Alabama's Defensive Game Plan For Clemson

[CrimSonami]

Defensively: They'll be forced into being one dimensional. And we all know which dimension that'll be. If CNS and CKS can get Marlon and Minkah to turn and look for the ball we won't give away yardage on under thrown balls. Any QB and/or OC worth their salt can see this as an advantage and I think that's actually being designed into some offensive plays especially on 3rd and long situations. Reuben, Timmy and Ryan should have a very productive game. Watson will be contained as opposed to pursued and it'll be a long and frustrating night.

Offensively: DH will have a big game. KD will get involved early and often. CR will get his, as usual, and the offense should have a 2 to 1 possession ratio by games end.

That's way I SEE the game going. But containing Watson is the key. If we don't it'll be decided in the 4th quarter prolly by special teams.

 

[CB4]

I think you see the "mush rush" employed to try to contain Watson in the pocket. I could see them having some success on the edge with zone read but not the middle. I would not be surprised to see Alabama employ a "spy" in certain situations on Watson as well. Still I don't see Clemson getting more than 17 points on our defense.

Defensively, I find Clemson more than suspect. The secondary is average at best. I look for Ridley and Stewart to have a field day.

 

[Al A Bama]

Alabama's DEFENSIVE Game Plan for Clemson: put those Tigers in a CAGE and don't let them out!

 

[TideEngineer08]

I don't disrespect Clemson. They are very talented and more than capable of beating us if we are just a little off. But if we are focused like last night, they won't know what hit them.

One thing I noticed about them in the Orange Bowl was how arrogant and chippy they were. That indicates a lack of attention to detail that is not a good thing to have in a game of this magnitude. I honestly think, at least today, that this will be another Notre Dame like result.

 

[B1GTide]

Same game plan, stop the run which includes those by the QB. Make them win in the air.

 

[RTR91]

I don't disrespect Clemson. They are very talented and more than capable of beating us if we are just a little off. But if we are focused like last night, they won't know what hit them.

One thing I noticed about them in the Orange Bowl was how arrogant and chippy they were. That indicates a lack of attention to detail that is not a good thing to have in a game of this magnitude. I honestly think, at least today, that this will be another Notre Dame like result.

They talked a bunch of smack prior to the game (plenty of tweets about it in the "thoughts on OU/Clemson thread"). If they do that, they're asking for what UGA requested and received.

 

[92tide]

I don't disrespect Clemson. They are very talented and more than capable of beating us if we are just a little off. But if we are focused like last night, they won't know what hit them.

One thing I noticed about them in the Orange Bowl was how arrogant and chippy they were. That indicates a lack of attention to detail that is not a good thing to have in a game of this magnitude. I honestly think, at least today, that this will be another Notre Dame like result.

that's sort of where i am. yesterday they reminded me of uga, but with a competent qb

 

[twofbyc]

The only team that can beat Alabama is Alabama.

Yep

 

[TideEngineer08]

They talked a bunch of smack prior to the game (plenty of tweets about it in the "thoughts on OU/Clemson thread"). If they do that, they're asking for what UGA requested and received.

It's like I saw one writer put it last night; it's fine to have a chip on your shoulder but not so much against Alabama because they will just rip it away from you and bludgeon you to death with it.

 

[TrueCrimson7]

I think you see the "mush rush" employed to try to contain Watson in the pocket. I could see them having some success on the edge with zone read but not the middle. I would not be surprised to see Alabama employ a "spy" in certain situations on Watson as well. Still I don't see Clemson getting more than 17 points on our defense.

Defensively, I find Clemson more than suspect. The secondary is average at best. I look for Ridley and Stewart to have a field day.

Their D-line is pretty good, and Lawson is expected to be a contributor. They deserve to be in this title game. We should not take them lightly.

The defensive game plan for Alabama is to contain Watson, period. If he can't elude our rushers, it will be a 2013 Notre Dame feeling by halftime. If he can run around on us, he can lead an inferior team to victory like 2015 Ole Miss and 2012 T A&M.

 

[CraigD]

I've only read Page 1 of the thread so far, so this point may have already been made but... This game will be the game that the Bama D has been (re)engineered for. It will be a stern test, no doubt. Watson is very good and I was impressed with Gallman. We'll need to play a good game, but I am confident the guys can do it.

I am almost more concerned about our O vs. their D. I hope the good play last night continues. I was impressed with Clemson's defense -- and they were without their best player for most of the game.

I believe we have the two best teams in the championship game. No flukes here. It's a contrast in styles, to be sure. Should be entertaining. I still believe this is the offense that our team has been custom designed to stop/slow down. Also, the next game may be considered "Smart's final legacy", and I am hopeful that he'll stay dialed in.

RTR!

 

[twofbyc]

OK I looked but couldn't find the stat -
I thought I heard an announcer say, I think about midway through the third quarter (or late third) that Clemson had already run 74 plays.
OU lost their stud DL early (?) and may have been a big factor in Clemson's rushing success (at least according to some talking heads), but if the play count was accurate in that Miami heat (yeah, I know, both teams had to endure it), then it may have also been a factor.
If Clemson rushes for 150+ yds against Bama, it will be a close game.
I don't see it happening.

 

[CraigD]

OK I looked but couldn't find the stat -
I thought I heard an announcer say, I think about midway through the third quarter (or late third) that Clemson had already run 74 plays.
OU lost their stud DL early (?) and may have been a big factor in Clemson's rushing success (at least according to some talking heads), but if the play count was accurate in that Miami heat (yeah, I know, both teams had to endure it), then it may have also been a factor.
If Clemson rushes for 150+ yds against Bama, it will be a close game.
I don't see it happening.

I think it was Clemson that lost their D-line stud early.

EDIT: Sounds like OU lost some folks too. Good call.

 

[deliveryman35]

If we can keep contain on Watson I think we will win by at least 2 tds

 

[twofbyc]

You're right - OU's stud (Walker) missed the game entirely due to a concussion Monday in practice. Then it was Evans the LB for OU who went out late in the first half.
Walker was considered the anchor of OU's Dline (according to OU reporters prior to the game).
I know he gave Tennessee fits.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

Some variation of the Mississippi State game plan Im thinking. Containing Watson will be no short order but if we can do so, we should have a good night. Thinking its going to be a good game.

 

[tattooguy21]

I don't disrespect Clemson. They are very talented and more than capable of beating us if we are just a little off. But if we are focused like last night, they won't know what hit them.

One thing I noticed about them in the Orange Bowl was how arrogant and chippy they were. That indicates a lack of attention to detail that is not a good thing to have in a game of this magnitude. I honestly think, at least today, that this will be another Notre Dame like result.

I get that they've bought in, but they definitely are not respecting the competition.

Post game quote from been bulware, defensive MVP, "we've won 14 games in 14 weeks, we're not worried about who we face. We'll beat them. The only team that can best Clemson is Clemson."

Dabo Swinney in the locker room, "we have 3 stops left.....Arizona, the white house, and the college football hall of fame."


I'm just saying, if I'm a player, that's bulletin board material.

This stuff was broadcast on espn this morning around 8-9cst, but I've been unable to find it online

 

[RTR91]

I get that they've bought in, but they definitely are respecting the competition.

Post game quote from been bulware, defensive MVP, "we've won 14 games in 14 weeks, we're not worried about who we face. We'll beat them. The only team that can best Clemson is Clemson."

Dabo Swinney in the locker room, "we have 3 stops left.....Arizona, the white house, and the college football hall of fame."


I'm just saying, if I'm a player, that's bulletin board material.

This stuff was broadcast on espn this morning around 8-9cst, but I've been unable to find it online

I saw Bulware's comments this morning. Pollack, Desmond, and Kirk all mocked him. "14 weeks? Didn't they play App State?"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CrimsonForce]

The best teams that Clemson beat are showing poorly in bowl games. North Carolina got smashed by Baylor, Houston beat Florida State and Ohio State is beating Notre Dame. Paper tigers?

Conversely, Alabama wins (so far) have played well. Wisconsin won, Miss State won, AU won, Tennessee won and Florida is gonna lose to Michigan. Will be interesting to see how Ole Miss, Georgia and Arkansas fare..

 

[day-day]

The best teams that Clemson beat are showing poorly in bowl games. North Carolina got smashed by Baylor, Houston beat Florida State and Ohio State is beating Notre Dame. Paper tigers?

Conversely, Alabama wins (so far) have played well. Wisconsin won, Miss State won, AU won, Tennessee won and Florida is gonna lose to Michigan. Will be interesting to see how Ole Miss, Georgia and Arkansas fare..

Add Texas A&M to the loss column. But yes, things are looking more and more in Bama's favor.