Question: How should we attack Texas' offense? And is Cody a bad fit for it?

[bonehouse81]

Unless they surprise everyone, I don't see why Texas won't go the Utah route and throw it all night long, with runs only mixed in here and there.

If that's indeed the case, what should we do on defense? I'm inclined to say we just stick in all the best pass rushers on the DL and go after McCoy all night long. He's such an accurate passer -- it seems it'd be worse to mostly drop 7-8 and give him time than to bring an extra rusher and take bigger risks with coverage. (Although Saban/Smart will certainly mix it up.)

On the same note, should Cody even have a significant role in this game? Obviously, he doesn't get sacks, but does he push the pocket enough to be much of an asset in pass rush? Again, he was more of a liability than an asset against Utah, as they trapped him on the field with no-huddle and weren't very interested in running the ball.

Any thoughts?

 

[capnfrog]

Unless they surprise everyone, I don't see why Texas won't go the Utah route and throw it all night long, with runs only mixed in here and there.

If that's indeed the case, what should we do on defense? I'm inclined to say we just stick in all the best pass rushers on the DL and go after McCoy all night long. He's such an accurate passer -- it seems it'd be worse to mostly drop 7-8 and give him time than to bring an extra rusher and take bigger risks with coverage. (Although Saban/Smart will certainly mix it up.)

On the same note, should Cody even have a significant role in this game? Obviously, he doesn't get sacks, but does he push the pocket enough to be much of an asset in pass rush? Again, he was more of a liability than an asset against Utah, as they trapped him on the field with no-huddle and weren't very interested in running the ball.

Any thoughts?

The cow horns think he will be a liability to us because he is so big and slow.

 

[TheOysterMan]

Personally I'll be surprised if McCoy doesnt throw it at least 40-50 times. They are of course going to sprinkle a few runs in here and there to keep us honest, but they know that they aren't gonna run the ball and win this game. I think they have a lot of intermediate and short routes which negate bringing the house blitzing. I think Marcel Dareus has to have a huge game bringing pressure from the line. I expect to see a lot of bump coverage from our corners, and a little zone blitz scheme to drop back our DE's to get in the way of the short slant routes. Our LB's have to be able to recognize crossing routes. I don't think they will have huge success taking us vertical. Javy will clamp down on Shipley, and I think you will see Barron play over the top on his side of the field most of the game as he is there biggest weapon. A big key to this game to me is being able to get in the face of McCoy by rushing 4 guys. I think he will have a lot of 3 step drops, and we may not hit him as much as we want, but we have got to get a hand in his face all nite long. Cody is a great DT, but he is a totally different style of player than Suh from Nebraska. I dont think he will have a huge affect on this game.

 

[bonehouse81]

Personally I'll be surprised if McCoy doesnt throw it at least 40-50 times. They are of course going to sprinkle a few runs in here and there to keep us honest, but they know that they aren't gonna run the ball and win this game. I think they have a lot of intermediate and short routes which negate bringing the house blitzing. I think Marcel Dareus has to have a huge game bringing pressure from the line. I expect to see a lot of bump coverage from our corners, and a little zone blitz scheme to drop back our DE's to get in the way of the short slant routes. Our LB's have to be able to recognize crossing routes. I don't think they will have huge success taking us vertical. Javy will clamp down on Shipley, and I think you will see Barron play over the top on his side of the field most of the game as he is there biggest weapon. A big key to this game to me is being able to get in the face of McCoy by rushing 4 guys. I think he will have a lot of 3 step drops, and we may not hit him as much as we want, but we have got to get a hand in his face all nite long. Cody is a great DT, but he is a totally different style of player than Suh from Nebraska. I dont think he will have a huge affect on this game.

Nice response -- good thoughts there ...

 

[bonehouse81]

I stopped reading when I saw "Utah." You really think they beat us because of their brilliant scheme? I am getting tired of talking about this game. Thank goodness it is about to start.

I guess you disgustedly dismissed Jess' analysis as well, then? :tongue:

No, Bama wasn't right mentally for the Utah game -- the missed tackles (after tackling well all year long) were proof enough of that. But if you don't think that scheme, combined with their ability to execute it, gave us major problems, you're kidding yourself.

The most efficient passing attacks we've played the last two seasons are Florida (the '08 version), Utah and Texas, and no one else was really that close. We are 0-2 in those games so far. Worth mentioning.

 

[PalmBayBama]

Cody probably isn't the best suited to attack Texas's passing attack, but it seems like he's in better shape than he was last year, so he would be less of a liability if he got stuck in there. Besides, if you force them to three and out, he can't get stuck in there that long :biggrin2:

 

[Cheaha1]

I think that Cody can get through the offensive line of anyone. Remember what Saban said about sacks. I bet Cody will be able to "affect" the QB. It takes two people to block him. Thats a strain on resources and it hampers the blocking on others in the DL.

 

[tideronthehooch]

I think that Cody can get through the offensive line of anyone. Remember what Saban said about sacks. I bet Cody will be able to "affect" the QB. It takes two people to block him. Thats a strain on resources and it hampers the blocking on others in the DL.

I agree. Cody's biggest effect will be taking up 2 blockers in the middle, allowing an additional lane for a blitzer to utilize. He also will hopefully neutralize the qb draw and the dive option on the zone read just like he did with Florida. I think if we neutralize McCoy's ability to run after being pressured just like we did with Tebow, we will have a huge advantage.

 

[afadam07]

No, Bama wasn't right mentally for the Utah game -- the missed tackles (after tackling well all year long) were proof enough of that. But if you don't think that scheme, combined with their ability to execute it, gave us major problems, you're kidding yourself.

The most efficient passing attacks we've played the last two seasons are Florida (the '08 version), Utah and Texas, and no one else was really that close. We are 0-2 in those games so far. Worth mentioning.

I have to disagree with you here. That was 08. Bama's Defense is different and better this year! That's like saying the 52 Defense couldnt stop Penn St. so Penn St. would roll over them now. This is two different years. So your 0-2 stat is kinda pointless.

Also, to defend the team last year, they thought they were playing for a nat'l champ last year until Florida ruined it for them. Therefore, they were so unmotivated to even play in the Sugar bowl. I dont care what anyone else says, Utah didnt beat bama... Bama didnt show up. If bama showed up like they did against everyone else that year, they would have won. It wasnt some scheme Utah had that destroyed us. It was the lack of execution from the Defense.

The Defense just needs to play the way they've been playing all year. there's nothing they can't stop if they stay disciplined. It doesnt matter if Cody is in or not. I think he will get some good playing time and I think he will do good too. He's been wanting to play 3rd down's all year and Saban kept telling him he had to lose more weight. I think if he gets the opportunity, he will try to prove himself!

I aint taking anything away from texas, they are a good team. However, you put them in the SEC and they are not playing in the championship game this year. That's why I aint worried about this game. They claim to have the number one rush defense, but they dont play anyone who really rushes the ball. Also, if Nebraska had any kind of offense that game, they would've smoked Texas. I know Neb blew out Arizona. Yeah Arizona, big deal. The QB from Neb sucked against Texas and when he actually hit his receivers, they would drop the ball. Texas doesnt have the defense everyone thinks they do. Bama will put up 30 points on them if Saban doesnt play it safe in the 4th like Fl and run the clock down.

 

[tidefan39817]

i think we will attack it the same way the defense attacked florida. you will see alot of nickel and dime looks with a 4 man line

 

[RayDog]

I do foresee Texas running some jet tempo on 2nd and 3rd down to limit Bama's ability to substitute. Bama may need to keep their pass rush front package in much of the game for that reason alone. If they do insist on substituting for Cody on third down you can expect a couple illegal participation penalties.

When Texas does run, they never run to the A gap and not to the B gaps very often, so Texas will not be running at Cody. The only time they do go up the middle will be a draw, likely a QB draw and that will be called if the Bama linebackers are leaving the middle of the field open.

The Texas rush offense is not really predicated on having a guard or center reach the second level anyway, as they almost always zone block. Double teams in this case doesn't really mean anything and doesn't affect the efficiency of the Texas run game one way or the other. The only time they may go at Cody is in the short yardage jumbo package (Houston (DT) at FB, Cobb at FB & 3 TEs, and our own Cody at RB), and that could be interesting in an irresistible force versus unmovable object sort of way. Texas is amazingly efficient with it.

Texas mostly runs either a zone stretch or zone read run play. In the stretch Cody will be going laterally 10-15 yards, and I am curious how he does with that. Not that it matters anyway since the only way Texas makes yardage on that play is for the RB to cut back around tackle and try to beat whoever has backside contain. Cody won't be a factor in the zone read play simply due to the way the play is run, but Bama has the LBs to stop that play easily as long as they aren't caught mugging/blitzing an interior gap.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I do foresee Texas running some jet tempo on 2nd and 3rd down to limit Bama's ability to substitute. Bama may need to keep their pass rush front package in much of the game for that reason alone. If they do insist on substituting for Cody on third down you can expect a couple illegal participation penalties.

When Texas does run, they never run to the A gap and not to the B gaps very often, so Texas will not be running at Cody. The only time they do go up the middle will be a draw, likely a QB draw and that will be called if the Bama linebackers are leaving the middle of the field open.

The Texas rush offense is not really predicated on having a guard or center reach the second level anyway, as they almost always zone block. Double teams in this case doesn't really mean anything and doesn't affect the efficiency of the Texas run game one way or the other. The only time they may go at Cody is in the short yardage jumbo package (Houston (DT) at FB, Cobb at FB & 3 TEs, and our own Cody at RB), and that could be interesting in an irresistible force versus unmovable object sort of way. Texas is amazingly efficient with it.

Texas mostly runs either a zone stretch or zone read run play. In the stretch Cody will be going laterally 10-15 yards, and I am curious how he does with that. Not that it matters anyway since the only way Texas makes yardage on that play is for the RB to cut back around tackle and try to beat whoever has backside contain. Cody won't be a factor in the zone read play simply due to the way the play is run, but Bama has the LBs to stop that play easily as long as they aren't caught mugging/blitzing an interior gap.

Well. Reading this makes me think we should just give up...:wink:

 

[BamaFlum]

As others have said, Cody knows his role and accepts that he will not get the glorious stats. He is there to collapse the pocket and take up space--hopefully two or even three blockers. If he is doing his job, it will free up others to take on McCoy in the pocket or running laterally. I really hope that McCoy runs a zone read and meets Ro at full speed on the line of scrimmage.

 

[Boclive]

I for one am looking forward to seeing exactly what Colt McCoy can do.

Straight up.

 

[efd840]

The cow horns think he will be a liability to us because he is so big and slow.

Florida's fan boards were full of people saying the same thing before the SECCG.

Worked out really well for them, didn't it?

 

[BLAKE55]

Cody's primary role is to disrupt...timing, the pocket, blocking schemes, etc.

Though Cody won't catch McCoy on his best day in a foot race, Cody will require the attention of the Center and an OG and/or RB which will free up Dareus, Upshaw, RO, Anders, Javy and the kitchen sink to blitz, rush and in some way affect the QB. Cody is all about the numbers game than about his ability to speed rush.

My next day as the DC at Bama will be my first but I say "dance with who brung you" unless/until game performances or schemes require you to change up.

 

[TidePrideGA]

Cody is a space eater and having one of those is essential against a spread type attack. McCoy has never seen the dizzying array of looks that he will see tomorrow night. Alabama disguises coverage as well as anyone.

 

[bamacon]

I expect to see him on 1st and 2nd down to clog the middle. When CM runs that's where he seems to go. Cody will free up the middle for Bama's side while taking it away for Texas. Moving action to the outside beneifts us I believe. Like the Florida game I will same that this team is so different than the team that played Utah it is not even funny. I'll stand by that and remain confident that we will not see a repeat of the performance in New Orleans even if UT does go that route. You will see much more disruption in the backfield by the Bama pass rush and much more soundness in maintaining their assignments in the secondary. Just a thought.

 

[dtgreg]

I'm worried ONLY about giving up big plays from McCoy, mistakes in kicking coverage, weird turnovers that we haven't had on offense all year long and funny bounces [including Ro's "stomache flu"].

All things being equal, we win or win big. Texas has their pick of athletes but they haven't seemed like world-beaters this year, undefeated record aside. I'm pretty ignorant overall about them, perhaps they are using lots of younger guys on the lines.

If we make mistakes at the same rate we have this year, esp lately, the game is ours. Obviously, if we are sloppy, Texas has the athletes and QB to quick-score and hold on for a Longhorns win.

I'm saying few mistakes and a Bama Blowout [kinda] 38-12.

 

[RayDog]

Cody is a space eater and having one of those is essential against a spread type attack. McCoy has never seen the dizzying array of looks that he will see tomorrow night. Alabama disguises coverage as well as anyone.

Except he sees a nearly identical "dizzying array" of looks in practice every day. Same scheme and talent level.