š GAME THREAD: Southern Miss vs Alabama
- Thread starter TerryP
- Start date
BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Line: Alabama by 48
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WYTK-FM 93.9, WWTM-AM 1400
Four-Down Territory
Quarterback competition continues: This is another game where both quarterbacks, Blake Sims and Jake Coker, will share the position. Both will play significantly. Coach Nick Saban wants to get Coker more experience so he's ready to play in system under heavy pressure. Sims has played well in the first two games. He needs another strong performance to secure the starting job going into the Florida game.
Deal with the spread: Southern Miss will play the four wideout approach most of the game. That will test the secondary in the nickel and dime defense most of the game as defensive backs. The linebackers will also be challenged to stop the running back in space. Open field tackling will be vital. The more Alabama sees this style offense the better it will be prepared for more potent teams such as Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas A&M later in the schedule.
Play the reserves: Last week's game was cut short due to it being a blowout and lightning. The biggest problem with that was the second-and-third string players didn't get as much work as the Crimson Tide wanted. This is the last game before SEC play begins. Alabama needs to get the younger players work for their development and to be ready just in case of a serious injury, so they are not overwhelmed against better opponents.
Fine-tune the details: This nonconference game is another opportunity for players to focus on the little things without the bottom line of winning hanging over them because they are such huge favorites to win. They can strive to be better players and then improve as a group. Competition increases drastically when SEC play begins next week. Coach Nick Saban stressed the improvement mantra again this week.
Key Matchup
Alabama secondary vs. Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens
Southern Miss runs its offense through quarterback Nick Mullens. When he played well against Alcorn State, the Golden Eagles won. A rough time against Mississippi State and they lost big. Mullens has spread the ball around to 12 different receivers, led by Casey Martin with 11 receptions. Mullens has completed 41 of 75 for 420 yards and two touchdowns. He can run, too, with 44 rushing yards. Alabama's secondary is still a work in progress. Cornerback Eddie Jackson hopes to continue to make an impact after his first game back from knee surgery.
Player of the Week
Amari Cooper, WR, Jr., 6-1, 210
Cooper tied a school record for single-game receptions with 13 last week against Florida Atlantic. He also gained 189 yards and a touchdown. He even ran a reverse for 20 yards. Cooper leads the nation in receptions with 25, receiving yards with 319 and catches per game at 12.5. If he can gain 100 yards receiving today he'll tie the Alabama record for consecutive 100-yard games of five, held by DJ Hall in 2006.
By the Numbers
5.9: Alabama's average yards per carry. The Crimson Tide has improved its per carry averages the last eight years, starting at 3.5 in 2006 to 5.8 last season.
23: Number of players on the Southern Miss roster who come from the state of Alabama. Starting quarterback Nick Mullens is from Hoover and running back Ito Smith is from Semmes.
41: Number of times Alabama and Southern Miss have met. The Crimson Tide leads the series 33-6-2, winning the last game 30-21 in 2005.
Prediction
This should be another easy win for Alabama headed into next week's SEC opener against Florida. The Crimson Tide will overmatch the Golden Eagles on the line of scrimmage and down field. Expect the game to follow the same script as last week, hopefully minus the lightning. Quarterback Blake Sims will lead Alabama to a big lead and then Jake Coker will take over and extend the lead. The defense will look to make more of an impact and force turnovers. Saban will want to get to a big lead early so he can substitute in the backups early.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WYTK-FM 93.9, WWTM-AM 1400
Four-Down Territory
Quarterback competition continues: This is another game where both quarterbacks, Blake Sims and Jake Coker, will share the position. Both will play significantly. Coach Nick Saban wants to get Coker more experience so he's ready to play in system under heavy pressure. Sims has played well in the first two games. He needs another strong performance to secure the starting job going into the Florida game.
Deal with the spread: Southern Miss will play the four wideout approach most of the game. That will test the secondary in the nickel and dime defense most of the game as defensive backs. The linebackers will also be challenged to stop the running back in space. Open field tackling will be vital. The more Alabama sees this style offense the better it will be prepared for more potent teams such as Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas A&M later in the schedule.
Play the reserves: Last week's game was cut short due to it being a blowout and lightning. The biggest problem with that was the second-and-third string players didn't get as much work as the Crimson Tide wanted. This is the last game before SEC play begins. Alabama needs to get the younger players work for their development and to be ready just in case of a serious injury, so they are not overwhelmed against better opponents.
Fine-tune the details: This nonconference game is another opportunity for players to focus on the little things without the bottom line of winning hanging over them because they are such huge favorites to win. They can strive to be better players and then improve as a group. Competition increases drastically when SEC play begins next week. Coach Nick Saban stressed the improvement mantra again this week.
Key Matchup
Alabama secondary vs. Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens
Southern Miss runs its offense through quarterback Nick Mullens. When he played well against Alcorn State, the Golden Eagles won. A rough time against Mississippi State and they lost big. Mullens has spread the ball around to 12 different receivers, led by Casey Martin with 11 receptions. Mullens has completed 41 of 75 for 420 yards and two touchdowns. He can run, too, with 44 rushing yards. Alabama's secondary is still a work in progress. Cornerback Eddie Jackson hopes to continue to make an impact after his first game back from knee surgery.
Player of the Week
Amari Cooper, WR, Jr., 6-1, 210
Cooper tied a school record for single-game receptions with 13 last week against Florida Atlantic. He also gained 189 yards and a touchdown. He even ran a reverse for 20 yards. Cooper leads the nation in receptions with 25, receiving yards with 319 and catches per game at 12.5. If he can gain 100 yards receiving today he'll tie the Alabama record for consecutive 100-yard games of five, held by DJ Hall in 2006.
By the Numbers
5.9: Alabama's average yards per carry. The Crimson Tide has improved its per carry averages the last eight years, starting at 3.5 in 2006 to 5.8 last season.
23: Number of players on the Southern Miss roster who come from the state of Alabama. Starting quarterback Nick Mullens is from Hoover and running back Ito Smith is from Semmes.
41: Number of times Alabama and Southern Miss have met. The Crimson Tide leads the series 33-6-2, winning the last game 30-21 in 2005.
Prediction
This should be another easy win for Alabama headed into next week's SEC opener against Florida. The Crimson Tide will overmatch the Golden Eagles on the line of scrimmage and down field. Expect the game to follow the same script as last week, hopefully minus the lightning. Quarterback Blake Sims will lead Alabama to a big lead and then Jake Coker will take over and extend the lead. The defense will look to make more of an impact and force turnovers. Saban will want to get to a big lead early so he can substitute in the backups early.
planomateo
Member
PhillyGirl
Member
@rick4bama go to a friends house or a resturant and watch the first half. Heck, I'd have you come to mine but Ohio is a little far to drive.
planomateo
Member
It was 51 degrees at 5am in North Texas today...get ready for a nice cold front.
One of your other is repeating what you have all ready posted.
We don't want to confused PhillyGirl now do we.
@rick4bama I'm betting he's posting from his phone.
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