Hello :BigA:Bama nation!
First off, major hook'em for knocking off lord tebow and the gators!
Second, I can't wait for this game!
Some notes for you guys about Texas for those that haven't followed us.
Run O: Non existent, the backs are plenty talented, but not enough so to consistently make something out of nothing. The line scheme rarely calls for straight up drive blocking, and our lineman just aren't strong enough to maintain blocks while moving sideways in our zone scheme. Once in a blue moon it works, and our backs make the most of it.
RB Tre Newton has excellent vision and feel for where to go. Not the strongest or fastest or quickest, but has enough of each to hold his own. He is immune to arm tackles for some reason, not a big guy just great balance. It all doesn't really matter though because the line never gets him a hole to run through.
The fastest RB is Fozzy Whittaker, he has had injury problems and got behind on the depth chart, but he could be a surprise contributor. He runs alot like Jamaal Charles used to.
Strongest is 250lb Cody Johnson. Big man runs hard and strong but has suprising feet. Also would rather hit you in the mouth than go out of bounds. Goaline stud running behind Lamaar Houston.
WR's, one to look out for is Malcom Williams. 6-3 225 and straight line maybe the 3rd fastest guy on the team. Has occasional drops but also makes occasional amazing plays. If Colt has time, look for 2 deep throws off double moves or PA, if he gets a step, he's gone.
TE: we have none :frown: the blocking TE Greg Smith is serviceable, just not a threat of any kind. no depth at all, zero
OL:
QB: Colt of course, then backup Garret Gilbert who is a 5-star and split between Matt Barkley of USC as the #1 QB recruit from last year. He has played in mop up duty against the baylors of the world. If it comes down to needed him, well, nobody knows. Talented for sure though.
DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Muschamp Boom Squad
DE: FAST! S. Acho and Kindle on the ends, if they sniff PA you need to hope your QB gets his head around before its taken off. Kindle is very strong at the point of attack, especially for his size. Acho is also solid. backup end Jones is right behind Acho talent wise and will be a potential star next year as a starter.
DT: Lamaar Houston is a non stop motor running, very quick, fairly strong, do anything to make the tackle guy. He has been huge for us this year.
Ben Alexander has done very well filling the other gaps, but is for sure the week point on D. Backups have talent but very little to no experience
LB: Kinlde plays OLB when we line up in 3-4, and plays to the opposite direction should never think about cutting back, he is a missile. OLB's in 4-3 are E. Acho and K. Robinson. Robinson is very fast but not the strongest getting off blocks. E. Acho runs like a robot but is always at the right place at the right time. Clutch player this year and a huge surprise.
MLB Rodrick Muckleroy is the best LB Texas has had since Derrick Johnson, and his technique is far superior. always blowing up plays up the middle, chasing them down, and deflecting passes. Man is three places at once on the field.
CB: Aaron Williams is going to make Julio Jones disappear and thats no slight to mr Jones. The prototype corner, his absence alone accounted for 2 TD's against A&M. As a sophomore he is playing like sr year Aaron Ross. Cu Brown and Ch Brown are talented also but have occasional brain farts that result in TD's
S: Earl Thomas is Ed Reed. Do not throw the ball his way if you want to ever see it again. Especially a deep ball. He is ridiculous.
Blake Gideon is actually kinda fast for a white safety :biggrin: but he will take bad angles or just get outmatched 1v1. However as a top free safety he does very well in coming across to help corners on deep throws, always plays the ball. He is a liability against the run. If Ingram gets to the secondary with any head of steam, he could be gone.
quick note on Special Teams
PR: Jordan Shipley is a real threat, don't worry about distance just kick high and don't let him return it
KR: Marquise Goodwin is a future Olympic track star, and he's pretty good at WR too. If he gets a single step on ANYONE you have, gone.
Kickoff: we suck horribly at coverage, really, i cringe every return.
Punting: Rugby style, with time is very good, without time its hard to watch.
The negatives: (I am not a complete homer...close but not lol)
Defense is used to three and outs every outing. They will get tired if you guys stay on the field and convert 3rd down. see the A&M game, that was the only game this D didn't shut the other team down completely especially after halftime.
Nebraska was the first real run run run team we played, but they are a bad run run run team. It was a good warm up for you guys, but just that, a warm up.
Offense is far too inconsistent. If the line doesn't block, Colt doesn't have time to breath, and things go no where. the running game is a second thought, and not dependable in any situation. If you get pressure with your front four, you win.
However Colt is very very good against the blitz, if he sees it, he will hot route you to death. Last year this kept us alive against Ohio State, but the clutch receiver we relied on from the slot is gone this year, and his replacements have dropped balls. If our WR's catch the ball when Colt gets it there, he will make you sick of blitzing. I know its your guys thing, but if Tx completes balls, you will pull your hair out.
This is far too long
I see this game being alot like the BigXII CG, except your O can move the ball and Tx will take advantage of your blitzing. If you pressure with the front four, you win. If you have to blitz, its a super close game and comes down to who makes plays.
no hard feelings but I'm taking the Tx O vs AL D over the AL O vs Tx D
it will be a treat though. I look forward to seeing how close the Tx D is to the famed SEC Defesnes. I think we are right there with you guys.
21-17 good guys with a score on D or special teams for the horns, and an AL field goal off Tx turnover
Hook'em!
