🏈 ⏲ PRE-GAME Thread: Alabama vs Miami. ⏲

[50+yeartidefan]

Just talking. #1 scoring defense in the SEC last season and you're still upset about Ole Miss?

Lol

 

[1CrimsonTider]

A lot think they'll put 30 or more on the board. They did average that last season but look at who it was against.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Just talking. #1 scoring defense in the SEC last season and you're still upset about Ole Miss?

Lots ofpoints are scored late in games....when outcome has been decided...
And 2s or 3s are in

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I am 100% certain Kiffin knew how to beat CNS defense last season. He threw the hole deck of cards at every exploitable issue that CNS has with his defense PLUS the youth of our defense being a factor. Any other year Ole Miss would have beat us but we had the better offense with them having a terrible defense. I wonder how many other teams will use the 4th down conversion formula that Kiffin used against us last year.

That game was a great learning experience for the entire team & I am certain Kiffin will not be able to get away with some of the things they did. But make no mistake, nobody understands better how to beat a CNS defense better than Kiffin. Maybe Sarkisian second. But nobody is better than Kiffin. I really think we are going to see some VERY interesting games against Ole Miss for years to come. And if Kiffin can get a decent defense they'll probably get one on us every once & a while.

 

[Rolltide24]

I just received an email saying the game has been moved from 2:30 to 3:30. Got it from Vivid Seats, who I purchased my tickets through. Kinda strange.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I just received an email saying the game has been moved from 2:30 to 3:30. Got it from Vivid Seats, who I purchased my tickets through. Kinda strange.

Do you think that's a time zone thing?

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Do you think that's a time zone thing?

Haven’t seen anything on that...230cdt. 330edt
@Rolltide24

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

Rhett Lashlee is an OC that Saban and Co are not unfamiliar with. That can't be a bad thing.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

Again, I say Bama 37-17.

 

[BamaFisher]

Manny Diaz is dual hatting as well - HC and DC…that typically means you can’t focus all of the attention you need to get 1 job done well. They lost what strength their defense was in the DE’s to the draft. Without disruption at the line, that leaves their shaky back end to hold up against Young and company. This is going to be a long day for the Miami defense. With King coming off ACL surgery - I’m still not sold on him trusting that knee to take off on a rush when his pocket most certainly falls apart. Bama big I’m thinking.

 

[MunchyOs]

I just received an email saying the game has been moved from 2:30 to 3:30. Got it from Vivid Seats, who I purchased my tickets through. Kinda strange.

Are you certain? Because everywhere I look still has the game slated at 2:30 PM Central time.

 

[Rolltide24]

It’s strange. Doesn’t mention time zones but that could be the issue. There system may have had the time incorrect since it originally said the game was 2:30. Here’s the except from the email.


We have been notified that the details for the 2021 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game - Alabama vs Miami event on Saturday, September 4, 2021 have changed.
Original Event Details: Saturday, September 4, 2021, 2:30 pm
Your New Event Details: Saturday, September 4, 2021, 3:30 pm

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

ABC is showing the game at 230. Clemson UGA is at 630. They aren't changing the times to overlap one another.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I'm guessing the Vivid Seats employee that set this was originally in Central time when they created it, and they just realized the Eastern time.

 

[TerryP]

I didn’t notice that before.

Makes you wonder. They know that's what makes Miami roll.

 

[SoCalPatrick]

It’s been 20 months since Bryce Young has been a starting quarterback, but if his preparation at the podium Monday was any indication, he’s ready.

Asked if he would like for Alabama football to receive if it wins the coin toss against Miami on Saturday, eliminating a few more minutes of nervousness, Young smiled and gave the corporate answer.

“You’re asking the wrong person,” he said. “That’s definitely a coach Saban question.”

The questions that the personable Young, even the light-hearted ones, aren’t what matters, though. The real questions will come Saturday evening. Some of those will be “coach Saban questions,” too.

When Alabama walked off the field in Miami last January, national title in hand, the offense was a full-roar Ferrari but not one you park in the garage and crank up again in September. Too many of the parts are gone.

“I think the realistic approach is we have a lot of new players on offense,” Saban said. “It’s a work in progress to get all these players to develop to be productive and consistent performers. We're working hard on that. The coaches are doing a good job of that.

'We've got new faces and a lot of positions, which creates a lot of opportunity for people. How they manage it in the game, how they can take it to the game, how they prepare for the game, those are all question marks that get answered when you play a game. Wherever we are, we're going to continue to work on it and develop it. I have confidence in the players that we have. We just have, you know, players that don't have as much experience as we had a year ago.

'So, we're gonna see how that manifests itself in positive performance on a consistent basis and how can they man-age playing one play at a time and how can they stay focused on executing and doing their job, and I think that'll go a long way to say ... how productive we are ... as an offensive team.”

No one can be faulted for having high expectations for the preseason No. 1 team in the nation. In fact, that’s sort of the working definition of “high expectations.” But this is not some IMG Prep vs. Bishop Sycamore fiasco.

Miami enters the season at No. 15, and that’s about as good an opener as could have been expected when it was set up a couple of years ago.

Young will be pushed to make plays.

The offensive line listed on the depth chart is “good to go,” Saban said, but it still contains some names that only a deep dive into the Alabama roster would have yielded a couple of weeks ago.

How will those young players fare? Not even Saban thinks that is a “coach Saban question.”

“I don’t have the answers to these questions,” Saban said. “You can’t figure all this stuff out in practice. I don’t know how the offensive line is going to do, I don’t know how the run defense is going to do, I don’t know how a new player playing wide receiver or cornerback is going to do.

“But this is their opportunity.”

Not even Saban knows how Tide will play vs. Miami - The Tuscaloosa News

 

[Bama News]

Alabama vs. Miami: Why the Hurricanes may catch the heavily favored Crimson Tide by surprise

One of two standout nonconference showdowns Saturday, Alabama-Miami may not play out as most expect

www.cbssports.com

It'll be David vs. Goliath in Week 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta when No. 14 Miami (FL) aims to knock down No. 1 Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. At least, that's what oddsmakers believe. Caesars Sportsbook lists the defending national champion Crimson Tide as 19.5-point favorites over the Hurricanes, so the public clearly feels this will be a blowout -- like so many of Bama's previous season-openers -- no matter which side of the spread you invest in.

Should Alabama be favored by nearly three touchdowns, though? Forget covering, does Miami have a chance to win on Saturday?

The Canes aren't some scrub opponent with no talent and horrible coaching. This isn't Bishop Sycamore High School facing IMG Academy. Miami has plenty of tools to at least make this interesting into the fourth quarter.

Super-senior quarterback D'Eriq King is back at 100% after suffering a torn ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl at the end of last season, which should concern Alabama's defense in a big way. King had 2,686 yards passing, 729 yards rushing and totaled 27 touchdowns in 11 games last year. It's no secret that Alabama's defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks at various times during coach Nick Saban's tenure.

Yes, this Alabama defense is going to be filthy. After all, it has superstar linebackers Will Anderson Jr and Christian Harris along with an ultra-experienced defensive backfield. The Tide literally have more talent than any team in the country, according to 247Sports. But King vs. Bama's defense is a true strength vs. strength heavyweight fight. Both sides will land their fair share of haymakers.

King is one of 10 offensive starters returning for the Hurricanes. Others include running back Cam'Ron Harris and wide receiver Michael Harley, both of whom led the team in their respective categories in 2020, plus a veteran offensive line. The lone newcomer is former Oklahoma star Charleston Rambo, a potential playmaker in his own right. What's more, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is back for his second year and can claim success against a Saban-coached defense from his time in this role at Auburn -- particularly from 2013-14.

If King and Lashlee can pop a few big plays, especially early, it'll put a ton of pressure on the young and inexperienced Tide offense to play catch-up.

Speaking of "young," sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is set to take over in Alabama's new-look offense ... but he won't be the only fresh face. This group is also breaking in a new offensive coordinator (Bill O'Brien) and two new offensive linemen. Meanwhile, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and wide receiver (John Metchie III) have to slide into bigger roles. Are they ready?

History says Saban will be able to plug-and-play athletic freaks on either side of the ball, but this isn't the best opponent to get them up to speed. Why? Other than the absences of edge rushers Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips, this Miami defense is ready to go, especially on the back end.

Coach Manny Diaz took over defensive play-calling duties after last season wrapped up, so this defense should look much different. Diaz relied more on man-to-man coverage back in 2018 when he was the defensive coordinator at "The U," and that philosophy has shifted more toward zone schemes since he got the head coaching gig. Cornerbacks DJ Ivey, Tyrique Stevenson and Te'Cory Couch, along with star safeties Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall, Jr, all have been key contributors. All were rated five- or four-star prospects out of high school. They aren't going to be intimidated by anybody in one-on-one situations, even Metchie and Co.

Miami's front seven will have its share of success against an Alabama offensive line that is still a work-in-progress. Diaz said at ACC Media Day that his players have adjusted well to the new scheme.

"It's fun to talk about the coaches and the play calling, this, that and the other," he said. "But great defense is ultimately about the connection between the players on the field, the trust and the accountability. That's where I felt like, a year ago, we didn't quite have that. We take a lot of pride in how we play defense at Miami. We took a step back in that regard -- it was not to our standard.

"Guys have a chip on their shoulder. We have new coaches. That took all of our players ... took every one of those guys out of their comfort zone. Here comes a new set of eyes, a guy that's going to challenge you in a different way."

The point? Don't sleep on these Canes. Their ceiling might not be as high as that of the Tide, but if they bring their A-game, it'll be on Young to make smart decisions and keep the chains moving.

If it turns into a shootout, which is a distinct possibility, Miami absolutely has a chance to do the unthinkable and pull the upset over Alabama.

 

[bamaledge]

I’m a tad jittery about this game. Myhammy has a decent qb, I don’t know what kind of talent he has around him though. His mobility is a question that needs answered. Our defense should be up to the task if focused. There are more than a few questions surrounding our offense. Makes me a little nervous.

 

[bamaledge]

I will be there a bit earlier...Like to be in seat by KO....

We are going to need some pictures of, by and from the rolltidebama family attending the game! Before, during and after we win! Y’all have a happy and safe time on your journeys.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

We are going to need some pictures of, by and from the rolltidebama family attending the game! Before, during and after we win! Y’all have a happy and safe time on your journeys.

We'll have a group photo, with or without @TerryP . I don't like his chances of attending, he had a fishing accident yesterday and is a game-time decision.