planomateo
Member
Negative. He's been at Clemson since 2012. He was at OU in 2002 and 2003 if you want to count those
🏈 venables vs saban
- Thread starter gc90
- Start date
Negative. He's been at Clemson since 2012. He was at OU in 2002 and 2003 if you want to count those
Tidestalker
Member
I've got to be honest... I haven't been very impressed with our ability to make any type of in game adjustments when the going gets tough.
1. The offense's inability to depend on a passing game has been a bear. We go super long periods without sniffing an intermediate completion, especially on third downs.
2. The late blitz has destroyed many third down stands.
3. The last two OC's have struggled to manage the RB's well. Mostly by not committing to the run game but also but overusing Bo and not using Damien last week. It shouldn't be this complicated but it is.
4. Time outs - Saban is really, really conservative with them. Going back to the last drive vs Clemson to the first half vs Auburn... Playing to win by using those babies would be cool. Just saying
All that being said, this is the first time Saban has the benefit of using the "underdog" approach. If the offensive play calling is actually in the ball park, I think this is set up really nicely. Throw in a few sacks and it's a W.
1. The offense's inability to depend on a passing game has been a bear. We go super long periods without sniffing an intermediate completion, especially on third downs.
2. The late blitz has destroyed many third down stands.
3. The last two OC's have struggled to manage the RB's well. Mostly by not committing to the run game but also but overusing Bo and not using Damien last week. It shouldn't be this complicated but it is.
4. Time outs - Saban is really, really conservative with them. Going back to the last drive vs Clemson to the first half vs Auburn... Playing to win by using those babies would be cool. Just saying
All that being said, this is the first time Saban has the benefit of using the "underdog" approach. If the offensive play calling is actually in the ball park, I think this is set up really nicely. Throw in a few sacks and it's a W.
my badNegative. He's been at Clemson since 2012. He was at OU in 2002 and 2003 if you want to count those
so he does have awesome record against bama ... i had forgotten about those Lane Bearden games. talking of Lane my favourite bama player
I don't give Venables the credit @gc90 does here. If we're actually going to go with the premise of the original post Saban is 1.5 - 1 versus Venables. Venables is 1-0 versus Rader (or Shula?) Co-DC and all, right? A half of a win ...
Seriously, a really bad premise for the thread in the first place; Venables vs Saban. I guess we're looking at Bama being 1-1 versus Mike Stoops as well, eh?
I do believe we have to give him a little credit as well as the Clemson defense. His scheme(s) were very good on third down(s.) The defense definitely slowed down the Bama offense (roughly 90 yards and a touchdown less than the season average [conference and overall.])
'65 Cobra
Member
Clemson has an awesome defensive line and their D has been mostly great all year. But let's remember, they gave up 162 yards on the ground to..... Syracuse. Syracuse's QB was also 20 of 32 for 278 yards and three TDs. That's Syracuse. They also gave up 31 to NC State and almost lost their second game. We can learn a lot from those games. It's going to be important to score early and convert third downs. Let Damien run and take it right to them - not too many wide plays. Keep their D on the field and wear them out like they did to us last year.
BamaFan334
Member
Shit, the entire game will fall on our defensive backfield. Venables is a great coach with amazing talent this year, but the Clemson receivers against our defensive backs is where the game will fall. Hunter Renfroe absolutely abused our all-world Minkah Fitzpatrick the last two years. The only reason they have stayed on the field against us was a weak secondary that simply couldn't stick with the Clemson receivers. Say what you want, but I don't feel Minkah is good at all in coverage. I've always stated he is a better roving and blitzing safety than a cover guy, and I will stick to that no matter what awards he won this year. If we can find someone to step in Hootie's spot and play better than he has and Levi and Averett to hold their own, Minkah very well could be the X-factor for our entire team.
Our offense can move the ball on anyone. When we are in obvious passing downs our line likes to let the pressure through and onto Hurts, but when our offensive coordinator calls a half ass game, our talent will route folks.
Our offense can move the ball on anyone. When we are in obvious passing downs our line likes to let the pressure through and onto Hurts, but when our offensive coordinator calls a half ass game, our talent will route folks.
colbyjacks
Member
Part 1 he had a couple TD's with Minkah in coverage. Last year, mostly T. Brown on the pick and roll.
Clemson is a run first team and where Watson was throwing, this youngster wants to run it. Especially when things break down. I've already heard on multiple occasions the names of guys Bama doesn't have this year on defense. What I haven't heard from the pundits one time is the loss of skilled players on offense that Clemson won't have this time around. The reality is that Mike Williams, Artavis Scott, Jordan Leggitt, Wayne Gallman, Deshaun Watson ain't walking through that door again either.
Just saying, it's going to take a new gameplan and new approach to defend this team. I look for our front 7 to dictate our success as much as anything.
BamaFan334
Member
I personally think Travis Ettiene is better than Gallman. The guy has a burst of speed better than Kenyan Drake. Cain, McCloud, Higgins, and Renfroe are just as capable as the other guys from last year. Leggitt is irreplacable, as his catch at the end of the game won them the game in my mind.
You're right, they will want to run the ball, but they will also want to take advantage of our weak secondary. If they attempt to run on us all game long they would be foolish. I would throw every chance I got on us.
Our weak secondary is your opinion. And what they do best is what they do best. I've never seen this QB throw consistently through tight windows and I've seen him show a lot of the same tendencies as Jalen in the pocket.
It was Kelly Bryant's insistence to keep running the ball vs Syracuse that eventually caused him to get knocked out cold.
He couldn't push off on a bad ankle going into the game and he still felt compelled to shoulder the running burden in that game, because that's what he does best. Sound familiar?
He's not going to transform himself into Watson because that stuff worked last year. Nor are we with Jalen.
BamaFan334
Member
Yeah, I don't recall having to throw into tight windows to beat us. We are suseptible, just watch the Mississippi State and Auburn games.
I'll be honest, Clemson mirrors the team we had last year with a dominating defense and an offense that can score a multitude of ways. If we can keep the ball moving we will win. Guess that's not really a revelation.
Everyone expects, and it seems logical, that 36 days will allow us to make significant improvements on D if only due to the health of 24, 47 & 30. Conversely, we'll run out basically the same offense we've featured all year. Maybe some will be healthier (Piersbacher) but so will Clemson D with rest. Essentially , what I'm trying to say is, our D should be better by adding the 3 LBs. So, maybe the 2 defenses cancel each other out? Therefore, what can we do without adding 3 significant players back to offense to make this the side of the ball that gets us the win??
Not a comfortable feeling for a old timer, but our offense will determine the outcome. My heart says ROLL TIDE, my wallet says Clemson +10.
Not a comfortable feeling for a old timer, but our offense will determine the outcome. My heart says ROLL TIDE, my wallet says Clemson +10.
Wish you were my bookie.
Rolltide24
Member
Etienne had 24 yds against Miami, 41 against South Carolina and 62 against Citadel.
Bryant had 7, 26, and 5 in those last 3 games for them. Not huge rushing games but they big win margins.
They both had big games against FSU in their week 11 game (97 and 60) when the passing game wasn't getting yards.
Bryant had 7, 26, and 5 in those last 3 games for them. Not huge rushing games but they big win margins.
They both had big games against FSU in their week 11 game (97 and 60) when the passing game wasn't getting yards.
Tidestalker
Member
Our secondary is largely impacted by the pass rush (as most are). For years and years and years Saban has contended that pressure is just as good as sacks and I say heeeellll no. Show me the sacks baby. Big time QB's can make plays under pressure when our mush rush just collapses the pocket. Sacks create 2nd/3rd and longs, fumbles, QB injuries, and downright intimidation. Pressure isn't enough for the new age rules of touching is fouling and how hard these schemes are to cover in the open field (not ours for some reason).
Looks... Mosley, McMillon, and Allen gave no production. It comes down to whether or not Christian Miller/Jennings/T. Hall (new name?) are going to do some freaking damage or that BS mush rush that has no impact on the game. Clemson WR's too good with the deck stacked against the secondary to expect DB's be that special. Hopefully they hold their own, obviously... But a great pass rush covers all secondary issues.
Looks... Mosley, McMillon, and Allen gave no production. It comes down to whether or not Christian Miller/Jennings/T. Hall (new name?) are going to do some freaking damage or that BS mush rush that has no impact on the game. Clemson WR's too good with the deck stacked against the secondary to expect DB's be that special. Hopefully they hold their own, obviously... But a great pass rush covers all secondary issues.
I'd like to submit that, if you are to beat a team like Clemson, you have to have the heart of a champion, ie Jake Coker. Attitude and beliefs become extremely important when facing a team that is truly evenly matched in talent and coaching.
I'm with you on the this. I believe Tosh as DC will employ a more aggressive defense using OLBs and DEs to get sacks, not to simply apply pressure.
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