How do we match up with Oklahoma?

[Bama Lee]

The good news, I guess, is that each teams strengths and weaknesses match up. But there are some kernels to look at:

Offense- we live and die by the talents of Ty Simpson. I’m not sure our run game will even have a pulse in the game, but it is something we still need to strive to undertake. The Oklahoma offense is mediocre at best and also struggles to run the ball. Matteer can get first downs running the ball. The turnover margin will be key to whoever wins.

Defense- the defenses are also similar. Though the strength of the Sooners is in their front seven. The Sooners also got much of their quality stats against sub par offenses. Teams like Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas were able to move the ball rather easily and score. I really like our defense and how it matches up. The Bama D could shut down Oklahoma or at least greatly thwart their ability to score (who would’ve thought anyone would say that earlier in the season)!

This game will go back and forth and special teams will make their mark. I see Alabama winning by double digits but it will feel closer

 

[Windsortide]

Both teams have good defenses and weak running games. The teams that does not turn it over and has the better QB play will win. I’m rolling with Ty. Bama in a close one.

 

[uaintn]

This is one of the oddest comments I feel like I have ever made here (and over the years, I'm sure there have been some doozies).

I worry about Oklahoma's field goal kicker. He looks stupid in those Tour de France pants he wears. Kid can kick the football, though. If memory serves, he had three over 50 yards in Knoxville. With CKW's defense we are apparently comfortable letting teams cross midfield and even our 40 before we shut them down. We do that Saturday and three points are coming.

If we end up in one of those knife-fight-in-a-ditch type of games where it's 15-13 in the fourth quarter, well, I prefer to think about something else.

That said, Tennessee managed over 400 yards on the Oklahoma defense and still lost. I'm hoping Ty and our WRs have better point production. Hitting a few deep ones would make me feel good about it. I hope this is not the bye week that gets their quarterback feeling good again.

 

[smith5753]

Maybe my biggest concern is if we’re successful moving the football and scoring points early, can we put them away. With their kicker this is one of those games you don’t want to let them hang around late into the 4th quarter. They showed against Tennessee they can play from behind and compete for 4 full quarters.

 

[BhamToTexas]

Defense- Teams like Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas were able to move the ball rather easily and score.

You know this is a good point. I was thinking of them as an elite defense all along. But Texas got 300 yards and 23 points when they were a wreck. Ole Miss went for 430 and 34. Tennessee went for 460 and 27. Those are the only good offenses they have faced all season.

 

[92tide]

This is one of the oddest comments I feel like I have ever made here (and over the years, I'm sure there have been some doozies).

I worry about Oklahoma's field goal kicker. He looks stupid in those Tour de France pants he wears. Kid can kick the football, though. If memory serves, he had three over 50 yards in Knoxville. With CKW's defense we are apparently comfortable letting teams cross midfield and even our 40 before we shut them down. We do that Saturday and three points are coming.

If we end up in one of those knife-fight-in-a-ditch type of games where it's 15-13 in the fourth quarter, well, I prefer to think about something else.

That said, Tennessee managed over 400 yards on the Oklahoma defense and still lost. I'm hoping Ty and our WRs have better point production. Hitting a few deep ones would make me feel good about it. I hope this is not the bye week that gets their quarterback feeling good again.

the time he's spent the last couple of weeks thinking about being in the spotlight because of his short shorts is time he's not thinking about how to make long field goals consistently.

 

[Ledsteplin]

 

[Tideflyer]

Here’s hoping that the coaches, O line and RBs are expecting to see every blitz package known to man this weekend. Since it’s essentially non-existent to this point, with the exception of inside the opponent’s 10 yard line, I would expect OU to pretty much ignore our run game and throw everything at Ty. We’ve not shown the ability to do it yet, but only an improved rushing game will get them to back out of it.

Then again, with our tackle play, they may not need to blitz so much.

 

[jashleyren2]

This is one more game on our torrid schedule of teams that would win big in any other conference, but only muster 8-9 wins in the SEC. And so many of them get an off week before they play Alabama.

A loss by Alabama on Saturday is easily chalked up to, in my mind, the grind of opponent after opponent that is not just CFP material, but capable of winning the whole thing. Oklahoma is yet another one of those. A win proves that Alabama can survive this week to week to grind, and is well-prepared for ANYTHING that the CFP might throw at the Tide. That includes Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, anyone. This team will have proved it can WILL itself to a win even when not playing it's best. A win Saturday for the Tide proves a lot more than the 9-1 record, with the win, shows.

 

[CoolBreeze]

OU is going to be a tough out. We are out for revenge after getting totally embarrassed last season, a game that effectively locked us out of the playoff. This Tide Team is way different and much more resilient but our success goes through out OB. We'll be leaning on our short passing to augment our running game and they will be stacking the LOS to get after TY. Bottom line, our OLine needs to step up in this game. Not too worried about them on offense, which may be a mistake on my part. I just see us wining the turnover game which will pay off late. Still, this is going to be a heavyweight matchup and we'll have to fight hard to win this one.

 

[alabama mike1]

We are going to face a strong front 7 from the Sooners. CBV will blitz from various locations and we need hot routes to offset that. So far this season we have not had those. Quick slants or using the TE from the gun can elevate that blitz. There is no magic potion for the run game or run blocking. Plain and simple, we are not very good in those two departments. Personally, I would ditch the slow developing running plays and go with straight dives off tackle with Hill. Jam is the better RB picking up the blitz and receiving coming out of the backfield and that’s why he is in more.

We have improved on defense with our front 7 in run situations. We have not improved in pass coverage. Our DB’s play too fair off the ball and let throws be made in front of them. We have to be more physical! LB’s need to drop a little deeper in coverage so the QB cannot throw just over them. I would like to see us blitz some more on 1st or 2nd down instead of doing it on 3rd down and giving up a 1st down.

Bottom line, it still comes down to blocking, tackling and executing.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Oklahoma might be the perfect team to exploit Ty Simpson’s only weakness and put Alabama on upset alert

Ty Simpson has been playing like the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, but there are a few chinks in his armor that Brent Venables will attack.

bamahammer.com

 

[81usaf92]

Pate says 1) the line is way off and 2) Alabama should win by double digits.

 

[GrayTide]

Unfortunately this article , as it currently stands, is spot on. If we cannot get some semblance of a running game I am afraid we may be on the short end of the final score. I don't believe Ty and the receivers can offset the lack of a running game. I hope I am wrong, but I do not have a good feeling about this game.

 

[Bama Lee]

Unfortunately this article , as it currently stands, is spot on. If we cannot get some semblance of a running game I am afraid we may be on the short end of the final score. I don't believe Ty and the receivers can offset the lack of a running game. I hope I am wrong, but I do not have a good feeling about this game.

I respect ya GrayTide but don’t you say that about all our tough games

 

[81usaf92]

I’m going to say I’m highly confident in us blowing the doors off of them. I think the LSU game was closer to a blowout than the slugger out game that it turned out to be. Oklahoma’s weakness is the pass game and they have gotten lit up multiple times this year but only Texas and Ole Miss took advantage of it. Tennessee SHOULD have beat them.

I think this is also a game Alabama wants badly because of last year.

Give me Bama 28-17

 

[crimsonaudio]

I don't believe Ty and the receivers can offset the lack of a running game.

I mean, isn't this basically what Bama has done for the most of the last eight games?

 

[92tide]

I mean, isn't this basically what Bama has done for the most of the last eight games?

and through an absolutely brutal set of games

 

[BhamToTexas]

Unfortunately this article , as it currently stands, is spot on. If we cannot get some semblance of a running game I am afraid we may be on the short end of the final score. I don't believe Ty and the receivers can offset the lack of a running game. I hope I am wrong, but I do not have a good feeling about this game.

You don’t have a good feeling about every game.

 

[tideindc]

I don’t know the X and Os like some of you. But I do think Ty has to hit on a deep ball or two, esp without a running game. As great as he’s been with everything else….he’s missed guys open deep a bunch.