🏈 Ole Miss, USCe, TN run will challenge this team

['65 Cobra]

That run of three games after having played five straight will challenge this team. The last two are home games so that's a good thing. Things we need to succeed:

- the O-Line continues to gel and the run game gets even better with Richardson and Ingram.
- I'd like to see the TE more involved on shorter routes.
- GET JULIO MORE INVOLVED!
- GMac's progress will be starting to get national talk. He will have to continue to develop the deep passing game and find Julio more. This guy may be the best QB we have had in decades.
- The D will have to replace our fallen hero. They should remember him and dedicate each and every game to him. We will need to watch the big plays especially in the passing game.
- Special Teams needs to play disciplined and shut down running lanes on returns. Obviously not much improvement needed in our return game.

Those games will be great battles (USCe is better than people give them credit for), I think we take them all, and if we do, I have no doubt we will take UF this time in the SECCG.

 

[GeorgiaTider]

I agree with you. Any of those teams could beat us, but I don't expect it to happen. I think Gmac will throw to whoever is open. I don't think we will see the ball forced to Julio just because he is Julio. If he wants the ball more, he may have to create his own opportunities. Considering how we spread the ball around, double teaming Julio hurts the other team more than us. He'll get his catches.

 

[mongo4bama]

Running the ball better will more of a premium now.
Kickoff coverage the same can't give up cheap returns.

good thread:a:

 

[LAmike]

Julio is too valuable to just be one of our cadre of receivers. I expect we'll see more of him in motion, slot,etc. like the talk was before the season. Gmac won't force it to him, but he needs to be more involved, in my opinion.:smile:

 

[reger60]

I'd rather Greg read the coverage and get the ball to the open receiver than see him force a pass into double coverage just because he sees the number 8. Improving the performance of inside rush will open up the passing game, giving all of our receivers more opportunities. One thing is for certain, if you are a receiver on this team, you better by God, catch the damn ball when it comes your way.

 

[bama4life]

I'd rather Greg read the coverage and get the ball to the open receiver than see him force a pass into double coverage just because he sees the number 8. Improving the performance of inside rush will open up the passing game, giving all of our receivers more opportunities. One thing is for certain, if you are a receiver on this team, you better by God, catch the damn ball when it comes your way.

:word:

 

[UAgrad93]

I too agree that McElroy is going to go through the read progression and put the ball into the open mans' hands. The OL is gelling and I think will only improve as the season progresses. I believe Terry stated in a column that we're only off last years' rushing total at this time by 10 YARDS. The step up in play by the other receivers will do nothing but open Julio up even more where his number of catches might not increase but his yards per catch will jump up.

 

[Bamaman37]

I'd rather Greg read the coverage and get the ball to the open receiver than see him force a pass into double coverage just because he sees the number 8. Improving the performance of inside rush will open up the passing game, giving all of our receivers more opportunities. One thing is for certain, if you are a receiver on this team, you better by God, catch the damn ball when it comes your way.

I agree 100%. We all saw what happened when Greg did try to force it to number 8 when he was double covered. He started the VT game 2-12.

 

[bamaupsman]

I agree that these games will be tough, but I also believe that we are MILES better than all of them. If we don't get the big-head, we will dominate all of them. I'm much more worried about Auburn and LSU than any of the aforementioned teams.

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

. I'm much more worried about LSU.

Don't be. They will get exposed this weekend. Of course they already have been in my mind.

 

[joeman546]

I imagine Julio will become more involved following this week. The defensive plan vs our team has been to stack the run and double Julio for the last year now. Arkansas did that, and took away the effectiveness of both options, still lost by 28 points.

I think Saturdays win made a statement to the rest of the SEC about our offense. Id look for him to be doubled less now, and consequently for McElroy to find him more. Then prepare to see some sick moves.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I prefer to temper my enthusiasm on the offense considering who we have played. VT was the only Defensive team worth mentioning. If our O does the same to, say Tennessee, then yeah I'm on board, until then, they should dominate the upcoming teams. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

['65 Cobra]

I agree that these games will be tough, but I also believe that we are MILES better than all of them. If we don't get the big-head, we will dominate all of them. I'm much more worried about Auburn and LSU than any of the aforementioned teams.

In a vacuum, of course, LSU and Auburn should be tougher games, it's just that those games come after the bye week. By then, we will need it!

 

[Swamptick]

I worry over every game.

 

[Southern Bama]

My concern is Tennessee...They seem to be playing better all around than the others..but SC has one heck of a defense. TN will play us hard.

 

[4th-and-1]

everyone is questioning our running game since the arkansas game.. i believe that a wet field hurts the offensive linemen the most.. the amount of thrust an offensive lineman depends on between his feet and the ground are far greater than what a ball carrier or defender requires, especially when your are base blocking.. i think our running game will rear it's ball controlling head again on a dry field..

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

I'd rather Greg read the coverage and get the ball to the open receiver than see him force a pass into double coverage just because he sees the number 8. Improving the performance of inside rush will open up the passing game, giving all of our receivers more opportunities. One thing is for certain, if you are a receiver on this team, you better by God, catch the damn ball when it comes your way.

This.

Not a fan of throw to #8. Throw to #8. Throw to #8 all game long. We've seen how well that works if that's all the passing threat we're going to try and do. Teams will go right back to double/triple coverage. We need to force them (other teams' secondaries) to play honest and the only way to do that is to distribute the ball to the open receiver(s). Once they realize we actually have more weapons at WR position than most people think, they ight reconsider about double and triple covering JJ. And then that opens up a whole slew of possibilites for plays and big catches. Get JJ one on one with a corner and chances are he will win out that battle, if he catches the ball of course.

People need to realize WRs do more than just catch a ball. JJ has been plenty involved with this team. Why people think otherwise is beyond me. I'm just glad to see him actually blocking better this year!

As far as challenging this team. Every team will try and do that. It's to be expected when you have a bulls eye on your back. Always need to come to the game ready to play your best no matter who it is up against. I think that is what CNS is trying to install into the team and also the fan base. So far we're slowly but surely getting there.