News Article: FIU preview: Golden Panthers bring veteran passing attack to Tuscaloosa

[JessN]

FIU preview: Golden Panthers bring veteran passing attack to Tuscaloosa
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Sept. 8, 2009

If someone had to name the 2009 Alabama opponent with the most veteran offensive group, it’s a good bet that Florida International wouldn’t be the first name to dribble off the lips.

But it’s true. The Golden Panthers return nine full-time starters, a part-time starter and the one position that doesn’t return a starter – running back – returns two top contributors from the 2008 season.

Unfortunately for FIU, it probably won’t matter.

For the full story, click here: http://www.tidefans.com/forums/tide...-bring-veteran-passing-attack-tuscaloosa.html

 

[TideWatcher]

Good analysis as always. Mcelroy really impressed me, given the toughness of the VT defense. If we avoid injury, Alabama is going to be tough to beat. Here is hoping this game helps toward the ultimate goal.

 

[tide96]

We are a 35 point favorite. Can anyone remember when Bama was favored by that much against anyone that was D-1A?

 

[glasscutter256]

We are a 35 point favorite. Can anyone remember when Bama was favored by that much against anyone that was D-1A?

I can't believe we are favored that much. I think this will be a close game. It is gonna take a great offensive showing to keep up with this team. This is the type of team we always struggle with. They get rid of the ball quick to null our blitz and they have playmakers in open field. If we don't tackle well, (which we didn't against VT) it will be a long night. Not because we underestimated them, but because they are a good team. We will have to score at least 40 points to beat them. You watch

 

[BamaFossil]

Good analysis.

I confess to being concerned even though it's FIU. The last passing team we played lit us up. VT didn't really test us in the secondary; Taylor doesn't have the skill to do so. Sounds like the FIU QB has those skills. OTOH, our pass rush looks to be lightyears better than last year, and our coverage for the most part looked good. We need to show we can snuff out a passing team. Hope we do so. :BigA:

 

[JTBAMA1]

"Barring some kind of monumental meltdown, there’s not much to talk about here. Look for Alabama to win this game the way the Tide won many games in 2008 – starting slowly, wearing down the opposition and then putting them away for good in the second half. Alabama is still not explosive enough on offense to get up 28-0 in the first quarter on a consistent basis and then put the game on cruise control, but those days are coming."


Jess, I can't wait for those days to get here. The only drama I prefer in the fourth quarter is which freshmen lose their red-shirts and which walk-ons play.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I can't believe we are favored that much. I think this will be a close game. It is gonna take a great offensive showing to keep up with this team. This is the type of team we always struggle with. They get rid of the ball quick to null our blitz and they have playmakers in open field. If we don't tackle well, (which we didn't against VT) it will be a long night. Not because we underestimated them, but because they are a good team. We will have to score at least 40 points to beat them. You watch

Are you saying you believe they could score 39 points?

Seriously?

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

I don't see this game being close and offensively we have got to the point where we finally have balance.
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[CrimsonJag]

I sat in BDS and watched Louisiana-Monroe beat us two years ago. I've seen us lose to Central Florida, Northern Illinios and La Tech (am I forgetting another huge upset?). I take nothing for granted. Although, the days of us possibly losing to teams like that are rapidly disappearing.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

I don't see this game being much of a challenge, but I think FIU will score a lot more than seven. They're good for at least 17 at the half and might get another 3-6 in the second quarter. Give'em 20 out of respect for Ellingson. I saw him play last year, and he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball. If he were playing for a contender in a BCS conference, he'd be on everyone's Heisman watch list.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

This is the type of team we always struggle with.

Not this time :BigA:

 

[capnfrog]

Are you saying you believe they could score 39 points?

Seriously?

I don't care what we are favored, this is a very potent passing team coming to T-town saturday. I believe they will hang tough for 3 qtrs'. I don't see Coach Saban not having Bama ready to come on the field snot slinging mad ready to play smash mouth football. RTR

 

[AngryEwok]

LA-Monroe comes to mind, but more recently - let's not forget the Tulane game, last year. One of the worst wins I've ever witnessed first hand. A lot of folks left the stands feeling like losers.

If this team wants it more than us... anything can happen.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I think Bama is going to womp and stomp FIU...and it has nothing to do with any sense of superiority for the tide. i think bama is going to to take this game very seriously because they know what happened in the tulane game last year. Saban has been infuriated with talk of a letdown and i think his players know it.:biggrin:

 

[TideEngineer08]

I don't care what we are favored, this is a very potent passing team coming to T-town saturday. I believe they will hang tough for 3 qtrs'. I don't see Coach Saban not having Bama ready to come on the field snot slinging mad ready to play smash mouth football. RTR

I don't care what we're favored either. Glasscutter said we'd have to score 40 points to beat them. That means he believes they can score at least 39.

I'm sorry.... I just don't see that. Not with this defense, and not with this coach. I'm not taking credit away from FIU and their ability to win the game. But the only way they score 39 is if our players throw it.