🏈 Bama's Defense vs Notre Dame

[bamatommy]

How do you think Bama's defense will perform vs Notre Dame? I think they will be fresh, focused, and ready to go. But it will still be a tough task against a formidable opponent.

 

[PhillyGirl]

After last night, Alabama and ND stack up as follows in terms of defense:

2nd in total defense in terms of points per game with 10.7 (compared to #1 ND with 10.3)
1st in total defense in terms of yards per game with 246 (compared to #6 ND with 288.1)
6th in passing defense with 166.2 yds/game (compared to #20 ND with 194.8 yds/game)
1st in rushing yards/game allowed with 79.8 (compared to #5 ND with 93.3)

Notre Dame's offense is as follows, compared to Alabama's:

76th in total points/game with 26.8 (compared to #15 Bama with 38.5)
49th in total yards/game with 421.3 (compared to #40 Bama with 439.1)
76th in passing yards/game with 218.8 (compared to #85 Bama with 214.5)
27th in rushing yards/game with 202.5 (compared to #20 Bama with 224.6)
76th in receiving yards/game with 219.3 (compared to #86 Bama with 214.6)



Source: rivals (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/stats)

 

[silvermetalflake]

Such stats would only be seriously relevant (IMO) if ND and Bama had had the same schedule and had played the same teams.

 

[PhillyGirl]

And that's the problem with stats in these situations. They had completely different schedules and opponents. Stats work a lot better when comparing, say, LSU and Bama or A&M and Bama, but it's harder to gauge them in this way. It's also in the context of the entire FBS, so if we only factored in the SEC, B1G, Big 12, ACC, Big East, PAC 12, and Independents, even then it would be a different story.

Just figured I'd post them for reference

 

[Bamabww]

I believe we'll have more quality depth and better players at almost every position. It'll be another tough game probably but we'll have to help them if they win.

 

[bamaraider]

ND's front 7 is tough, reminds me of what Alabama had in 08... Alabama has more depth, time of possession will be key in this game, expect more bubble screens and short-mid range routes..

Still believe there is no one in CFB that can stop our running game.

Better believe that Amari will have a good game though, being a native from Miami and playing in the biggest stage of them all... ND's corners are susceptible to long passes...

 

['65 Cobra]

Assuming we get healthy - which we should be - our biggest weakness on D appears to be our secondary in nickel and dime situations. That situation seems to be most exposed when we face a very mobile QB (or one playing the game of his life as Mettenberger did) as that mobility buys extra time and that's when we have trouble. If we can keep pressure on their QB, they won't score much at all, because we will shut down the run game, forcing them to beat us through the air. Are their QBs better than Mett, Manz, and/or Murray? I don't think so.

On offense, I respect their front seven, and they are first in scoring defense, but I question if they have played against an offensive line of our calibre. I also think they have no depth. When I look at their schedule, the thing that stands out to me is their struggle against non-ranked teams like Purdue, BYU, Pitt, and even USC (USC sucks this year and they even played without Barkley). Our only close games were against LSU, TAMU, and UGA.

I believe we will be able to successfully run against them as long as we stick with it and keep pounding. They will loosen up eventually. More importantly however I believe we will be able to pass on them at will. Their pass defense is suspect, and they will have trouble with Cooper. Also, I think we deploy the same strategy against Te'o(sp?) as we did against Jarvis Jones in the SECCG and Honey Badger in the NCG - take it straight to him. He makes SOOO many of his plays chasing from the back side or coming down on a side move. Just go right at him. I believe it will work.

ND is one of those momentum teams. They really thrive on "big mo." We need to break their will on defense by shutting them down and frustrating them. They haven't played anybody like us yet, and we've played at least three teams that I think are better than they are - LSU, TAMU, and UGA. If you look at our one common opponent, Michigan, we won 41-14 and they won 13-6. Some will say MI had their RB back by then, but against us, MI had an entire summer to prepare and we were their sole focus because that game was hyped so much. Here are some interesting stats from those games:

First downs
Bama - MI; 20 - 11
ND - MI; 14 - 19

Total Yards
Bama - MI; 431 - 269
ND - MI; 239 - 299

Rushing Yards
Bama - MI; 232 - 69
ND - MI; 94 - 161

Time of Possession
Bama - MI; 31:26 - 28:34
ND - MI; 26:41 - 33:19

Interesting stuff. Michigan had six turnovers against ND and essentially beat themselves. We have had turnover issues our last three big games. We need to clean that part up and we should win by a substantial margin.

 

[Houndstoothpuller]

If we run 60/40 or better, there's not a team in the land that can handle it for a whole game.
Not only does our OLine have the skills and technique to open up the holes, we have Lacy and Yeldon as a tremendous duo. We can pass effectively, yes, but it's not nearly as demoralizing for our opponents to defend.

It took too long vs. uga for Alabama to establish the running game, and it nearly cost us again.

ND can challenge our run game, but they cannot stop it for FOUR quarters. Once they're truly commited to having to stop it, then the pass is lethal. Alabama has a chance on a national stage to exhibit the true essence of great football.

 

[Irish#1]

Assuming we get healthy - which we should be - our biggest weakness on D appears to be our secondary in nickel and dime situations. That situation seems to be most exposed when we face a very mobile QB (or one playing the game of his life as Mettenberger did) as that mobility buys extra time and that's when we have trouble. If we can keep pressure on their QB, they won't score much at all, because we will shut down the run game, forcing them to beat us through the air. Are their QBs better than Mett, Manz, and/or Murray? I don't think so.

On offense, I respect their front seven, and they are first in scoring defense, but I question if they have played against an offensive line of our calibre. I also think they have no depth. When I look at their schedule, the thing that stands out to me is their struggle against non-ranked teams like Purdue, BYU, Pitt, and even USC (USC sucks this year and they even played without Barkley). Our only close games were against LSU, TAMU, and UGA.

I believe we will be able to successfully run against them as long as we stick with it and keep pounding. They will loosen up eventually. More importantly however I believe we will be able to pass on them at will. Their pass defense is suspect, and they will have trouble with Cooper. Also, I think we deploy the same strategy against Te'o(sp?) as we did against Jarvis Jones in the SECCG and Honey Badger in the NCG - take it straight to him. He makes SOOO many of his plays chasing from the back side or coming down on a side move. Just go right at him. I believe it will work.

ND is one of those momentum teams. They really thrive on "big mo." We need to break their will on defense by shutting them down and frustrating them. They haven't played anybody like us yet, and we've played at least three teams that I think are better than they are - LSU, TAMU, and UGA. If you look at our one common opponent, Michigan, we won 41-14 and they won 13-6. Some will say MI had their RB back by then, but against us, MI had an entire summer to prepare and we were their sole focus because that game was hyped so much. Here are some interesting stats from those games:

First downs
Bama - MI; 20 - 11
ND - MI; 14 - 19

Total Yards
Bama - MI; 431 - 269
ND - MI; 239 - 299

Rushing Yards
Bama - MI; 232 - 69
ND - MI; 94 - 161

Time of Possession
Bama - MI; 31:26 - 28:34
ND - MI; 26:41 - 33:19

Interesting stuff. Michigan had six turnovers against ND and essentially beat themselves. We have had turnover issues our last three big games. We need to clean that part up and we should win by a substantial margin.

From the Irish perspective.........This will definitely be the toughest game that ND has played in and the best o-line they have faced, but I don't think Stanford's is that far behind and the RB is as good as Bama's. The biggest difference is that Stanford doesn't have the 1-2 punch you have. I agree Bama has more depth overall. ND rotates their front seven, especially the line, so I don't expect them to get as worn down as a lot of people think. I will disagree about our secondary. While the two CB's are young, they are playing very well, especially the last half of the season. They faced arguably the two best receivers in the country against USC and held their own.

I also don't think you can really compare schedules from the end of the year. Each game has to be evaluated at the time it was played. But if you want to compare schedules, then I would say UM didn't beat themselves with 6 TO's, but rather than ND forced those TO's. Go back and watch the game and the pressure they put on Robinson the entire game. Those TO's were forced. Sagarin has ND's scheduled rated 30th while the Tides is 36th. IMO it all boils down to the two o-lines. The one that can control the los will win.

 

[UAgrad93]

If we have success in the running game, it will pull their safeties down in an attempt to help. This will expose their corners and allow for some big plays in the passing game. ND has played deep safeties all season in an attempt to help their corners. Their front 7 has been stout enough in the run to allow it. We just have to pound them relentlessly for 4 quarters like we did UGA.

I will add this about ND shutting down USC's two receivers. They faced a redshirt freshman QB and not the senior QB they expected much like we faced the backup at Arky and not Tyler Wilson. USC didn't have their entire playbook available and they were crippled with a DUMBASS calling the plays!! I respect ND, but you guys are fooling yourselves IF you believe that your defense didn't get bailed out by Lane Kiffin!! Don't get me wrong, I wanted this matchup for history sake!!

 

[Irish#1]

If we have success in the running game, it will pull their safeties down in an attempt to help. This will expose their corners and allow for some big plays in the passing game. ND has played deep safeties all season in an attempt to help their corners. Their front 7 has been stout enough in the run to allow it. We just have to pound them relentlessly for 4 quarters like we did UGA.

I will add this about ND shutting down USC's two receivers. They faced a redshirt freshman QB and not the senior QB they expected much like we faced the backup at Arky and not Tyler Wilson. USC didn't have their entire playbook available and they were crippled with a DUMBASS calling the plays!! I respect ND, but you guys are fooling yourselves IF you believe that your defense didn't get bailed out by Lane Kiffin!! Don't get me wrong, I wanted this matchup for history sake!!

If you watched that game you saw that Wittek didn't play like a RSF until their final drive when ND brought pressure and he rushed his throw. One INT was on a deep rout to Lee with single coverage. Also, people forget that even if USC would have scored a TD, they would still trail in the game. How good is ND's defense? The proof is in the pudding. You don't do what they did over the course of a season being avaerage. If you want to use that logic, I can say UG bailed out the Tide with questionable calls at the very end of the SECCG or that the Tides defensive numbers are inflated playing Western Ky, FL Atl and W. Carolina.

There is no doubt ND will have it's hands full trying to stop the Tides running game, but this team has the athletes and speed to compete.

 

[UAgrad93]

If you watched that game you saw that Wittek didn't play like a RSF until their final drive when ND brought pressure and he rushed his throw. One INT was on a deep rout to Lee with single coverage. Also, people forget that even if USC would have scored a TD, they would still trail in the game. How good is ND's defense? The proof is in the pudding. You don't do what they did over the course of a season being avaerage. If you want to use that logic, I can say UG bailed out the Tide with questionable calls at the very end of the SECCG or that the Tides defensive numbers are inflated playing Western Ky, FL Atl and W. Carolina.

There is no doubt ND will have it's hands full trying to stop the Tides running game, but this team has the athletes and speed to compete.

I did watch it! Wittek DID play like his age suggested. My comment was in comparison to us playing Arky and their back up. People said our secondary would be challenged against them. When Wilson went down, the playbook shrunk considerably, much like the USC playbook! As for the scoring a TD and still being behind, you are correct. Kiffin was too damn stupid to try and jam it inside. His play calling allowed your safeties to crash and meet in the backfield. An off tackle play or play action would have scored easily! Kiffin used extremely poor clock management as well so it would have resulted in a last gasp onside kick as well.I'm not knocking ND. You have had a fine season. Your defensive stats could also be considered INFLATED when you take the likes of Wake Forest, Navy, and Purdue and even Pittsburgh.

 

[bamaledge]

I think it will be a good game and we will have to play very hard... for the first half and then it will be the same as half of our games, the second team will be in after the first series in the second half. The non delusional ND fans that I have talked to know there is an ass whupin' coming. They also know that ND can't win with out some help from us.

 

['65 Cobra]

From the Irish perspective.........This will definitely be the toughest game that ND has played in and the best o-line they have faced, but I don't think Stanford's is that far behind and the RB is as good as Bama's. The biggest difference is that Stanford doesn't have the 1-2 punch you have. I agree Bama has more depth overall. ND rotates their front seven, especially the line, so I don't expect them to get as worn down as a lot of people think. I will disagree about our secondary. While the two CB's are young, they are playing very well, especially the last half of the season. They faced arguably the two best receivers in the country against USC and held their own.

I also don't think you can really compare schedules from the end of the year. Each game has to be evaluated at the time it was played. But if you want to compare schedules, then I would say UM didn't beat themselves with 6 TO's, but rather than ND forced those TO's. Go back and watch the game and the pressure they put on Robinson the entire game. Those TO's were forced. Sagarin has ND's scheduled rated 30th while the Tides is 36th. IMO it all boils down to the two o-lines. The one that can control the los will win.

Look, ND has been really good this year - all my friends up north keep telling me so! Seriously, if you want to use Stanford as a metric, then I will say these things:

- our o-line is bigger at every position and deeper
- Stanford ranks 40th in total rushing, we are 13th and within 200 yards of being 9th (ND is 27th)
- Stanford ranks 60th in rushing yards per attempt; we are 5th (ND is 29th)
- Their feature back Stepfan Taylor gets just over 4 yards per carry; BOTH of our guys get over 6 ypc

I stand by what I said before - I don't think ND has seen the likes of our O-line before. Doesn't mean you can't keep up with our guys, just that you haven't had it yet. Time will bear it all out, and I'm sure our guys will give your guys their due respect as they have earned it going undefeated and being ranked #1. I just think you're going to need to score alot and I'm not sure that will work out.

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

I agree with Cobra. I keep hearing ND fans bring up Stanford RB but I fail to see a direct correlation. Stanford doesn't have an oline of NFL talent like we have. Nobody in this country does and that's not homer talk. But I hope they keep buying into that notion.

 

[RollllTide!]

Stats reversed are still statS. It looks like on paper we are the best team, but if you add the strength of schedule stats back to the mix It makes ND on top. Add the SEC winning stats back to the mix BAMA is on top. Where could you find the total weight of our team vs ND. I think that is the most important stat of all. I will go with BAMA.:tickled_pink:

 

[bamaraider]

From the Irish perspective.........This will definitely be the toughest game that ND has played in and the best o-line they have faced, but I don't think Stanford's is that far behind and the RB is as good as Bama's. The biggest difference is that Stanford doesn't have the 1-2 punch you have. I agree Bama has more depth overall. ND rotates their front seven, especially the line, so I don't expect them to get as worn down as a lot of people think. I will disagree about our secondary. While the two CB's are young, they are playing very well, especially the last half of the season. They faced arguably the two best receivers in the country against USC and held their own.

I also don't think you can really compare schedules from the end of the year. Each game has to be evaluated at the time it was played. But if you want to compare schedules, then I would say UM didn't beat themselves with 6 TO's, but rather than ND forced those TO's. Go back and watch the game and the pressure they put on Robinson the entire game. Those TO's were forced. Sagarin has ND's scheduled rated 30th while the Tides is 36th. IMO it all boils down to the two o-lines. The one that can control the los will win.

Compare your front 7 to LSU's....barring the two beast LBers you have, LSU has a better front 7 and Alabama held their own against them and again..gashed them in the run game

 

[jdpas29]

stanford's running back does not compare well to either of alabama's backs. his is big and relatively fast, vision is ok, but his balance needs improvement. it takes a hand to push him over and he is far too easy to tackle.

 

[Irish#1]

Compare your front 7 to LSU's....barring the two beast LBers you have, LSU has a better front 7 and Alabama held their own against them and again..gashed them in the run game

Okay, just remember the names Louis Nix, Stephon Tuitt and Kappron Lewis-Moore. Nix and Tuitt will definitley play on Sundays. KLM will get some looks.

But you guys are getting a little too sensitive. Did you not read the part where I agreed that this will be the best o-line and team ND will have faced? Really? The second team will be playing after the first series of the second half?

 

[Dearg Doom]

I'm with you, Irish#1. I think any Bama fan expecting a cake walk will be in for a rude awakening. I expect a dog fight between two fundamentally sound, defensively strong, well coached teams. It will, no doubt, be the toughest test of the Irish yet, but this is a team that has risen to the occasion and always found a way to win.

Btw, I'm not even going to start with the statistical arguments because our schedules are just too different to make them valid. The top end of yours is impressive, with wins at night in the real death valley, and the taming of the dawgs in the SECCG. The bottom half of the schedule is a puzzle. It seems to me that the only reason the Florida Atlantic Owls should be in Bryant Denny Stadium is because the bus driver pulled over to ask for directions to Middle Tennesee. The same is true of the Western Kentucky "Hilltopppers", the Western Carolina "Catamounts" and the Auburn "Tigers."