How Other Teams are Defending Alabama in 2025

[irvingtontide]

Not sure, but if the refs would call holding on the other team every once in a while , it would help. Our WR's get held ALOT and it isn't called.

On the pick 6 the safety comes down and cracks Horton before the ball gets there knocking him completely out of the play. Should’ve been called PI.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

On the pick 6 the safety comes down and cracks Horton before the ball gets there knocking him completely out of the play. Should’ve been called PI.

Yes, that pick happened on the end of the field where we were sitting. The pick was caused by a non pass interference call on Horton. The defender literally grabbed and held Horton's arm, holding him up, and the ball passing right past where he was supposed to be and right into the arms of the OU defender. It was a horrible non call.

 

[Saban4Ever]

Yes, that pick happened on the end of the field where we were sitting. The pick was caused by a non pass interference call on Horton. The defender literally grabbed and held Horton's arm, holding him up, and the ball passing right past where he was supposed to be and right into the arms of the OU defender. It was a horrible non call.

I really do wonder if the refs are doing this on purpose, subconsciously or are just not competent. Or just don't like Bama. It seems to get worse every year though, for all teams.

 

[AlexanderFan]

To defend Alabama you just pressure the interior. Our center can only do so much, and guard play is rough. You keep Ty from stepping up and leave him back there for the edge guys to get. Pressuring the guards also gums up the run blocking.

 

[Scobaman]

On the missed field goal before the half, didn't the defender come over the top of the line. I thought that was illegal.

 

[irvingtontide]

Yes, that pick happened on the end of the field where we were sitting. The pick was caused by a non pass interference call on Horton. The defender literally grabbed and held Horton's arm, holding him up, and the ball passing right past where he was supposed to be and right into the arms of the OU defender. It was a horrible non call.

Yea I was in the south end zone right above the student section. The crowd definitely wanted PI.

 

[irvingtontide]

On the missed field goal before the half, didn't the defender come over the top of the line. I thought that was illegal.

Yes that should’ve been a 15 yard unsportsmanlike which would’ve been half the distance to the goal and an untimed down to kick again.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I really do wonder if the refs are doing this on purpose, subconsciously or are just not competent. Or just don't like Bama. It seems to get worse every year though, for all teams.

It is a mixture. And it’s not just Alabama. Watch any game. And unless a reason is ever given for the permanent ban of the ref earlier this year, you have to assume malice was at play.

 

[irvingtontide]

It is a mixture. And it’s not just Alabama. Watch any game. And unless a reason is ever given for the permanent ban of the ref earlier this year, you have to assume malice was at play.

The film guy made a note a few weeks back that they might just be letting stuff go uncalled for fear of what happened to the UGA AU crew.

 

[BamaFan6462]

Two years in a row we were predicted to have one of if not the best OL in college football. Two years in a row, they start out inconsistent and get worse as the season goes on. The offensive line either has players not willing to do what it takes to win games or our coaches are failing. We can’t retool an offensive line this late in the season, but not seeing our head coach and line coach with a handful of player’s face mask on the sideline after completely missing a block is puzzling. If DeBoer hasn’t got his foot up a player’s posterior after screwing up, he needs to have his OL coach by the collar. I see a severe lack of fire from DeBoer and most of his staff. Frankly, it has the appearance of coaches that don’t have the same passion for this program the fans are used to. DeBoer was told after getting embarrassed by FSU the deadpan, lifeless demeanor on the sideline needed to be corrected. He did that, it made a difference, but he hasn’t even made it through one season without reverting back to old habits. If he continues to field poorly prepared teams for the rest of the year, Auburn will be more than happy to take advantage of it. We end up missing the playoffs and I will almost guarantee a loss to whoever we play in a bowl game we weren’t expecting to be in because it’s following the same pattern we’ve seen since he’s been here. I had hoped our coaching staff had turned the corner, and I will say Wommack has, but our head coach, offensive line coach, special teams and offensive coordinator are quickly looking like they’re a better fit at one of the old PAC 12 schools that tolerate the possibility of going to a bowl game every other year rather than an SEC team. I want to be wrong and pray that DeBoer proves me wrong, but I don’t see him consistently winning in this conference.

 

[BamaFan6462]

The film guy made a note a few weeks back that they might just be letting stuff go uncalled for fear of what happened to the UGA AU crew.

They very likely are less inclined to throw flags after that, but DeBoer needs to learn that allowing no calls or bad calls early without pushing back on the refs typically doesn’t get better officiating for the rest of the game. Matter of fact, when OU players slung our receiver down after the whistle most other coaches would’ve been on the field demanding an explanation for no flag, but as usual the Mr Nice Guy approach let them get by with a penalty that could’ve changed the outcome of the game. It’s one more detail that this staff doesn’t seem to be willing to address and as we know, these details can easily add up and cause losses.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I fixed the title. Please read the rules on Teaser Titles.

 

[arthurdawg]

The reffing is just bizarre at times... Ole Miss literally tackled a guy before the ball got to him late in the game and the refs picked up the flag and said it wasn't a penalty... Very bizarre indeed.

 

[JDCrimson]

I think the SEC is trying to squeeze 4 teams into the playoff through officiating irregularities...

 

[cdub55]

Great summation of what’s going on. Our strategy from the first month of wins is now found out. Throw off the receiver routes, pressure the QB. Mission accomplished.

And this is what happens when there is no threat to run the ball. Milroe was that threat last season: we lacked a back of threat capability just like this season.

Here’s what these coaches new to the conference must figure out. A varied passing attack works on the West coast or against a schedule full of chump teams. That does not work in the SEC. You must keep defenses honest by making them account for throwing and running.

To be completely fair, comparing last season's offense to what we are currently doing is like comparing the 1964 Cleveland Browns to the 2025 USC Trojans. Your point is valid in the JM was our only running threat but the similarities pretty much end and begin there...

 

[cdub55]

I don't think things are as bad as some. Our defense held a very good OU offense to one offensive touchdown and that was with a short field, I think from a turnover. Their other touchdown was a pick six. The first OU chip shot field goal was the result of a big punt return. The OU kicker also hit a 50+ yard field goal. Meanwhile, our offense scored or earned 3 touchdowns and missed a field goal attempt at the end of the first half. And with the turnovers and sloppy offense, we still had the opportunity to win the game with less than a minute left with the football and driving. OU had a good defensive scheme, and it rattled Ty. He had happy feet in the pocket and didn't look like he was setting his feet on throws. It took our worst game since FSU for the #11 team in the country to squeeze out the win. I'm not crazy about the loss, but IMO, we gave that game away.

Agree on every point except for this.

If that offense is in the "very good" category then I know a few HS teams in Alabama that would light up the score board in FCS this year...

 

[Windsortide]

Alabama needs to hit the deep crossers and some deep balls to loosen things up. Alabama made too many mistakes vs OU but once again missed opportunities That were available.

 

[Coach D]

On the pick 6 the safety comes down and cracks Horton before the ball gets there knocking him completely out of the play. Should’ve been called PI.

Just more of good defense and knowing what was coming. Horton should have been stronger but Ty also just had a bad throw. The other non call on the deep pass was absolutely PI though.

 

[CB4]

Venables knew going into this game that Bama’s offensive strength was the short to intermediate passing game and weakness was our overall line play. Defensively OU’s strength was their front seven. However they were very suspect on the backend.

The game plan was simple: Jam and knock receivers off their routes. Grab, hold, and mug if necessary. Literally it was a “they (refs) can’t call everything. Let’s see what we can get away with” strategy.

Think I’m crazy? Just watch the replay of the end zone interception off Ty that was nullified by DPI. Watch Venables reaction. When they threw the flag the guy actually smiled. He KNEW it was DPI. He knew they got caught. It was just “the price of doing business”.

 

[gman4tide]

Alabama needs to hit the deep crossers and some deep balls to loosen things up. Alabama made too many mistakes vs OU but once again missed opportunities That were available.

Takes several seconds for the receivers to hit the routes for those "deep crossers" and other deep balls. How many times does ts have more than a couple seconds? Its a catch22. Imo, grubb needs to get ts outta the pocket more. He showed good accuracy throwing on the move early in the season. The pass rush isn't allowing him to "step up" in the pocket. They're "mush" rushing the middle and sprinting a guy from one side or the other.