018. Also it equates to 1.143 points per series in 2017 and 0.622 per series in 2018.
 
Alabama is uncharacteristically 8th in rush defense in the SEC & it isn't like we have played against any phenom running teams. I realize that some of these stats are a little skewed b/c of the 2nd & 3rd string but having many reps with those players at this stage in the season has been the norm for 10 years now. Not the exception.

Also, keep in mind that every team had to change their game plan mid stride to be in a shoot out with 'Bama considering the fact the offense is producing so many explosive scoring plays. Other teams just cant sit back & watch. Nor can they expect to win with a bunch of field goals. As such, you'd think teams would get more passing yardage production this year than run yardage on us but that is not the case.

The defense has shown some real promise. I think our backfield is a LOT better than any of us expected. But I thought that since we had so much depth created over the course of last seasons LB injuries that we would be MUCH improved over last season but we are up in total rushing yards allowed. I have full faith & trust in CNS & co to get this fixed but we are about to play the second best rushing offense this weekend & that will tell me more than anything how good our defense has become.
 
Crimson&WhiteGecko said:
Alabama is uncharacteristically 8th in rush defense in the SEC & it isn't like we have played against any phenom running teams. I realize that some of these stats are a little skewed b/c of the 2nd & 3rd string but having many reps with those players at this stage in the season has been the norm for 10 years now. Not the exception.

Also, keep in mind that every team had to change their game plan mid stride to be in a shoot out with 'Bama considering the fact the offense is producing so many explosive scoring plays. Other teams just cant sit back & watch. Nor can they expect to win with a bunch of field goals. As such, you'd think teams would get more passing yardage production this year than run yardage on us but that is not the case.

The defense has shown some real promise. I think our backfield is a LOT better than any of us expected. But I thought that since we had so much depth created over the course of last seasons LB injuries that we would be MUCH improved over last season but we are up in total rushing yards allowed. I have full faith & trust in CNS & co to get this fixed but we are about to play the second best rushing offense this weekend & that will tell me more than anything how good our defense has become.
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We'v also mostly played base Nickle for the first 3 games, which would allow for a bit more ability to "run" the ball.
 
I actually think what they've done so far is more impressive than any recent year. Like someone else said, the other team is getting the ball and getting it A LOT (sometimes after 2-3 play scoring drives) yet the defense has put teams on lock. There have clearly been some communication issues with the backers and secondary at times but there are a ton of young guys there, too.

What is really odd to me is how many people I've seen claim the DBs are "struggling" and are disappointed that Buggs and Davis haven't been as dominant as "expected." I mean how dominant can they be, have any of them played more than a half each week?

I think every one just keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop because of how young the defense is in certain areas but I've been very impressed so far.
 
Crimson&WhiteGecko said:
Alabama is uncharacteristically 8th in rush defense in the SEC & it isn't like we have played against any phenom running teams. I realize that some of these stats are a little skewed b/c of the 2nd & 3rd string but having many reps with those players at this stage in the season has been the norm for 10 years now. Not the exception.

Also, keep in mind that every team had to change their game plan mid stride to be in a shoot out with 'Bama considering the fact the offense is producing so many explosive scoring plays. Other teams just cant sit back & watch. Nor can they expect to win with a bunch of field goals. As such, you'd think teams would get more passing yardage production this year than run yardage on us but that is not the case.

The defense has shown some real promise. I think our backfield is a LOT better than any of us expected. But I thought that since we had so much depth created over the course of last seasons LB injuries that we would be MUCH improved over last season but we are up in total rushing yards allowed. I have full faith & trust in CNS & co to get this fixed but we are about to play the second best rushing offense this weekend & that will tell me more than anything how good our defense has become.
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The way you are suggesting this is that somehow teams are getting more yardage on Alabama with less rushing attempts (because of how big the score is) but that's not true. 94 rushing attempts compared to 89 last year. Allowing just 3.2 yards per carry. Teams are just running the clock out in the fourth quarter with the score so lopsided.

The big difference between last year and this year is the Arkansas State game. They ran for 173 yards on 31 attempts. Ole Miss had just 115 on 37 attempts and Louisville had 16 yards on 26 attempts. How much would you wager to suggest that Ark State yardage came in the fourth?

If you wagered 92 yards you would be right... they had 92 yards in the fourth quarter alone. In the first half they had 15 carries for 66 yards (40 on one play). Just 15 in the third quarter.
 
JMO and not pointed at anyone in this thread. I think with the players lost to the draft and the relative youth on the defensive side of the ball this was basically the narrative that had been written about, talked about etc all off season. As a result the collective entered the season with the preconceived notion the defense would be markedly "worse" than recent years. I even fell into it myself before the games with Louisville and OM. I made the statement before each of those games that the offense would have to carry the load. Not based off of any evidence, just based off of what I thought, I thought.

That has been wrong so far (from me personally). I think it has also caused some folks to look at the defense with a hyper critical eye and see flaws that are either extremely minor or nonexistent. It is almost like we are have our conclusion and we are now trying to find any evidence that will support it. Again JMO

this defense may struggle, it may struggle this weekend against A&M but nothing based on performance on the field points to that at this point.
 
I really don't see how it could be worse than last year, considering all the injuries and lack of depth and experience that was on the field down the stretch... Ya, we lost a lot of the starters from last years team, but how many of those backups from last year got quality rotations down the stretch in big time games and performed extremely well?

I personally, thought our Defense would be in-line with last year... maybe a tad more missed assignments early due to youth, but will meld well by years end baring injuries.
 
We are turning into a pass-happy league in the SEC. With all the long games and pass first teams we've played and will play I am more than satisfied with the bottom line for our defense, the final score. And the only way Lousiville got their 2 TDs was keeping their first team in throughout the game against our bench. He's such a dipstick.
 

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