The GAME

The GAME.


We have waited on this a long time.

I received a lot of emails after I broke down the Florida game and have been asked repeatedly on how we match up against UT.

Well here goes.

UT has a lot of talent.  All of those to 5 recruiting classes add up.  So what’s their problem you ask?  

First I think that their punter is having an awful year.  You have to be sound in the kicking game.  Their Special team coverage units are not very good either.  You guys probably know those 2 things and probably want to hear the Offense and Defense breakdown – but I thought it needed to be said.  

Schatz is hands down – a way better punter than UT’s guy.

On Offense UT has not been able to develop a identity.  With Rick Clausen in at QB their deep threat is horrible.  Spencer Pennington has a better arm than Clausen IMHO.  The result of this is BAMA can put Roman and Peprah deep to cover anything deep(about 20 – 25 yards max with Clausen in).  The other 9 guys are up close to the line hitting their receivers in the mouth as they try and start to run their routes(Bump and Run) or shift into a zone at the last second.

Clausen is very accurate up to about 15 yards and can dink you to death however(Ask LSU).  Now the secret is to try and rattle him and make him make bad reads and throw into coverage and maybe get a pick.  UT when Clausen is in will try more long time consuming drives.  

The problem for UT though is Clausen may be able to move them between the 30’s but when he gets to a short field his options get small.  He does not throw the ball with a lot of zip and can’t thread the ball through 2 or 3 BAMA defenders to move it in for the TD.  Eric Ainge on the other hand can throw the ball real accurate on the deep ball.  He has good velocity.  He Is young however and seems to be easily tricked into making bad throws,  He will be much better next year – and like all great talents could have a good day but as of yet in 2005 the light bulb has not come on.

UT has 3 plays that they run a lot.  They hand the ball off and try to go off tackle, they have a good screen play, and they run a draw much like the smoke draw that we ran under Francis.  

So how can we stop these guys?  I expect us to play lots of the 3-3-5 defense.  We seem to be willing to give up a little size for the speed it gives us.  Also the advantage is to us because normally the center is un-covered in a 4 man front.  In Our 3 man front we have a guy right on top of the center, keeping their best most agile player at home to take him on.  With Ainge in expect the 3-3-5 a lot.  I expect us to man up on their WR’s and commit every thing we have to stop the run.  If UT is going to beat us it will have to be done by Ainge or Clausen IMHO.  

When BAMA has the ball – we will pass.  I feel like we will try to open up the playbook this week.  We will throw to the TE and the Fullback but expect a lot of hard slants by Brown and company (like the TD against UF) because it is almost impossible to cover if you have a QB that can get it in there.  Yes Brodie can get it here.  I expect UT to try to stop our run game and before they know it be down by 2 scores.  At this point we have them because UT will have to change their game plan.  Make no mistake – Fulmer will try to hand it off to their big HB and try to have those 15 pay drives to eat the clock and wear down our Defense.  He will try to play a ball control game.  

We will try to score and score often and fast.  The trick is who will have to change first.  If BAMA can get ahead and force UT to throw the ball to stay in it – They are toast.  If on the other hand UT can play the ball control Offense it will be close.  It will be hard for UT because the Crowd should be loud which will force silly penalties like delay of game and false start because of the lack of communication ability.

I personally don’t think it will be close.  I think we will hold them the first two or three times they have the ball and force them to punt.  I think Brodie Shreads their Defense throwing the ball because they are keying on Darby and we jump out to say a 21 to zip 1st quarter lead.  If that happens it’s over.  UT can not score 21 points on our Defense we are to talented and fast.  

That’s the way I see it.  I may be wrong – we will see.  Anyway Roll Tide and I will see all of Yawl tomorrow, as I will be screaming my Head off trying to help the Tide to victory.


A special note.

Thanks Reyn and Donna.  You have no idea how much what your family did for me means.  I will never forget it.  I will always be in your debt.

Your friend
Clay