They didn't take Ga Southern seriously enough to think they couldn't handle them- I'm going to guess. We weren't built to stop it either back when we played GT but Les' preparation allowed us to shut it down. They'll be better disciplined with someone tackling the QB and another the pitch man on every play he moves out- like we did. Correct. Our defense can't do much better (excluding several busted assignments). Expect the same. On the other hand, they'll plan for one QB and stopping the option. Or maybe Miles lets JJ throw a lot more and we catch them sleeping.
McCarron might grade out to be a good QB in time, but he's not there yet, and Nick does not want to put the game on his shoulders at this point. He struggled all night against the best defense he'd seen all year, and will likely struggle again.
I really really think it comes down to special teams and field position......The team that wins the battles their will win the game, whomever has short fields to drive wins. Thats where Nick Saban got outcoached last game, rather than play field position, with his supposed GREAT defense he tried to make long field goals..........fail!
They can game plan for the option all they want, but if they can't predict when it's coming, they'll be just as gassed by the 4th quarter. Power running is our bread and butter, but we'll have a lot of option sprinkled in. Rollout passes like Jefferson has been using the last couple of weeks are also just as effective at making those big boys up front and blitzing LBs run all over the field.
I agree, but I think it's more a function of the quality of his receiving corps than McCarron as a QB. His receivers are really bad. When Marquis Maze is your #1, you've got problems. He's barely a legit #2. Julio Jones is not walking through that door. But the problem is, they don't have anyone half as talented as Julio. I know Saban really hates he didn't get Rueben now.
Exactly. We're not an option-only offense, but we run it just enough to keep the defense honest. Besides, even if they're successful at stopping it, it will wear them down in the process. I also think that we'll see more plays where JJ drops back, lets the coverage spread out, and then takes off for about 20. He torched bama badly on a play or two like this the first time, so I expect this to be exploited again. It's the overall versatility that JJ brings to the table that will give bama fits. I think this is where Kragthorpe is most effective. He runs multiple plays out of the same formation so the defense doesn't sell out. bama does a great job of disguising coverages, but we can neutralize that by confusing them with our formations.
Bama played their best game and came up short. I think LSU did not play their best ball, so we still have room for improvement. Bama may prepare for the option and JJ, but that is thebeauty if our Offense. I think JJ can be just as effective with the play action and passing downfield. LSU can switch it up, which is to our advantage. Bama can not. It is a healthy dose of #3, #42 and let the QB float as many passes as possible. I see a game in the 20's if we play again with the Tigers winning by 10, but in a not so close game.
