PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout [by JessN]

[JessN]

PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Sept. 3, 2007

Anyone who caught both the Alabama win over Western Carolina and the Vanderbilt win over Richmond last week probably arrived at a common conclusion: Offense won’t be a problem for either team in 2007, but defense might be.

While Alabama kept the Catamounts out of the Bryant-Denny Stadium end zones, the Crimson Tide defense clearly was not as dominant as it will need to be to handle the top-level SEC foes. Now, the question is whether Alabama’s defense can shut down even Vanderbilt.

• READ MORE HERE
• Bama Depth Chart - Week 2

 

[rgw]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I think you and I are like-minds regarding this week. Alabama is more talented overall - the better team - but Vandy has an advantage in one regard: their relative strength (their o) matches up against our relative weakness (our d). That should keep it interesting, but I think our superior depth on offense will wear their defense out.

 

[silentsam74]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

2 years ago Richmond was pretty good winning the Atlantic 10 co-championship and beating their only Div 1 opponent (DUKE). Last year they were in decline going 6-5 losing 4 of their last 5 games. No doubt Vandy will be much better competition than WCU but I didn't see much of a running game from them or a great defense. Vandy's longest run of the day was by their back up quarterback. Take those 44 yards away and they had 120 on the ground vs 281 through the air with Earl Bennett catching 221 of those. If we put our best safety on Bennett and put pressure on Nickson I would think those passing numbers would go down dramatically. Richmond ran the ball well against Vandy but 3 interceptions killed them. Richmond averaged over 40 yards on kick returns with one going 93 yards for a TD. Vandy's D doesn't appear to be world class IMO.

This.

 

[Bama1970]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I know we beat a bad team badly, but just how good is Richmond? I mean, are they a team that we would beat 70-0?

 

[TiderinMiss]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I agree with the assesment of the defense.

While they did keep the Catamounts out of the endzone, I still see some holes that I'm hoping Vandy won't exploit. I think the offense will be fine. The defense still makes me a little nervous despite holding WCU to six points.

 

[Blake22]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I believe this will be a shoot out, a shoot out for bama cuz there aint no stoppin us. Vandy wont score but id say the most, 10. Bama will be huge on offense once again and defense will step up big and shut down chris nickson and earl bennet. Then vandy wont know what to do b/c that is there only offense. 42-10 bama.
RTR

 

[jps1983]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

Good read. I enjoy these articles every week, but think you give Vandy a little too much credit (emphasis on little). They are going to be tougher than they normally would be. I suspect both our O and D played it very vanilla on Sat. to hide stuff from Vandy and other future opponents as long as possible. The D didn't 'attack' much until late in the game, and that seems to be what CNS is known for. Vandy will score, but I'd expect it to be b/t 14 and 20, while we score between 28 and 38. We really didn't seem to pass too much and Vandy's secondary is suspect (at best). I look for DJ to break the yardage record and JP to throw for 300+ yds.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

As a lifelong Bama fan it sounds strange but I feel confident in winning a shootout. I said it out loud just to hear it.

 

[Bamabww]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

As a lifelong Bama fan it sounds strange but I feel confident in winning a shootout. I said it out loud just to hear it.

That's good. I had similar thoughts.

Good report Jess, as usual.

 

[doliver25]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I look for P. Hall to have a huge game and help shore up some of the missed tackles by using his speed to shoot gaps. Oh yeah, and I would stick Simeon Castille on Earl Bennett ALL DAY!
Stopin' that inside trap across America Tour 07'!!!!!!!!

 

[JessN]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I look for P. Hall to have a huge game and help shore up some of the missed tackles by using his speed to shoot gaps. Oh yeah, and I would stick Simeon Castille on Earl Bennett ALL DAY!
Stopin' that inside trap across America Tour 07'!!!!!!!!

I doubt Hall starts, and he might not even get that much PT. This week will be crucial for him. McClain had won the starting job even before the suspension.

 

[rkwilkerson]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

Alabama has more offensive weapons, we win a shoot-out

 

[capnfrog]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I doubt Hall starts, and he might not even get that much PT. This week will be crucial for him. McClain had won the starting job even before the suspension.

This spring I had picked Prince Hall to be a surprise stud on the D for this season. Maybe McClain is just a bigger stud or has a bigger heart.

 

[PattheCatinSaudi]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I doubt Hall starts, and he might not even get that much PT. This week will be crucial for him. McClain had won the starting job even before the suspension.

I'd have to agree with Jesse. I don't think Hall or Brown will see much playing time.

 

[mikeua69]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

Hopefully you will see us run the ball A LOT. We need to wear out their defense and keep their O on the sidelines.

 

[Bama1970]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

Our 4 top backs should be able to stay fresh enough to maintain a good running game and wear down the D if the OL plays up to their potential.

 

[rolltideas]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I believe this will be a shoot out, a shoot out for bama cuz there aint no stoppin us. Vandy wont score but id say the most, 10. Bama will be huge on offense once again and defense will step up big and shut down chris nickson and earl bennet. Then vandy wont know what to do b/c that is there only offense. 42-10 bama.
RTR

Ditto. This ain't Jay Cutler's Vandy. They will have a time with Alabama's offense. I think they will have serious trouble with Grant and the O-line. I see Alabama in a stomp session. This is a good one to make some dough on.

 

[UA All the Way]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

Vandy seemed to rely on Earl Bennett quite a bit. If we can shut him down or even minimize his impact I think we'll be fine. Vandy may scare us in the beginning but this is a team which can rise to the occassion. Bama wins by +10.

 

[Bama 13-0]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

I doubt Hall starts, and he might not even get that much PT. This week will be crucial for him. McClain had won the starting job even before the suspension.

This really surprised me when the news came out weeks ago. I thought we were very thin at linebacker, yet a solid starter from last year has moved to second string. At the very least it seems Hall would have been moved to one of the other LB positions where he could contribute on every play. Is Hall just not suited for an outside LB position?

 

[Alanbama27]

Re: PREVIEW: Alabama-Vanderbilt could be a shootout

While Vandy has been a much better team since Bobby Johnson began coaching them, this years Vandy team in effect has two weapons. Their QB and 1 WR. Alabama on the other hand does has some issues, specifically up-the-middle on defense. Given that Vandy is not really a threat to beat Bama on the ground, I don't see this game being as close as some expect.

With that said, Vandy always gets up for and plays Bama tight so I'm sure this week will be no different. However, Bama can do a few things against Vandy that Vandy can't do against Bama. Bama can and likely will control the clock limiting the number of touches Vandys offense will get and two Bama can stop Vandy much easier than Vandy can even consider stopping Bama.

Also, given that Vandy's strength is through the air and at the legs of their QB, one of two things should happen. Either their QB will end up on a stretcher because he's been killed (did anyone see how hard Bama was hitting last week) or two, Simeon will have 2 to 3 picks. In either case, it will get ugly for Vandy.

This game is close maybe until the end of the 2nd quarter or at the latest through Half-time...after which, look for Bama to turn on the jets and simply run Vandy into the ground.