There are four or five things that contributed to quagmire. That wasn't the point. Despite their poor record the VT defense was still in the top 20 in the NCAA last year. I mention that because 10 of those 11 starters return for 2013. They were already good. Their offense is a completely different matter. I've maintained for months the reason Bama would cover in this game fell on the offensive side of the ball. Hell, when they hired Scot Loeffler (at AU last year for their new offense) it almost made the game a formality. Seriously. This is a VT offense that spotted their second string 13 points in the spring game and lost 21-9.
And this makes me even happier that LSU put 448 yards and 23 first downs on TCU, who has historically had a higher ranked defense than VT. But then again, Saban has had trouble with VT before. Our trip to Blacksburg in '02 was embarrassing. At least, Miles redeemed LSU in '07 with a beatdown for the ages. Terry, honestly, Bama looked weaker than they have in quite a while.
I would be if I were in your shoes. I do pay attention to numbers as you know and Mett's didn't reflect his play. I've tried to come up with a one word to describe the offense Saturday. I can't say weak. I still don't have the exact word Stacey but the closest one I've come up with so far is disheveled. One term we hear tossed around a lot this time of the year is communication. Take the offensive line as one example. Their communication isn't visual or verbal as much as it is instinctual. A guard is going to know how a tackle is going to respond to a rush and not be worried about two positions; just his own. A lot will use the word gel. That's achievable if they'll trust the guy next to them to do their job. There's some coaching in this area that needs to be focused on this week. Three or four more things...
You've had the wonderful luxury of a great offensive line the past two years. As you know, success on both sides of the ball starts and ends with the lines. You guys murdered our offensive line in that BCSNCG. And as bad as Jefferson was, his line did him absolutely no favors that night.
Those of you who think Alabama's offense won't be at least average by mid-season are mistaken. An average offense and that defense will still win most of the games, as we should all well know. They are talented and well coached, and they will get better.
Oh I'm sure everyone knows they'll get better, the thing is their O-line has been one of their biggest strengths in the past 4 years. Now it's their worst piece ... even getting better, the aura of invincibility is gone.
That aura you are smelling is the advent of the LSU forward pass. Now who can sustain enough balance to make it all work the best?
