🏈 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly vs. USC

[rick4bama]

Good - SC fans ability to see the cup half full. From WeAreSC poster the lowedown:

Maybe if those Trojans did have someone wearing and motivating the players, then maybe the out come would be different. But I doubt it!

 

[JoshB]

I can help but thinking the two instances are somewhat related.

From the time they (USC) left the tunnel there was a concerted effort to "intimidate." Before the game the talk was how they could be physical and stand toe to toe. But, as time ran along ...

Those efforts to be physical turned into something else. It's not the first time we, as fans, have seen teams do this when playing Bama.

Herbie had it right minutes later ... Karma.

Yeah I agree. I actually think the game plan they had coming out was solid. Alabama was very vanilla on defense and kind of doing the "mush rush" deal, not being aggressive. I guess in an attempt to see what USC was going to do. Tee Martin took advantage of it and was very aggressive, problem was even with that huge pass on the first drive they weren't able to score a TD. Then Saban and Pruitt got aggressive and realized there was zero need to blitz, just let the D-Line pin their ears back. I honestly can't tell you that I saw a true blitz more than two times the entire game. We rushed the Jack and Sam backers off the edge, but in those situations it was still just four pass rushers. #77 and #70 had absolutely no answer for Payne up the middle or Allen on the outside, let alone the way Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson were abusing their tackles.

 

[TUSKtimes]

The Good:
These here Twitter highlights

The Bad: Kickoff coverage

The Ugly: USC fan base coming to terms with the ugly truth: You really are NOT what you think.

 

[JoshB]

This is why Marlon is the best corner in the country IMO...

 

[Tidestalker]

A few things I took from the game:

-Huge props to Saban/Kiffin for going right back to Hurts after the fumble.

-Not sure why all the mind games with the QB situation but I love how it ended. Going with both freshman was a welcomed site

-It sure looked like Blake Barnett clearly fumbled on his sack. No idea how that play was not at least reviewed.

-Hurts has some type of demeanor. As a Coach I always look how a young kid is received by his teammates... Mentally, he appears to have the whole package.

-Harris is going to earn that starting RB spot. He's really improved. (TerryP knew it)

-The OL has a ways to go. The jet sweep/auburn trickeration offense looked out of rhythm. They blocked much better on the regular plays.

-Stewart was extremely impressive. The long run TD was a gimme but he made some other nice plays and is a real weapon (Terry P called it... Yet again)

-Who was Ronnie Harrison going after on the sideline? He appears to have some anger issues and plays on the edge. Probably his biggest strength, just hope it doesn't hurt down the road

-Rueben Foster might be the best LB in the country. He had the best high school highlight tape I'd ever seen and this is what it looked like

-Looks like SDH will be on the field more than Evans, as Evans almost played all DE/OLB snaps. SDH looked great BTW

-Avarette got turned around a few times but will learn fast. In all honesty, he looks like the only player you could possibly single out to attack.

-Very little DL rotation in the first half. Hand didn't even play much. Looks like Dakota Ball will be the first of "the rest" to play when needed

-Cool to see Diggs already returning kicks. Sounds like he's just a bad ass all around player

-If Jon Allen stays healthy, he's going to have the best year of any DL under Saban. That guy has no weaknesses... All strengths.

-Any word on Cam Sims? Sure looked bad. Charlot should be kicking himself

-Looks like a walk on named Wallace could be in the 2 deep... #38. Interesting

-Jacobs is going to be awesome... Would not surprise me if he becomes the #2 back

-Barnett threw 3 really nice balls in the second half. Good experience for him (just in case)

-Lastly, I have to point out that the Cowboy Stadium is now a waaaaay better place to watch a college game than 4 yrs ago. They've built a lot more around the stadium, there are some shade trees, and there was much more to do in terms of tailgating. Helped a ton that the weather was mild... Really enjoyed that trip.

 

[UAgrad93]

Good- we have ourselves not 1 but 2 QBs. Hurts was like the old Stuart Scott saying- " as cool as the other side of the pillow!" Even after the fumble on his first play from scrimmage. Barnett seemed to relax once he got back in there. I realize the game was out of hand, but Saban and Kiffin kept the playbook open for him.

Bad- The first quarter was bad offensively. USC came out with some fire while we seemed somewhat timid. We looked like a boxer feeling our way through the first couple flurries from USC.

Ugly- Our defense is straight "salty!" Speed all over the field and hitting with a downright bad attitude!

Ugly part 2- The stomping on Minka's nuts!! That little classless bastard needs not only the ejection, but a 2-3 game suspension to prove a point. Helton doesn't have a hair on his ass if he doesn't make a statement.

 

[EasyTider]

Was Reuben born with a cast on his hand?

 

[UAgrad93]