The Kent State Game May Be Closer Than We Think

[Alasippi]

There has been so much discussion about the Penn State game and so little about the Kent State game that I figured they must be a major cupcake.

So, of course, I did a little research.

They actually should be a pretty good football team this year.

They led the M.A.C. in total defense last year and have nine starters back. That includes their top six tacklers and two first team all conference defensive backs.

They have seven starters back on offense including both the QB who started last season before being injured and the QB who replaced him for nine games and through for over 2,000 yards. So there's experience at that position.

They also have their running back returning who is 564 yards away from setting the school rushing record and they return the leading punter in the conference.

All that stated the big question of course is "Yeah but who did they play?"

Actually they played a pretty decent schedule winning five games-

They lost at Boston College 26-13

They lost 24-0 at Penn State wearing down late after holding the Nittany Lions to three points for most of the game.

They lost at Toledo, a pretty good team, 34-21.

And they lost to Temple 28-10.

True they lost, and those teams aren't Bama, but those games were by no means blowouts and should prove that Kent State wasn't a bad football team and has a lot of experience returning.

When you consider that we'll be going with an inexperienced QB against their pretty solid looking defense we may tend to be a bit conservative initially.

Combine that with the good possibility that Coach Saban may not want to totally destroy nor embarrass his alma mater and this game could be much closer than most people think.

At least that's my opinion. Yours?

sip

 

[AlexanderFan]

This is the game where CNS wants to see the focus of the team. Doesn't matter who is across the line, play your best. Every play. If that happens, they get destroyed.

 

[Alasippi]

Good point and kinda emphasizes what I was leading into....."Focus and Don't overlook them".

 

[RMRJMR]

Totally agree Sip. Many times we have been tripped up by these type teams before.

 

[RTR in PA]

There has been so much discussion about the Penn State game and so little about the Kent State game that I figured they must be a major cupcake.

True they lost, and those teams aren't Bama, but those games were by no means blowouts and should prove that Kent State wasn't a bad football team and has a lot of experience returning.

When you consider that we'll be going with an inexperienced QB against their pretty solid looking defense we may tend to be a bit conservative initially.


sip

Thats why we play the game, any team can be beaten by any opponent on any given Saturday. The focus needs to be on Kent State, not Penn State.

 

[AlexanderFan]

This will be a good gauge of the leadership of this team. Keeping the guys on track to meet their goals. Here's hoping they are up to the task.

 

[GrayTide]

Excellent post, Sip and of course you are 100% correct. I know many times I have posted similar comments about "cupcakes" and weaker SEC opponents and have been blasted on here for suggesting something like that could happen. Do not think that Alabama can't be beaten, we are on every opponent's radar. I expect us to win the SEC West and possibly play in the NC game, but do not be surprised if we lose a game or two this year it is extremely difficult, especially in the SEC to win them all.

 

[okbama]

I see a slow start before we take control of the game. The main issues are execution of the game plan and not getting anybody hurt. I wouldn't be suprised if this game was close at halftime. RTR

 

[capnfrog]

Combine that with the good possibility that Coach Saban may not want to totally destroy nor embarrass his alma mater and this game could be much closer than most people think.

At least that's my opinion. sip[/QUOTE]Yours? CNS did not want to destroy Michigan State either so he waited until the game was put away before he let up. That's just my opinion.

 

[Bama 13-0]

I'm pretty sure it was Gene Stallings that said

"If you don't think games like these are important, than try losing one!"

Or something to that effect.

I'm confident our team will be focused, and I hope they respect their opponent.

 

[MVKTR2]

Players don't generally view the season and teams the same way as we fans do. Bama's 18-23 year old young men generally have no real feel for the nature of PSU/UA games of the past or how excited the fanbases of both teams are about this game. However... there's always a however isn't there, I'm sure they do have a feel for the idea that the Zips are lightly regarded and generally thought of in their minds as being somewhere above San Jose State and below Troy. I'm also rather sure the players know PSU has a huge stadium and that playing against a Paterno coached team is rather special.

Point being the players surly will see the teams as different in their minds, but nothing like the fanbases. As Coach Saban is always teaching the only thing that matters is each play and dominating on it, PERIOD! If this team has learned that lesson, a hard taught lesson from 2010, they'll be just fine against Akron and PSU.

Schlante & Roll Tide,
Phillip

Ps thanks sip for some 'football' talk!

Pps kudos to the Zips. (not just for their relief efforts, thank you zips) One thing is for sure, Bama would want no part of the Akron soccer team... NONE! The advantage would be about 3-10 times what our football advantage is!

 

[gumptider]

So what you're saying, Sip, is that Kent might turn into Superman?

 

[ken01fan]

In my opinion if this game is close we might as well forfeit the rest of the season!

 

[RTR91]

A heavy dose of Trent and Eddie and then the QBs will sling it. I agree that CNS won't WANT to embarrass Kent State, but I doubt he wanted to do the same to Michigan State. Sometimes you can't help but score if you break a tackle (ala Eddie's long run). The QBs will throw the ball, a good bit probably, because he is going to want to be able to throw the following week in Happy Valley.

 

[theBIGyowski]

I don't see this game being close at all. It's not because Kent State isn't good enough to keep it close, but rather because we are going to be that good. Remember that you have guys who will be playing hard-nose football for the first time in 8 months. They will be ready to put a hat on a hat and light someone up. The last time they played on that same field, they lost a demoralizing game to Auburn. They will remember that. This game will be about redeeming our home field. I don't see us running up the score, but I know our defense is going to focus on every single play, something they didn't do last year.

We saw what we were capable of against Michigan State, and we have a lot of those playmakers back from both sides of the ball. Let's also not forget that this will be a special game because of the storms and tornadoes that ravaged the state and especially Tuscaloosa. If you don't think our players will be 100% focused on this game against Kent State...you're crazy. These guys play football to play the game...not observe it from the stands and comment on message boards. They see it as one game at a time because they love to play it.

RTR

 

[squalor]

So what you're saying, Sip, is that Kent might turn into Superman?

That was funny right there, that was a good'n.

 

[crimsonaudio]

If Bama shows up like they did against Michigan State, it'll be over at half time. And it will be ugly.

Of course, that is true for almost every game on our schedule this year.

 

[rizolltizide]

We'll crush them.

 

[CHATTBRIT]

It was not that long ago that a little team from the Southern Conference, App State, took a road trip to Michigan to make money and ended up winning the game in the Big House. After that hurtful and painful loss against the Barn last year, I hope our team takes no one for granted.

 

[RTR91]

It was not that long ago that a little team from the Southern Conference, App State, took a road trip to Michigan to make money and ended up winning the game in the Big House. After that hurtful and painful loss against the Barn last year, I hope our team takes no one for granted.

Yea and that Michigan team would lose to at least 5 of the current SEC teams.