My take on the Texas matchup after viewing their film~!~(SMACK WARNING!)

[jps1983]

From what I've seen of him, Muschamp will open with a base defense and see how things go. As you say, if the Tide is ripping off 4-6 yards a pop, he'll adjust. He'll bring a safety up, which will put pressure on our other DB's to stay with your receivers without much help.

I'm pretty sure yall will start with 8 in the box just because that is what every team has done against us this year (sometimes even bringing 9 in). Even UF creeped their safeties close to the line leaving a lot of 1 v. 1 on the outside. I honestly don't know much about yall's secondary outside of the obvious (Earl Thomas is a stud). What are your honest assessments about how yall's secondary will do against our receivers in 1v1?

 

[crimsonaudio]

There's nothing radical about Bama's offensive scheme that would require a lot of adjustments, as far as I can see.

No, what makes Bama's offense effective is the ability to run or pass equally well out of our common formations. There will be very little that will let the defense know pre-snap whether it's a run or pass, and we've used that effectively all year long to gain balanced yardage.

 

[TideFan in AU]

That's a very good assessment 1020.The long layoff between games is certainly a big factor. Some teams come out blazing after a layoff and some come out flat. As good as both teams are a slow start could be really tough to overcome. That's something that actually scares me a little.
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[texas1020]

I'm pretty sure yall will start with 8 in the box just because that is what every team has done against us this year (sometimes even bringing 9 in). Even UF creeped their safeties close to the line leaving a lot of 1 v. 1 on the outside. I honestly don't know much about yall's secondary outside of the obvious (Earl Thomas is a stud). What are your honest assessments about how yall's secondary will do against our receivers in 1v1?

Aaron Williams is a terrific CB. IMHO, he might be the best Mack has ever had at Texas. Curtis Brown is a good CB, though not in Williams' class. Chykie Brown (another CB) has all the tools, but sometimes blows assignments. If you saw the A&M game, it was he who on A&M's first possession released the receiver to a safety who wasn't there. Result: TD. On plays like that you never know, as a fan, who blew his assignment, but mishaps like that occur too often on Chykie's watch. Deon Beasley is a fourth corner who sees some action. He's not physical but he is quick.

Our other safeties, Gideon and Brewster, don't overwhelm you at first but they're coaches' kids and solid. One unknown is Christian Scott, 210 lbs. and a huge hitter. He was academically ineligible this fall but should be back for the NC game. Some folks say he will only play on special teams, where he should give a big lift to our KO coverage which has been woefully inconsistent. Others think he might actually play some snaps, especially if your RB's are wearing our starters down.

To be honest, I believe we can keep Julio Jones from killing us. One thing our DB's have seen the past two years is a plethora of big, fast no. 1 draft pick-type WR's. As good as Jones is, I find myself worrying more about Maze and Hanks. If McElroy has time to throw, he can find those guys and hurt us.

 

[texas1020]

No, what makes Bama's offense effective is the ability to run or pass equally well out of our common formations. There will be very little that will let the defense know pre-snap whether it's a run or pass, and we've used that effectively all year long to gain balanced yardage.

Of course, and it's very difficult to defend. I'm just saying that when you watch Alabama's offense, you don't feel the need to go scurrying to the chalk board. It's basically old-school stuff, which is not a bad thing at all. Trust me, there's a sizable contingent of Longhorn fans who wish we'd go back to that old-school stuff. This finesse Left Coast offense is not what we grew up on. Strikes some good ole boys as unmanly somehow.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I'm just saying that when you watch Alabama's offense, you don't feel the need to go scurrying to the chalk board. It's basically old-school stuff, which is not a bad thing at all.

Agreed. We occasionally line up in the wildcat or some spread formation but even when we line up in the pistol it's generally running between the tackles or play-action pass.

Nothing fancy, just execute, execute, execute.

 

[jps1983]

Aaron Williams is a terrific CB. IMHO, he might be the best Mack has ever had at Texas. Curtis Brown is a good CB, though not in Williams' class. Chykie Brown (another CB) has all the tools, but sometimes blows assignments. If you saw the A&M game, it was he who on A&M's first possession released the receiver to a safety who wasn't there. Result: TD. On plays like that you never know, as a fan, who blew his assignment, but mishaps like that occur too often on Chykie's watch. Deon Beasley is a fourth corner who sees some action. He's not physical but he is quick.

Our other safeties, Gideon and Brewster, don't overwhelm you at first but they're coaches' kids and solid. One unknown is Christian Scott, 210 lbs. and a huge hitter. He was academically ineligible this fall but should be back for the NC game. Some folks say he will only play on special teams, where he should give a big lift to our KO coverage which has been woefully inconsistent. Others think he might actually play some snaps, especially if your RB's are wearing our starters down.

To be honest, I believe we can keep Julio Jones from killing us. One thing our DB's have seen the past two years is a plethora of big, fast no. 1 draft pick-type WR's. As good as Jones is, I find myself worrying more about Maze and Hanks. If McElroy has time to throw, he can find those guys and hurt us.

I had seen a little bit of Gideon. He seems to be head smart and knows what to do, just not the most athletic player. Would he be the safety yall likely put in the box to stop the run? Maze will have to have a solid game for us I think if our passing game is to be effective. Hanks has kind of fallen off the map since his early season success and JJ has been dropping the ball a fair bit recently. Would yall press JJ (or any receiver) or play off of him? How are yall's LBs in coverage? Strengths/ weaknesses of those guys?

 

[BAMA504]

I would have to agree about our OL this year. They are not the 3 All-Americans lined up and gonna smash your face with the ball but what we have this year is a mobile OL that is assignment sound in all phases. We have had some issues with speed rushers but in reality doesn't everyone???
All I can hope is that we continue to build on our last 5 gameplans and keep you guessing as to what we are doing next. In the SECCG we had uf on their heals from the get go opening up in a spread offense and I don't think we even ran it but once to get across the 50.. I thought we were surely going to try and test their metal and I think they were way way too high on themselves....
Many teams have said the same thing all year that you will not run on us but in reality even if they shut down Ingram we have brought in TR and with his style have managed to run anyways. Even the barn game when they sold out for the run and stopped Ingram, TR came in and banged out the yardage so stopping one guy is not the answer but if you manage to stop both then we have problems but then again (and this is just my opinion) Roy Upchurch is probably one of the best backs in the SC period although he is rarely used because of who is in front of him but lately he has been seen in a FB role which is just amazing because you just never know for sure what he is doing. I do know he is the best blocking RB of the 3...
On the game planning your right we don't do alot that will shock the world but I just don't see anyone being able to simulate Ingram and Richardson it is sort of like trying to use a scout as Tebow it just doesn't happen. As far as JJ if you guys contain him it will be because you are doubling him and your right Maze, Hanks and Peek will certainly get their chances to step up again as they have all year.

 

[Orangechipper]

I would have to agree about our OL this year. They are not the 3 All-Americans lined up and gonna smash your face with the ball but what we have this year is a mobile OL that is assignment sound in all phases. We have had some issues with speed rushers but in reality doesn't everyone???
All I can hope is that we continue to build on our last 5 gameplans and keep you guessing as to what we are doing next. In the SECCG we had uf on their heals from the get go opening up in a spread offense and I don't think we even ran it but once to get across the 50.. I thought we were surely going to try and test their metal and I think they were way way too high on themselves....
Many teams have said the same thing all year that you will not run on us but in reality even if they shut down Ingram we have brought in TR and with his style have managed to run anyways. Even the barn game when they sold out for the run and stopped Ingram, TR came in and banged out the yardage so stopping one guy is not the answer but if you manage to stop both then we have problems but then again (and this is just my opinion) Roy Upchurch is probably one of the best backs in the SC period although he is rarely used because of who is in front of him but lately he has been seen in a FB role which is just amazing because you just never know for sure what he is doing. I do know he is the best blocking RB of the 3...
On the game planning your right we don't do alot that will shock the world but I just don't see anyone being able to simulate Ingram and Richardson it is sort of like trying to use a scout as Tebow it just doesn't happen. As far as JJ if you guys contain him it will be because you are doubling him and your right Maze, Hanks and Peek will certainly get their chances to step up again as they have all year.

I don't think we'll need to double JJ. Again, we've grown accustomed to limiting or containing big WR threats this year and last. Whether it be Dez Bryant or Crabtree or Maclin or Danario Alexander. I think we put one guy on JJ and can contain him. Not saying he might not break one, but overall I agree that the other trio of threats you have are more concerning.

Chykie Brown just seems to be picking daisies about 3 times a game. And the defense always seems to find him when he's doing that. Gideon doesn't make mental mistakes, but you can make a highlight film out of his physical ones. There. I just documented our deficiencies on defense. Other than that we are in good shape.

One other thing.... really only in 3 games this year did our defense have to play all 4 qtr's. Every other game... Even against top 20 Okie State... we had second and third stringers playing a bulk of the second half on defense. I point this out just to say that their stamina & durability will be tested like its never been tested before against the Tide.

Can. Not. Wait.

 

[BAMA504]

Well coming from HUGE BAMA fan I seriously hope they don't double JJ because unless you guys are mugging him like peterson from lswho he will get around 10 catches.

It will be interesting to see if Muschamps believes what you guys are saying and if your boys can live up to the hype you are sending~~!~~ We shall see~!~

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

Can. Not. Wait.

That makes two of us. I tried tearing the pages off of my desktop calender, but they still aren't playing tonight.

 

[bayoutider]

All our receivers are team players and none try to hog the spotlight. All believe if they run a good route, take their man with them they have done their job. I don't see them taking a play off and all of them especially Julio are good blockers. Julio seems to like downfield blocking almost as much as making a catch. And don't forget Ingram as a receiver.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Well coming from HUGE BAMA fan I seriously hope they don't double JJ because unless you guys are mugging him like peterson from lswho he will get around 10 catches.

It will be interesting to see if Muschamps believes what you guys are saying and if your boys can live up to the hype you are sending~~!~~ We shall see~!~

Haden from UF actually grabbed JJ about as much as Peterson. It's the only way to guard him, so they just take a chance on PI on every route. So far, it's working out for them. It'll be interesting to see how the BE refs view it...

 

[texas1020]

Great comments and questions. I'll try to respond as best I can, without writing a treatise. I realize my posts tend to run long, but I dislike sound bites. They're bad enough in politics, and should be shunned when discussing something really important like college football. I'll try not to impose too much on your Southern hospitality.

I'll concede that while I think our RB's may be underrated, we don't have a Heisman Trophy winner available for scout team duty. Our recruiting coordinator should be fired. We do have a true freshman who goes 235 and runs a 10.8 100m. I missed seeing him run in the Army AA game, so I don't know whether his style bears a resemblance to Ingram's. At the least, the coaches can tell the defense, "here's a strong, fast back. Now gang tackle him".

My guess is that, if we put a safety in the box, it will be Nolan Brewster. His dad was an asst. coach with the Broncos, and supposedly John Lynch tutored Nolan. Not that Brewster's the next John Lynch, but you get the idea. Coming out of high school, it was thought he might be converted to LB. Blake Gideon's a wrap-up tackler. Again, Christian Scott might play a role here.

I believe we'll play press coverage on JJ. I get the sense he doesn't like that. Besides, speaking just as the fan I am, I wouldn't let a guy with his gifts gambol freely into the secondary. If Aaron Williams is on him, there will not be a double-team. Should be fun to watch.

Our LB's? Rodd Muckelroy reminds me a lot of DeMeco Ryans. DeMeco played outside for Bama (I think), but was moved inside by the Texans. Muck was supposed to play outside this year , but moved to Mike when the returning starter there got hurt. Both DeMeco and Muck can run sideline-to-sideline and hit you, but both are a little undersized. On the outside, Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho have decent size, run well, and will whack you, especially Robinson. They showed problems operating in space against A&M's receivers, however. Don't know whether that was an anomaly, or something McElwain can take advantage of. Why do I keep having bad dreams about Marquis Maze?

 

[Orangechipper]

I don't think we'll single cover JJ the entire game. We'll mix coverages up depending on blitz schemes etc. But I do think our BASIC strategy will be to sick Aaron Williams on him. When we can disguise it and get away with it I do think we'll bracket him or double cover him. We know that's your best WR weapon.

Aaron Williams btw is stout. He's still pretty raw, though. He was responsible for the Broyles late TD versus OU... but shortly thereafter he may have sealed the game with an amazing INT.

 

[CapitalTider]

I agree thtat the match-ups to watch will be each team's OL vs. the other's DL. Several times I've seen Texas posters mention that your DL & LBs are under-sized. How do you think they will stand up to our big, bruising backs? I doubt we'll run to the outside too much, especially if we get good production between the tackles. My perception is that UT's defense has more speed than size and conventional wisdom is to run right at fast defenses.

 

[texas1020]

I agree thtat the match-ups to watch will be each team's OL vs. the other's DL. Several times I've seen Texas posters mention that your DL & LBs are under-sized. How do you think they will stand up to our big, bruising backs? I doubt we'll run to the outside too much, especially if we get good production between the tackles. My perception is that UT's defense has more speed than size and conventional wisdom is to run right at fast defenses.

I wouldn't call our DL undersized, although some do. It's probably comparable in size to Auburn's. Thing is, we don't have a 320-lb. DT. And we don't have a monster MLB like R. McClain or B. Spikes. Muckelroy is about 6-2, 235, just like our OLB's.

Even if the DL is a little small, I don't think it's a big concern because we have good depth and keep guys rested. The LB's are a different story. Playing in the Big 12, we've often used just two at a time, and I believe only four LB's have seen significant playing time this year. Going against your big backs, they could wear down. It's a real concern. I wouldn't be surprised to see Muschamp do something unconventional, like move Lamarr Houston to end (he's played some end at Texas) . Kindle could then go to a stand up position, effectively replacing one of the OLB's for a while. I think I've seen them do something similar at times, but I'm not certain.

 

[Rowl Tyde]

Is there a cliff notes version of the original post?

 

[buzzincuzzin]

The Texas LBs won't have any trouble locating the RBs. They'll be coming right at them grill first. The question is will they still be clean enough to make the play. Trap/pulling guards and TEs(with the occasional JJ wipe-out cross) will be their problem. How's your scout-team set up to simulate that?

 

[deliveryman35]

Looks like Mack Brown will make DJ Monroe available for the game, if press reports about the DUI are correct. Maybe our longhorn friends can speak to this more directly. Assuming this is true, the question then becomes will we kick to him? What do you guys think?