IS THE TIDE SECONDARY READY FOR A REAL TEST?
THE Tide secondary will face its first big test this weekend. After a shaky start in half one against Wisconsin, the Tide seems to have settled down and has been playing some pretty good ball. No doubt in today's high octane and sophisticated offense throwing a shutout is almost impossible. If I had to label what defensive backs really do these days, I'd call it damage control.
I believe Tide coaches have the right formula to minimize damage. They have enough depth to keep fresh bodies in the game. Alabama has plenty of great defensive linemen. They also have a lot of depth in the secondary. The experience might be a little lacking with the DBs but they have some physical talent. If you look at the adjustments that the coaches made for the second half it had to be reassuring. The young backs like Marlon Humphrey upped their game and held Wisconsin without a touchdown. At least until the second and third teams played. One area that continues to concern me is that the line hasn't put a great pass rush on the field to date. It may be that Tide coaches were playing it close to the vest against Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee State.
You can argue that the Tide sack attack has been lacking for a while now. As the DB situation proves itself we will likely see more blitzing from Kirby Smart. The pieces to have a really great defense are on the field. Now they need some playing time and success to build on. Ole Miss has proven they can score points. Two games with over 70 is remarkable. Granted, they were not facing top defenses. One thing that impressed me about the Ole Miss offense in games one and two is that they didn't stop themselves. Chad Kelly, who was recruited twice by Alabama, is a good quarterback. How he does against great athletes remains to be seen, but you don't get the feeling that he'll panic.
We all keep reading that the defenses will catch up with these new fast paced offenses. I haven't seen any proof of that yet, have you. Historically, the Rebels have had a tough time against Alabama. In 2013, Ole Miss had a super signing class. It was the class that Hugh Freeze believed would take Ole Miss to a different level in the SEC West. If the first two games are any indication this weekend is going to be one heck of a game. I caught a great deal of heat about questioning the Alabama quarterback situation. Fair enough. I'd like to think that one of our two quarterback candidates had put up numbers like the Ole Miss quarterback did in his first two games.
I have to believe that the Tide has better talent top to bottom. Will that be enough to beat a red-hot Ole Miss Rebel offense? I hope so. For the Rebels this is the most important game of the season. For the Crimson, it is just another opponent that would rather Alabama than any team on their schedule. It might turn out that this is the most important game for Alabama this season. Obviously, the talent in the SEC West is evening out among all the teams. There are no more easy games in the SEC. Talent is better overall now than in my lifetime as an Alabama fan. Ask an embarrassed and humbled Auburn about the distribution. There are no more easy games. If Jacksonville State University can embarrass the Barn then anything seems possible. I think it will take 'Bama's best effort. Will the Tide need to play a perfect game to win? I don't so, but they better play better than last week.
History suggests that Alabama should win this game. I've checked the roster and can't find anyone named History suiting up on Saturday. I think this is going to be one heck of a game against a much underrated Ole Miss.
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| Humphrey is looking good... |
I believe Tide coaches have the right formula to minimize damage. They have enough depth to keep fresh bodies in the game. Alabama has plenty of great defensive linemen. They also have a lot of depth in the secondary. The experience might be a little lacking with the DBs but they have some physical talent. If you look at the adjustments that the coaches made for the second half it had to be reassuring. The young backs like Marlon Humphrey upped their game and held Wisconsin without a touchdown. At least until the second and third teams played. One area that continues to concern me is that the line hasn't put a great pass rush on the field to date. It may be that Tide coaches were playing it close to the vest against Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee State.
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Fitz is getting a lot of PT |
We all keep reading that the defenses will catch up with these new fast paced offenses. I haven't seen any proof of that yet, have you. Historically, the Rebels have had a tough time against Alabama. In 2013, Ole Miss had a super signing class. It was the class that Hugh Freeze believed would take Ole Miss to a different level in the SEC West. If the first two games are any indication this weekend is going to be one heck of a game. I caught a great deal of heat about questioning the Alabama quarterback situation. Fair enough. I'd like to think that one of our two quarterback candidates had put up numbers like the Ole Miss quarterback did in his first two games.
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| Bama wanted Kelly |
History suggests that Alabama should win this game. I've checked the roster and can't find anyone named History suiting up on Saturday. I think this is going to be one heck of a game against a much underrated Ole Miss.
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