Monday am Football Overreactions
First of all, when I am wrong, I admit I was wrong. On Saturday, my predictions were horrid. Auburn had no chance. Bama would rebound from the Georgia loss for me to light up a victory cigar. Notre Dame would win their only challenge of the year. Miami would blow the doors off Florida State and Ole Miss would struggle with Missouri.
That’s 5 wrongs in the sentence alone.
When Alabama went into Knoxville, they had a few things going against them: First, the starting center was injured. The reason that matters more than any other lineman is because he calls the overload side, so all the linemen and backs know who to block. His backup did a good job but there was no continuity.
Tennessee’s new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, is one of the best in the nation. The noise added to the confusion, especially with a first-year quarterback in his first intimidating road experience. Starkville was cow bell loud but not like 100k orange hillbillies smelling blood.
Being without their best receiver, Williams meant the Vols didn’t have to double team anyone. That freed up an extra defender to pin his ears back. The Tide’s biggest inside defensive lineman was also out of the game. It showed when Tennessee gashed the Tide up the middle.
That’s enough using injuries as an excuse. Every team has injured players late in the season.
This is hard to say since as a former coach, I tend to protect the coaches since I know what all goes on in staff meetings in preparation for a game. Here is what happened:
This might have been one of the worst prepared Bama teams going up against one of the Tide’s “Big 4:” Tennessee, Georgia, LSU and Auburn. If you put on that crimson jersey and can’t get ready for any of these four teams, you need to see a cardiologist cause your heart needs fixing. Or replaced.
Preparation starts with the head coach, then the coordinators, and then the position coach. On offense, defense and in the weight room, Bama looked outmanned. I told friends who were watching the game together that the Vols big men reminded me of the way it USED to be when Alabama got to the fourth quarter. To borrow a Nick Saban quote: “Make their a$$ quit.” The difference? The big boys were wearing that puke orange.
The only semi-bright spot early on was the defense which held the Vols to 4 early field goals, especially after giving them short fields. Eventually, since the Tide had no offense, the defense got worn down. Many fans want to blame the defense, but you can see how the 2 sides play off each other. I thought Bama would make it tough on their inexperienced quarterback, but he looked poised and steady.
I still can’t understand the missed tackles and the cushion our corners gave the receivers. A quick hitch means a 5-yard gift. Add a missed tackle or poor angle and it’s another first down. This is 2 weeks in a row where our linebackers looked out of place and confused. Pass rush was supposed to be our strength. That’s what file work is for.
On the other side, Tennessee’s defenders were pointing and calling out some of Bama’s plays from the line of scrimmage before the snap. That’s film study and good practice reps and recognizing certain personnel groupings.
Bama’s offense had no continuity, rhyme or reason. It all starts with a solid running game to set up the passes. Earlier, we were using the tight ends and swing passes to the backs. Not Saturday. To help a young quarterback, you can do any of the following: either have a back chip off the defensive tackle to slow him down; keep a back or tight end into to block; go empty by spreading them out for quick passes; run pass plays that don’t take forever; or run draws and screens to keep the rush honest.
Kalen DeBoer said after the Georgia game that we couldn’t allow Georgia to beat us twice by being unprepared for Tennessee. As a Tide fan and alumnus, we got spoiled by coaches named Bryant and Saban. Losses hurt but can be tolerated when there appears to be preparation, effort and pride. None of that existed on Saturday.
Kirby Smart is probably the best coach in the nation. However, his overall record shows that every year, the Dogs have one “out of character” down game. It happened in Athens against Auburn after jumping out to a 14-0 lead. After beating Alabama last week, the rat poison was everywhere, especially as a 20-point favorite.
Coach Alex Golesh had the Tigers prepared AND believing. Auburn played with more energy and poise and the scoreboard showed it. If you can’t inspired by Auburns winning kicker, Alex McPherson and his medical story, you have problems, regardless of your favorite team.
Golesh reminds me a little of Pat Dye in that he is more hard-nosed than the last 3 coaches and he has slowly put his stamp on the program. They beat the Dogs without their top linebacker, Xavier Atkins. Golesh gave no reason for his suspension except to say he is no longer practicing with the team and everything will be handled in-house.
Nobody knows why he is suspended but give credit to the coach. Atkins talent is off the charts, but this is an example of coaching leadership that will pay off in the future. Nobody knew the future would start on Saturday. Nothing is harder for coaches than holding a player out, especially one who is a difference-maker. Need examples? How about Joe Namath and Ken Stabler being suspended by Coach Bryant?
Saturday might have been the wildest day of upsets on the same day. Losses by Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Alabama and a struggle win by Miami over FSU.
My Cohiba cigar will go back in the humidor and wait for next year’s third Saturday in October. I will be there.
If Bama lays another uninspired egg, DeBoer might be watching back on the left coast.
That’s a true example of overreaction.