South Carolina wrap-up: Battered defense comes up with the stop it needed - this time

[JessN]

South Carolina wrap-up: Battered defense comes up with the stop it needed – this time

The similarities between last week’s loss to Vanderbilt and this game, a narrow victory over South Carolina, were starting to be too much to consider – right up to the point that the Bama def…

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[ROCKEE]

As usual, you nailed it Jess.
New coaches
New schemes
New players
New season
New (different)college football world
And we are 5-1
RTR!

 

[78Alum]

Thanks, Jess. That was a hard one to sit in the stands and watch, but hey we won. Great write-up as always. Thanks for all you do. RTR!

 

[countrytider]

Good article. Literally reinforces everything I posted about the defense on here last night, and got blasted by all the “FiRe WoMmAcK” walnuts.

Roll Tide.

 

[Windsortide]

Great read and insightful as usual.

 

[Tidewater]

Thanks for the comment on Jackson bringing that interception out on the last play.
I thought there was a question as to whether his momentum had carried him into the end zone. If the refs got that decision wrong, then the game would have been tied. Jackson made the right decision. Coach DeBoer said Jackson told him he was running around to make sure the clock ran out.
Heads up play by Jackson.. Love me some smart football.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

We got to get better.

 

[carder24]

Thanks for the comment on Jackson bringing that interception out on the last play.
I thought there was a question as to whether his momentum had carried him into the end zone. If the refs got that decision wrong, thennthe game would have been tied. Jackson made the right decision. Coach DeBoer said Jackson told him he was running around to make sure the clock ran out.
Heads up play by Jackson.. Love me some smart football.

When I saw it, actually thought they were just trying to run out the last few seconds of clock too; either way, good they showed some awareness there

 

[Tidewater]

When I saw it, actually thought they were just trying to run out the last few seconds of clock too; either way, good they showed some awareness there

I could just see SEC officials wanting to call that a safety on the last play of the game: "No, his momentum did not carry him into the end zone, he went into the end zone of his own free will, safety for USC. Tied game." SEC officials have made more egregious mistakes in the past.

 

[carder24]

I could just see SEC officials wanting to call that a safety on the last play of the game: "No, his momentum did not carry him into the end zone, he went into the end zone of his own free well, safety for USC. Tied game." SEC officials have made more egregious mistakes in the past.

Agree, wouldn’t doubt that at all from the refs

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I could just see SEC officials wanting to call that a safety on the last play of the game: "No, his momentum did not carry him into the end zone, he went into the end zone of his own free will, safety for USC. Tied game." SEC officials have made more egregious mistakes in the past.

Joe Tessatore and Jessie Palmer had to go change slacks several times during the broadcast when they were rooting err thought USCe was going to win. I haven't heard giddy like that since middle school. Joe went over the top with it, like waaaay over the top.

 

[Tidewater]

Joe Tessatore and Jessie Palmer had to go change slacks several times during the broadcast when they were rooting err thought USCe was going to win. I haven't heard giddy like that since middle school. Joe went over the top with it, like waaaay over the top.

That was annoying.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

That was annoying.

I was hoping he would start choking on live tv. I'm a horrible person I know...

 

[Tidewater]

Agree, wouldn’t doubt that at all from the refs

This was just one of those cases when you do not want to even give the refs a chance to decide the matter the wrong way. He probably could have taken a knee in the end zone and Bama would have gotten the ball at the 20 with 7 seconds to play, but if the refs screwed the call, it would have been a safety and overtime. Better to not give them the chance to screw the call up. They have screwed up worse calls.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

Keep in mind that CKD had multiple 1-TD-or-less wins last year with Washington, and we all know how much Alabama seems to get on the wrong end of those types of games, even under CNS. I agree that some of the trending stats do inspire confidence in the team - and would be a source of why the team loses a game. But, it is a new team with new coaches with new systems. 6 games of the first season does not determine the future of the program. If so, then CNS wouldn't have won all the championships after his first season at Alabama.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think this is going to be a bigger transition than many of us first thought. I honestly thought the defense would be ahead of the offense and the offense would be the side that struggled initially. But I've been completely wrong. Overall, the offense can score and at times can score at will. The defense seems to be in turmoil with a mixture of a DC getting used to the SEC, players getting used to a new scheme, and dealing with possibly wrong player types at some positions for the type of defense we're trying to run.

I can see us losing two more games but I can also see us winning out. It just depends on the trajectory of the team from week to week. If they begin to have the light come on, on defense, and gain some confidence. Then I could see us having an upward trajectory in the second half of the season.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I think this is going to be a bigger transition than many of us first thought. I honestly thought the defense would be ahead of the offense and the offense would be the side that struggled initially. But I've been completely wrong. Overall, the offense can score and at times can score at will. The defense seems to be in turmoil with a mixture of a DC getting used to the SEC, players getting used to a new scheme, and dealing with possibly wrong player types at some positions for the type of defense we're trying to run.

I can see us losing two more games but I can also see us winning out. It just depends on the trajectory of the team from week to week. If they begin to have the light come on, on defense, and gain some confidence. Then I could see us having an upward trajectory in the second half of the season.

Offense being ahead of the defense also may have something to do with CKD an offensive coach, as opposed to CNS being a defensive coach. All in all, I agree with your possible range of outcomes for the rest of the season.

 

[Bill from NYC]

Call me crazy but I think that we are far more talented than the last two games indicate. Right now I think that the major problems are as follows:

1) DeBoer is giving them WAY too much room. Loud music at practice? Players flipping out on the field? Milroe dancing around after a TD on the opening drive at 7-0? This is not how we do things imo. These things NEVER would have happened with Nick Saban. Not ever.

2) The premise of Milroe winning the Heisman Trophy is ludicrous imo. I really like the kid but he still has issues making decisions imo. He is a fine player and keeps improving, but he is not yet a complete QB or so I think.

3) Tight end is an overlooked position on this team. We have several VERY good TEs who get open and have good hands. I think that if they were utilized more often it would take some pressure off of Milroe.

4) Rat poison. This takes us back to #1. This is Alabama. This is the SEC. We beat a great Georgia and practically fell apart. Once again, this would never happen under Saban. This easy going mentality might work where DeBoer came from, but it doesn't work here.

At this point, I wish we would have hired Lane Kiffen. I hope that DeBoer changes my mind.

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[92tide]

Call me crazy but I think that we are far more talented than the last two games indicate. Right now I think that the major problems are as follows:

1) DeBoer is giving them WAY too much room. Loud music at practice? Players flipping out on the field? Milroe dancing around after a TD on the opening drive at 7-0? This is not how we do things imo. These things NEVER would have happened with Nick Saban. Not ever.

2) The premise of Milroe winning the Heisman Trophy is ludicrous imo. I really like the kid but he still has issues making decisions imo. He is a fine player and keeps improving, but he is not yet a complete QB or so I think.

3) Tight end is an overlooked position on this team. We have several VERY good TEs who get open and have good hands. I think that if they were utilized more often it would take some pressure off of Milroe.

4) Rat poison. This takes us back to #1. This is Alabama. This is the SEC. We beat a great Georgia and practically fell apart. Once again, this would never happen under Saban. This easy going mentality might work where DeBoer came from, but it doesn't work here.

At this point, I wish we would have hired Lane Kiffen. I hope that DeBoer changes my mind.

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ole miss has been pretty far from stellar this season

 

[mikeua69]

Thanks Jess. While there are plenty of areas to be concerned about, I often wonder if this is going to be the norm thanks to NIL and the transfer portal. We aren't the only team struggling against so called inferior opponents (hello UGA and Tennessee). I also remember last year's teams struggling against some bad teams that we should have theoretically blown out (USF, Arkansas, A&M and Auburn). We could have easily ended up with 5 regular season losses.