🏈 What are your feelings on the National title game?

[AirForceBamaFan]

Hurts QB rating under pressure: 2.0. :shock:

Here comes the power run game. Big dose of Bo...

 

[Max]

Everybody is saying that they cannot keep par with Clemson's Offense, especially with the departure of Kiffin.

But it was the play calling against Washington that was horrible according to what's been said and that led to Kiffin's departure.

 

[Tidestalker]

As far as our depth is concerned, it looks like Josh Frazier has become our clear cut 5th DL (Allen, Payne, Tomlinson, Hand). He played quite a bit vs Washington it was a pleasent surprise. After that I literally have no idea who would get snaps if neccessary... Quinnen Williams or R. Davis?

At LB, I have no idea who our third MLB would be. Holcombe? Mack Wilson? Evans proved to be our best "spy" option last year but we also had more MLB options (Ragland) so he could specialize. Not sure how that impacts that particular defensive scheme, if any.

The Depth on last year's team was unbeatable. The Jackson and SDH injuries basically make our depth now young cats that haven't played snaps with games in doubt (Shy Carter, Wilson, Holcombe, Williams/Davis). Hopefully the D is more efficient on third downs and it's not near as big of an issue.

 

[EasyTider]

Very real scenario that we could lose the game. If it's due to another poor offensive performance, the only person to blame is Kiffin or maybe Hurts, but I'm going to blame Blake Barnett. We were counting on BB8 to finally live up to the hype but instead he folded his tent and hit the road.
I've been frustrated by our QB play over the last few games, but I'm not going to crucify Hurts if we don't win even if he has a bad game. It will be a damn shame if this D comes up short, but after several years of 'recruiting championships'; relying on a true freshman QB to lead us says somebody f'g up.

 

[TerryP]

At LB, I have no idea who our third MLB would be. Holcombe?

Yes.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

Bama will have no trouble running the ball. (Stats from Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) | Twitter or cfbstats.com - 2016 National)


Run plays of 10+ yards by and allowed
Alabama- 108 36
Clemson- 74 63

Run plays of 20+ yards by and allowed:
Clemson- 15 17
Alabama- 39 6

Rushing TD by and allowed
Alabama - 30 3
Clemson - 28 17

Also, Clemson allows 2 times the yards per game rushing than Bama (123 vs 62)

A few other interesting stats

First Downs Allowed (per Game)
Alabama - 186 (13.3)
Clemson - 239 (17.1)

Points Allowed (per game)
Alabama - 160 (11.4)
Clemson - 239 (17.1) (not a misprint, they have allowed same number of 1st downs as points)

Points vs AP Ranked opponents by and against
Alabama - 34 8.2
Clemson - 35.5 26.8

Want something even more telling, look at defense vs unranked and ranked opponents. Passing, with Clemson vs unranked they allow only 137 ypg and 4 TD against 12 INT. Vs ranked they allow 245.8 ypg with 8 TD and 8 INT. Bama though vs unranked is 199.9 ypg with 9 TD and 8 INT But vs ranked Bama is 149.8 ypg with 3 TD and 8 INT. Rushing is even uglier with Clemson allowing 144 ypg to ranked opponents (13 TD) and 103 to unranked (4 TD) while Bama allows 41 to ranked (o TD) and 73 to unranked (3 TD).

So, that tells me Clemson may score some, but they will not stop Alabama from scoring. Should be a 1- 2 TD game in the end in favor of Bama

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Bama will have no trouble running the ball. (Stats from Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) | Twitter or cfbstats.com - 2016 National)


Run plays of 10+ yards by and allowed
Alabama- 108 36
Clemson- 74 63

Run plays of 20+ yards by and allowed:
Clemson- 15 17
Alabama- 39 6

Rushing TD by and allowed
Alabama - 30 3
Clemson - 28 17

Also, Clemson allows 2 times the yards per game rushing than Bama (123 vs 62)

A few other interesting stats

First Downs Allowed (per Game)
Alabama - 186 (13.3)
Clemson - 239 (17.1)

Points Allowed (per game)
Alabama - 160 (11.4)
Clemson - 239 (17.1) (not a misprint, they have allowed same number of 1st downs as points)

Points vs AP Ranked opponents by and against
Alabama - 34 8.2
Clemson - 35.5 26.8

Want something even more telling, look at defense vs unranked and ranked opponents. Passing, with Clemson vs unranked they allow only 137 ypg and 4 TD against 12 INT. Vs ranked they allow 245.8 ypg with 8 TD and 8 INT. Bama though vs unranked is 199.9 ypg with 9 TD and 8 INT But vs ranked Bama is 149.8 ypg with 3 TD and 8 INT. Rushing is even uglier with Clemson allowing 144 ypg to ranked opponents (13 TD) and 103 to unranked (4 TD) while Bama allows 41 to ranked (o TD) and 73 to unranked (3 TD).

So, that tells me Clemson may score some, but they will not stop Alabama from scoring. Should be a 1- 2 TD game in the end in favor of Bama

Interesting.

Tells me that the reason we're giving up slightly more to unranked opponents is because we're getting our 1s on D some rest when the game is well in hand.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

But it was the play calling against Washington that was horrible according to what's been said and that led to Kiffin's departure.

People are saying it has more to do with Kiffin. If Kiffin had called a great game, we still wouldn't be on par b/c Hurts cannot do what Watson can. That isn't a slight to Hurts, he just isn't what Watson is...right now. So don't try to be what we aren't & just take care of the ball & complete few passes & control the ball.

 

[BamaJay73]

Bama gonna kick they butt!

 

[Bobby Kunz]

Da'Shawn Hand, know the name. He's gonna be huge for Alabama.

 

[planomateo]

@Birdman37 @Sgt. Lincoln Osiris

 

[TerryP]

People are saying it has more to do with Kiffin. If Kiffin had called a great game, we still wouldn't be on par b/c Hurts cannot do what Watson can. That isn't a slight to Hurts, he just isn't what Watson is...right now. So don't try to be what we aren't & just take care of the ball & complete few passes & control the ball.

I think there was a lot of sarcasm in the post @12gage made about Kiffin. At least, that's how I took his remark.

Kiffin had a bad game called against Washington and that's why the offense struggled.

Then I've seen ...

Alabama will have a hard time without Kiffin calling the plays ...

And I'm seeing ...

Hurts can't complete a deep ball so Bama's struggles with be due to a one dimensional quarterback.

Mike Golic has been on this rant about the ability of Hurts and Sark to communicate. I may have missed other's comments, but yesterday was the first time I've heard someone call Mike out on his statement. Kirk pulled a "not so fast" and went on to mention how much time these two have spent reviewing film. Granted, it's not a "game time" situation but it's far from two people just beginning to work with each other a week before the game.

 

[EdfromT'town]

Watched last year's game again with friends last night. Funny how you can get nervous about a game even though you know the outcome!
We got to Watson quickly throughout the game--he gets that ball out fast. I don't think we'll get to him any quicker. He played lights out against Bama last year making great throws into good coverage. What I've seen of him this year, not as sharp. Second half with Evans as a spy made him look human. Watson was just so quick to the first down markers and made Foster look like a D-lineman. Foster in his new Ferrari body won't have this trouble this year. All in all, watching the game made me feel better about our D matching up with their offense.
Not as worried about our offense. They have come through when needed. Saban/Sark will have them ready.

 

[ComeOnSon]

 

[TUSKtimes]

People are saying it has more to do with Kiffin. If Kiffin had called a great game, we still wouldn't be on par b/c Hurts cannot do what Watson can. That isn't a slight to Hurts, he just isn't what Watson is...right now. So don't try to be what we aren't & just take care of the ball & complete few passes & control the ball.

When Washington scored we immediately drove the ball the length of the field and we looked great doing it. Hurts looked like a million dollars running the ball and directing the offense. That is who we are and that is our QB's genius. He threw two nice intermediate passes on the drive and Bo literally blew through the LOS like a knife through hot butter. We easily could have bottled that drive the rest of the night with our game planning and run the huskies off the field. Again, everything we did on that drive played to our QB strength and identity and Hurts looked dominating in doing it. Only Kiffin knows why that is never, good enough.

 

[musso]

So .............. I've watched last year's natty several times ... the final quarter even more times ... and I've never noticed something before. I've rewatched Drake's kick off return many times and always thought it was legit. I guess my focus has always been on him staying in bounds, whether it was his feet or his left hand hitting the ground before the ball crossing the goal line.

BUT ... after watching this hype video I now think Drake lost possession before the ball crossed! And funny thing is I've never heard anyone else question it. And I don't even think it's questionable. Here's a screen shot.

 

[EdfromT'town]

When Washington scored we immediately drove the ball the length of the field and we looked great doing it. Hurts looked like a million dollars running the ball and directing the offense. That is who we are and that is our QB's genius. He threw two nice intermediate passes on the drive and Bo literally blew through the LOS like a knife through hot butter. We easily could have bottled that drive the rest of the night with our game planning and run the huskies off the field. Again, everything we did on that drive played to our QB strength and identity and Hurts looked dominating in doing it. Only Kiffin knows why that is never, good enough.

What ever happened to doing it until they figured out a way to stop it?

 

[RollTideinGA]

So ..............

BUT ... after watching this hype video I now think Drake lost possession before the ball crossed! And funny thing is I've never heard anyone else question it. And I don't even think it's questionable. Here's a screen shot.
View attachment 6402

I disagree, I was thinking the same thing when it was live. But he has the ball and loses it once it makes contact with the pylon. They showed a slow-mo angle during the game for the review.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

So .............. I've watched last year's natty several times ... the final quarter even more times ... and I've never noticed something before. I've rewatched Drake's kick off return many times and always thought it was legit. I guess my focus has always been on him staying in bounds, whether it was his feet or his left hand hitting the ground before the ball crossing the goal line.

BUT ... after watching this hype video I now think Drake lost possession before the ball crossed! And funny thing is I've never heard anyone else question it. And I don't even think it's questionable. Here's a screen shot.
View attachment 6402

I was concerned about it during the play. I've watched it closely a number of times and I still think the ball wasn't dislodged until it hit the pylon. Since the pylon is part of the endzone, it was a valid score and not a touchback. Just my view on it.

RTR,

Tim

 

[musso]

@RollTideinGA , @It Takes Eleven , but I'm almost certain that while the ball (or in this case pylon) cannot cause a fumble, receivers MUST demonstrate ball security before the ground may dislodge it. In this case, we are not talking about a receiver but a ball carrier. And it seems obvious that he is losing his grip BEFORE he crosses the goal line. Thus, ball security isn't established to justify the TD. I mean, I've seen this many times, not on special teams plays, but on offense in goal line situations. How many times do we see a RB try to reach across the goal line and if he loses control of the ball, it's ruled a fumble???