Jalen Milroe is now the starter going forward.

[gtgilbert]

When Milroe goes into the game he's arguably the best athlete on the field. Kiffin worked magic with Sims and a young Hurts - the KISS principle. Rees was running 4 and 5 WR against Texas for what I don't know. There could a be a reason Kelly didn't take Rees with him to LSU.

Very rarely did we have 4 WRs and I don't think we EVER ran 5. Even then, that doesn't make it more complex. It's really easy to have a 1 or 2 read playcall even with 4 or 5 WRs. All the grouping does is determine the grouping of the defense (heavy or fast) and the formation determines set, tight or not. Kiffin ran almost exclusively with 3WR sets. We used way more 2WR, 2TE and 1RB in the last three games than anytime post-kiffin.

You're right. I don't know why he tried to force that one. He did ok with same or similar alignment on this

https://twitter.com/x/status/1700693602886652129

I remember Jeff Rutledge throwing 5 picks against Nebraska.

Not even close to the same thing from a grouping or alignment or route concept standpoint. That play has 3WRs out in the pattern, as well as the RB floating to the flat so 4 in the pattern and just 6 in protection. On the INT we had only 2 in the pattern and us running max protect with 8 guys. This almost perfectly illustrates my point above: the grouping doesn't really simplify the read progression, at least not initially.

2 things I am happy to give JM credit for on that clip though. he stepped into the pocket very well, and he threw a very pretty pass.

That said, other than when stepping up, his eyes locked onto one receiver the entire time. Thankfully it worked and burton was able to run under. There were several times where we had similar looks, but the DB stayed in phase and that long throw wasn't there though, and then what? Both the RB, and the WR in the flat flash open in the clip you posted. When the long route isn't open, or the protection doesn't give him time (the frequency of at least one of those being true seems to greater than not), JM hasn't yet shown the ability to hit the checkdown, or hit the hot route (the WR who came in motion, then was open at the bottom of the screen), when the D is getting pressure quickly which UTw really dialed up once as the game progressed.

 

[gtgilbert]

You could give him a couple of guys on the side he rolls out to and maybe one guy going deep. Let him read the levels from shortest to deepest. If he doesn't like any of them then just run. It would put the defenders into a run pass conflict they would have to either stick with their receiver or try to stop the run.

Also a heavy dose of read option.

to some degree we leverage levels reads; not all the time, but it's certainly part of the plan. So far we've just had the QB stay in the pocket so that it would be easier for him to get the footwork right versus trying to throw on the run. maybe the footwork is less important though...

We also ran a lot read option (RPO specifically) early in the game against UTw. JM had 1 or 2 decent runs out of it, but then Utw started forcing the "P" option...

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I can only assume the reasoning is that Jalen is better able to run for his life behind that OL.

That's exactly the way I see it. I'm pretty sure Lane Kiffin is going to have 7-8 on the line of schrimage...
Even if Milroe's friends decide to play and decide they can actually catch the ball, I see this game as a tough out.

 

[BamaInBham]

And if he doesn't tailor the offense to Milroe's strengths whose fault is it?

Saban’s and Rees’.

 

[CoolBreeze]

35 pages in one day is pretty solid. To be continued.

 

[AWRTR]

to some degree we leverage levels reads; not all the time, but it's certainly part of the plan. So far we've just had the QB stay in the pocket so that it would be easier for him to get the footwork right versus trying to throw on the run. maybe the footwork is less important though...

We also ran a lot read option (RPO specifically) early in the game against UTw. JM had 1 or 2 decent runs out of it, but then Utw started forcing the "P" option...

I would take the P out of it and just run a true read option with a give or keep as the only thing he can do. It gives certainty to the Oline as to a run pass and it makes JM's life easier and with his speed it could cause any defense problems.

 

[gtgilbert]

I would take the P out of it and just run a true read option with a give or keep as the only thing he can do. It gives certainty to the Oline as to a run pass and it makes JM's life easier and with his speed it could cause any defense problems.

Most of our RPOs start as a 'true' read option, but if the ILBS or DBs are crashing to support like they often do, there's supposed to be a pass. Maybe if we just had the WRs block a pure RO could work, but based on history that has a limited shelf life.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Probably keep him in. He did that against texas, so it tells me that nothing will change. Outside of an injury Jalen is the guy for what ever reason. It makes me wonder what the hell was really going on Saturday. I mean a guy doesn't play at all. Supposedly isn't injured. The team has a "players only" meeting. Now we get this information. I just don't understand.

Hope I'm wrong but right now that meeting looks like the players have decided who they want as #1 QB and they have rolled the dice.
Did the coaches get a say?
(Sorry yall, If I sound like a control freak, I AM.)

 

[BamaInBham]

I’m genuinely curious what it will take for the Milroestans to admit they were wrong. A loss to Ole Miss? A loss to aTm? More turnovers? I’m honestly asking. Where is the line?

I’ll reciprocate by saying I was wrong about Milroe if we finish the regular season undefeated, or if we lose one more game and it’s clearly the defense’s fault. I don’t see that happening.

I would guess, something similar to the Simpsonites, or is it the antiSabanites,?

I think the reality is that CNS knows that none of the QBs are really SEC level at this point but he is taking his best shot. He has made his uncertainty clear from direct verbal statements and actions (signing Buchner) from Spring through Fall camp and into the season. My guess is that it may not be over yet. I.e., if MiIroe bombs, he will give Simpson another shot.

After all that he has seen, he has obviously concluded that JM gives the team the best shot to win. Hopefully, he is right. But as everyone knows there are many weaknesses on this team at this moment. It could be that a major input into his decision is that Jalen has the most potential to compensate for them, along with his superior ability to generate explosive plays.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I would take the P out of it and just run a true read option with a give or keep as the only thing he can do. It gives certainty to the Oline as to a run pass and it makes JM's life easier and with his speed it could cause any defense problems.

Kinda like running a Single Wing, or Wishbone, but with no passing?

 

[BamaInBham]

Hope I'm wrong but right now that meeting looks like the players have decided who they want as #1 QB and they have rolled the dice.
Did the coaches get a say?
(Sorry yall, If I sound like a control freak, I AM.)

You sound more like someone who is grasping at straws, making you vulnerable to unsupported speculation.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Color me confused. A QB with 3 starts under hi belt with very mixed results gives way to the second string QB via coaches decision. He then displays an attitude which gets him suspended (?) for the game. The team as a whole looks even more lackluster during the game which is narrowly won via a good defensive effort and some at least decent play by the third string QB. After the game there is a players only meeting followed by the head coach announcing that the original starting QB apparently no longer with an attitude/no longer suspended is now starting the next game. Should be a fun week on TFs.

Sounds like you have nailed the gist of the problem.

 

[BamaInBham]

If the starters tried the throw the game, they should be kicked off the team.

I'd rather us play the scout team and lose every game the rest of the way.

At least next year we could start all over with letting the coach choose the QB.

There is nothing of substance to indicate that. It’s not outside the realm of possibility, but IMO, it’s frankly reckless and potentially harmful to the program to pursue such a theme without any real evidence.

 

[AWRTR]

Kinda like running a Single Wing, or Wishbone, but with no passing?

In that particular play. It would be what auburn ran a lot with Nick Marshall. The QB reads the defensive end to decide to keep or give. It’s a relatively simple play. It could be a part of the running game that uses Milroe’s legs and the threat of his legs effectively to freeze the defense and give him or the RB an advantage with a simple read. You could still run RPO type plays as well.

 

[BamaInBham]

Similar opponent in Middle Tenn State: Milroe: 13 of 18; 194 yards; 3 TDs.

And I am not arguing for or against any of them. I am just saying calling TS a "gamer" based on that stat line is silly.

Actually, MTSU is better than So Fla. They played Missouri to within 4 and beat their cupcake soundly.

 

[BamaInBham]

I smelled a rat before I even saw the Josh Pate video I posted earlier.

If what I fear is happening we've just entered a new threshold of Bama football and this is not where I thought CNS's tenure would go.

To the best of my recollection you've been a responsible poster. Unless, you have some real evidence, to jump to the conclusions you have is unfortunate. You're feeding what is baseless speculation at the moment.

 

[BamaInBham]

You should see some of the hate I’m getting as if I’m the one that lost the Texas game.

You are wrong, the team lost the game, with contributions from every group except maybe the WRs and special teams, both of whom were outstanding.

 

[BamaInBham]

People can think whatever they want. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. I’m simply saying “This is the reality”.

But it is not the "reality", it is your opinion and acting like unsubstantiated rumors are fact is reckless. However unlikely, you could be right about all of your opinions but they are opinions and speculation not "reality". Not saying that you have not cited any facts, but your conclusions have been opinion and speculation.

 

[BamaInBham]

Just a general observation: I’m 63 years old. And while I’m not a football coach (nor did I play one on TV, or dress like one during CosPlay) there is a point in your life where, in dealing with people, fighting the fight to get them to do what they should simply wears out. Sometimes you just have to say, “be gone” (my way or the highway) or “have at it, knock yourself out” (path of least resistance). After 35+ years of managing people and at age 63, I find myself my less inclined to “fight to good fight” any longer.

So Coach Saban is approaching age 72 next month. So has Coach reached the point with this year’s team of saying “it will be whatever it is going be” and this is the path of least resistance?

I know that is totally contradictory to what we know is Coach Saban’s DNA. But folks, we all get old and get tired at some point.

You are basing your conclusion on rumor. Come on man, you're better than this.

 

[BamaInBham]

The funny thing is that until now 99% of this board never questioned Josh Pate’s sources or take. Yet now that his sources are telling him that there are locker room issues at Bama this board is 50-50 on it.

The reality is that most have simply not commented on him. He is uninteresting to me, I rarely check him out.

That there might not be complete agreement in the locker room is not surprising, especially with this start, but to speculate that the team is making demands or even being in conflict about the QB situation is reckless without something concrete.