🏈 This is one of the reasons I can't wrap my mind around the OU vs CU Semi-final game ...

[TerryP]

... and it circles back to whether Dabo is over his head with the game prep.

In a thread about two weeks ago I mentioned my impression of Dabo as one that reminds me of Mark Richt. The only differences; orange, and ACC football.

I've long thought Richt lost games due to the way he handled spring camp. The idea he gave his kids a day off for a pool party when other teams in the conference were hard at work never made sense to me. When I saw his teams quit, that circle was completed: you get what you put into your goal.

Fast forward to the playoff announcements: Dabo holds a pizza party for fans. Now, I understand that. It's a great opportunity to further excite, and unite, that fan base.

But, BUT, when it comes to game prep?!?! This doesn't look like it's conducive to a team having a "take care of business attitude."



(In Dabo's defense, or the point of Big12 teams averaging allowing @450 YPG which leads me to think "no defense," I wonder if it matters ... sure seems Swinney may be thinking the same thing, it won't)

 

[Tidestalker]

May not be good for game prep, but it will be damn good for recruiting. Pool parties, amusement parks, and college the college football playoff seems like a pretty good recruiting formula in his situation.

Of course if he can't win another game or two it will be a "disappointment"... But he's got many disappointments to go before entering the Mark Richt conversation IMO

 

[EasyTider]

I'm still trying to figure out why Oklahoma seems to be the favorite to win it all.

 

[rick4bama]

I'm still trying to figure out why Oklahoma seems to be the favorite to win it all.

Because they don't want Bama being it. Everybody tried of Bama being favor in so many games.

 

[TerryP]

May not be good for game prep, but it will be damn good for recruiting. Pool parties, amusement parks, and college the college football playoff seems like a pretty good recruiting formula in his situation.

If we set aside Dabo having to battle the "Ole Miss plan" with Nkemdiche, his recruiting ability has never been in question. Richt, at UGA, has been in the same boat (especially considering the plethora of talent in GA.) Both have had this "fun sessions" with teams that resulted in being ill-prepared for games.

What's that attitude done for Richt ... this "fun environment?" Better yet, look to that school a little southeast of Tuscaloosa who has been using the "fun vs business" attitude in recruiting as of late? Both situations in turmoil.

IF they think about having fun with players during national championship preparation or season preparation they both end up in the same place: losing games they shouldn't an often in embarrassing ways.

Of course if he can't win another game or two it will be a "disappointment"... But he's got many disappointments to go before entering the Mark Richt conversation IMO

Ya know, both coaches (give or take a game or two) had @ 70 wins and 20 losses in their first nine years.

Both coaches have used package deals to entice recruits. Both failed with these approaches.

Both coaches are considered "nice guys, players coaches." Both have paid consequences for that having to dismiss players when push came to shove.

I suspect if you step back from the tree and take in the entire forest you'll see more similarities than I've mentioned.

 

[OldPlayer]

The pizza party goes back to a post game comment in response to a reporter's question about what will happen if they win the ACC. He flippantly said they'd have a pizza party for the whole stadium. Sponsors jumped on to that and it snowballed. When the time came, it didn't take away from any practice or prep time.

Teams are only allowed X number of practices prior to the bowl game. If Dabo wants to give his players a day off, no problem. That doesn't mean he is giving up an allowed practice. Every coach has scheduled their practices differently. The early practices are usually fundamentals - not game planning. Just because a reporter called it a day off doesn't mean they're not using all their allowed practices.

 

[TerryP]

Teams are only allowed X number of practices prior to the bowl game. If Dabo wants to give his players a day off, no problem. That doesn't mean he is giving up an allowed practice.

Teams are allowed 15 days of bowl prep.

We'll see if it's a problem or not. He is giving up an allowed practice.

Just because a reporter called it a day off doesn't mean they're not using all their allowed practices.

Chances are, he's skipping two of their allowed 15 if he allows his players the day off for Christmas.

They started practice #1 on the 15th. They travel on the 26th and play on the 31st.

December 15th to the 31st is a total of 17 days. 16 when we take the travel day, 15 when we account for the 31st being game day, 14 when we take into account they took a day off. IF he allows them to go home for Christmas, we're down to 13 practice days.

 

[BamaFan334]

I see nothing wrong with this. Were they allowed to start on the 15th and use this day as the extra off day in the process. They allowed 20 hours of practice a week, so ehat'S to say this wasn't in excess of that? I understand the focus part of it all, but with them being the #1 team and only undefeated team, you gotta rest those nerves and not overprepare. I also understand the Richt comparison and can see what you mean, except Dabo is on a total different level cockiness wise, and that's why I'm not a fan of his other than his spiritual beliefs and how he's not scared to voice them. In the end, they're still kids on a ride that most of us only wish we could have been a part of. They kept their end of the bargain up by going undefeated and winning their conference, so one day of fun is the going to ruin their game that'S two weeks away.

 

[BamaFan334]

Teams are allowed 15 days of bowl prep.

We'll see if it's a problem or not. He is giving up an allowed practice.



Chances are, he's skipping two of their allowed 15 if he allows his players the day off for Christmas.

They started practice #1 on the 15th. They travel on the 26th and play on the 31st.

December 15th to the 31st is a total of 17 days. 16 when we take the travel day, 15 when we account for the 31st being game day, 14 when we take into account they took a day off. IF he allows them to go home for Christmas, we're down to 13 practice days.

We started practice on the 16th, so what's to say we aren't utilizing our time as well. I would imagine our schedule for travel and such looks very similar to theirs, so by that estimate we'Re missing out on practice time allowed.

 

[TerryP]

We started practice on the 16th, so what's to say we aren't utilizing our time as well. I

Well aware of our schedule. They aren't blowing a day off to go play in a teenagers park.

 

[BamaFan334]

Well aware of our schedule. They aren't blowing a day off to go play in a teenagers park.

So what's the difference on wasting a day at a fun park and a leisure day? I see it as a controlled environment allowing them to keep tabs and let his guys have fun.

 

[TerryP]

So what's the difference on wasting a day at a fun park and a leisure day? I see it as a controlled environment allowing them to keep tabs and let his guys have fun.

That's not the question at hand. Its go carts versus game prep. Its goofing off vs business.

 

[BlackPawnMartyr]

Im enjoying the two different sides to the argument. Another thing that should be brought to light to further the discussion is how tough the spring is and practices during fall and such. If he is very efficient and productive during those times then that should be taken strongly into consideration.

 

['65 Cobra]

I'm still trying to figure out why Oklahoma seems to be the favorite to win it all.

Because OU has been on a serious roll. We will need to be firing on all cylinders in the final to beat them if we meet them there. Payback would be nice, but we had better bring our A-game.

 

[TerryP]

Because OU has been on a serious roll.

better bring our A-game.

I'm skeptical about OU and this is touches on one of the main reasons.

This "serious roll" that OU has been on has been against teams who found it impossible to bring their "A-game."

Consider: This murderer's row of games they went through featured teams playing back-up QB's: teams know for offense. Their opponents average giving up right at 450 yards per game.

What do we really know about OU?

 

[BamaFan334]

That's not the question at hand. Its go carts versus game prep. Its goofing off vs business.

It just comes across as you holding us to a different standard than them. It's ok if we have a day off as if our guys are spending that day not goofing off and prepping. Yes, we have performed well on the biggest stage with our prep in the pasrmt, but Clemson has never been thrmere, but I don't see that as a reason for them to have a Bamaesqe prep period.

 

[TerryP]

It just comes across as you holding us to a different standard than them.

This has nothing to do with my standard or Alabama. I've not brought them up as example. Yet, practice has been daily since the 16th.

There's only one comparison made and that's to UGA and how this type of focus, or lack thereof, has consistently led to them dropping games or at the very least very ill-prepared.

Clemson has never been thrmere,

They have in a very limited sense with the Orange Bowl in 2013.

However, you're bring up a salient point which only goes to support the title of this thread.

Perspective for a second ...

They are going to Miami, a few days before New Years, for a playoff game. How much "down/leisure time" is coming with this trip?

Going back to the point here ...

This is one of the reasons I can't wrap my head around ...

This isn't about Bama's game prep. Do you see OU headed to a freakin' kids park? Michigan State? Dollars to donuts if any of these three teams took a day off film study would be a integral part: they just wouldn't be wearing pads.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

It'll all play out in a few more days.
I really don't think Dabo is in the same boat with Richt, Dabo has won some big games (i.e. Last year's 34-6 win against Oklahoma) . Richt seemed to look good against the lesser opponents early in the season and then under achieve in so many of the big games.
I do agree that getting the players off focus could be risky, but it used to happen every year with bowl games where the teams would take a day at disney, for example.
I don't think it'll hurt Clemson as long as the players get back to business - and that'll be up to the coaches in large part.

Also, I remember Bama players taking that "all business" approach in a match with Oklahoma a couple of years ago (AJ wouldn't even change his expression for the camaras) and it didn't work out too well. Some times the players press too much and don't play their best games.

But, hey, that's just my opinion. The first round will provide a data point to whether it hurts a team or not. I tend to think it's more of the coaching staff.
ROLL TIDE EVERYONE!!!

 

[Che Boludo]

I recall stories of JPW drunk on burbon street before a Sugar Bowl Utes ass whooping and personally encountered Bama players more than enjoying themselves in and around Disneyland before a beat down of tejas. So, before you put us on a pedastal, there is at least evidence to the contrary.

Some very successful coaches (Caroll ) were well known to let guys take a break from the stress. Coaches can work, players can play. All work and no play can lead to a lot of tight performances

 

[TerryP]

I recall stories of JPW drunk on burbon street before a Sugar Bowl Utes ass whooping and personally encountered Bama players more than enjoying themselves in and around Disneyland before a beat down of tejas. So, before you put us on a pedastal, there is at least evidence to the contrary.

Actually, both cases would support questioning the move by Dabo this past weekend.

Going with your premise here with JPW and the players in '09 having fun at Disneyland ... both of those situations were cases where players were enjoying their bowl experience while at the bowl game location. Both situations didn't have the team blowing off a day to play "Whack-a-Mole" when they were still "at home" going through bowl practices.

Again, this isn't exclusively about Bama. It's a comparison with what Dabo is doing with his Tiger team, its similarity to how Richt has handled the UGA team over the last decade and a half, and how that prep compares to the other 60+ teams still looking forward to their game.

I really don't think Dabo is in the same boat with Richt, Dabo has won some big games (i.e. Last year's 34-6 win against Oklahoma) . Richt seemed to look good against the lesser opponents early in the season and then under achieve in so many of the big games.

I can't look at the Clemson win over OU last season as Dabo winning a "big game." That was an 8-5 Sooner team whose best win(s) in 2014 were against two 7-6 teams; Tennessee and W. Virginia.

Dabo has coached the Tigers in some "big games." He's had the HC job seven years now and played seven top ten teams. Out of those seven games, Swinney has recorded three wins with two coming this season: UNC and Notre Dame. You, and others, may look at the UNC win as a big one. I can't look at Clemson putting 45 on a UNC team whose defense is in the bottom third in the NCAA as impressive; or big.

Anyone can take up the banner for Notre Dame as one of Clemson's big wins if you guys would like to do so. I'm wondering how this juggernaut of a Clemson offense gets held to half its normal point production.

Funny, to me, the more we get into this conversation the more question come up ... leaving me having a hard time wrapping my mind around this game.