Game Thread: Holiday Bowl.. Arizona <vs> Nebraska

[capnfrog]

Nebraska had 362 yards of offense against Iowa State, but eight turnovers.

They had 396 yards tonight against the number 2 team in the Pac 10.

They had 106 yards against Texas.

A season's worth of stats suggests that the Texas D is pretty stout. We held almost every team we played this year waaay below their averages for yards and points -- the sole exception being a rivalry game on the road at A&M.

Anyone in their right mind would have no doubts that 'The Horns' are a very good team. This Championship game will be between two very elite teams. My biggest concerns are if Texas can shut down Mark Ingram and if Bamas' 'D' can't shut down Colt McCoy.

 

[Bear Disciple]

Yes, the Huskers looked very good TODAY. And yes they did lose three close games. But look at those three games...31 points were scored in the Va Tech game 16-15. 16 in the ISU game 9-7, and 25 in the UT game 13-12.

Yes, by looking at the raw numbers of these games, Nebraska looks like a great team. But, the one stat that is consistent throughout their season is great defense. Now look at the three losses I just mentioned. HORRENDOUS offensive performances, with the great D.

If Nebraska found an offense they would be a top 10 team, but until they can find a steady game on offense, they will continue to hover near mediocrity.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Anyone in their right mind would have no doubts that 'The Horns' are a very good team. This Championship game will be between two very elite teams. My biggest concerns are if Texas can shut down Mark Ingram and if Bamas' 'D' can't shut down Colt McCoy.

Before they get to Ingram, they will first get a diet of 4-5 wideouts and an empty backfield, just like UF got. Doesn't worry them, though. To a man, they're convinced we can pass on other teams, but not on them...

 

[capnfrog]

Before they get to Ingram, they will first get a diet of 4-5 wideouts and an empty backfield, just like UF got. Doesn't worry them, though. To a man, they're convinced we can pass on other teams, but not on them...

They will have to decide if they want to shut down Mark Ingram or shut down the passing game, then they will have other options to worry about and I don't want to say too much about Trent and Roy and Terry.

 

[Paul Wesley]

Before they get to Ingram, they will first get a diet of 4-5 wideouts and an empty backfield, just like UF got. Doesn't worry them, though. To a man, they're convinced we can pass on other teams, but not on them...

I don't know. Doesn't seem like a good strategy for Bama to get away from their strengths and go 5-wide.

The key to moving the ball against Texas is balance. Arguably that's the key against any good defense. Bama should use a little smash-mouth, use play-action off of it, drag the tight end across the middle, and take a few shots downfield. Ingram seems like a great screen pass runner, and the Texas D can be over-aggressive and susceptible to a screen. I'd also use some misdirection and QB bootlegs to slow down the UT backside pursuit and keep them honest.

I'd actually feel relief if y'all come out in a 4-wide, not because I don't think you can do it, but because I don't think it's what you do best -- plus it's what our defense is built to defend, with leaner, faster linebackers and safeties.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

I'd actually feel relief if y'all come out in a 4-wide, not because I don't think you can do it, but because I don't think it's what you do best -- plus it's what our defense is built to defend, with leaner, faster linebackers and safeties.

I'm not confident that Alabama will open things up in the beginning, but considering we did it against Florida, who was built to stop open offenses too, I wouldn't be too surprised.

 

[rgw]

I don't know. Doesn't seem like a good strategy for Bama to get away from their strengths and go 5-wide.

The key to moving the ball against Texas is balance. Arguably that's the key against any good defense. Bama should use a little smash-mouth, use play-action off of it, drag the tight end across the middle, and take a few shots downfield. Ingram seems like a great screen pass runner, and the Texas D can be over-aggressive and susceptible to a screen. I'd also use some misdirection and QB bootlegs to slow down the UT backside pursuit and keep them honest.

I'd actually feel relief if y'all come out in a 4-wide, not because I don't think you can do it, but because I don't think it's what you do best -- plus it's what our defense is built to defend, with leaner, faster linebackers and safeties.

Alabama has actually done this at times all season. Our offensive staff has a high degree of confidence in our quarterback and he's only really disappointed around midseason (and I don't know if that was all on him tbqh). Against LSU, the OC used empty sets with Ingram split out to set up runs with Ingram later out of similar personnel groupings in the second half.

We're definitely a team that wants to be physical with the running game, but - for the balance of the season - our passing game has been incredibly efficient and a capable jab punch to the running game's strong hook. When a QB is completing 61% of his passes with a 17/4 TD-INT ratio, I'd consider that capable. Is it statistically impressive in today's college landscape where the QB is often a feature player instead of a distributor? No, but it is exactly what you would want if you were running a pro-style principle system. Being labeled a "distributor" is often looked down upon, but if you distribute it effectively the offense can be harder to defend than a spread style. With that said, Texas is possibly the best secondary we'll see all season, so it will be important to maintain that efficiency to be successful.

 

[Burnt Orangeman]

Nebraska has the best 3 man pass rush in college football.
That afforded them 8 men for coverage and Texas struggled bigtime.
It was really the perfect defense against Texas because we have such a mediocre running game. Alabama's balance gives y'all a better chance but expect yourself a very tough nut to crack in Lincoln.

You have to give Texas Tech credit for scoring 33 points against Nebraska; of course the pirate is arguably the master of scoring offenses.

 

[Horn95]

Before they get to Ingram, they will first get a diet of 4-5 wideouts and an empty backfield, just like UF got. Doesn't worry them, though. To a man, they're convinced we can pass on other teams, but not on them...

Wow. Would love to see 'Bama come out in this offense. It's what Texas faces on a regular basis in the Big XII. Hook 'Em!!

 

[TideFan in AU]

I have been trolling around a little and it seems that a lot Texas fans think their game against Bama is going to easier because Nebraska looked so good. However I'd say Bama is a team with as good as (if not better) defense with a whole lot better offense.That game confirms to me that Texas has seen an elite defense and they found a way to win and that has to be noted.
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[BAMA504]

Maybe I am wrong but that was not the same neb team that played in the big12 championship game was it??? Did they actually THROW the ball or was I just dreaming????

If they had of only attempted to actually throw the ball and back texas out of the box maybe just maybe they could of scored... Personally I think Ariz gave them that game by NOT loading the box and trying to play straight up.

On a side note Suh was pretty much shut down by the Ariz OL he was a factor but not much IMO 3 1/2 tackles I think and that is nothing compared to what he did against ut... Game tells me 2 things 1. ut's defense is better than Ariz. 2. Texas OL is worse than I thought.

 

[P0vv3R]

I don't know. Doesn't seem like a good strategy for Bama to get away from their strengths and go 5-wide.

The key to moving the ball against Texas is balance. Arguably that's the key against any good defense. Bama should use a little smash-mouth, use play-action off of it, drag the tight end across the middle, and take a few shots downfield. Ingram seems like a great screen pass runner, and the Texas D can be over-aggressive and susceptible to a screen. I'd also use some misdirection and QB bootlegs to slow down the UT backside pursuit and keep them honest.

I'd actually feel relief if y'all come out in a 4-wide, not because I don't think you can do it, but because I don't think it's what you do best -- plus it's what our defense is built to defend, with leaner, faster linebackers and safeties.

I will have to agree... It is not what we do best. With that being said; I hope the Horns have attempted to create a running game during the past month. Because that is not what you do best…

Both programs should have worked on perfecting their strengths, rather than trying to creating new ones.

A wrinkle here or there is fine, but I don’t want McElroy thinking he plays for the Bearcats come game day. He has had great success in the past two games, but I’m still concerned how he will react if he throws an INT right out of the gate…

 

[bamacon]

Wow. Would love to see 'Bama come out in this offense. It's what Texas faces on a regular basis in the Big XII. Hook 'Em!!

And one elite defense was helpless to stop it. You could see the mental blow UF took in the first few minutes of the SECCG game. They looked worried because they realized if we can't stop the "weak" part of the Alabama offense then how do we stop their strength.

 

[Cheaha1]

Arizona lost to teams like Washington, who went 5-7. It could be that Arizona is a weak enough team to make Nebraska look better than they really are.

 

[TideFan in AU]

Arizona lost to teams like Washington, who went 5-7. It could be that Arizona is a weak enough team to make Nebraska look better than they really are.

A middle of the pack PAC 10 team weak? Surely you jest.
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[Bama1993]

I don't know. Doesn't seem like a good strategy for Bama to get away from their strengths and go 5-wide.

The key to moving the ball against Texas is balance. Arguably that's the key against any good defense. Bama should use a little smash-mouth, use play-action off of it, drag the tight end across the middle, and take a few shots downfield. Ingram seems like a great screen pass runner, and the Texas D can be over-aggressive and susceptible to a screen. I'd also use some misdirection and QB bootlegs to slow down the UT backside pursuit and keep them honest.

I'd actually feel relief if y'all come out in a 4-wide, not because I don't think you can do it, but because I don't think it's what you do best -- plus it's what our defense is built to defend, with leaner, faster linebackers and safeties.

Watch a lot of Bama games, do you? We are one of the most balanced offenses in CFB. We average 215 rushing yds/game, and 198 passing yds/game. We take whatever the defense gives us.

 

[WMack4Bama]

Watch a lot of Bama games, do you? We are one of the most balanced offenses in CFB. We average 215 rushing yds/game, and 198 passing yds/game. We take whatever the defense gives us.

Yeah. That's what I was gonna say in response to that too. I think the image that Bama gave the rest of the country during the 08 season of us just imposing our will in the run game on our opponents with Andre Smith, Antoine Caldwell, and company has stuck with many of the sports analysts around the country who don't get to see Bama on a weekly basis. The numbers look the same or better on the ground so we must be doing it the same way right?

I think the national perception is that we have a borish, pound it down your throat running offense just like we had in '08. I mean, shoot, we do have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at running back for crying out loud. But in fact, we have a VERY explosive offense with (Ingram, Richardson, Julio, Peek, Maze, Hanks) at least 6 players who can hit the homerun ball at any point. But as we always say, why let the facts get in the way of a good story?

In fact, I prefer that they think that way. Plus one for the good guys.

 

[Bama323]

Before they get to Ingram, they will first get a diet of 4-5 wideouts and an empty backfield, just like UF got. Doesn't worry them, though. To a man, they're convinced we can pass on other teams, but not on them...

If I'm not mistaken, Texas lead the nation this year, or at least was near the top, with around 24 interceptions. I'm not saying we can't throw on them, but it may not be as easy as you suggest. I think Bama wins this game, but I'm of the opinion that it's going to be VERY close. I'm thinking 3 point win type of close.

 

[bamacon]

Bama actually runs the ball a bit more (65%-35%) but that is because of CNS' philosophy. Once in the lead the clock becomes the opponent and the best way to beat it is on the ground. Controlling the game is very important to Bama's success.

 

[Longhorn93]

Arizona lost to teams like Washington, who went 5-7. It could be that Arizona is a weak enough team to make Nebraska look better than they really are.

I believe they were also a double overtime loss to Oregon away from the Rose Bowl. That was supposed to be a good Arizona team.

Personally, I think Nebraska gained a ton of confidence in the Big 12 CG and it showed big time tonight.