My Two Cents (11/12)-What is wrong with Alabama?

The Alabama Crimson Tide will not repeat as national champions; this season will not shape out like 2007 where a two-loss team gets into the national title game. With Boise and TCU still undefeated, one of them will certainly (I can hear Lee Corso saying, “Not so fast”) get the nod to play for the national title if Oregon or Auburn lose, over a one-loss or two-loss team.  However, if Oregon and Auburn remain undefeated then all bets are off for the two Non-AQ teams.

This year the running game has yet to get on track, who
are you looking at/for? We are looking for  you, Mr. Ingram.

With two losses on the season, Nick Saban can rally the troops for one last hurray with a win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. I think the nation and me included have been spoiled by the running game with Mark Ingram (former Heisman winner), Trent Richardson along with impact wide receiver Julio Jones and QB Greg McElroy. I really thought that Richardson was going to trump Ingram in production and have the nation talking Heisman but it has not panned out that way.

After Alabama’s come from behind win at Arkansas, I stated that they would not lose another game all season long. I just did not see it and strongly believed it. They showed much resolve being behind and not panicking and that is a testament to the players and Saban and his staff. However, South Carolina made it look too easy jumping out to a large lead and holding the Crimson Tide at bay for the win. I really think the game in Fayetteville, AR took a lot out of ‘Bama, physically and mentally they were drained. Think about it, a team trying to repeat as national champion; the amount of pressure and scrutiny from the press is insurmountable. But who does not believe in Saban and how he has his guys dialed in like are a platoon ready to storm the coast.

Staying on top in any sport involves luck to some degree; you have to have a nugget of it while going through the weekly grind of games, meetings and practices. A two-loss Alabama team is not the end of the world for the people in Tuscaloosa, but they want more and deserve that much. The problem lies in the offensive line, which is not getting the push and is not dominant like last season, And a very green secondary is also the problem. Gamecock wideout Alshon Jeffrey (who I believe is the best in the SEC) made them look silly in their Oct. 9^th showdown, pulling in 127 yards on seven catches, yikes!!!

The young defense is not as formidable like the veteran-led squad from last year. The secondary needs some time under their belt to gain confidence and experience. Teams now know that they need to bomb away on the secondary and you will find success. And what is so important in football is making tackles, playing the ball (as a defender) and playing smart (no costly penalties); not doing any of these things can lead to six points or change field position. It really is vital that players stick to their assignment.

Nick Saban is a very good coach and approaches his craft like Bill Belichick (of the Patriots) with determination and focus. But anyone can be out coached and schemed; no one is exempt from that. So yes, Les Miles got one up on Saban and his crew and Steve Spurrier with his athletes put it to them. But it still remains that Saban is a good coach and his track record speaks for itself and his players buy into him. Without a good running game, the pass cannot be set up and vice versa. A decent quarterback will be good if he has a good running game, for this will set up play-action passes and open up passes to the flats and underneath.  No one can say that McElroy is a game-manger at the quarterback position (maybe that was true last year); this year you can see his level of maturity and knowledge of the offense.

The Crimson Tide need to find ways to resurrect their running game, get better offensive-line play, spruce up the play-calling on offense (use some trick or gadget plays), take some risks and hopefully than can flourish. Consistency is the key with this squad and playing hungry.