Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[STLDomer]

Golic Jr talking now on ESPN bowl mania about offense

 

[ACamp1900]

Gotta love oversigning, greyshirting and cutting the weak links, eh?

First thing I thought also, but so it is...

 

[Bishop2b5]

I agree. I was talking about this earlier with my uncle. He is worried about Saban's gameplanning abillities, he is without a doubt the best at dissecting other teams, but Brian Kelly has shown he can adjust during the game. I think it will be a chess match.

My biggest worry is your offensive line late in the fourth quarter. Every game I have seen of Alabama this year their offensive line just takes control mid 3rd quarter to the final bell. ND has to move the ball and keep the chains moving not just to score points, but also to rest our defense for the fourth quarter battle.

Its going to be a great game.

24-20 ND

I agree about ND having to move the chains to keep your D off the field. From what I've seen, your guys are very well conditioned, but everybody has their limit. Nobody's D can stay on the field forever without being exhausted in the 4th quarter. I'm expecting a back and forth game that comes down to the 4th quarter, much like the Bama-UGA game last week. I just hope you're wrong about the 24-20 ND thing!

 

[Bishop2b5]

Gotta love oversigning, greyshirting and cutting the weak links, eh?

I understand the dislike of Saban doing it, but it is within the rules. He works the rulebook for all it's worth, but until the rules change....

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I understand the dislike of Saban doing it, but it is within the rules. He works the rulebook for all it's worth, but until the rules change....

Those are things ND voluntarily chooses not to do for ethical reasons. So when you tout 'Bama's superior depth as a major advantage in the upcoming title game, it's not going to be received well.

But props to you for at least acknowledging that Saban engages in such practices.

 

[jimmymac]

I understand the dislike of Saban doing it, but it is within the rules. He works the rulebook for all it's worth, but until the rules change....

As my business law professor would say, "that which meets the legal minimum does not necessary meet the ethical one." If it makes you sleep well at night to say its within the rules, then feel free to say it. Just know that several recruits every year are tossed to the curb and taken scholarships away...

Ps don't mean to bust your balls, I appreciate your discussion, but I ****ing hate oversigning.

 

[jimmymac]

Those are things ND voluntarily chooses not to do for ethical reasons. So when you tout 'Bama's superior depth as a major advantage in the upcoming title game, it's not going to be received well.

But props to you for at least acknowledging that Saban engages in such practices.

Good minds think alike hahaha

 

[STLDomer]

I agree about ND having to move the chains to keep your D off the field. From what I've seen, your guys are very well conditioned, but everybody has their limit. Nobody's D can stay on the field forever without being exhausted in the 4th quarter. I'm expecting a back and forth game that comes down to the 4th quarter, much like the Bama-UGA game last week. I just hope you're wrong about the 24-20 ND thing!

Your OLine is scary good but you are correct, our players are very well conditioned and IF (its a big and important if) we can run our O the way we want with long drives we can keep our D rested and wear down your D which is not as well conditioned as ours IMO, after all "everybody has their limit."

 

[Bishop2b5]

Good luck to you as well.
-You're offense plays right into our defensive strengths. You guys like to run the ball and play smash mouth football. Our defense is built to stop that.
-I'm interested to see if you guys double Eifert. If you do, that will leave either Daniels or Riddick in a one on one battle. I like Theo all day in that.
-I think Russell will be on Cooper with a safety over the top. Taking him out of the game.
-Kelly will have Golson ready to roll. He has gotten better almost every game this year. Think of Johnny Football
-Our defense isn't like Georgia's. UGA seemed very undiciplined on D, missing tackles and all. We are pretty much the exact opposite.

It will be a good one. It feels great to be back. Hopefully we are back for good. With the way these two programs are playing. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of each other in the future

It's likely to be a combination chess match and Ali-Frazier war. Both coaches will be making a lot of adjustments and counter-adjustments. Be ready for some wrinkles and surprises from both sides. In the end though, it will still come down to execution and which team can exert its will on the other. Both teams are disciplined, tough, and talented.

As for ND being back for good, I think so. Kelly's built this team the right way. I don't see any gimmicks or short-term fixes, nor just a flash of luck. Solid recruiting and good development of those recruits, plus the right attitude and approach makes this look like a solid return to elite status for the foreseeable future.

 

[Bishop2b5]

As my business law professor would say, "that which meets the legal minimum does not necessary meet the ethical one." If it makes you sleep well at night to say its within the rules, then feel free to say it. Just know that several recruits every year are tossed to the curb and taken scholarships away...

Ps don't mean to bust your balls, I appreciate your discussion, but I ****ing hate oversigning.

The oversigning thing isn't as bad as most believe, and certainly not what it was a few years ago. SEC rules now allow a team to only sign 27 and bring in 25. That just allows for 2 who might not qualify. If all of them qualify (and we've only had 2 in the past 3 years who didn't), then you still can't bring in more than 25 and have to grayshirt the others, who will count against the following year's class. In the end, we still can only bring in 25 per year, just like everyone else. Where Saban gets the most heat is in making the 85 limit and making room for 25 new players each year by weeding out a few nonproductive players each year from amongst those already on scholarship. Is it cutthroat and tough? Sure, but this is a tough business. Not very different from the NFL or the jobs where most of us work. You get your opportunity and you either produce or they find someone else who will.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

You serious Clark? The band will be there

Yeah, serious question. Happy to hear the news.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is it cutthroat and tough? Sure, but this is a tough business. Not very different from the NFL or the jobs where most of us work. You get your opportunity and you either produce or they find someone else who will.

These are student athletes. The only compensation they're receiving in exchange for their rare and valuable athletic ability is a degree. ND ensures that virtually all of its kids graduate, while Saban has no problem kicking kids to the curb if they couldn't make the two-deep. What happens to those kids that Saban cuts loose? Do you care?

That's indefensible.

 

[Bishop2b5]

These are student athletes. The only compensation they're receiving in exchange for their rare and valuable athletic ability is a degree. ND ensures that virtually all of its kids graduate, while Saban has no problem kicking kids to the curb if they couldn't make the two-deep. What happens to those kids that Saban cuts loose? Do you care?

That's indefensible.

They are no longer on an athletic scholarship and counted against the 85 scholarship limit. They DO still receive a scholarship (medical, as student assistants, academic, etc., whichever is appropriate), so they don't lose out on a chance to continue their education at the school's expense. It's not like they're kicked to the curb and their opportunity for an education is taken away.

I realize this is a hot button topic, but there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about what actually happens. To the best of my knowledge, other than players kicked off the team for academic or behavior issues, Saban has never pulled a player's athletic scholarship at Bama without seeing that he still had a scholarship to continue his education.

 

[aubeirish]

These are student athletes. The only compensation they're receiving in exchange for their rare and valuable athletic ability is a degree. ND ensures that virtually all of its kids graduate, while Saban has no problem kicking kids to the curb if they couldn't make the two-deep. What happens to those kids that Saban cuts loose? Do you care?

That's indefensible.

This^^.
Also, recruiting is not an exact science. You have no idea how student athletes will pan out once they get to college. Having an extra 20-30 players over a 4 year period is tremendous advantage. You get to only to keep the best. The NCAA talks about leveling the playing field, and this is the first thing they need to get rid of.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

They are no longer on an athletic scholarship and counted against the 85 scholarship limit. They DO still receive a scholarship (medical, as student assistants, academic, etc., whichever is appropriate), so they don't lose out on a chance to continue their education at the school's expense. It's not like they're kicked to the curb and their opportunity for an education is taken away.

I realize this is a hot button topic, but there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about what actually happens. To the best of my knowledge, other than players kicked off the team for academic or behavior issues, Saban has never pulled a player's athletic scholarship at Bama without seeing that he still had a scholarship to continue his education.

I was under the impression that taking a "medical" (for athletes who suffer career ending injuries) was the only way to transfer an athletic scholarship into an academic one, but some quick online research wasn't able to confirm that. Are football factories really free to simply move kids off their roster and onto academic scholarship at will?

 

[Emcee77]

As my business law professor would say, "that which meets the legal minimum does not necessary meet the ethical one." If it makes you sleep well at night to say its within the rules, then feel free to say it. Just know that several recruits every year are tossed to the curb and taken scholarships away...

Ps don't mean to bust your balls, I appreciate your discussion, but I ****ing hate oversigning.

yes. reps.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I was under the impression that taking a "medical" (for athletes who suffer career ending injuries) was the only way to transfer an athletic scholarship into an academic one, but some quick online research wasn't able to confirm that. Are football factories really free to simply move kids off their roster and onto academic scholarship at will?

If a kid legitimately qualifies for an academic scholarship, then he can receive one just like any other qualified student. As for the football factory comment, you're buying into a stereotype that hasn't been true for some time. Bama, LSU, and UF have had very good APR scores, graduation rates, and academics for their football players for several years. Last thing you want to do at Bama is let Saban find out you've been skipping class or making bad grades.

Over the past 5 years, we've led the nation in Academic All-Americans, had a Rhodes Scholarship finalist, Barrett Jones took both the top academic awards this year, Ingram was on the dean's list when he won his Heisman, and Trent Richardson had a 3.66 in real estate finance. The days of players "just playing football" and being kept eligible with easy classes and little work have been gone for a long time.

Are our football program's academics as strong as ND's? Probably not, but few teams' are. We're not as far behind as you might believe, though. One of Saban's big things in recruiting is getting smart players who'll work as hard in the classroom as on the field.

 

[TheChosen1]

Ryan Grooms‏@NDFBEquipment

First batch of jerseys just showed up, here is @MTeo_5 jersey https://twitter.com/NDFBEquipment/status/278200877599301632/photo/1

Names on back

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Ryan Grooms‏@NDFBEquipment

First batch of jerseys just showed up, here is @MTeo_5 jersey https://twitter.com/NDFBEquipment/status/278200877599301632/photo/1

Names on back

Was hoping we'd be wearing the white ones.. Looks good though!

 

[CTIDANDREW]

They are no longer on an athletic scholarship and counted against the 85 scholarship limit. They DO still receive a scholarship (medical, as student assistants, academic, etc., whichever is appropriate), so they don't lose out on a chance to continue their education at the school's expense. It's not like they're kicked to the curb and their opportunity for an education is taken away.

I realize this is a hot button topic, but there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about what actually happens. To the best of my knowledge, other than players kicked off the team for academic or behavior issues, Saban has never pulled a player's athletic scholarship at Bama without seeing that he still had a scholarship to continue his education.

With respect, because you have done nothing but bring good educated football discussion. Could you care to explain to me how Texas A&M currently have 34 "Student Athletes" committed to this years recruiting class. Riddle me that.

Plus, they're still actively recruiting other high school athletes. Honestly, I'm asking... how does the NCAA allow this?

 

[Irish#1]

I've enjoyed chatting with opponents' fans all season and hope to do the same here for the next few weeks. Don't worry, I avoid the trash talk, bragging, unrealistic fantasy predictions, etc.

First, I've seen some comments about how Bama hates ND. Maybe 35 years ago, but that was mostly frustration over the narrow losses that cost us a couple of NC's. We have a lot of respect for your program. Let's face it - we're probably the two most legendary, storied programs in CFB. Rivalry? Yes. Hatred? No. We're actually pretty happy to see your return from obscurity. We had our own decade of being lost in the wilderness, so we know how it feels and how good it is to finally get back to the top.

As for the upcoming game, I see three things in our favor, and I'm sure you will be able to point out some similar advantages for your side.

1. Saban - Given 5 weeks to break down film and gameplan you, he's almost impossible to beat. He'll also do a great job of keeping the players' heads on straight and having them prepared for virtually anything.

2. Offense - Our D's are about equal, but I think we have a significantly better O. ND has a good O, but Bama's is somewhat better. McCarron doesn't make many mistakes, Cooper is a serious threat at WR, our O-line is probably the best in the country, and two big fast backs will just wear you down eventually.

3. Depth - We have more depth than any other team in the country. We can just keep throwing fresh bodies at you and rotating players in until almost any opponent just gets worn out.

All that being said, I think this is going to be a heck of a good game. Two old-fashioned, smash mouth football teams loaded with talent going at each other for a full 60 minutes. Real grown man football at its finest. Best wishes to you, it's an honor to be playing you for the title, and welcome back.

Good points and welcome to the board. Saban is a great coach, but if you give any good coach a month to prepare for a team they should be able to find plenty of things to attack or change. Playing ND for the NC isn't the same as playing LSU for the NC after playing them previously. You really don't know how strong or fast a team really is until you see them on the field.

I firmly believe ND's D line will be able to stand up to the Tides O line. ND rotates players on a regular basis, plus Nix usually commands a double team which takes away one of the Tides strengths which is to go man on man because of the size and strength. Bama may be as well conditioned as the Irish, but they aren't better conditioned.

Not too many are discussing ND's ability to run the ball against the Tide's D, but if they are successful, it will cause a lot of problems for Alabama.

 

[Cackalacky]

They are no longer on an athletic scholarship and counted against the 85 scholarship limit. They DO still receive a scholarship (medical, as student assistants, academic, etc., whichever is appropriate), so they don't lose out on a chance to continue their education at the school's expense. It's not like they're kicked to the curb and their opportunity for an education is taken away.

I realize this is a hot button topic, but there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about what actually happens. To the best of my knowledge, other than players kicked off the team for academic or behavior issues, Saban has never pulled a player's athletic scholarship at Bama without seeing that he still had a scholarship to continue his education.

I may be wrong, but I think California is the only state that requires a student athlete to receive a scholarship should their athletic career at the school come to an end for any reason other than academic negligence (and that was just enacted recently). I know of no other school that actively touts they honor their athletic scholarships as academic or medical, except ND where you get 4-5 years no matter what. I would gladly love to learn about other schools who would give a former football athlete an academic scholarship who could not perform on the field.

It is my understanding once you are no longer on athletic scholarship, the remainder of your education is up to you.

 

[chicago51]

Good points and welcome to the board. Saban is a great coach, but if you give any good coach a month to prepare for a team they should be able to find plenty of things to attack or change. Playing ND for the NC isn't the same as playing LSU for the NC after playing them previously. You really don't know how strong or fast a team really is until you see them on the field.

I firmly believe ND's D line will be able to stand up to the Tides O line. ND rotates players on a regular basis, plus Nix usually commands a double team which takes away one of the Tides strengths which is to go man on man because of the size and strength. Bama may be as well conditioned as the Irish, but they aren't better conditioned.

Not too many are discussing ND's ability to run the ball against the Tide's D, but if they are successful, it will cause a lot of problems for Alabama.

I think it is a valid point. ND ran the ball fairly well againt the Standford front seven, who I think is on the same level with Alabama. I don't think we will see any long bust out Cierre Wood vs OU type runs, but I think they will be able to move the chains.

 

[Cackalacky]

Good points and welcome to the board. Saban is a great coach, but if you give any good coach a month to prepare for a team they should be able to find plenty of things to attack or change. Playing ND for the NC isn't the same as playing LSU for the NC after playing them previously. You really don't know how strong or fast a team really is until you see them on the field.

I firmly believe ND's D line will be able to stand up to the Tides O line. ND rotates players on a regular basis, plus Nix usually commands a double team which takes away one of the Tides strengths which is to go man on man because of the size and strength. Bama may be as well conditioned as the Irish, but they aren't better conditioned.

Not too many are discussing ND's ability to run the ball against the Tide's D, but if they are successful, it will cause a lot of problems for Alabama.

Yup. I heard Kelly mention Carlise during an interview recently as a possible back, though the way he mentioned him was weird. I wonder since it is 2013 if he can play and it not count for this years time.

I also don't know who on Alabama is planning on covering Eifert and their LBs are not fast enough for our slots and Riddick. Their secondary is prone to mistakes and blown coverage. I would exploit that all day long with Eifert out wide. WE are also supposed to get DD back by the game as well.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Good points and welcome to the board. Saban is a great coach, but if you give any good coach a month to prepare for a team they should be able to find plenty of things to attack or change. Playing ND for the NC isn't the same as playing LSU for the NC after playing them previously. You really don't know how strong or fast a team really is until you see them on the field.

...

Saban's a great coach, but he doesn't "scheme" any different before bowl games. He's much more Bill Parcells than Bill Walsh.

Think about it -- did they do anything different against Utah? Texas? Michigan State? LSU? Of course not. His "scheme" itself is to play sound defensive fundamentals, power-run, have easy QB reads/play action, and not turn the ball over. And when that itself usually wins you the game, why scheme anything else?

 

[NDohio]

Saban's a great coach, but he doesn't "scheme" any different before bowl games. He's much more Bill Parcells than Bill Walsh.

Think about it -- did they do anything different against Utah? Texas? Michigan State? LSU? Of course not. His "scheme" itself is to play sound defensive fundamentals, power-run, have easy QB reads/play action, and not turn the ball over. And when that itself usually wins you the game, why scheme anything else?

I agree. IF Saban feels the need to scheme differently for UND then a tiny victory is already won. He doesn't do that very often.

That puts us in a very good position to become .........

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Yup. I heard Kelly mention Carlise during an interview recently as a possible back, though the way he mentioned him was weird. I wonder since it is 2013 if he can play and it not count for this years time.

I also don't know who on Alabama is planning on covering Eifert and their LBs are not fast enough for our slots and Riddick. Their secondary is prone to mistakes and blown coverage. I would exploit that all day long with Eifert out wide. WE are also supposed to get DD back by the game as well.

Not sure speed is something that can be knocked when speaking of the most elite SEC defense. I have every bit of confidence in our slot WR, but what makes you think anyone else in the SEC doesn't have that kind of play-making ability on their team as well?

I agree, though. Eifert may give them all kinds of fits and that mismatch may warrant double teams leaving some one-on-one matchups w/ our other playmakers.

 

[chicago51]

Saban's a great coach, but he doesn't "scheme" any different before bowl games. He's much more Bill Parcells than Bill Walsh.

Think about it -- did they do anything different against Utah? Texas? Michigan State? LSU? Of course not. His "scheme" itself is to play sound defensive fundamentals, power-run, have easy QB reads/play action, and not turn the ball over. And when that itself usually wins you the game, why scheme anything else?

I do remember last year against LSU that Bama D audibled virtually every play. Is this the norm for Saban D's? or was that because of the extra time to scheme for the bowl game? (Don't know thats why I'm asking) It may have just been because Saban was extremely familar with LSU and the fact that the LSU offense was very predictable based on personel groupings, formations, etc but Bama looked like they knew every play before it happened that game.

 

[Cackalacky]

Not sure speed is something that can be knocked when speaking of the most elite SEC defense. I have every bit of confidence in our slot WR, but what makes you think anyone else in the SEC doesn't have that kind of play-making ability on their team as well?

I agree, though. Eifert may give them all kinds of fits and that mismatch may warrant double teams leaving some one-on-one matchups w/ our other playmakers.

I understand your point, my point is that our slots should have a big game. They do have the fastest of the fast LBs in the SEC, but that does not mean there wont be space to exploit, which is my point and I did a poor job conveying. The LBs also have to worry about covering Everett and his mobility as well as matching up with our run game, something they had trouble with against TAM. I think if we can keep them off balance, its an edge to us.

I dont know how much its been discussed but how much of our playbook have we actually shown this year? It does not seem like much. Mostly north-south running, throws to Eifert out wide with a sprinkling of deep balls along with the basketball pass sweeps. I hope Kelly opens up the book.

I mean literally, we ran the same running play 30 something straight times against Miami.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I do remember last year against LSU that Bama D audibled virtually every play. Is this the norm for Saban D's? or was that because of the extra time to scheme for the bowl game? (Don't know thats why I'm asking) It may have just been because Saban was extremely familar with LSU and the fact that the LSU offense was very predictable based on personel groupings, formations, etc but Bama looked like they knew every play before it happened that game.

Yeah, they actually change their D at the line a lot. Or at least a lot more than other teams do. Usually you're getting out of a more exotic package in response to some formation.