bradenob
Member
Ok guys, with the horrible dead period in sports, with only the NBA, and MLB to comfort us, we will all be in withdrawals until August, so.....
In this installment, let's look at our 'suddenly suspect' secondary. The assertion is ridiculous, of course - the secondary is going to be a strength. Let me know what you think.
For starters, I am not worried about Trevon Diggs - he's a great athlete, getting good coaching. He will be fine. Averett will control the other side. Harrison just needs to stay under control and he's going to have a great year. He's a great hitter and fine in coverage. Brown will have great experience and hits like a truck, and is fine in coverage as well. And Minkah is, well, Minkah - he can do it all.
So what about the opponents?
FSU - Their line was horrible, and they lost their starting LT to the NFL. There are questions at RT and RG - so we might get pressure often on Francois. Francois is tough, with arm strength, but the passing game was nothing impressive last year. Travis Rudolph, the best receiver, went pro, and the current projected starters are capable, but nothing flashy or intimidating - USC's receivers were much more of a threat when we played them last year. I think we get to Francois plenty - he's a bit Watson-like, so he can cause trouble with his feet, but he'll face the fastest D he's seen. I believe we prevent the long balls, and keep him controlled.
Fresno St - The left side of the line is made up of two transfers. Jeff Tedford is taking over the program, which was 1-11 last year. Their QB was lost for the year to injury after 3 games. They have a long way to go as a team, and they will have tough sledding all day with 'Bama.
Colorado St - the offense returns 6 starters, including the starting QB Stevens - he passed for 1936 yds and 64% completion rate under Mike Bobo. They must replace 3 OLs. They return two WRs. They will have a proficient offense, but our athletes are far superior, and our offense will play ball control - they won't even have many opportunities.
Vanderbilt - Kyle Shurmur passed for 2409 yards as a sophomore. His top 7 receivers are back. Of course that's all relative. They must replace their left tackle and their center, and the line does not have a lot of experience. The line can't hold our pass rushers, and our secondary is too physical for Vandy to be a threat, even on the road.
Ole Miss - Shea Patterson will look to continue to improve as a true sophomore, but he will come to T'town. Gone are Stringfellow and Adeboyejo, as well as Engram, replaced with AJ Brown and DJ Metcalf, and some new TE. On the line, Greg Little takes over for Rod Taylor, and Javon Patterson returns at left guard, but they replace their center, and their right tackle, with the right guard returning. There is still no established RB, or running game, so it's all on Patterson's shoulders. With a suspect line and fairly inexperienced WRs, our defense will make them one dimensional and try to feast on Patterson's mistakes. Diggs will have no great problem with their best WR, and the safeties will be key in this game. It's also at home.
TAMU - Koda Martin moves over to LT, and the only other starter on the line is the center, McCoy. Jake Hubenak looks to be the starting QB at this point, and Keith Ford and Tra Williams will return at RB. Christian Kirk will try to match up against Diggs all day, but Diggs is up to it. Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Josh Reynolds are all gone, so there is no other seasoned WR to help out. I think it's a tough road trip, but we should fair well against their fairly inexperienced line, and Hubenak, while familiar with the system, doesn't have the WRs to challenge us seriously.
Arkansas - we host Sr. Austin Allen and crew at home. Hollister, Morgan, and Hatcher are gone at WR, only Cornelius returns with experience. They will start a new TE as well. Williams and Hammonds return at RB. Skipper is gone at left tackle, and while they return the other OL spots, two are open competition, so the line is not solidified. Allen did a good job last year, and took lots of hits. Expect as many hits this year, but with our secondary, and their lack of experienced athletes at WR and their anemic running game, I expect a long day for Allen.
U Cheat- the viles come to T'town, hopefully for another beat down. They will have a new QB, not that the old QB was a problem. Their top 2 RBs are gone, so John Kelly will try to carry the load against the Tide. The entire OL is back, and they did ok last year, so I would expect improvement. Josh Smith is back at slot receiver, and Juan Jennings played a good bit last year. Still, with 'Bama at home, and a new QB, I doubt the viles do much against our D, and I don't see a threatening passing game here.
LSU - we have them at home. They will have a new OC, from Pitt, but the HC is still Orgeron. Eitling had a terrible spring game, so he doesn't seem much of a threat. Chark is the only WR back with any experience, and the WRs coming back are nothing like Dupre or Dural. Malone is back at LT, but most of the rest of the line is shuffling, although almost all played a lot or started last year - cohesiveness could suffer, but they're usually fine by the time they play us. I look for us to shut down Guice - as long as that goes well, I don't see Eitling threatening us.
MSU - we travel to Starkvegas. Their QB is an exciting soph, Nick Fitzgerald. Good athlete. They replace their center, and their RT. Brandon Holloway returns at RB (I know, who?). Fred Ross is gone but Gable and Myles return at WRs. Always seems a bit of a struggle for us, and I know Fitzgerald can give us some trouble, but I really don't see a problem here - the talent gap is too great.
Mercer - ok, seriously guys, I'm not researching them.
awbarn - well, this could be VERY interesting. Gus gets his athletic QB in Stidham. The RBs Pettway and Johnson both return, a nice 1-2 punch. The center position may not be 'solid' and right now both guards have to be replaced. The WRs are young, but talented. The OC, Lindsey, is new. Certainly will be quite a test for the Tide, and we should be up to it. Hopefully Stidham is contained, and hit, if he's healthy by the time we face him! We will certainly have to be careful with their speedy WRs.
SEC Championship - (now I'm getting cocky, right?) - if the Gators get back there, I'm just not worried. They have Calloway, and Goolsby, but Felipe Franks is not intimidating me, or the 'Bama secondary, at this time.
If it's the Bulldogs, I think their QB Eason shows promise, but besides Ridley, I am not sure he has anyone to throw to. Their RBs are GREAT, but the OL is suspect up and down, so I think we'd get to Eason throughout the game.
In conclusion, I think Stidham, Patterson, Francois are all good QBs. I am a bit worried about FSU, but I guess the barn worries me the most. Hubenak and Allen know their systems well, but the supporting cast isn't there. The only challenges I see, over all, are FSU and the barn.
Our secondary will be exciting - ROLL TIDE!!!
Again, let me know what you think.
In this installment, let's look at our 'suddenly suspect' secondary. The assertion is ridiculous, of course - the secondary is going to be a strength. Let me know what you think.
For starters, I am not worried about Trevon Diggs - he's a great athlete, getting good coaching. He will be fine. Averett will control the other side. Harrison just needs to stay under control and he's going to have a great year. He's a great hitter and fine in coverage. Brown will have great experience and hits like a truck, and is fine in coverage as well. And Minkah is, well, Minkah - he can do it all.
So what about the opponents?
FSU - Their line was horrible, and they lost their starting LT to the NFL. There are questions at RT and RG - so we might get pressure often on Francois. Francois is tough, with arm strength, but the passing game was nothing impressive last year. Travis Rudolph, the best receiver, went pro, and the current projected starters are capable, but nothing flashy or intimidating - USC's receivers were much more of a threat when we played them last year. I think we get to Francois plenty - he's a bit Watson-like, so he can cause trouble with his feet, but he'll face the fastest D he's seen. I believe we prevent the long balls, and keep him controlled.
Fresno St - The left side of the line is made up of two transfers. Jeff Tedford is taking over the program, which was 1-11 last year. Their QB was lost for the year to injury after 3 games. They have a long way to go as a team, and they will have tough sledding all day with 'Bama.
Colorado St - the offense returns 6 starters, including the starting QB Stevens - he passed for 1936 yds and 64% completion rate under Mike Bobo. They must replace 3 OLs. They return two WRs. They will have a proficient offense, but our athletes are far superior, and our offense will play ball control - they won't even have many opportunities.
Vanderbilt - Kyle Shurmur passed for 2409 yards as a sophomore. His top 7 receivers are back. Of course that's all relative. They must replace their left tackle and their center, and the line does not have a lot of experience. The line can't hold our pass rushers, and our secondary is too physical for Vandy to be a threat, even on the road.
Ole Miss - Shea Patterson will look to continue to improve as a true sophomore, but he will come to T'town. Gone are Stringfellow and Adeboyejo, as well as Engram, replaced with AJ Brown and DJ Metcalf, and some new TE. On the line, Greg Little takes over for Rod Taylor, and Javon Patterson returns at left guard, but they replace their center, and their right tackle, with the right guard returning. There is still no established RB, or running game, so it's all on Patterson's shoulders. With a suspect line and fairly inexperienced WRs, our defense will make them one dimensional and try to feast on Patterson's mistakes. Diggs will have no great problem with their best WR, and the safeties will be key in this game. It's also at home.
TAMU - Koda Martin moves over to LT, and the only other starter on the line is the center, McCoy. Jake Hubenak looks to be the starting QB at this point, and Keith Ford and Tra Williams will return at RB. Christian Kirk will try to match up against Diggs all day, but Diggs is up to it. Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Josh Reynolds are all gone, so there is no other seasoned WR to help out. I think it's a tough road trip, but we should fair well against their fairly inexperienced line, and Hubenak, while familiar with the system, doesn't have the WRs to challenge us seriously.
Arkansas - we host Sr. Austin Allen and crew at home. Hollister, Morgan, and Hatcher are gone at WR, only Cornelius returns with experience. They will start a new TE as well. Williams and Hammonds return at RB. Skipper is gone at left tackle, and while they return the other OL spots, two are open competition, so the line is not solidified. Allen did a good job last year, and took lots of hits. Expect as many hits this year, but with our secondary, and their lack of experienced athletes at WR and their anemic running game, I expect a long day for Allen.
U Cheat- the viles come to T'town, hopefully for another beat down. They will have a new QB, not that the old QB was a problem. Their top 2 RBs are gone, so John Kelly will try to carry the load against the Tide. The entire OL is back, and they did ok last year, so I would expect improvement. Josh Smith is back at slot receiver, and Juan Jennings played a good bit last year. Still, with 'Bama at home, and a new QB, I doubt the viles do much against our D, and I don't see a threatening passing game here.
LSU - we have them at home. They will have a new OC, from Pitt, but the HC is still Orgeron. Eitling had a terrible spring game, so he doesn't seem much of a threat. Chark is the only WR back with any experience, and the WRs coming back are nothing like Dupre or Dural. Malone is back at LT, but most of the rest of the line is shuffling, although almost all played a lot or started last year - cohesiveness could suffer, but they're usually fine by the time they play us. I look for us to shut down Guice - as long as that goes well, I don't see Eitling threatening us.
MSU - we travel to Starkvegas. Their QB is an exciting soph, Nick Fitzgerald. Good athlete. They replace their center, and their RT. Brandon Holloway returns at RB (I know, who?). Fred Ross is gone but Gable and Myles return at WRs. Always seems a bit of a struggle for us, and I know Fitzgerald can give us some trouble, but I really don't see a problem here - the talent gap is too great.
Mercer - ok, seriously guys, I'm not researching them.
awbarn - well, this could be VERY interesting. Gus gets his athletic QB in Stidham. The RBs Pettway and Johnson both return, a nice 1-2 punch. The center position may not be 'solid' and right now both guards have to be replaced. The WRs are young, but talented. The OC, Lindsey, is new. Certainly will be quite a test for the Tide, and we should be up to it. Hopefully Stidham is contained, and hit, if he's healthy by the time we face him! We will certainly have to be careful with their speedy WRs.
SEC Championship - (now I'm getting cocky, right?) - if the Gators get back there, I'm just not worried. They have Calloway, and Goolsby, but Felipe Franks is not intimidating me, or the 'Bama secondary, at this time.
If it's the Bulldogs, I think their QB Eason shows promise, but besides Ridley, I am not sure he has anyone to throw to. Their RBs are GREAT, but the OL is suspect up and down, so I think we'd get to Eason throughout the game.
In conclusion, I think Stidham, Patterson, Francois are all good QBs. I am a bit worried about FSU, but I guess the barn worries me the most. Hubenak and Allen know their systems well, but the supporting cast isn't there. The only challenges I see, over all, are FSU and the barn.
Our secondary will be exciting - ROLL TIDE!!!
Again, let me know what you think.
