Link: McCoy: Offensive line ready to rebound

[Bamabuzzard]

And Mack Brown is going to milk that "under dog" cow all the way 'til kickoff. The interviews will get more "poor, poor pitiful us" and "I hope we just have a good showing" type responses. And don't think for one second it doesn't work. The 1992 championship game is a great example. Our team going into that game was built up to not have a chance and playing the game was just a formality. Miami's fans bought into it and so did the players. It's happened time and time again in other situations since then. That is why Nick Saban is doing his dangdest to stop the media from asking questions to our players with the assumption of "We're the landslide favorite". It does have an impact. If it didn't Brown wouldn't be milking it the way he is and Saban wouldn't be fighting it the way he is.

He's sure enjoying this underdog role. I'm pretty sick of it and I'm even more sick of our fanbase buying into it. If people think Texas is going to look the same against us as they did Nebraska they are neither realistic or objective. Texas is a dang good football team that can beat Alabama. Anyone who doesn't believe that is being set up by the media to be disappointed.
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[TexasLidig8r]

I believe Tanner and Hall were left in the starting rotation because the throught process is that individually, the back ups are better overall athletes, yet, the offensive line as a cohesive unit, as a whole, was better established with Tanner and Hall since they had far more experience playing as a unit.

Having said that... can you break down the sacks Alabama has recorded this year from linebackers and blitzing DBs.. versus sacks recorded by your defensive linemen? For example, how many sacks and TFL has Cody had on the year?

 

[Boclive]

Mack is in good form.

Has he buried the game clock from the Nebraska game in the end-zone like he did the game ball from the Oklahoma game last year? :biggrin:

 

[GMacFan]

It just happens. When BAMA was playing aubarn there was a championship on the line also. They all knew we needed to win that game to have a shot at the BCSCG. Sometimes you have an emotional let down, and don't forget that was their 9th game without a bye.
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Except our Auburn game was actually impressive for those who watched it and didn't just look at the score afterwards. Aside from those two mistakes we made on defense that resulted in fourteen points our defense played solid. On the other side of the ball, they took away the core of our O in Ingram and we still beat them with our weakest aspect of the game, the passing game, and we still won.

On the other hand, Texas just plain looked bad against Nebraska and OU, the only two good defenses (I wouldn't even say great) they've played. Alabama, on the other hand, has outstanding games against good opponents to counterbalance our turkeys. Texas can't say that.

And Alabama was not really playing with a championship on the line, we were already set to play in the SECCG and if we win that and beat number one Florida I don't see us not going to the BCSCG in spite of any other unbeatens.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Cody is not the "sack man" in this defensive scheme. Cody fills the A & B gaps and normally demands a double team and sometimes even a triple team. At that point Marcel Dareus (the other DT), our LB's and corners are the ones that "clean up" the play with regards to sacks.

We do a lot of zone blitzing and stunting between our DL and LB's. Our corners will blitz and our DE's will drop back into coverage. I know Muschamp coached under Saban but I'm not sure how similar of a defense he still runs compared to what Saban runs.

I believe Tanner and Hall were left in the starting rotation because the throught process is that individually, the back ups are better overall athletes, yet, the offensive line as a cohesive unit, as a whole, was better established with Tanner and Hall since they had far more experience playing as a unit.

Having said that... can you break down the sacks Alabama has recorded this year from linebackers and blitzing DBs.. versus sacks recorded by your defensive linemen? For example, how many sacks and TFL has Cody had on the year?

 

[RolltideFanz]

And Mack Brown is going to milk that "under dog" cow all the way 'til kickoff. The interviews will get more "poor, poor pitiful us" and "I hope we just have a good showing" type responses. And don't think for one second it doesn't work. The 1992 championship game is a great example. Our team going into that game was built up to not have a chance and playing the game was just a formality. Miami's fans bought into it and so did the players. It's happened time and time again in other situations since then. That is why Nick Saban is doing his dangdest to stop the media from asking questions to our players with the assumption of "We're the landslide favorite". It does have an impact. If it didn't Brown wouldn't be milking it the way he is and Saban wouldn't be fighting it the way he is.

This whole thing is tired. As a fan, I'm already tiring of it. I'd have to think the players are the same.

Go too far down this "poor us" road, and it could backfire on you, IMO.

 

[RayDog]

Having said that... can you break down the sacks Alabama has recorded this year from linebackers and blitzing DBs.. versus sacks recorded by your defensive linemen? For example, how many sacks and TFL has Cody had on the year?

I can do that from the stats from the first 12 games. The three big DL Bama likes to use in rush defense Cody, Deaderick and Washington, had 3 sacks and 10 pressures combined (Cody has no sacks). They sub in Dareus at end (he actually may start against Texas) since he is more of a rush specialist he has 6.5 sacks a 5 pressures. Their Jack linebacker Anders, is their equivalent to Kindle (UTs Buck LB/DE) in their scheme and he sometimes plays on the line, or blitzes. Anders has 5 sacks and 14 pressures.

The remaining pressure comes form blitzes primarily from McClain who has 4 sacks and 11 pressures and Arenas (from CB or the nickel) who has 5 sacs and 4 pressures.

Against Texas McClain should be free to blitz a lot as Texas doesn't attack the A & B gaps much. Arenas can certainly get to Colt either blitzing from the nickel on Colt's blind side or a corner blitz if they also blitz an LB from Colt's right.

Nebraska didn't blitz Texas much but when they did they liked to bring a corner and LB from colt's right and it was very effective in making him get rid of the ball before he was ready as the RB could only pick up the LB.

 

[BoroBama]

I believe Tanner and Hall were left in the starting rotation because the throught process is that individually, the back ups are better overall athletes, yet, the offensive line as a cohesive unit, as a whole, was better established with Tanner and Hall since they had far more experience playing as a unit.

Having said that... can you break down the sacks Alabama has recorded this year from linebackers and blitzing DBs.. versus sacks recorded by your defensive linemen? For example, how many sacks and TFL has Cody had on the year?

2009 SEC Football - Alabama

This link will answer all your questions. I believe Marcell Dareus will have a big game. Of all our DL, he is the one that has the most sacks. He will also drop into pass coverage.

 

[jps1983]

The remaining pressure comes form blitzes primarily from McClain who has 4 sacks and 11 pressures and Arenas (from CB or the nickel) who has 5 sacs and 4 pressures.

Javy really doesn't blitz much (handful of times a game); it's just he disguises it well most of the time and is able to get into the backfield without any impediment. Our pass rush took a big hit when Hightower went down. I'd be extremely confident if we had him on D; he would've easily been a first or second team all-SEC if he was healthy. McClain can get a lot of pressure, but I think you'll see him sit on underneath routes or spying Colt like he did with Tebow in teh SECCG.

 

[WishIwasInBama]

can someone please explain to me why so many Texas fans think just because Bama gets so many sacks from blitzing then we have some sort of gimmick D?

 

[Jessica4Bama]

It just happens. When BAMA was playing aubarn there was a championship on the line also. They all knew we needed to win that game to have a shot at the BCSCG. Sometimes you have an emotional let down, and don't forget that was their 9th game without a bye.
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I don't know. I think Alabama would be playing in the National Championship game even if Auburn beat us b/c of the way we beat Florida.

 

[GMacFan]

And we remember how we looked against Tennessee after playing eight straight weeks. This game is not going to be easy and I hate to break it to some folks but a rested Texas offense and a Will Muschamp defense is going to be tough, tough to beat. The team we saw in the Big XII championship won't be the team we see. They'll be rested and ready to go.

No amount of rest and practice can prepare them for the best and most complete team they've seen in a long time. On the other hand, Alabama has already played a several great and complete teams, beating all of them (VT, Arky has been pretty solid, and Florida of course) decisively. Texas simply is not a complete team. They haven't proven anything other than that they can survive against okay teams. Name me a great defense their offense has faced and overcame. On the other hand, name me a great offense their defense has proven themselves against. Texas A&M's O wasn't even that great, and the Texas D straight up layed an egg. Can you imagine our D giving up 39 points? What's more, to Texas A&M?

Here are the facts, or, maybe better expressed as well-founded opinions (of many). Texas has a pretty poor offensive line. Just look at the Nebraska game (or several other games for that matter). On top of that several Texas fans have expressed discontent with the quality and play-making ability of their receivers (with the exception of Shipley, of course). On top of that, and here's what is going to kill them, they have no running game. Do you really think that a team can beat this Bama team without a running game? Look what we did to Florida when they tried to beat us with the passing game, and Florida, while they don't have Colt, has a much better O line which means more time to throw, and two great receivers in Hernandez and Cooper. And look what we did to Arkansas' high-powered passing attack early in the season. Poor offensive line, no running game, good-but-not-great receivers, I don't see it happening.

Now what about their defense? Like I said, they haven't faced a great opponent but probably the only good (read, good, not great) offense they faced this year exposed how bad they really were. Plus they are simply not used to facing a will-imposing physical offensive line or great playmakers like 3, 5, and 22.

What factors could possibly result in a Texas victory? Everything that has happened this season (which has not been an accident) would have to be nullified. Their O line has played poorly in almost every game. They have no running game whatsoever to speak of. The idea of a team with a bad O line and no running game and a defense that has not proven itself beating us is, simply put, absurd. There is a reason the media isn't giving Texas a chance. Its because they've been paying attention this football season.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

They are 13-0. They didn't get 13-0 by being overrated. This is one game. Not a seven game series. My point is we better not count on them being as bad as some on here are starting to paint them. I know the fans don't play the games but there is a reason why Nick Saban is making it a point to publicly play down the under dog role Texas is getting. He may be talking to us fans as well...

No amount of rest and practice can prepare them for the best and most complete team they've seen in a long time. On the other hand, Alabama has already played a several great and complete teams, beating all of them (VT, Arky has been pretty solid, and Florida of course) decisively. Texas simply is not a complete team. They haven't proven anything other than that they can survive against okay teams. Name me a great defense their offense has faced and overcame. On the other hand, name me a great offense their defense has proven themselves against. Texas A&M's O wasn't even that great, and the Texas D straight up layed an egg. Can you imagine our D giving up 39 points? What's more, to Texas A&M?

Here are the facts, or, maybe better expressed as well-founded opinions (of many). Texas has a pretty poor offensive line. Just look at the Nebraska game (or several other games for that matter). On top of that several Texas fans have expressed discontent with the quality and play-making ability of their receivers (with the exception of Shipley, of course). On top of that, and here's what is going to kill them, they have no running game. Do you really think that a team can beat this Bama team without a running game? Look what we did to Florida when they tried to beat us with the passing game, and Florida, while they don't have Colt, has a much better O line which means more time to throw, and two great receivers in Hernandez and Cooper. And look what we did to Arkansas' high-powered passing attack early in the season. Poor offensive line, no running game, good-but-not-great receivers, I don't see it happening.

Now what about their defense? Like I said, they haven't faced a great opponent but probably the only good (read, good, not great) offense they faced this year exposed how bad they really were. Plus they are simply not used to facing a will-imposing physical offensive line or great playmakers like 3, 5, and 22.

What factors could possibly result in a Texas victory? Everything that has happened this season (which has not been an accident) would have to be nullified. Their O line has played poorly in almost every game. They have no running game whatsoever to speak of. The idea of a team with a bad O line and no running game and a defense that has not proven itself beating us is, simply put, absurd. There is a reason the media isn't giving Texas a chance. Its because they've been paying attention this football season.

 

[GMacFan]

Texas beating us is like a kid (Kid T) who isn't as smart as Kid A scoring higher than him on a final exam when A has been preparing all week (aka year) and has scored A's on the hardest tests he's faced (which probably won't be as hard as the final exam) but B has decided to cram the night before the exam (aka month) by doing exercises that don't really resemble the actual exam at all but are in fact quite underwhelming.

The problems in Texas' O line and lack of run game are season-long problems that take whole seasons and sometimes longer to work out. They don't get fixed overnight. Its just not happening.

 

[GMacFan]

They are 13-0. They didn't get 13-0 by being overrated. This is one game. Not a seven game series. My point is we better not count on them being as bad as some on here are starting to paint them. I know the fans don't play the games but there is a reason why Nick Saban is making it a point to publicly play down the under dog role Texas is getting. He may be talking to us fans as well...

I agree completely, Texas could beat us under the condition that we expect to win and don't respect them as worthy opponents. But that will not be a factor no matter how much the fans build up the game, because our players are ridiculously focused. Every other sentence or phrase that comes out of their mouth is something like "one more game left," "still work to be done," "season isn't over yet." I don't even think Texas is preparing as hard as we are (I'm sure they are preparing hard, but it seems like our players and staff have forgotten everything but breathing, eating, and winning the national championship game).

And I've almost lost some respect for the way Mack is playing the "we're just a little ole team from Texas, we're nothing compared to the big bad boys from Bama." And saying that he wouldn't show his players all of our SECCG tape was unnecessary, a bit cheesy, and obvious hyperbole. But we know Brown's little secret. We know what happens when you don't respect your opponent and get distracted. Texas is preparing for this game like its the BCS national championship game, we're preparing for it like its Armageddon (the bibical event, not the Michael Bay film). Hearing the players speak, its like listening to an army of Saban's, which is why I'm so excited and confident in this game.

 

[BAMA504]

And Mack Brown is going to milk that "under dog" cow all the way 'til kickoff. The interviews will get more "poor, poor pitiful us" and "I hope we just have a good showing" type responses. And don't think for one second it doesn't work. The 1992 championship game is a great example. Our team going into that game was built up to not have a chance and playing the game was just a formality. Miami's fans bought into it and so did the players. It's happened time and time again in other situations since then. That is why Nick Saban is doing his dangdest to stop the media from asking questions to our players with the assumption of "We're the landslide favorite". It does have an impact. If it didn't Brown wouldn't be milking it the way he is and Saban wouldn't be fighting it the way he is.

Sorry texas fans that dog just won't hunt in this part of the country~!!~ I really really hope that all of this poor ol me crap is what they are basing their mindset for the game on because I can promise you Coach Saban is not buying into that crap and from reading the articles from interviews with our team they all KNOW its a load of BS and they seem pretty taken back that texas is assuming the role~!~
Pretty low class to keep playing the role and if you remember BAMA fans in 92 didn't play the role we kept saying "just keep running your mouth and you will see"....... Only problem for texas is BAMA fan's and the Team are not the ones doing all the talkng it is the media and texas fans..... Good Grief~!~
Honestly every day I lose more respect for texas and its fans.

I honestly thought this would be about 2 great teams going to the Gladiator Arena to fight in a death match but it appears only one wants to fight for the death match the other wants the crowd to cheer for him as he's dying~!~

 

[Longhorn93]

can someone please explain to me why so many Texas fans think just because Bama gets so many sacks from blitzing then we have some sort of gimmick D?

I don't think anyone is saying the D is a gimmick. I look at it simply in terms of match-up. Given the Texas offensive style, any team that can generate pressure with four is going to give us trouble. OU and Nebraska have awesome d-lines, the kind that can get pressure with 4. Colt, given his experience, is excellent at exploiting the blitz. If Bama has to blitz to get pressure, this is a much better match-up than OU or Nebraska.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Texas beating us is like a kid (Kid T) who isn't as smart as Kid A scoring higher than him on a final exam when A has been preparing all week (aka year) and has scored A's on the hardest tests he's faced (which probably won't be as hard as the final exam) but B has decided to cram the night before the exam (aka month) by doing exercises that don't really resemble the actual exam at all but are in fact quite underwhelming.

The problems in Texas' O line and lack of run game are season-long problems that take whole seasons and sometimes longer to work out. They don't get fixed overnight. Its just not happening.

I don't see this as an accurate analogy.

While I agree with the overall premise, this is still football and footballs bounce in odd ways. An exam is cut and dry. Study the material, and answer the questions correctly.

IF Alabama prepares as well as they possibly can and IF we are healthy going into this game, I agree we SHOULD win. I agree we are the better team at this moment.

But Texas is no Sunbelt team. They are a worthy adversary and they CAN win this game. A Texas win is not nearly as far fetched as an Auburn or Tennessee win over Alabama was this year and both dang near happened. Texas has been recruiting 4 and 5 star talent for 10 years now and they have been on this stage much more recently than Alabama has. While Alabama has won 25 of its last 27 games, Texas has won 26 of its last 27.

I love our team. I love the leadership they have displayed all year. And I love the fact that we have Nick Saban on our sidelines. But we haven't won it yet.

 

[WishIwasInBama]

I don't think anyone is saying the D is a gimmick. I look at it simply in terms of match-up. Given the Texas offensive style, any team that can generate pressure with four is going to give us trouble. OU and Nebraska have awesome d-lines, the kind that can get pressure with 4. Colt, given his experience, is excellent at exploiting the blitz. If Bama has to blitz to get pressure, this is a much better match-up than OU or Nebraska.

I understand your point but I don't think you can look at the stat line and say we only get pressure when we blitz. If we line up 3 on the line then yeah we have to blitz to get pressure but I don't think Texas will see alot of 3 men fronts, I don't know enough about Texas to know what is and isn't a good match-up but if there is one thing I know, it is that Bama has a better D than OU and Nebraska

 

[CapitalTider]

I expect Alabama to win, but I am also getting a little concerned over the underdog role for Texas. Texas is 13-0, Mack Brown has won a lot of games and I think we all respect Muschamp as a DC. I know Saban will try his best to keep the team focused, but we are talking about 19-22 year olds here.

I have one question, I keep reading that Texas does not have a running game. While they have not racked up huge rusing numbers, they have put up decent numbers against some opponents. Texas rushed for 142 yards against Oklahoma, 131 yards against Missouri and 136 against Kansas. I know Kansas and Missouri aren't great rushing defenses, but they're not exactly air either. They only averaged about 3.5 yards per carry against those teams, so that is a factor. They had horrible rushing performances against Colorado (46 total, 1.8 ypc), UCF (67 total, 2.7 ypc) and Nebraska (18 yards 0.5 ypc). All good rushing defenses. Are most of the rushing yards McCoy scrambles or designed runs?