JessN: Auburn wrap-up: Alabama may have punched its BCS ticket by punching out Tigers

[JessN]

Auburn wrap-up: Alabama may have punched its BCS ticket by punching out Tigers
by Jess Nicholas
TideFans Editor-In-Chief
November 27th, 2011 12:35 AM

When the score of a game is 42-14 and the first thing out of people’s mouths is that it wasn’t really that close, you might have a problem.

When you have two first downs through three quarters of play, you might have a problem.

Read More Here

 

[Chukker Veteran]

As best I remember, some people were ready to throw in the towel as far as Bama playing for the National Championship after we lost the squeaker to LSU.
Now we might just get that rematch. Never give up on Bama.

 

[WCS Dad]

Great write up Jess. think that said it all.

 

[BamaJama17]

Wow you put that up fast!!! That about sums it up for the barn though, no Cam type players means that offense is nothing.

 

[bnhonest]

Good write up, Jess. It seems you are back on board with your thought process of "no limit to how good this team can be". My question is, do you think , if we lined up next week, we would fare any better against an LSU team that has not seemed to slow down since we played them first of the month?

 

[JessN]

Good write up, Jess. It seems you are back on board with your thought process of "no limit to how good this team can be". My question is, do you think , if we lined up next week, we would fare any better against an LSU team that has not seemed to slow down since we played them first of the month?

Lining up next week would mean playing with Hanks and Barron at around 50 percent, so I'm going to punt on that question until the BCS title game actually comes around.

Alabama's biggest problem with LSU remains Jordan Jefferson. Specifically, he does not make the mistakes he used to make. There was a great amount of discussion following my LSU wrapup when I talked about how Jefferson was the difference in the game. The reason I wrote that, was that he was the difference in the game. When LSU took Lee out and put in Jefferson, it did two things: It stopped the threat of an LSU turnover, and it put Alabama in a position of having to defend a mobile QB. Alabama's defense fares much better against immobile pocket passers -- even very-good-to-great ones -- than against decent guys who can run. We leave the corners too open against mobile QBs and they take advantage of it by bailing out for 8-yard scrambles.

Obviously, the kicking game is a huge edge to LSU, so Alabama needs to create separation in other areas of the game in order to make up for it. When Lee was in the game for LSU earlier this month, Alabama was creating separation at that position. That won't be the case this time. I hate to ever verbalize what I'm about to say, but it doesn't do any good to beat around the bush: Alabama needs to hit Jefferson hard, early, but cleanly, and put him out of the game.

 

[Jazzman]

Well stated, as always Jess. I sure hope the voters don't screw us out of a well-deserved rematch with LSU. I was happy to see McCarron have some success with a few long passes and very pleased with the play of our tight ends. BUT, our special teams breakdowns are just killing me!

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Lining up next week would mean playing with Hanks and Barron at around 50 percent, so I'm going to punt on that question until the BCS title game actually comes around.

Alabama's biggest problem with LSU remains Jordan Jefferson. Specifically, he does not make the mistakes he used to make. There was a great amount of discussion following my LSU wrapup when I talked about how Jefferson was the difference in the game. The reason I wrote that, was that he was the difference in the game. When LSU took Lee out and put in Jefferson, it did two things: It stopped the threat of an LSU turnover, and it put Alabama in a position of having to defend a mobile QB. Alabama's defense fares much better against immobile pocket passers -- even very-good-to-great ones -- than against decent guys who can run. We leave the corners too open against mobile QBs and they take advantage of it by bailing out for 8-yard scrambles.

Obviously, the kicking game is a huge edge to LSU, so Alabama needs to create separation in other areas of the game in order to make up for it. When Lee was in the game for LSU earlier this month, Alabama was creating separation at that position. That won't be the case this time. I hate to ever verbalize what I'm about to say, but it doesn't do any good to beat around the bush: Alabama needs to hit Jefferson hard, early, but cleanly, and put him out of the game.

Great win, now some rest.

Jefferson definitely adds another check on LSU's side of the ledger. As well as we played against Auburn, on the road, in an all-or-nothing game, it was still Auburn. At the current time, our friends don't have a quarterback that could be guaranteed the job at UNA. (What's the going rate for head hunters these days?)

To beat LSU, we'll need someone in our receiving ranks to have some effectiveness against that secondary. Without some big plays, it's running game vs. running game. Jefferson gives them the extra weapon and their special teams close the deal.

 

[GrayTide]

Thanks for the quick write up always appreciate what you have to say. As much as I dislike Jefferson, for his off the field behavior, he has improved greatly and is the difference maker for LSU. If there is a rematch we won't see any of Lee.

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

Alabama's biggest problem with LSU remains Jordan Jefferson. Specifically, he does not make the mistakes he used to make. There was a great amount of discussion following my LSU wrapup when I talked about how Jefferson was the difference in the game. The reason I wrote that, was that he was the difference in the game. When LSU took Lee out and put in Jefferson, it did two things: It stopped the threat of an LSU turnover, and it put Alabama in a position of having to defend a mobile QB. Alabama's defense fares much better against immobile pocket passers -- even very-good-to-great ones -- than against decent guys who can run. We leave the corners too open against mobile QBs and they take advantage of it by bailing out for 8-yard scrambles.

I agree, but disagree. Make sense?

Jefferson is a problem to defend. But he's a headache because of the talented WR corps at LSU. In the 2009 SECCG CNS and CKS had our front concentrate more on containment than getting to the QB. The mantra against those Gators was "never get behind the QB," sacrificing pure pressure to contain him in the pocket. The issue with LSU is that, even as talented as our DBs are, that could give Shepard and Randle too much time to get open in space. Because of Jefferson's mobility and questionable accuracy, I still think that's what we'll try to do. Keep Jefferson in front of us and make him beat us downfield. Thankfully, he isn't Tim Tebow.

Hopefully it works out. I think we'll get to see. That's all we can really ask for.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

I hate to ever verbalize what I'm about to say, but it doesn't do any good to beat around the bush: Alabama needs to hit Jefferson hard, early, but cleanly, and put him out of the game.

There's always the chance he'll get in another bar brawl between now and gameday.

 

[trunkdog]

Drug snorting punk Tyrann out for BCS game.
Maybe Gawja will "broke he dam laig!"
RTR!

 

[TideEngineer08]

I agree, but disagree. Make sense?

Jefferson is a problem to defend. But he's a headache because of the talented WR corps at LSU. In the 2009 SECCG CNS and CKS had our front concentrate more on containment than getting to the QB. The mantra against those Gators was "never get behind the QB," sacrificing pure pressure to contain him in the pocket. The issue with LSU is that, even as talented as our DBs are, that could give Shepard and Randle too much time to get open in space. Because of Jefferson's mobility and questionable accuracy, I still think that's what we'll try to do. Keep Jefferson in front of us and make him beat us downfield. Thankfully, he isn't Tim Tebow.

Hopefully it works out. I think we'll get to see. That's all we can really ask for.

The Tebow formula can work against a Jefferson-led LSU. But I'll still say the defense did all it needed to do against LSU last time, Jefferson or not. We need to finish scoring opportunities better the next time around. But having said that, it is abundantly clear that as good as this Alabama team is, LSU proved they are every bit our equal, and more due to special teams play. We've got the better defense and offense, but not by much. They've got the better special teams by far. Hopefully we'll figure out how to make up the difference between now and then.

 

[chris]

I'm very happy that McCarron feller is on our team!:biggrin:

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

The Tebow formula can work against a Jefferson-led LSU. But I'll still say the defense did all it needed to do against LSU last time, Jefferson or not. We need to finish scoring opportunities better the next time around. But having said that, it is abundantly clear that as good as this Alabama team is, LSU proved they are every bit our equal, and more due to special teams play. We've got the better defense and offense, but not by much. They've got the better special teams by far. Hopefully we'll figure out how to make up the difference between now and then.

I feel the same way, and said as much in the post-Nov 5th mini meltdown. We did enough defensively against LSU to win at BDS. But I have to ask myself which is more likely. Holding LSU to fewer points or scoring more? I know they only scored 6 in regulation last time, but their defense is pretty dynamic. Besides, if we won 3-0 in NOLA the East Coast sportswriters heads would explode.

 

[im4uainva]

I feel the same way, and said as much in the post-Nov 5th mini meltdown. We did enough defensively against LSU to win at BDS. But I have to ask myself which is more likely. Holding LSU to fewer points or scoring more? I know they only scored 6 in regulation last time, but their defense is pretty dynamic. Besides, if we won 3-0 in NOLA the East Coast sportswriters heads would explode.

As much as I dislike LSU, I also respect the fact that they can be as good as Bama, and vice versa. If Bama were to win by a 3-0 score I would be perfectly satisfied. I would also acknowledge that LSU, with the way they have played this year, is as deserving to be the NC as Bama. If there were a way (and I'm sure I will catch some flak over this) for Bama and LSU to be co-champs, I would not be able to find fault in that. I know it would be difficult to finish that way in the BCS system, but otherwise, it has happened before. Roll Tide, Roll!

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

As much as I dislike LSU, I also respect the fact that they can be as good as Bama, and vice versa. If Bama were to win by a 3-0 score I would be perfectly satisfied. I would also acknowledge that LSU, with the way they have played this year, is as deserving to be the NC as Bama. If there were a way (and I'm sure I will catch some flak over this) for Bama and LSU to be co-champs, I would not be able to find fault in that. I know it would be difficult to finish that way in the BCS system, but otherwise, it has happened before. Roll Tide, Roll!

Gary? Gary Danielson? Is that you?

 

[im4uainva]

Gary? Gary Danielson? Is that you?

No, just someone that appreciates a good football team when he sees one. Like Bama. I don't think LSU is better than Bama, but they have proven that they can play good enough to win against Bama (notice I said "win" against Bama, not 'beat'). If you find fault with what I've stated, that's fine, I can understand that.
But ya doesn't have to call me names.

 

[BamaDude06]

The one positive for game prep for a rematch is we know Miles is firmly committed to Jefferson over Lee at this point. We can really focus on that.

 

[Jag225]

Jefferson didn't fare well against Bama nor did Lee. The reason Bama loss was because of the missed field goals. That interception also made the difference but to this day, I really think Eric Reid did not come up with that interception at the 1 yard line.