🏈 Alabama's "Struggles" Against HUNH Offenses

[bcracker]

http://www.footballstudyhall.com/20...as-defense-struggles-with-the-up-tempo-spread

I found the above link on the RTB Twitter feed, but I wanted to post it here for discussion.

As we progress into the season, I'm excited to see how Alabama fares this year against uptempo offenses. Last year we had some success. Ole Miss is one example; we shut them out. This year against WVU we held them to one touchdown, which is good, but they did spend a lot of time in the Tide's redzone. Will better teams be able to convert more often if they are fortunate enough to get inside our twenty?

With the success that we've had against these offenses, a question I have for the gang is why were we able to shutout Ole Miss, while TAM was able to put up a ton of yards against us and keep the game close? Is it better coaching or play calling on the part of A&M as opposed to Ole Miss? Or did they just have better play makers than Ole Miss? Or is it something else?

Again, we shutout Ole Miss, but Ole Miss nearly beat A&M. So why did we struggled against A&M the past two years but still dominate Ole Miss?

 

[psychojoe]

To me the difference between defending Ole Miss and Texas A&M a year ago was the huge difference between Manziel and Wallace.

It is a bit misleading to lump these HUNH teams together. The Aggies spread is pass heavy and finesse while the Boogs are run heavy and smash mouth.

LSU has had some success against these attacks because the tend towards DL and LBs who are both more mobile and faster, as well as having more stamina. While we have not gone all in on that, this year's team can put the speedier types on the field. To one point the writer made, it would be nice to have a good supply of Shawn Robinsons on hand, but he is a unique physical type.

 

[UAgrad93]

I agree with @psychojoe. The difference between the two teams was the man leading the attack. There were times last year that I think Freeze intentionally slowed down their pace in an attempt for the RIGHT call. With Manziel, it was more Helter Skelter and receivers running "scramble drills" because he did such a good job of extending plays with his feet WHILE still looking to make a play with his arm. Wallace often times tucks and runs after read two of his progression. The Barners are more smashmouth with their style. I know that no one here likes to watch them play, but IF you take a look, if they have success with a particular run play, they immediately run the EXACT SAME PLAY! The key to these HUNH is getting them behind the chains where they must slow down to make sure they can get a play called that will get 5-6 yds. We do seem to be running more athletic guys out there on the D Line that can keep up with the pace.

 

[bcracker]

@psychojoe How do you see us defense this year? Or we better than last year?

@uagrad93 you too, ua

 

[TerryP]

To me the difference between defending Ole Miss and Texas A&M a year ago was the huge difference between Manziel and Wallace.

It is a bit misleading to lump these HUNH teams together. The Aggies spread is pass heavy and finesse while the Boogs are run heavy and smash mouth.

LSU has had some success against these attacks because the tend towards DL and LBs who are both more mobile and faster, as well as having more stamina. While we have not gone all in on that, this year's team can put the speedier types on the field. To one point the writer made, it would be nice to have a good supply of Shawn Robinsons on hand, but he is a unique physical type.

It's that DL and LBing corps that is feeling the brunt of the frustration of the loss to Miss State. Most of that frustration boils down to line play with some pointing to undersized DL and LBing corps as the reason LSU lost.

On the lines of what you were saying this Miss State team falls into one of the MANY spread categories but their emphasis with LSU was a power game.

You know, when you sit back and think about it we've got seven pretty distinctive offenses in the west. Auburn and Miss State may resemble each other the most...

 

[psychojoe]

@psychojoe How do you see us defense this year? Or we better than last year?

@uagrad93 you too, ua

I think that by season's end our defense will be, as Coach Bryant used to say, pretty salty. A lot more athleticism among our corners, they just need to continue to learn.

 

[bcracker]

"How do you see us defense this year? Or we better than last year?"

@psychojoe Cudos for divining my intended intent for that post. I just read it again, and I assure you I ain't drunk. I've been writing under duress. It seems every time I pick up the computer to check the site and participate everybody suddenly needs something from me. It's been hard to concentrate around here.

 

[psychojoe]

Just chill, bro,

 

[TerryP]

"How do you see us defense this year? Or we better than last year?"

@psychojoe Cudos for divining my intended intent for that post. I just read it again, and I assure you I ain't drunk. I've been writing under duress. It seems every time I pick up the computer to check the site and participate everybody suddenly needs something from me. It's been hard to concentrate around here.

If that's happening at work, just ask them "why can't you see I'm trying to goof off a second here? Geez."

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Many times, an ability to shut down or shut out an opponent depends on 1) the ability of an opponent's offensive coaching staff to make in-game adjustments in response to a defensive scheme, or 2) the ability of a very good player to make adjustments during a play to overcome a properly schemed and defensed play. Manziel fits number 2 to a T. I'm not convinced yet about Sumlin's ability to make in-game adjustments, but I count Hugh Freeze (and Dabo, sadly) among a number of coaches at mid and upper tier programs incapable of making successful in-game adjustments. If their initial schemes work, they will score 100 points on you if they can. If they are parried by an astute defensive adjustment, they are lost. Clemson/GA was, I believe, a good example of that. I believe the key to defeating the general category of HUNH offenses in the same way as I do most high producing offenses: survive the initial plays that were schemed to attack researched weaknesses in our defense, and then adjust, stop them and punish them physically throughout the game to afflict their capabilities. A key exception is the team, like many from the Saban era, designed to punish and wear down the defense throughout the game, force the run, eat the clock and impose our will on the opponent. Losing in that same way, such as our last loss to SC, doesn't feel good, but it's easier to accept than losing games to big plays due to one or two D or special teams breakdowns.

RTR,

Tim

 

[Bamabww]

1. Kenny Hill showed that with pressure he isn't the superman USCe made him out to be.

2. I don't think Bo Wallace is smart or patient enough to beat us.

 

[bama alum]

1. Kenny Hill showed that with pressure he isn't the superman USCe made him out to be.

2. I don't think Bo Wallace is smart or patient enough to beat us.

Think the game plan is pretty simple for both of them: pressure

 

[rick4bama]

One more thing here,guys I didn't see any type of defense from either team yesterday during that game.

 

[UAgrad93]

@bcracker I see our bunch being well adjusted and ready for these HUNH schemes by seasons end. Pressure, not necessarily meaning sacks, but getting the QB off his spot to throw the ball will be key. So many of these throws are simply swings or bubble screens just like the good ole toss sweep.

 

[riz]

I think Sumlin is a better coach than Freeze, and I know Wallace isn't as good at the helm as a lot of these other qb's.