UA @ USC: Bama May be Catching Gamecocks at Right Time [by JessN]

BamaNation · September 15th, 2005, 12:39 PM

ALABAMA @ S. CAROLINA
BAMA MAY BE CATCHING GAMECOCKS AT RIGHT TIME
September 15, 2005
by Jess Nicholas
Editor-in-Chief
TideFans.com

When South Carolina named Steve Spurrier its head coach over the 2004-05 offseason, the announcement drew varying degrees of surprise and bemusement from the Alabama fan base.

One of the other emotions that surfaced was relief, as South Carolina goes off the Alabama schedule after this year. The next time Alabama plays South Carolina, it may very well be in the Georgia Dome for all the SEC marbles.

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KanBama · September 15th, 2005, 02:29 PM

Great read again Jess, Thanks for the input.

BamaCorner · September 15th, 2005, 02:36 PM

and for that reason I have taken a few shots at him but now I realize that my crimson colored view of BAMA would not let me admit that there were a lot of things to be negative about. I have come to believe that Jess is one of the most reliable analysts and I anxiously await his predictions. Good job Jess!

GulfCoastTider · September 15th, 2005, 03:02 PM

Exactly 15 times over the last two years, I've read Jess' analyses and thought, "Dagnabbit, I hope he's wrong."

I read today's and thought, "Dagnabbit. I hope he's right!"

Alanbama27 · September 15th, 2005, 03:12 PM

I think you've hit the nail on the head. One correction regarding your assessment of SC's defense. Yes, they are in a standard 43, but they are still quite gimmicky in that scheme. Most of the time their interior linemen are in an UP stance and if they do that against us, we'll run the ball more this game than you've seen us run it all year! I don't care how bad our "O" line has played at times this year, if you are lower than the man in front of you, you're going to win...which makes it VERY odd that they have chosen that stance for the interior linemen!

ROLL TIDE!

alatider · September 15th, 2005, 03:29 PM

I didn't think that you had it in ya......

ElkmontRollTider · September 15th, 2005, 04:30 PM

We're going to beat USM again this week ? (see prediction)

Great read, Jess!

RolltideFanz · September 15th, 2005, 04:51 PM

	Quote:	ElkmontRollTider
	We're going to beat USM again this week ? (see prediction) Great read, Jess!

When once just isnt' enuff...

USCBAMA · September 15th, 2005, 06:03 PM

With the exception of DBs (based on performances this year I would argue that USC has the better defensive backfield), this is an excellent analysis. I do think the WR position is more of a tossup as USC group is better than most think - but Bama's group is talented.

As for 27's comments about USC defense, they are running some sets with DL upright to try and mask the weaknesses at DL. You are right in that the lower player will have the advantage, but I imagine the thinking at USC is that the talent at DL is such that the OL has the advantage anyway (see UGA rushing yardage). By standing up and moving OL around they are hoping to confuse qb and coaches. Hopefully an experienced qb like Croyle won't be fooled. I think USC coaches know they can't stop the run and are hopeful to just slow it down. They feel that their secondary stacks up with anyone in the country, but DL leaves much to be desired. Which beckons to why in the world did Richt keep having Shockley throw the ball?

If Bama OL can step it up a notch Bama can pull out a 10-point win, but if Bama OL doesn't improve over 1st 2-weeks it will be interesting.

bamabake · September 15th, 2005, 08:53 PM

	Quote:	alatider
	I didn't think that you had it in ya......

Where have you all been? I find the analysis here relativly accurate and always interesting and thoughtful. That said.. lol... I think that a consistant, winning program can be built at SC. They are in an area of the country that is rich in talent if the staff can recruit.

crimsonnate · September 16th, 2005, 03:07 AM

Watching Alabama make stupid mistakes last week hurt their chances of moving up in the polls. Oh well it does not matter now who is ranked where, what matters is the end of the season. And for the matchup with South Carolina. If you take South Carolina's offense that now has a name for it like all of Spurrier's other offenses "remember the fun and gun" lol put it up against the best D in the nation ( Bama D) we will recognize that Spurrier has a long way to go for SEC dominance like he had in Florida.He may be a contender in the east, but I got a good feeling we will make some noise for the years to come(Dominance). I am also sick of the Bear Bryant comparisons, Spurrier has a long way to go before he can ever be compared to Bryant or even Pat Dye lol.

Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GulfCoastTider · September 16th, 2005, 08:47 AM

	Quote:	USCBAMA
	Which beckons to why in the world did Richt keep having Shockley throw the ball?

Personally, I think it was a belief that they could hang a whoopin' on SC, combined with Richt's near legendary idiocy. Remember, this is the guy who trailed Auburn 24-17, had the ball on the barn's 1-yard line with less than a minute left, and ran Jasper Sanks up the middle.

Georgia wins games in spite of Richt, not because of him.

	Quote:
	If Bama OL can step it up a notch Bama can pull out a 10-point win, but if Bama OL doesn't improve over 1st 2-weeks it will be interesting.

Agreed. Bama has to run the football at will in order to win this game. Connelly has promised physical play up front for Saturday. We'll see...

Tubama · September 16th, 2005, 11:10 AM

However, I wish someone would do a similar comparison to what really matters: groups that are actually going to face each other on the field (quarterbacks don't play against quarterbacks).

I would like to see a comparison of O-lines vs. D-lines, Wide receivers vs. defensive backs, quarterback vs. secondary, etc.

Does anyone know of such an analysis anywhere?

Thanks and ROLL TIDE

Tubama