Ok, it is game week again. Lets get focused on Bama. Coach Saban said we as fans need to help the program focus and get fired up about the game and make it electric! There is nothing we can do about the BCS. We must win or none of it matters, right? Come on now, let's talk football and break down this Bama team and see what we are up against. I know they are better than their record indicates and Ole Miss record is better than they actually are. We just have to get it done on the feild! Now, I hear that Bama is a bit banged up and may lack some depth? How is Croyles arm, is he going to start? I know about Shaud Williams being a threat, WR? and how is thier defense? How is everyone feeling about this game? I hate bye weeks, I am bit afraid we come out rusty and tight. Trev Alberts said Bama was the best 4-6 team in country! Just kidding, but they may be!
Since when do we start listening to what Trew Alberts says. Anyway, I am always worried about playing in the state of Alabama. They do have alot of injuries, but that means they will have a lot of players out there trying to prove themselves. I am not sure about there qb situation, but they tend to rely on their running game.........so that obviously plays into our hands.
Croyle will, more than likely, get the start. It's hard to judge him because it's been awhile since I saw 'Bama play, and last week's 38-0 win over Moo U, as we know, is not the best indication or method of measuring a player's success. 'Bama is the best 4-6 team in the country--but remember, they're 4-6 for a reason, and that is mainly in part to a lack of quality depth. With all the coaching changes, and the probation, their program has been in disarray. But they still have the starters with tallent to remain competitive while they attempt to get back on their feet. Croyle's problem has been his decision making. Similar to Fant at MSU--Croyle will throw his fair share of INT's. Williams is a work-horse of a back and 'Bama rides him. As Williams goes, so does 'Bama. He and Cadillac Williams are probably 2 of the better RB's in the conference. Just like Cadillac, controlling Shaud Williams will be priority #1. Force Croyle to have to throw to beat you. 'Bama's WR's are similar to Auburn's: Good, solid players, but nothing spectacular. For every great catch they make, they'll make an unimpressive bad play later on--inconsistant. Defensively, they have some guys that will get after you. Roach, their MLB (although he might be one of the injured) has a motor that won't quit. Like I said, because of sanctions against 'Bama, their depth has been depleated over the past few seasons because of the scholarship cuts due to their penalty. But they still have some "gamers" and they all know they're not going anywhere once the Iron Bowl is over, so between now and then, they're main focus and reason for the season, will be to ruin post-season bids for others. And THAT makes them scary. But, there's no doubt that when you line 'em up next Saturday, LSU will have the better players. We just have to execute on offense, get into the endzone early like we did against Auburn. Defensively, we have to get pressure on Croyle early and force him to make speedy decisions, which like I said earlier, his mistakes happen when he has to hurry. Take advantage of that. Contain Williams and put the ball into Croyle's hands. The more 1st-down yardage 'Bama gets, the harder it will be to contain them--specifically Shaud Williams. Got to keep them in 2nd and longs and 3rd and longs--thus forcing the ball out of Williams' hands.
Thanks Boston, good stuff! Stop the run, pressure Croyle to beat us. Execute on offense! Easy right? Let's hope so.
get the qb running and our dbs will have a field day. Stop the run which LSU is very goood at. No penalties play smart. win
Very good analysis. Just one correction, Alabama will be going somewhere after the Iron Bowl. Hawaii. We played 59 players last week so some younger players are being pressed into duty. Shaud Williams is our bread and butter guy but we do have some other backs like Ray Hudson who have had some good games as well. Emerging stars are Ken Darby and Tim Castille. Alabama has at times struggled in the red zone with the lack of a big back to make that 4th and inches play and the kicker has suffered from having the holder taking some high snaps and not getting them down in time. Our OL is patchwork at best now with Wesley Britt out with a broken leg and Dennis Alexander being questionable for the game. Brodie Croyle is back but still playing with a separated shoulder on his non-throwing arm. Spencer Pennington is back as well with separated shoulder on his throwing arm. We really needed a week off and a game like MSU after playing 9 in a row without a break. Every team we have played so far has either had the week off or a cupcake before playing Alabama. Alabama has also lost all their games to teams ranked in the top 20 when we played them. I hope we either win or lose outright, don't think I can take another OT game. Have a safe trip to all who are traveling to the game.
Let's see............the visiting team always wins this one and it's in T-town. LSU is ready for payback but it's hard to get a feeling for this game. May be another OT loss for Bama or like the earlier poster said, a blowout like AU experienced, probably the former. It's hard to say how LSU comes out but they have alot more to play for and they are the definition of a balanced football team. Good defense, smart, good offense on the ground and air, lots of speed.
