Alabama v. Ole Miss: “If You’re Not Making Mistakes, You’re Not Doing.” – John Wooden

WORDS The Bamaist

Despite a circus-like atmosphere, that included a bowtie wearing College Gameday Crew and Katy Perry, Alabama looked like it was primed to escape Oxford with a gritty win after going up 14-3 heading into halftime, even though they had done plenty of “doing” so far in the game.  However, Ole Miss had other ideas.  Despite being limited to just 74 yards passing in the first half, and about half that rushing, Ole Miss hit its stride in the fourth quarter scoring two touchdowns late in the game to take the lead, albeit with the help of a fumble on the part of Alabama.  

In the fourth quarter Ole Miss found a formation that gave Alabama fits, the Rebels would load three receivers on one side of the field and would send their running back out as an additionally receiver, although a seemingly simple formation, it confounded the Alabama defense. Defensive leader Trey DePriest couldn’t decide whom to cover, and Alabama’s corners, for the second time this year, were simply abused, this time by the Ole Miss receivers.  

Even after giving up two late touchdowns, Alabama still had a chance to win the game with 2:54 left on the clock, the Alabama offense had a chance to win the game with a touchdown.  To start, Cyrus Jones made several great moves on the kickoff to get the ball out to the Ole Miss 45 yard line, but Alabama shot itself in the foot with a holding penalty and had to start from its own 13 yard line instead.  Bama rushed off 3 quick plays, hitting Christian Jones for 17 yards and letting Yeldon and Sims scamper for 11 more, then Sims hit Amari Cooper on a short cross that Cooper took for 30 yards, setting up a 1st and 10 at the Ole Miss 29.  It looked like Sims was on his way to an Alabama storybook win, and then OJ Howard jumped off sides after another great run by Yeldon, that would have set-up 3rd and 2 from the 22 yard line.  

Facing a 2nd and 13, with 0:52 left, Lane Kiffin drew-up a beautiful play.  Kiffin split 3 wide, kept 1 receiver on the short side of the field, and had OJ Howard takeoff down field.  The play looked to be working perfectly. 4 Ole Miss defenders flocked to the 3 wide, the short side corner stayed with the receiver, and the linebacker stayed home to spy Sims and Yeldon leaving 6-6 240 pound speedy tight end OJ Howard alone with 5-9 175 pound Senquez Golson.  Howard hit a hard sprint, had a step on Golson and made a quick break to the center of the field.  When I saw OJ make his break, a smile broke across my face, we had it, but then Sims threw the ball, high and straight right at OJ, and I shook my head, it was the wrong throw.  Sims threw the ball straight and high, forcing OJ to cut his route and track the ball, letting Golson and another defender converge on OJ, forcing a jump ball that OJ didn’t win.

So what should have happened? As soon as Sims saw OJ had the step on Golson, he should have thrown the ball to he middle of the endzone, aiming for the big red “M”, the throw would’ve allowed OJ to make his break and a clean defenseless catch.  If Sims didn’t think he had it, or couldn’t make the throw, he should’ve scrambled or thrown the ball away.  To set-up a 3rd and very manageable with 0:42 seconds left and 1 timeout.  

While some might not be concerned, I find it hard to see this Alabama team going better than 9-3.  The Alabama defense for the second time this year, was completely unable to mount any kind of pass rush against a team that they knew would likely throw the ball 30-40 times, and let a mediocre quarterback look brilliant.  Additionally, Alabama continues to look completely un-Saban like, leading the league in penalties and sitting dead last turnover margin.  There also seem to be some questionable personnel choices by the coaching staff, none more puzzling than right guard Leon Brown.  Brown is slow, not very strong, and is the most penalized player in the country, seriously, look it up, no one has been penalized more this year.

Alabama heads to Fayetteville on Saturday for what should be a bounce back win against team still trying crawl out of a grave, but this team has plenty to improve on before it can even think about sneaking into the playoffs.

#2 Alabama (2-0) v. Florida Atlantic (0-2): “We Talkin’ About Practice”

“We Talkin’ About Practice”

— Allen Iverson

Alabama’s home opener against Florida Atlantic, a team hopelessly overmatched, was more glorified practice than game, but the Crimson Tide welcomed the opportunity to make like a college freshman and do a little experimenting, not before building a comfortable lead of course, which didn’t take long.  

In the first quarter, starting quarterback Blake Sims got the Tide rolling early, leading three consecutive touchdown drives in the first quarter.  After a series of wide receiver screens, Sims ran for a 7-yard score, on the next possession Sims tossed a screen to Amari Cooper, which he took 52 yards for another score, then late in the first quarter the screen pass struck again this time to Kenyan Drake which he took 39 yards to make it 21-0.  Sims looked sharp early completing eight of his first nine passes, but like last week Sims never threw a pass further than 10 yards, something that will have to change once SEC play starts.

In the second quarter with the game pretty much in hand, Alabama provided fans with the long awaited debut of Florida State transfer quarterback Jacob Coker (6-4/230 lbs).  Early on, Coker looked nervous, he was having trouble getting plays from the sideline, couldn’t connect on simple throws, and missed wide-open receivers.  As Coker came off the field after his miscues resulted in Alabama having to settle for a field goal, he was met by Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin who told him, “don’t make us kick another field goal against these guys, its embarrassing.”  Needless to say the next drive resulted in a touchdown, a pass from Coker to Jalston “Nudie” Fowler.

However, just before half-time Coker made a mistake that prompted Coach Saban to give the fans his best Steve Spurrier impersination.  With 0:08 left on the clock and the ball at the Florida Atlantic 4 yard line, Alabama decided to run a quick pass to try and get one more touchdown before the half, but if the pass sailed incomplete they could at-least get 3 points with a field goal, all Coker had to do was (1) not let the time runoff the clock and (2) not get tackled, well, he did both.  The blunder prompted Coach Saban to give fans his best Steve Spurrier impersination, with one of the better headset throws I’ve ever seen followed by the adult version of WTF.

In the second half, Sims continued to look sharp and seems to be becoming pretty skilled at managing what looks to be a run & shoot offense similar to what the San Francisco 49’ers ran in the mid-late 1980’s with Amari Cooper playing the role of Jerry Rice and TJ Yeldon giving his best Roger Craig impression.  Although not as sharp as Sims, Coker showed fans why his arrival was so welcomed with some nicely thrown passes well over 40 yards.  

The star of the day however was once again Amari Cooper, who caught a school record 13 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown.  Amari is on pace for a special season, and needs just 866 yards receiving to become Alabama’s all-time receiving leader.

On defense, the Tide welcomed back middle linebacker Trey DePreist and cornerback Eddie Jackson.  Trey and Eddie’s returns seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.  There were few if any miscues on defense and players seemed to be able to get into position much quicker.  Its hard to tell how much the defense improved due to how bad Florida Atlantic was, but having Trey and Eddie back was certainly welcomed. 

With plenty of room to improve, Alabama will no doubt welcome another tune-up game next week against Southern Mississippi before Florida Gators head to Tuscaloosa on September 20th.

The Alabamist