Some Thoughts On the Bama Game

[ShotgunDawg]

Only a couple of days away from the game & after listening & reading this week, here are some thoughts on what I expect:

- I don't think we can score enough to win the game, but, if we are able to, I think we need to somehow score 28 points. I think 28 points is the magic number that gives us a punchers chance, & to score that many will likely require a defensive or special teams score. I'm not sure that we can execute 4 TD drives. I think we can steal one & hopefully manufacture 2 more.

- That being said, I do expect Moorhead to dial up the most aggressive offensive game plan we've seen in years vs Bama. Why? Because he ain't letting the LSU game happen again. Moorhead has said more than once how much he lost his identity as a play caller in the LSU game, &, since this is his next real chance to redeem that game plan (SEC road game vs a top 5 opponent), I expect to him run the opposite of it. That means that you shouldn't expect the ball control offense you saw vs Bama last year. We can't run out the clock this year.

- The key for our offense will be Fitz getting the ball out of his hand quickly & us picking up blitzes. If we can do both of those things, along with our normal running game, I think we can give Bama's defense some issues.

- Although I expect to our defense to be challenged beyond their limits, I am fascinated by what Bob Shoop can come up with defensively. While Bama obviously blew out LSU, I thought LSU's defense was the first defense this year to provide "resistance" to Bama's offense but Aranda had to design a game plan without video of anyone else having success against Bama's offense in anything. Due to LSU providing "some" resistance, Shoop has something to work with this week. He has the chance to watch film, see some things that had success & take them a step further with good personnel. I expect Bama to score 32-37 points. That means if we score 28, we'll be in the game, but fall just short. At least it gives you a chance though.

- I'll be interested to see how our secondary plays. Do you provide cushion & prevent big plays or do you crowd the Bama WRs, hit them off the line, & hope our top notch DL can get there? We are going to need some big sacks that create long down & distance to get Bama's offense off field.

- Lastly, it seems like every time we play at LSU or Bama we make a catastrophic error in the first 5 minutes that puts us in a hole. Can we avoid that? Can we come out hot & put the pressure on them?

[dantheman4248]

Lotta good points. Hopefully Moorhead understands the importance of this game, as it’s the difference between mid-tier and NY6. Since 2009, the winner of this game has gone on to win the National Title 5 times.

[ShotgunDawg]

Lotta good points. Hopefully Moorhead understands the importance of this game, as it’s the difference between mid-tier and NY6. Since 2009, the winner of this game has gone on to win the National Title 5 times.

I think Moorhead gets it.

There is no way that a guy from the Northeast that just became an SEC Head Coach doesn't have this game circled in year 1. It's his chance to make a name for himself &, since he's never coached against Bama, he may have no fear of them, which might be a good thing.

[TrapGame]

There's a chance we catch them sleeping in the first half. They have the SECW locked up so I don't think they will be super sharp on either side of the ball. If we come in hot with a chip on our shoulder and make a game of it Saban will have to light up some ass at halftime. Then after the half they'll come back on the field and stomp a mud hole in our ass.

[msstate7]

Since 2009, the winner of this game has gone on to win the National Title 5 times.

This is a weird statement. It's true, but bama has won this game every time during your time frame. This game has no correlation with winning the natty

[TUSK]

This is a weird statement. It's true, but bama has won this game every time during your time frame. This game has no correlation with winning the natty

I think he left off the ****, 7....

[msudawglb]

This is a weird statement. It's true, but bama has won this game every time during your time frame. This game has no correlation with winning the natty

I think you missed the joke.

[Cooterpoot]

If we throw the ball over 30 times, the game is over. You can go look at the stats vs AL since Saban has been there and it dictates that. And throwing the ball vs LSU is what got us killed. Not ball control.

[msstate7]

I think you missed the joke.

Probably so... dan is a smart guy

[NCDawg]

I'm afraid if they kick-off to us and we go 3 downs and punt from our own 20 or 30, they will probably get the ball somewhere around the 50 yard line due to our inept punting. Probably won't take them long to score.

[TUSK]

I'm afraid if they kick-off to us and we go 3 downs and punt from our own 20 or 30, they will probably get the ball somewhere around the 50 yard line due to our inept punting. Probably won't take them long to score.

Not to be flippant, but punting might be the biggest advantage y'all have over Bammer.... no shit...

oh, and PAT kicking, too.

[dantheman4248]

I think he left off the ****, 7....

Technically correct is the best kind of correct.

[RocketDawg]

Lotta good points. Hopefully Moorhead understands the importance of this game, as it’s the difference between mid-tier and NY6. Since 2009, the winner of this game has gone on to win the National Title 5 times.

Unfortunately, every one of those winners has been Alabama.

[msstate7]

If we somehow did win this game, Moorhead would be an instant rock star. We would roll into a NY6 bowl. Not that I think there's even a chance, but fun to dream

[LC Dawg]

If we throw the ball over 30 times, the game is over. You can go look at the stats vs AL since Saban has been there and it dictates that. And throwing the ball vs LSU is what got us killed. Not ball control.

Are you saying Mississippi State's stats vs AL with Saban or everyone's? The only way anyone has beaten them lately is by throwing over 30 passes. Out of their last five losses the least amount of passes thrown was 29 by Auburn last year.

[klong-dog]

Not to be flippant, but punting might be the biggest advantage y'all have over Bammer.... no shit...

oh, and PAT kicking, too.

Uh no way your punter is worse than ours.

[TUSK]

Uh no way your punter is worse than ours.

Bet.

We fired our punter and had tryouts... he's a "preferred walk-on"....

It's sad, bro.

[BuckyIsAB****]

I know I started a thread earlier in the week saying we had a hell of a chance, and if all things were equal we would, but the more I think about it the less I believe the SEC will let us win this one.

It does this league no good for us to win this game

[DAWGS1]

I'm afraid if they kick-off to us and we go 3 downs and punt from our own 20 or 30, they will probably get the ball somewhere around the 50 yard line due to our inept punting. Probably won't take them long to score.

We cannot come out and go 3 and out. Ballgame if so. Need to score first or at least make uat punt 2-3 times to start the game to have a shot.
Still think the score ends up like 16-38 due to gifting them 14 points

[TUSK]

I know I started a thread earlier in the week saying we had a hell of a chance, and if all things were equal we would, but the more I think about it the less I believe the SEC will let us win this one.

It does this league no good for us to win this game

REC gonna do werk.*