Saban Ball
by Bamagrad on Dec 8, 2010 6:30 PM CST
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PrintFootball coaches are notorious creatures of habit. Our coach, Nick Saban, is no different. And though our 9-3 regular season is disappointing when considering the hype with which the year began, as well as the return of what looked to be an offensive juggernaut, it probably should have been expected. Examining Saban's track record, it's clear that he wasn't suddenly going to abandon his tried and true philosophy in favor of an offensive-minded approach, regardless of whom we had running the ball or catching passes.
Simply stated, Nick Saban plays to win with defense and error-free, just enough offense. The most telling statistic is this: at both LSU and Alabama, Saban has a 69-6 record when holding opponents to 20 points or less; however, he is only 21-21 when his opponents score 21 points or more. His teams are not built--physically, fundamentally, or philosophically--to consistently win games in which their opponents score 21 points and up. They never have been and they likely never will.
As helpless as we felt while watching some of those games, we should have considered the likelihood of a loss once South Carolina, LSU, and Auburn scored 21 points. Now that's not to say that a Saban team should just quit once an opponent scores 21 or more, and I'm sure Saban would be the first man to say the scoreboard should have no impact on a player's intensity. But the fact that any opponent was able to gash our defense and create scores was a clear sign--like a four run inning against an elite pitcher--that we didn't have our best stuff. As for Saban, a .500 record in one set of games, compared to a .920 winning percentage in better defensed contests, is evidence of a coaching comfort zone.
In games like the 2007 Arkansas game, the 2008 Florida game, the 2009 Auburn game, and the 2010 SC/LSU/Auburn debacles, winning and losing wasn't a matter of well-conceived gameplans and brilliant strategy. It was a coinflip, and in these games, Saban is no better than average. When he cannot control the details, when he can't hold a lead, run the clock, and control field position with overwhelming defense he's not going to be successful.
That said, perhaps our 2011 worries shouldn't begin with replacing Julio Jones and Mark Ingram and finding an NFL-caliber quarterback to replace Greg McElroy; they begin with fixing a defense that yielded un-Saban-like performances throughout the 2010 season. The philosophy will not change. Saban will not concede scores or yards so the offense can get the ball back. He will never become Gus Malzahn, Mouse Davis, or Chip Kelly. The Alabama defense must live up to Saban's intense expectations if they/we are going to be successful. For 2011 and beyond, that is where we first need to improve. That is where--as long as Saban's our coach--we/Alabama will need to show most improvement if we are going to win, because that is how Nick Saban teams win.
FanPosts are just that; posts created by the fans. They are in no way indicative of the opinions of SBN and the authors of Roll Bama Roll.
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From a gambling standpoint
These are some of the things I look for when betting. The numbers and personnel might indicate one thing, but Saban is a total creature of habit. When examining lines and the over/under, a coach’s philosophy can have a major impact. You just have to have a feel for the coach and understand how he uses the clock.
It’s a lot like the way certain managers manage a baseball team. They have an exact formula for winning and if removed from that formula by unexpected outcomes they will look rather feeble and out of sorts.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
Yep, 2nd that.
The Philosophy doesn’t change. Saban’s defensive system and preparation rules, and he and the staff build the players up into it.
On offense, sure, you’d love to pound the ball at will, who wouldn’t? But the challenge is making the most of the talent on hand. Next year, we have sort of a blank slate, assuming Julio and Ingram are gone. McElroy’s replacement will have to make do with Maze, et al, to throw to, in between giving the ball to Trent and friends.
Changing sports again, Wimp Sanderson was great at that. He had a couple seasons with very few or no reliable scorers, but by God could they play lockdown D. And his teams consistently gelled and peaked around the SEC tournament.
I never really disappear
I just get busy as hell sometimes and by the time that I get a chance to post anything I’m either exhausted or bothered with a bunch of work to do at home.
But I’ll try to be on here more…hopefully. I’m still pretty busy.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
Well after the IB
I figured a few of us, including myself took a step back. You can really tell with the recent fanposts.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
are you telling me my posts aren't jaw dropping
It is good to have ya back Bamagrad.
(Disclaimer: This is The GTO Judge’s mobile posts so you are being warned of the following: The Judge can not spell and his grammar ain’t no good. In addition, these are the ramblings of a Lawyer/Rockstar/Crimson Tide fan with very little football knowledge outside of the SEC. One more thing, My Judge is Carousel Red not F’ing orange. I hate orange!)
by TheGTOJudge on Dec 8, 2010 8:35 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
i honestly think
new members should have a 30 day hold on posting fanposts…
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
I waited over a month before I posted to get a feel for how fanposts were supposed to go.
Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is. - Josey Wales
by The GTO Judge on Dec 9, 2010 8:42 AM CST up reply actions
its not even how they are formated but what they say...
we aren’t AL.com. This might sound rude but i don’t really care what every joe blow thinks about the season, auburn, the NCAA, Urban etc. After 30 days those who are just looking to get a rise out of us or just trying to spit garbabge would have lost interest. Hence why i told Bamagrad it was nice to see him again.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
I agree Bammer
I admit that I don’t know all that much about football, certainly not at the level BamaGrad, OTS, Todd, and Kleph know it. That is why I don’t post that much. Plus how much can be added to what is written by the afore mentioned people. I try to keep my fan posts to a minimum.
Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is. - Josey Wales
by The GTO Judge on Dec 9, 2010 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
I've never produced a fan post
I’m not clever enough. You guys are easily offended by mediocre work so…..
.
I pretty much just ghost through here most of the time.
Hold my beer and watch this.
u guys are easily offended by mediocre work so…..
I blame Saban
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
by bammer on Dec 9, 2010 11:11 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree...
…I’m rarely offended by bammer’s posts….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 9, 2010 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Moi?
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 9, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
+1
"I guess I must stutter. Did I stutter? I'm not very clear on how I articulate. Maybe I need to go back to West Virginia and get some more hillbilly slang and maybe everybody can understand me a little better." - Nick Saban, because reporters haven't learned.
by BamaReturns07 on Dec 10, 2010 8:20 AM CST up reply actions
I've been
here since June of 2009 and I’ve only put up 3 fanposts. lol I got great responses from those 3 and people liked them. Most people have the interesting stuff covered in the fanposts before I get on during the day so I just stick to commenting mostly.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 9, 2010 2:12 PM CST up reply actions
Hope I'm not one of them.
But I did wait for about a year to start posting.
Yes GMAC, I am your father!
Not so much that I don't care to read their opinions
(OK, well sometimes it is that) as much as it’s just that they don’t need to be separate posts.
QUACK QUACK!!
I missed you too
But heard about you filming The Expendables 2, so no worries.
"I guess I must stutter. Did I stutter? I'm not very clear on how I articulate. Maybe I need to go back to West Virginia and get some more hillbilly slang and maybe everybody can understand me a little better." - Nick Saban, because reporters haven't learned.
by BamaReturns07 on Dec 10, 2010 8:23 AM CST up reply actions
I can't really argue your point
But, you have to admit that, without a couple of fumbles and a dropped pass at the goal line, we would have beaten by 2 touchdowns an Auburn team that scored 28 points. Still, it might have just been my imagination, but it did seem that we went from a wide-open offense in the first half to a more conservative approach in the second half. ?
Dr. BamaFrazier is IN!
Oh, no doubt
You’re right about that. And the records show that in forty-two games of allowing twenty-one or more Saban is 21-21. He wins as often as he loses.
It’s not that we couldn’t have won the 2010 Iron Bowl or 2008 SEC Championship or other games, it’s that those games didn’t follow Saban’s desired plan and honestly, he’s not as comfortable in this kind of game IMO as he is in a game in which he can dictate more of the outcome.
To be honest, I don’t know if Saban is the perfect coach in a game tied 24-24 late in the fourth quarter. He’s more successful when he can control the action rather than when he has to force the action late.
That’s not a criticism as much as I think it’s a characteristic of his coaching. Some guys want the ball last to win the game. They anticipate it. I really don’t think Saban ever looks at a game and imagines and anticipates winning in this fashion. He’s the consummate defensive-minded coach. He wants to hold the scoring down. Offensively, he seems totally fine scoring just enough to have a cushion. Then he sits on the lead.
I don’t think anyone can criticize it because he’s won a hell of a lot of games. But his teams are sure vulnerable when their defense isn’t up to snuff.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
If anything
this should give us hope for next season. Because the difference won’t be improved offensive play or an offensive dropoff.
The difference will be a revitalized defense. As long as Saban’s the coach, we’re never gonna pile up huges point totals on a regular basis. We’re never going to run a high-risk, high-reward offense, and we’re going to always play with the mindset that our defense can hold offenses to an average of 260 yards and 10-13 points per game. If our defense can’t, we will lose games like the three we lost this year and the two we lost in 2008.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
I think you are right on the offense but Saban preaches
playing 4 quarters. We’ve scored 40+ points multiple times and in those instances we never let off the pedal. What ive seen from our offense the last couple of seasons is complacency in the 2nd half after building big leads. I would like to see us wait till the 4th quarter before letting off the gas.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
Or they pick a half to kill and the other to sleepwalk
That’s what has been so frustrating this season. To me, it’s more of an immaturity/leadership thing. You expect to have ebbs and flows in games but this year’s squad (against many opponents) was feast or famine.
TN – 2nd Half
FL – 1st Half
AU – 1st Quarter
Miss St – 2nd Half
Ark – 2nd half
Yes GMAC, I am your father!
Include Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings in this coaching philosophy.
All 3 of these guys where run first and pass if necessary. Heck, Stallings couldn’t stand Homer Smith because he didn’t fit this philosophy and it made him uncomfortable.
I think he has high expectations of his defense.
He expects his D to not allow the other team to score, and he directs his offense accordingly. Unfortunately that doesn’t always work out.
QUACK QUACK!!
That is true.
As BG said Coach Saban is a man of habit. IMO he went conservative to limit our turnovers.
As far as Bama goes next year, AS BG said Coach will always focus on D. I think Coach Saban farms the O to coach Mac. I think that Coach Saban has little input for O desicions during the game. I mean he makes the major desicions like should you go for it on fourth down. But I doubt he does the play by play. I could be wrong but I think that is where the disconnect happens during games. AKA the WTF plays
(Disclaimer: This is The GTO Judge’s mobile posts so you are being warned of the following: The Judge can not spell and his grammar ain’t no good. In addition, these are the ramblings of a Lawyer/Rockstar/Crimson Tide fan with very little football knowledge outside of the SEC. One more thing, My Judge is Carousel Red not F’ing orange. I hate orange!)
by TheGTOJudge on Dec 8, 2010 8:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sold analysis.
This is the very reason I was weary of 2010. If we had won the games we lost, 42-35 or something it would have been totally out of character for Coach Saban. We scored 20+ points in every game this year. The last time Bama did that was 1973, which by the way we won a NC. In a way our offense was as consistant and productive as it has been in nearly 40 years even though we had some troubles running the ball.
But, it was on defense that we really fell down. The only teams to score more than 20 on us, we lost to them.
And for all those blasting our second half play calling it was very similar to the NCG. We lead by 18 in Pasadena and 17 in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban figures with that kind of a lead he will not lose it unless he turns it over. The truth is we should have scored a TD when we got a TO and settled for FG, and we should have stopped Auburn in the 4th when they went for it 4th and 2. The final score should have been 31-21 Bama.
So, inspite of 2010 I am very optimistic about 2011 because we will be better on D.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
agreed 5026
(Disclaimer: This is The GTO Judge’s mobile posts so you are being warned of the following: The Judge can not spell and his grammar ain’t no good. In addition, these are the ramblings of a Lawyer/Rockstar/Crimson Tide fan with very little football knowledge outside of the SEC. One more thing, My Judge is Carousel Red not F’ing orange. I hate orange!)
by TheGTOJudge on Dec 8, 2010 9:00 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
This is an excellent post.
Also, some great feedback and analysis. Good Bama fans, the whole lot of you. RTR
"I do whatever they want me to do," he said. "I’ll punt it if that’s what they want." Julio Jones after rushing for a 56 yd TD vs Miss. St.
Nice Insight
I think much 2010 “issues” hinged on not having Cody and Deadrick eating up the defensive LOS. Look back on Sabans LSU squads and names like Chad Lavalais, and Glenn Dorsey come to mind.
I just looked it up, the 04 LSU team finished ranked 16. They were 9-3.
Damn good analysis
There are those coaches who excite the crowd by always being a “roll the dice” type and that is certainly not Coach Saban. I think we can all be thankful that we don’t have a coach who has that mentality. Not to be judgemental of other coaches, but the ones who play it fast and loose also seem to have their fair share of divas and problem-children recruited in their ranks.
Granted, I cannot remember the recruit’s name, but he is USC-bound and his signature was contingent on another player from his school/family joining him. THAT is exactly what Saban DOESN’T want at The Capstone and God’s speed to him on that mission.
Charles Martel, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Raymond IV the Count of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, St. Joan of Arc and Napoleon Bonaparte -- all of good stock.
by TiderUpNorth on Dec 8, 2010 10:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions
you may be thinking of Keenan Allen
talented ath who plays for Cal.
by JDinGeorgia on Dec 8, 2010 11:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I appreciate your comments, fellows
I think we can be very good in 2011, but a number of things will need to happen.
1. We need our defensive line to become a dominant group again. Perhaps Jesse Williams is the player to step in from the JUCO ranks and provide that constant anchor that we seemed to miss in 2010.
2. If Barron returns, imagine a secondary with Green, Lester, Barron, Kirkpatrick, Milliner, and Fulton. With or without Barron, I have the feeling they will improve with another year of Saban’s coaching.
3. The linebacker corps has the chance to be the best we’ve had in many, many years. They do, however, need to establish a consistent first group. It seemed like every game in 2010 we had a different set. Some of this was the result of injuries, but some of it wasn’t. With the amount of time it took the defense to get lined up (we were out of position on many occasions in several key games—we saw it, Saban commented on it—and this was costly) it is imperative that the linebacker corps become cohesive. This can happen if players can claim roles, stay healthy, and know their assignments.
4. The pieces are there (and on their way) for the 2011 defense to be fantastic. The players will need to continue to make progress.
I have complete confidence that they will.
The SEC is a veteran league. We were not the most veteran team in 2010 and it showed. The bowl game against MSU is a chance to start 2011 off right and then we can continue to improve in off-season conditioning and spring ball.
Our defense can be stout in 2011. I think one of the main reasons our running game never took off in 2010 is that the defense wasn’t a safety blanket. With a better defense we can pound the ball confidently in the fourth quarter.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
I think...
…one of the main reasons our running game never took off in 2010 is that MI and Trent were rarely, if ever, at 100%, and we clearly missed Mike Johnson, and to some degree Drew Davis on the OL. OK, so maybe that’s more than one main reason, and I don’t mean to discount your comment about the relationship between the quality of the defense and production in the running game, but our OL was clearly weaker this season, as were our RBs wheels.
I hope you’re right about Williams, because our DL is losing its best player, and it needs to improve dramatically. I do expect to see a much-improved LB corps, assuming Chris Jordan and Nico Johnson are healthy…and especially if Hightower regains half a step. I’m very excited about what we should see from our secondary next season.
I don’t know if we’ll be BCS championship material next season, but I like our shot to win the SEC as much as anybody, and we see what that title has meant for the past five seasons. Either way, I’d rather be holding our cards than anyone else’s. It’s great to be from Alabama.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 9, 2010 12:11 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Good point about the backs
I haven’t seen much said about Trent in the IB, except for the dropped pass. But he looked awful when he was trying to run the ball; he couldn’t turn the corner with any acceleration, couldn’t make the usual cuts, and he had considerably less leg strength. With the benefit of hindsight: I wish we had played Lacy instead of Richardson.
I think Williams will be great at Alabama. And I really hope I’m right ‘cause you’re absolutely right about us needing him or someone like him.
"We knew we had to turn it up or we would get beat. We ripped the knob off. We turned it up so much we broke the knob." - Roy Upchurch after beating Florida in the 2009 SEC Championship Game
by bearbryantwonit on Dec 10, 2010 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
I think the pieces at LB and DB
are really going to come together.
The DL is a question as we all are hoping Williams becomes the next Cody.
Whatever happened to the Ivory kid, I’ve heard nothing on him since we signed him?
I’m hoping Square and Murphy have breakout seasons and I think they might.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Good question on Ivory.
He was a so called diamond in the rough. He was blowing through HS competition and because of his school being a small one he flew under the radar. But his measurables are impressive. He’s a prototypical NT for the 3-4 weighing in at 330 lbs and 6’ 3’’.
.
Overall this years defensive line looked small. We didn’t have the penetration we’re used to. Line play was a huge dissapointment in 2010.
Hold my beer and watch this.
There are
2 or 3 solid TWSS’s in those comments.
I agree though, we need to get more meat on the DL. (3, 2, 1…)
"I have tried to teach them to show class, to have pride, and to display character. I think football, winning games, takes care of itself if you do that." -Paul W. Bryant
I know there's a sign somewhere around here that says
Don’t Feed The Animals. But I really couldn’t resist. The monkeys are just so darn cute.
Hold my beer and watch this.
Haha
True.
Back on the serious side, I said several times this year that our front 7 weren’t near as productive as we had hoped for pre-season. Size was a factor for sure. You just aren’t going to be overly successful in the SEC with undersized linemen, offense or defense. I’m betting our defense looks much better next year if ol’ Jesse performs anywhere close to the expectations.
"I have tried to teach them to show class, to have pride, and to display character. I think football, winning games, takes care of itself if you do that." -Paul W. Bryant
I read on BOL earlier this year
that Saban was tempted to not redshirt A Hubbard DE/LB. He showed himself to be a force on scout team D the only thing holding him back was his weight. Some people said he would have worked his way into the starting rotation by game 3 much like Mosely did. I’m expecting a great 2011 for him and the entire defense as a whole especially if Bama gets Caraden DE to sign along with Williams. Next years D will be much improved, it’s not speculation.
Hold my beer and watch this.
I'm guessing that we thought Chapman would hold the point better than he did this year
or else we wouldn’t have redshirted Ivory, but that’s my purely uninformed guess.
QUACK QUACK!!
I'm
excited about Mosely…You can just tell by watching him play that he has “it” and is gonna be the next stud linebacker like Rolando and Demeco.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 9, 2010 2:22 PM CST up reply actions
Yes Sir CJ does have "it"
But even he was undersized for the position this year. Looking at the defense there were several guys who were a bit small. I have faith our strength coaches will begin the process of turning these guys into beast.
Hold my beer and watch this.
thanks, BG
this type of info is why i visit this site! As an aside, Football is hard for women to learn, understand and analyze. We don’t play the sport and therefore have never been coached. i’ve been following the ball (ie, watching offense) since coach lombardi, but defense is an absolute mystery to me. thanks for the assist!
I love Saban's defense first attitude
but the offense has to learn to score more points or better yet continue to score points. We can’t rely on the defense to hold teams to 14 or less points in order to win. This defense that was much maligned all season was 5ith in scoring defense at just 14 points a game. Factor out the GSU and SJS games the defense still held opponents to just 16 points a game. Thats more than enough to win games. Its been our offenses inability to sustain big leads and keep the intensity in the 2nd half that has hurt us more than our defense.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
This statement...
Its been our offenses inability to sustain big leads and keep the intensity in the 2nd half that has hurt us more than our defense.
…applies to a grand total of one game we played this season. Somebody still has an “Iron Bowl” hangover….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 9, 2010 11:43 AM CST reply actions
Even in the IB
if the D had played like they did in the 1st half we still win.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Considering the adversity they faced in the second half—Baron’s injury and the inability of the offense to move the ball—I felt our defense played well in the second half. Overall, considering the level of competition, it was probably the best defensive performance for an entire game all year.
Ok, but Barron should have
not been in the game if he was injured. That is either on him or the coach that knew.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Who would have replaced him? Serious question.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
by bammer on Dec 9, 2010 4:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe.
Even in hindsight I wouldn’t say that it is necessarily true. Mark Barron with no arms might still be more effective than Will Lowery if Auburn doesn’t recognize that there is something wrong with him and starts attacking him. On the second play of the second half, Lowery may not have even come close to making a play on the ball or making the tackle. How would you know one way or the other? I think there is enough difference in their abilities to say the issue would be in doubt.
But even if I accept the premise that it was a mistake to leave Barron in the game, I still stand by my comment above. This was the best full game performance on defense out of the entire year, for whatever that’s worth.
And I think I read that the coaches decided to leave him in.
I think Auburn may have seen MB
all taped up and just decided to test him to see what was up.
And, if we are so weak and thin at saftey that we have to play a guy that cannot lift his arm above his head then we are a very poor D indeed.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Yes
As BamaGrad mentioned in the post itself, our offense has actually been more prolific than a Bama offense has been in decades. No, it hasn’t been to the level of Auburn or Oregon, but it’s been good enough to win at least some of those games we lost given a good defense.
I think part of the reason it’s so much easier to complain about the offense is the fact that everyone expected the defense to drop off, whereas there was an expectation that the offense would be very good. The O actually was pretty good in my opinion, but simply not good enough to make up for all the youth on defense. Injuries didn’t help either. But anyway, the fact that we expected it doesn’t change the fact that it was the defense that let too many opportunities slip by and allowed too many big plays from opposing teams.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Dec 9, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
I think a case could be made
that we were the best Bama offense since 1973. We scored 20+ points in every game and than has not happened since 1973.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
are points scored the sole indicator of the "Best Offense"?
I would say no, and that we weren’t, because our o-line sucked and our rushing game was pretty bad considering we had the best backfield in the country (arguably).
Besides, how many of those 20+ points per game came from defensive TDs?
I’m not arguing the point, just looking at other variables.
"I guess I must stutter. Did I stutter? I'm not very clear on how I articulate. Maybe I need to go back to West Virginia and get some more hillbilly slang and maybe everybody can understand me a little better." - Nick Saban, because reporters haven't learned.
by BamaReturns07 on Dec 10, 2010 8:24 AM CST up reply actions
Well, according to the NCAA our offense averaged 34.58 ppg.
Nevermind
After looking at it some more, the NCAA just took the total amount of points and divided by 12. I’ll have to research this some more to see how many points we scored on Defense.
So after looking at it some more. Our offense averaged 32.42 ppg. Our defense/special teams scored 14 against GSU, 2 against USC, 7 against Florida, and 7 against Duke. So the offense scored at least 21 in every game except USC. In that game we only scored 19.
Still, I think 5026’s point is valid. We scored 21 points or more in every game but one and in that one we scored 19. That’s pretty impressive no matter how you slice it. In 2009 we had at least 2 games where we failed to score more than 20 points. And at least 4 times in 2007 and 2008 (including a 20 point effort against Tulane and 17 points against Kentucky, both at BDS).
Which game did we score 19 pts.?
And, even though some were defensive TD’s my point is it has been since 1973 that we were able to rack up AT LEAST 20 Points in each and every game. Hey, we played defense pretty godo from 73-2010 and we still never scored 20+ in each game.
In my mind, scoring X amount in every single game is the key. Some teams can score tons against GSU, but get shut down by LSU. We were never shut down, not even once. That is a sign of a really good offense with a really good leader (GMac) and even though we had problems running the ball the point of offense is to score.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Our offense only scored 19 against USC. BR07 asked how many games did defensive and/or special team scores push us up over 20. THe answer is one. Our defense got a safety (more specifically, Garcia got us a safety) and our offense only managed 19.
Fair enough
but the bottom line is we did score 21 and that is over 20 and that had not been done by any Bama team since 73, and only twice in the history of Bama, the other being 45. Considering all those other years when we had at least 1 game (1 game in 09, 83, 82, 79, 78, 77, and 75, ), and usually more than 1 game (4 games in 92) that we did not score 20 or more well we played defense then and even with defense help it has been 38 years since we hit 20 every single game.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
True...
if you only look at this season. But its obvious we’ve had problems with sustaining big leads dating back to ’07. This year the defence actually played much better than most expected sans for 2 maybe three games.
All you have to do is look at points scored in 1st half’s and compare that to 2nd half scores and you’ll that the offense loses its intensity or focus way too early.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
That type...
…of statistical comparison can be misleading, especially if you’re kicking the snot out of a team early. You run a more conservative offense to kill the clock, you work your way down the depth chart to garner experience for other players, etc….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 9, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
Seems this year in colllege footbal, the well executed spread offenses
with superior talent rocked unsuspecting, disoriented defenses.
This article says to me that we may struggle with some teams under Sabans philosophy. But so be it. I love defensive football. Lets hope we play some next year.
I love posts like this...
…it’s helpful when y’all crunch the numbers for us. I feel like Bama’s MO has always been a conservative offense and a devastating defense, and I like it that way. Maybe that’s why Coach Saban is such a good fit.
It’s like the ubiquitous “they” say…“Defense wins championships.”
by Queen of the Universe on Dec 9, 2010 3:50 PM CST reply actions
But why must we have a conservative offense? I can’t figure out if it’s personnel or coaching.
www.FitnessYourWay.wordpress.com
by bammer on Dec 9, 2010 4:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think it was that conservative.
First time since 73 we scored 20 or more in every game and only 3rd time in Bama history. this may have been the best offense we will see in our lifetimes. Their only problem was the offense could not sack the other teams qb or stop a 3rd and 7.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Again
the third down defense was EXCELLENT all season. Second in the conference and top 15 nationally. You really need to find something legitimate to bitch about.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
I'd like to see that stat applied to the top half of our schedule.
We’re trying to compete for an NC. It doesn’t matter how much you dominate your cupcakes on third down.
Here ya go
Barn 31%, LSU 35%, Ms. St. 50%, USCe 55%, Arky 20%, PSU 36%, UF 23%
We had two bad games in this area and split them. Our problem was inopportune big plays given up, not long drives by opponents. Big plays can be blamed on youthful lapses which portends well for the future.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Alabama 2010
Was only beaten by a total of 18 points, 14 by SC, 3 by LSU and 1 by the barn. Sounds like the defense was pretty damn good to me. Keep up the good work Coach Saban.
In 07 we lost 6 games by only 36 points
the exact same ratio you mention. I would not consider the 07 team to a pretty good defense and I doubt you could get Saban to say the same about that D or the 10 D.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Well
let me put it this way…. I would take Bama’s 2010 defense over the defenses of both teams that are in the NC game this year. If this defense hadn’t given up 4 or 5 big plays they would be one of those teams playing for the NC.
No doubt our D is better than both
teams in the BCSNCG. However, the whole point of this post was that we are not going to run the kind of offense that Oregon or Auburn runs. We are going to be a defense first team that will play a little conservative on offense. That is the opposite of Auburn or Oregon.
Saban has way and they have their way. Saban’s way will win, and in the long run it will win more than their way. It just happened that this year our D was not quite as good as we had been and even though our O was somewhat better, it would not be enough at Alabame because we are a defense first team.
However, look at what happens when you are a spread, read option, offense first team and you have a down year because your big guns are gone. That is called Texas and UF.
And next year that is called Auburn.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
You are right
I got off a little because of something said about the defense. I like the way Saban coaches this team. With his way we will have a very good chance to win it all two years in a row and then have an off year like this one. I can deal with a 9-3 season when I know that the following year will be a good one and then another great one after that.
By the way
If anyone thinks 9-3 is bad then they need to think back to the bad years when we went to bowls like The Music City Bowl and even stayed at home.
Too easy.
You really wanna say that?
RBR's King of Hip-Hop...
by SpockJenkins on Dec 11, 2010 3:09 AM CST up reply actions
TWSS
Too easy
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Dammit I thought I hit that button!
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
TWSS
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 11, 2010 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Fuck, and I needed to keep reading!
RBR's King of Hip-Hop...
by SpockJenkins on Dec 11, 2010 3:09 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I'm not so sure this means what you think it means...
The most telling statistic is this: at both LSU and Alabama, Saban has a 69-6 record when holding opponents to 20 points or less; however, he is only 21-21 when his opponents score 21 points or more.
It is a telling statistic, but what it is telling is not necessarily what you are suggesting. Here are some other teams records over the past five years when keeping their opponent below 21 points, followed by when their opponent scores 21 or more:
Florida
46-2 when holding opponent under 21
9-11 when opponent > 20
Georgia
30-3 when holding opponent under 21
14-17 when opponent > 20
Auburn
31-4 when holding opponent under 21
14-14 when opponent > 20
LSU
33-3 when holding opponent under 21
17-12 when opponent > 20
Oklahoma
32-3 when holding opponent under 21
21-12 when opponent > 20
Texas
35-1 when holding opponent under 21
15-14 when opponent > 20
Texas Tech
20-1 when holding opponent under 21
24-19 when opponent > 20
Ohio State
50-2 when holding opponent under 21
5-7 when opponent > 20
It seems to me that there is nothing unique to Saban with that sort of difference in winning percentage.
formerly 'ud2'
No one said Saban was unique in his approach
I was really just looking at our coach and his strategy at both LSU 2000-2004 and Alabama 2007-2010. I would not have put the number at 20/21 if I were examining some of the other programs you mentioned. Stoops, Tressel, Tuberville, and Brown are very similar in their approach.
They’re all creatures of habit and that’s why they’re so consistent.
"Open your mouth again and I'll nail it shut." Henriques, COMMANDO (1985).
Look at LSU winning a lot of
high scoring games. Miles has Voodoo.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Look at LSU...
…playing a lot of high scoring games. In five years, their D has allowed >20 in 29 games. In double that time, Saban’s defenses have allowed that many points in 42. I’ll take our guy.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 11, 2010 5:49 PM CST up reply actions
Some might say “the grass is always tastier on the other side.”
RBR's King of Hip-Hop...
by SpockJenkins on Dec 14, 2010 4:05 AM CST up reply actions
Hope he doesn't eat grass when he visits the barn
might get some combo of mad cow and e-coli.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Miles' has swallowed worse.
RBR's King of Hip-Hop...
by SpockJenkins on Dec 14, 2010 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
TWSS
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Dec 14, 2010 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
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