All Things Alabama

Dizzyphil

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Better protect the ball, Alabama is going to go for the strip every time someone is gang-tackled. Every time more than two people was making a tackle a safety or DB was in there just trying to strip the ball.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diz
 

Rocky2820

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I don't want to hear any crap about how much better Bama supposedly is than ND, and I also don't want to hear how we're going to beat the crap out of Bama. For the most part, these two teams match up well and it should be a pretty close game one way or the other.

The biggest advantage Bama will have is experience in this kind of game. This is why I'll gladly settle for a tied game after the first quarter. By that point our guys will be settled in and it'll just be football.

We can play with them, and they can play with us. Can't wait.
 
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koonja

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Brian Hamilton‏@ChiTribHamilton

#Alabama coach Nick Saban on BCS title game vs. #NotreDame: "I don't even know what the date of the game is."


I hate Saban.

Minimizing negative plays will be huge for us. Their DL could get a lot of TFLs on us.
 

Rocky2820

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Brian Hamilton‏@ChiTribHamilton

#Alabama coach Nick Saban on #NotreDame: "I'm not going to get ready to play them until we start practicing. So I've got a couple weeks."

He's so full of crap. Rest assured that the full gameplan will be developed over the next two weeks.
 

Woneone

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Brian Hamilton‏@ChiTribHamilton

#Alabama coach Nick Saban on BCS title game vs. #NotreDame: "I don't even know what the date of the game is."


I hate Saban.

Minimizing negative plays will be huge for us. Their DL could get a lot of TFLs on us.

Why do you think that?

I wasn't too impressed with their DL. I don't remember them getting any pressure without stunting.

Their LB's filled in gaps well, but, again, they were shoddy in pass defense.

I think we'll a few points when we get the ball. I'm just worried, as others have stated, that they'll wear down our D-Line.

Although, Georiga's run D just stinks. Does anyone know how big their linebackers are? They looked really, really small. I don't think Alabama will be able to go for 3-4-5 yards after contact against Carlo and Manti. EDIT: The linebackers of Georgia (that wasnt very clear when I reread it).

I think we'll keep it really close if we limit Yards after contact by they RBs, and I think we're a team, much like LSU, that can do that.
 
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Definitely agree. Of course, we'll have to deal with a nearly month-long, vomit inducing, cringe-worthy nonsense of how overrated ND is from the pundits and fanbases we've discussed ad nauseum around these parts, but the key for me is that the players will too. I saw numerous tweets from ND players welcoming the hate. They use it, take it in, and spin it into their already deep, dense motivation and team unity that they already have.

That's not to think that Bama isn't good. They surely are. They run the ball extremely well and seem to handle their business in an undeniably professional way. They'll be ready to go, and they will play physical for 60 minutes. That, for me, is the toughest matchup - 60 minutes of tough, physical battles in the trenches.

But ND has had those battles all year. That's why I don't understand the ignorance/arrogance and hate towards this Irish team. We've gone through several games just like the one Bama just won, where the team lays it all out there, fights hard and physical the entire time, and relies on their defense to pull it out. It is in those times that team brotherhood is formed, and that is one category where we have Alabama owned.

I know Bama is experienced in these matters, but I love our leadership. I also feel like their offensive strengths (physical, pro-style running game) play to our defensive strengths. Our linebackers will have their hands full, on top of the D line, but I really think that we match up much better with Alabama than we did with Georgia.

That said - f*ck Bama and their SEC identity arrogance. They spent 60 minutes battling in one of the better games of the year, and they celebrate by holding up SEC signs? That's just flat out embarrassing. I hope we come in and give them a punch in the mouth that they, their fanbase, and much of the national media seems to think we're completely incapable of giving.

This.
I completely agree. Go Irish!
 

OrlaNDomer

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1) They allowed more points to Georgia than we did to Oklahoma and USC combined (Who both have better offenses than Georgia). Their defense is very beatable. Move the pocket and let Everett make plays.
2) Outside of the game winning touchdown pass McCarron didn't impress me at all. He looks to leave the pocket way too early and often.
3) Their running backs and offensive line are legit. Will be the most important matchup of the game. Bama Oline+RBs vs ND front 7.

I believe ND can and will win if they play solid football.
 
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He should be suspended for that hit, but I don't think he will be. The SEC wants to win the national championship. They won't take any chances.
 

IrishLax

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If our DL can handle their OL... we've got a chance. Can our corners cover Amari Cooper 1v1? They held their own against Lee and Woods....

I'll state the obvious though... if we can't stop the run, our entire defensive strategy falls apart and we could be in for a 28+ point beatdown.

If our D holds up... let's be serious, there was nothing impressive about Alabama's defense today. I don't think our WRs we able to consistently make plays, but Eifert could dominate the middle of the field. Improvement in our red zone efficiency and our OL showing up are necessary. This game is winnable if Alabama comes out and plays super crappy like how they did today... but with multiple weeks to prep? I don't know... wish we were playing the game next weekend.
 

arrowryan

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If our DL can handle their OL... we've got a chance. Can our corners cover Amari Cooper 1v1? They held their own against Lee and Woods....

I'll state the obvious though... if we can't stop the run, our entire defensive strategy falls apart and we could be in for a 28+ point beatdown.

If our D holds up... let's be serious, there was nothing impressive about Alabama's defense today. I don't think our WRs we able to consistently make plays, but Eifert could dominate the middle of the field. Improvement in our red zone efficiency and our OL showing up are necessary. This game is winnable if Alabama comes out and plays super crappy like how they did today... but with multiple weeks to prep? I don't know... wish we were playing the game next weekend.

I think there will be safety help over the top against Cooper. He is really there only receiving threat
 

BGIF

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Did UGA have LBs?


Yes, I saw them before the snap but after the snap ... gone.

UGA had 5 men on the LOS but routinely Bama had the center and an OT take out the LBs BEFORE the RB got to the LOS. Other times I saw a Bama back break through a slim hole and there was nobody at the next level. DBs made the stop 8-15 yds downfield. Other times Bama's OLine open holes an 18 wheeler could have gotten through.

I was impressed with UA's OLine but underwhelmed by UGA's backers.


UGA had the 67th Rush Defense at 163 yds/game. By comparison:

56 Michigan 156
57 Southern Cal 156
60 Navy 160
67 UGA 167
72 Wake Forest 166
73 Nebraska 166
81 Purdue 180
86 Oklahoma 187
 

ChiRish

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If our DL can handle their OL... we've got a chance. Can our corners cover Amari Cooper 1v1? They held their own against Lee and Woods....

I'll state the obvious though... if we can't stop the run, our entire defensive strategy falls apart and we could be in for a 28+ point beatdown.

If our D holds up... let's be serious, there was nothing impressive about Alabama's defense today. I don't think our WRs we able to consistently make plays, but Eifert could dominate the middle of the field. Improvement in our red zone efficiency and our OL showing up are necessary. This game is winnable if Alabama comes out and plays super crappy like how they did today... but with multiple weeks to prep? I don't know... wish we were playing the game next weekend.

I agree. I think Bama will see how they succeeded in the second half and focus on establishing the run and then trying to open up the play action pass. I really think that we can manage that aspect of the game. The key will be staying disciplined.

I also agree that Bama's defense looks susceptible. Our offensive line is strong enough to foster enough of a run game to keep Golson comfortable.

Like I said earlier, I think this will be a close game that will come down to the wire because both teams match up so well in many different aspects. Intangibles like leadership and teamwork could thus be the deciding factor. I like our chances there.
 

Old Man Mike

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I posted this in the game thread but it seems to be dead in favor of this new one, so, I'm violating IE propriety by repeating it here. Sorry. Just in hope of stirring the conversation [although this old person has to go to bed now....]

Interesting game. All sorts of odd things about it.

1). Alabama's defense turns out to be far from impenetrable. We are always being accused of being frauds --- I'm wondering if there isn't a little fraudulence there. Georgia was "OK" offensively but I did not think particularly scary. If Everett has a good game, I see no reason why we will not move the ball.

2). Our quarterback, if he doesn't turn it over, is better than theirs, maybe significantly better --- certainly much more talented. Weird to say that going into an NC game. Our receivers also look more athletic than theirs, as a group anyway. They have nothing approaching Eifert, nor did Georgia.

3). Their running backs are brutal, but so are our tacklers --- we're bigger and stronger than Georgia defensively. Still those RBs pose our difficulty. Contain them, no ball turnovers, and we severely limit their scoring. Same verse, just like the first [twelve].

4). Richt was an extreme bonehead on the final offensive play --- nearly inconceivable. Had Kelly ever done anything that bad, half this board [the troglodyte half] would never stop screaming about it. Saban though did something nearly as stupid just before the first half end. He didn't use one of THREE timeouts he had in the last half minute, and blew two shots at a touchdown. Our coach, gentlemen, is the better in-game coach.

5). Georgia's defense was out-of-gas and almost completely quit in the second half --- over 300 total rushing yards, and Alabama still barely won. We are much the more physical defense than Georgia. And better conditioned. And probably deeper.

6). I am not sure that I would say that Alabama is clearly better than either Stanford or Oklahoma. Stanford's as tough, and Oklahoma's as fast or faster. Both are better than Georgia, even though Georgia is a good football team.

7). Alabama is VERY "simple" which is what Saban wants. They are a one-trick pony, albeit a powerfully effective one. Their entire game is brutal muscle. Georgia could not stand up to it. Texas A&M somehow could. The issue is: can Big Lou, Tuitt, and KLM look those guys in the eye and smile and shrug "bring it on"? Can Manti, Prince, Dan/Carlos, and Danny meet the two RBs at the holes and throw them down. Georgia couldn't; we're stronger. We'll see.

Anyone who assumes that this is going to be an obvious SEC win will be speaking purely from biased stupidity and emotionalism. Alabama rushing power vs. Notre Dame front seven power might create supercollider fusions leading to Black Holes in Miami.
 
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koonja

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Bama on offense reminds me of a slightly more talents Wisconsin offense of the past few years. Run, run, run, and run well.
 

NDFANnSouthWest

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I posted this in the game thread but it seems to be dead in favor of this new one, so, I'm violating IE propriety by repeating it here. Sorry. Just in hope of stirring the conversation [although this old person has to go to bed now....]

Interesting game. All sorts of odd things about it.

1). Alabama's defense turns out to be far from impenetrable. We are always being accused of being frauds --- I'm wondering if there isn't a little fraudulence there. Georgia was "OK" offensively but I did not think particularly scary. If Everett has a good game, I see no reason why we will not move the ball.

2). Our quarterback, if he doesn't turn it over, is better than theirs, maybe significantly better --- certainly much more talented. Weird to say that going into an NC game. Our receivers also look more athletic than theirs, as a group anyway. They have nothing approaching Eifert, nor did Georgia.

3). Their running backs are brutal, but so are our tacklers --- we're bigger and stronger than Georgia defensively. Still those RBs pose our difficulty. Contain them, no ball turnovers, and we severely limit their scoring. Same verse, just like the first [twelve].

4). Richt was an extreme bonehead on the final offensive play --- nearly inconceivable. Had Kelly ever done anything that bad, half this board [the troglodyte half] would never stop screaming about it. Saban though did something nearly as stupid just before the first half end. He didn't use one of THREE timeouts he had in the last half minute, and blew two shots at a touchdown. Our coach, gentlemen, is the better in-game coach.

5). Georgia's defense was out-of-gas and almost completely quit in the second half --- over 300 total rushing yards, and Alabama still barely won. We are much the more physical defense than Georgia. And better conditioned. And probably deeper.

6). I am not sure that I would say that Alabama is clearly better than either Stanford or Oklahoma. Stanford's as tough, and Oklahoma's as fast or faster. Both are better than Georgia, even though Georgia is a good football team.

7). Alabama is VERY "simple" which is what Saban wants. They are a one-trick pony, albeit a powerfully effective one. Their entire game is brutal muscle. Georgia could not stand up to it. Texas A&M somehow could. The issue is: can Big Lou, Tuitt, and KLM look those guys in the eye and smile and shrug "bring it on"? Can Manti, Prince, Dan/Carlos, and Danny meet the two RBs at the holes and throw them down. Georgia couldn't; we're stronger. We'll see.

Anyone who assumes that this is going to be an obvious SEC win will be speaking purely from biased stupidity and emotionalism. Alabama rushing power vs. Notre Dame front seven power might create supercollider fusions leading to Black Holes in Miami.

excellent post as usual.

This game is going to be a war!
 

dshans

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... Alabama rushing power vs. Notre Dame front seven power might create supercollider fusions leading to Black Holes in Miami.

Is this your way of saying that Nix should be elevated to status as "God Particle?"
 

Irish In KY

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One thing I noticed was that when Bama did get pressure on Murray, Bama was either stunting or collapsing the pocket. You have to think that Golson is more than capable of escaping said pressure, in turn, (hopefully) making plays downfield. His escapability is key.
 
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One thing I noticed was that when Bama did get pressure on Murray, Bama was either stunting or collapsing the pocket. You have to think that Golson is more than capable of escaping said pressure, in turn, (hopefully) making plays downfield. His escapability is key.

It's pretty well-known that Bama has struggled with mobile QBs which will be a big advantage. I like our match-up against them.
 
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I posted this in the game thread but it seems to be dead in favor of this new one, so, I'm violating IE propriety by repeating it here. Sorry. Just in hope of stirring the conversation [although this old person has to go to bed now....]

Interesting game. All sorts of odd things about it.

1). Alabama's defense turns out to be far from impenetrable. We are always being accused of being frauds --- I'm wondering if there isn't a little fraudulence there. Georgia was "OK" offensively but I did not think particularly scary. If Everett has a good game, I see no reason why we will not move the ball.

2). Our quarterback, if he doesn't turn it over, is better than theirs, maybe significantly better --- certainly much more talented. Weird to say that going into an NC game. Our receivers also look more athletic than theirs, as a group anyway. They have nothing approaching Eifert, nor did Georgia.

3). Their running backs are brutal, but so are our tacklers --- we're bigger and stronger than Georgia defensively. Still those RBs pose our difficulty. Contain them, no ball turnovers, and we severely limit their scoring. Same verse, just like the first [twelve].

4). Richt was an extreme bonehead on the final offensive play --- nearly inconceivable. Had Kelly ever done anything that bad, half this board [the troglodyte half] would never stop screaming about it. Saban though did something nearly as stupid just before the first half end. He didn't use one of THREE timeouts he had in the last half minute, and blew two shots at a touchdown. Our coach, gentlemen, is the better in-game coach.

5). Georgia's defense was out-of-gas and almost completely quit in the second half --- over 300 total rushing yards, and Alabama still barely won. We are much the more physical defense than Georgia. And better conditioned. And probably deeper.

6). I am not sure that I would say that Alabama is clearly better than either Stanford or Oklahoma. Stanford's as tough, and Oklahoma's as fast or faster. Both are better than Georgia, even though Georgia is a good football team.

7). Alabama is VERY "simple" which is what Saban wants. They are a one-trick pony, albeit a powerfully effective one. Their entire game is brutal muscle. Georgia could not stand up to it. Texas A&M somehow could. The issue is: can Big Lou, Tuitt, and KLM look those guys in the eye and smile and shrug "bring it on"? Can Manti, Prince, Dan/Carlos, and Danny meet the two RBs at the holes and throw them down. Georgia couldn't; we're stronger. We'll see.

Anyone who assumes that this is going to be an obvious SEC win will be speaking purely from biased stupidity and emotionalism. Alabama rushing power vs. Notre Dame front seven power might create supercollider fusions leading to Black Holes in Miami.

Great insight, as always. Go Irish!
 
B

Buster Bluth

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6). I am not sure that I would say that Alabama is clearly better than either Stanford or Oklahoma. Stanford's as tough, and Oklahoma's as fast or faster. Both are better than Georgia, even though Georgia is a good football team.

Stanford's Nunes is nothing compared to McCarron. That's a big difference. Stanford was one-dimensional.

Oklahoma didn't have the offensive line strength that Alabama has. That is the difference there.

7). Alabama is VERY "simple" which is what Saban wants. They are a one-trick pony, albeit a powerfully effective one. Their entire game is brutal muscle. Georgia could not stand up to it. Texas A&M somehow could. The issue is: can Big Lou, Tuitt, and KLM look those guys in the eye and smile and shrug "bring it on"? Can Manti, Prince, Dan/Carlos, and Danny meet the two RBs at the holes and throw them down. Georgia couldn't; we're stronger. We'll see.

I agree with the premise but I think we need to be weary of the play action big time. That pounding game makes Farley/Motta/Russel/Jackson more vulnerable than ever before.

Alabama is the real deal, but so is Notre Dame. I'm pumped.
 

Crazy Balki

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Bama on offense reminds me of a slightly more talents Wisconsin offense of the past few years. Run, run, run, and run well.

Similar yes, but not as effective. Lacy and Yeldon are good, but they aren't Montee Ball and James White good. Alabama's line is almost or about as good as that Wisconsin line. Difference is, while Ball wasn't as big as Lacy, he was just as powerful and a lot faster.

ND has faced RB's as good or better than Lacy and Yeldon (Le'Veon Bell, Stepfan Taylor, Damien Williams/Brennan Clay, Ray Graham, Curtis McNeal/Silas Redd). They also faced the best FB in college football (Trey Millard). So power running doesn't scare me at all. ND has seen it before.

Georgia couldn't handle it because they weren't coached very well on tackling. Georgia tries for the big hit and uses poor tackling mechanics, while ND wraps up and brings down the player and makes sure he's down.
 
H

HereComeTheIrish

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We'll see who has the "chest" to manage this game.
 
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