🏈 Embarrassing Championship game for the SEC

[silvermetalflake]

Gus has a very effective scheme, and for the personnel he has, it is the perfect fit. They will continue to be very, very good on offense, but defenses will adjust to them over time. I still remember when Urban Meyer got his offense rolling at UF, folks were saying that he was going to dominate the SEC for years to come. He even beat Saban with it. Eventually, teams adjusted. Eventually, Meyer was processed, faked a heart issue and fled the SEC.

Now, I'm not saying, nor do I think that will happen to Gus (the fleeing part). I do think League coordinators will adjust to his offense (to some degree on another). For the most part, SEC Coordinators are not idiots. I know they look like it sometimes and we all make fun of most of them week in and week out, but it isn't as if there are 14 cloned Joe Lee Dunn's running around out there.

As for Bama, Saban is already bolstering the defensive line as we speak, which will go a long way in helping against Gus' offense. We are about to sign some top quality nose tackles, and add to that a guy like Da'Shawn Hand on the end and hard hitting Hootie Jones at safety, a guy who has the speed to play corner and the size to play linebacker (those are just a couple of the example, the class will almost certainly be our best ever).

The one thing this run by auburn will do is cause Saban to take them more seriously again. Lately, that extra attention has been on LSU (and probably A&M to a degree), but it's a safe bet that auburn is no longer on the back burner. If they didn't already have his attention, they do now. Also, while nobody rises from the ashes quite like auburn, very few crumble under the spotlight in recent memory like them either. Let's see how they handle success, again.

Very well put, sir. Insightful and well-penned.

 

[TheChief]

I think this is pretty much right. What will be interesting to see is how Gus changes his offense to suit Johnson after next year. I would expect our offense to be quite a bit more balanced with him as QB. If Mason leaves, and with Marshall having the benefit of spring practices, I would expect it to be slightly more balanced next year by necessity.

As for how we handle pressure. We've always had our best teams when people overlooked us. I would expect us to be a top 3 pre-season pick next year. That normally makes me nervous. I don't like placing expectations on college kids. I prefer to simply appreciate what unfolds as it unfolds. As you mentioned to me earlier I was believing in Auburn having a good shot at the BCSCG back in October. In September I would have told you we were an 8 or 9 win team with the ability to beat one of TAM/LSU/UGA/UA. Hell after 2010 I actually thought last year was going to be our next really good year.

I hope that Gus, unlike Chizik and Bowden, is actually a grounded enough person to keep the team focused moving forward. If he is, this might be our decade.

We'll see

He's easily the best back in the SEC. He'd be foolish to stay in school.

 

[Southern Bama]

getting into the backfield and blowing up these plays is the key IMO.....but that doesnt mean squat if you dont make the tackle.

 

['65 Cobra]

I think this is pretty much right. What will be interesting to see is how Gus changes his offense to suit Johnson after next year. I would expect our offense to be quite a bit more balanced with him as QB. If Mason leaves, and with Marshall having the benefit of spring practices, I would expect it to be slightly more balanced next year by necessity.

As for how we handle pressure. We've always had our best teams when people overlooked us. I would expect us to be a top 3 pre-season pick next year. That normally makes me nervous. I don't like placing expectations on college kids. I prefer to simply appreciate what unfolds as it unfolds. As you mentioned to me earlier I was believing in Auburn having a good shot at the BCSCG back in October. In September I would have told you we were an 8 or 9 win team with the ability to beat one of TAM/LSU/UGA/UA. Hell after 2010 I actually thought last year was going to be our next really good year.

I hope that Gus, unlike Chizik and Bowden, is actually a grounded enough person to keep the team focused moving forward. If he is, this might be our decade.

We'll see

Balanced from the run/pass standpoint? Doubtful. Gus essentially runs a very modernized wishbone - run option offense; multiple run options. The pass is the last option on the vast majority of plays. Designed to keep the D honest and hopefully catch someone off-guard, like in the Iron Bowl with Auburn's last offensive touchdown. As an aside, on that play, clearly Marshall was over the line (it's not the ball, it's any part of the body) and if we are to believe he was not, then the entire offensive line was illegally downfield, which BTW happens constantly but is never called. Do you really think Gus will intentionally focus on a balanced attack with passing? Somehow I doubt it. It defeats his purpose. Plus how do you recruit QBs with true passing skills AND highly skilled WRs when they know they will rarely see the ball? His offense is predicated on creating chaos. Hurry up to the line, snap the ball before the defense can get set, generate panic. the kids on the field start to lose discipline and try to make plays on their own. The offense then simply picks the open spot. LSU did the best job of staying calm and not panicing - they are also masters at faking injuries to slow things down. Can't say that I blame them, when faced with chaotic street ball. Now I could see a possible foray into a run and shoot type deal, but that would be a step backward. That has been figured out and the model exists. I'd like to start a new paragraph here, but as usual, it won't let me use the "enter" button to start a new line, so let's pretend I did. To your other two points, I don't think anyone dominates for a decade. You are on your second trip to the BCSCG in four seasons. An excellent accomplishment, but last year was a train wreck. You got a lot of lucky bounces this year, but you won't surprise anyone next year. Lastly, I don't think your assessment of Gus is correct, though time will bear it out. I think he is quite full of himself - especially with this meteoric rise. What happens when SEC defensive coordinators figure out the remedy just as they did the wishbone back in the day and Meyer more recently. Gimmick offenses eventually get figured out and straight up tough football wins out. What kind of offense does Gus run then? Will he even still be at Auburn? How do you get a dominating defense that practices against your own option offense all the time? A lot has to fall into place to dominate for a decade. Usually, gimmicks are not enduring.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I don't see it as being ahead right now. The season came together for them like Tennessee in 96 and Bama in 09. Narrow victories (MSU and ATM) and unrepeatable oddities (UGA, Bama). This isn't Bama losing to an Urban Meyer Florida team where we had a talent gap and scheme shortcomings, rather it was Bama not doing what it should have offensively to ensure a two score lead that would prevent endgame dramatics. It's not a sea change, but a very expensive lesson on executing as we are capable.

RTR,

Tim

I agree with that... The thing about them, similar to how they rise from ashes, they also have the uncanny ability to turn a small wave of momentum into a tsunami. Had they lost to State earlier in the season in the final minute, we'd probably all be laughing at them today because they'd be playing in the Music City Bowl.

That said, they improved on offense as the year went along. They run the same handful of plays, and gutted us with them (by our defensive standards). Did the same to a good Missouri team to a much greater extent. I'm confident Bama will be fine against them. I wish we could play them again next week... I think Bama will adjust to them better than anyone else (LSU will too).

 

[foshman]

Balanced from the run/pass standpoint? Doubtful. Gus essentially runs a very modernized wishbone - run option offense; multiple run options. The pass is the last option on the vast majority of plays.

If Johnson develops into a good downfield passer, like it appears he will, Gus will use that to his advantage. I doubt it will be 50-50 but if Auburn had thrown the ball 5-6 more times per game this season and done so effectively they would have been much more difficult to stop.

Designed to keep the D honest and hopefully catch someone off-guard, like in the Iron Bowl with Auburn's last offensive touchdown. As an aside, on that play, clearly Marshall was over the line (it's not the ball, it's any part of the body) and if we are to believe he was not, then the entire offensive line was illegally downfield, which BTW happens constantly but is never called. Do you really think Gus will intentionally focus on a balanced attack with passing? Somehow I doubt it. It defeats his purpose. Plus how do you recruit QBs with true passing skills AND highly skilled WRs when they know they will rarely see the ball? His offense is predicated on creating chaos. Hurry up to the line, snap the ball before the defense can get set, generate panic. the kids on the field start to lose discipline and try to make plays on their own. The offense then simply picks the open spot. LSU did the best job of staying calm and not panicing - they are also masters at faking injuries to slow things down. Can't say that I blame them, when faced with chaotic street ball. Now I could see a possible foray into a run and shoot type deal, but that would be a step backward. That has been figured out and the model exists. I'd like to start a new paragraph here, but as usual, it won't let me use the "enter" button to start a new line, so let's pretend I did.

To your other two points, I don't think anyone dominates for a decade. You are on your second trip to the BCSCG in four seasons. An excellent accomplishment, but last year was a train wreck. You got a lot of lucky bounces this year, but you won't surprise anyone next year. Lastly, I don't think your assessment of Gus is correct, though time will bear it out. I think he is quite full of himself - especially with this meteoric rise. What happens when SEC defensive coordinators figure out the remedy just as they did the wishbone back in the day and Meyer more recently. Gimmick offenses eventually get figured out and straight up tough football wins out. What kind of offense does Gus run then? Will he even still be at Auburn? How do you get a dominating defense that practices against your own option offense all the time? A lot has to fall into place to dominate for a decade. Usually, gimmicks are not enduring.

I didn't mean we would dominate for a decade, I think those days are long gone in the SEC. I think a team, such as Alabama, can dominate for a recruiting cycle and a half or so, but not for an entire decade. If, however, we win a couple of national championships in the next 10 years I would say it was "our decade."

Gus's offense is a classic smash mouth running game with a lot of modern pre-snap motion. It is far from gimmicky, although it does use gimmicks. It is predicated on getting kids out of position. That's the future of football until colleges have more than 20 hours to spend with their defensive players each week.

As for Gus the person, we'll have to agree to disagree on how sincere he is. I suspect you would hate Jesus if he returned as an Auburn fan.

I will ask you though if you don't think Saban is full of himself, or Meyer, or Bryant, or Spurrier, or Parcells, or Belicheck, or Paterno, or Walsh. Or for that matter Clinton, or Reagan, or Nixon, or Kennedy, or Obama. Or for that matter Trump, or Buffet, or Jobs, or Gates.

Great men almost always have great egos. It's what drives them. I doubt Gus will ever go ballistic at a female staffer over an insignificant mistake like Saban (or Bobby Knight) has. I doubt Gus will walk past people asking for autographs without acknowledging them like Saban (or Belicheck or Mike Ditka) frequently does. They aren't shitty people necessarily they just aren't friendly people. (Ditka is a shitty person.)

I've met, and spoken with, a lot of successful head coaches. More than probably anyone else on this board. I've met Gus once, he seemed like the real deal to me. For the record Chizik did too until I met him. He was a fake. He also had that reputation in the press box. Everyone raved about Malzahn though. Stallings is one of the kindest most genuine head coaches I've ever met. DuBose was a POS. Terry Bowden was an ass at Auburn. I spoke to him right before he got hired at UNA and he had mellowed quite a bit. Bobby Knight is a personal hero of mine in many ways and he's an absolute maniac in person.

 

['65 Cobra]

If Johnson develops into a good downfield passer, like it appears he will, Gus will use that to his advantage. I doubt it will be 50-50 but if Auburn had thrown the ball 5-6 more times per game this season and done so effectively they would have been much more difficult to stop.


I didn't mean we would dominate for a decade, I think those days are long gone in the SEC. I think a team, such as Alabama, can dominate for a recruiting cycle and a half or so, but not for an entire decade. If, however, we win a couple of national championships in the next 10 years I would say it was "our decade."

Gus's offense is a classic smash mouth running game with a lot of modern pre-snap motion. It is far from gimmicky, although it does use gimmicks. It is predicated on getting kids out of position. That's the future of football until colleges have more than 20 hours to spend with their defensive players each week.

As for Gus the person, we'll have to agree to disagree on how sincere he is. I suspect you would hate Jesus if he returned as an Auburn fan.

I will ask you though if you don't think Saban is full of himself, or Meyer, or Bryant, or Spurrier, or Parcells, or Belicheck, or Paterno, or Walsh. Or for that matter Clinton, or Reagan, or Nixon, or Kennedy, or Obama. Or for that matter Trump, or Buffet, or Jobs, or Gates.

Great men almost always have great egos. It's what drives them. I doubt Gus will ever go ballistic at a female staffer over an insignificant mistake like Saban (or Bobby Knight) has. I doubt Gus will walk past people asking for autographs without acknowledging them like Saban (or Belicheck or Mike Ditka) frequently does. They aren't shitty people necessarily they just aren't friendly people. (Ditka is a shitty person.)

I've met, and spoken with, a lot of successful head coaches. More than probably anyone else on this board. I've met Gus once, he seemed like the real deal to me. For the record Chizik did too until I met him. He was a fake. He also had that reputation in the press box. Everyone raved about Malzahn though. Stallings is one of the kindest most genuine head coaches I've ever met. DuBose was a POS. Terry Bowden was an ass at Auburn. I spoke to him right before he got hired at UNA and he had mellowed quite a bit. Bobby Knight is a personal hero of mine in many ways and he's an absolute maniac in person.

Agree to disagree on the Auburn offense gimmick content.

Never implied that Saban - or any of the others - isn't full of himself. But let's not pretend Gus is some kind of saint. Always thought Chizik was a fake. Pat Sullivan, on the other hand, is a great guy and very genuine (just had a meeting with him a couple of weeks ago). But enough of this silly name-dropping.

What else. Ah yes... Jesus. I try not to judge other people's spiritual beliefs (the metric should be how well do we treat others). Apparently you like to put yourself in position to judge how others would feel. It's amusing. And "hate" is such a strong word - disrespectful, really, in reference to Jesus. Such strong words and over football. For the record, I seriously doubt Jesus gives or would give a rat's behind about college football, even though you probably think he's an Auburn fan. So many of you do!! Ha, jskdn!

 

[JoshB]

He's easily the best back in the SEC. He'd be foolish to stay in school.

Hes a great back but he also benefits GREATLY from that scheme just the rest of their backs. Dudes not even listed in the rankings by most draft "experts" which prolly means either they doubt he comes out or they just havent bothered since hes not a huge name and hasnt announced hes leaving yet.

 

[foshman]

Hes a great back but he also benefits GREATLY from that scheme just the rest of their backs. Dudes not even listed in the rankings by most draft "experts" which prolly means either they doubt he comes out or they just havent bothered since hes not a huge name and hasnt announced hes leaving yet.

No one expected him to come out. He's probably a mid round pick unless he really impresses at the combines. He's an undersized power back that gets by on heart. Someone might all in love with him but I don't see him going high. Even so, he's not likely to add ten pounds naturally, grow an inch, and improve his speed in another year of college so as a running back he should probably leave now to get another year of NFL salary before his body breaks down. He could have a long career but I would be surprised.

 

[foshman]

What else. Ah yes... Jesus. I try not to judge other people's spiritual beliefs (the metric should be how well do we treat others). Apparently you like to put yourself in position to judge how others would feel. It's amusing. And "hate" is such a strong word - disrespectful, really, in reference to Jesus. Such strong words and over football. For the record, I seriously doubt Jesus gives or would give a rat's behind about college football, even though you probably think he's an Auburn fan. So many of you do!! Ha, jskdn!

That was a joke. A "ball busting rib" if you will. And it was directed at you not Jesus. My jokes about Jesus are far more subversive.

We can disagree on the other stuff.