Saban says Ar offense = Wishbone

[pignosticator]

Bama's passing doesn't look much better. That's the thing.

Would you trade John Parker Wilson and DJ Hall for Casey Dick and London Crawford?  I would.

Hell Yes.....along with one of my testicles.

[casken]

We have not won a game in two years against a team with Average or better SEC athletes.  The only team that was close to that was Tennessee, but that doesn't count at they didn't have Ainge at QB and were completely out of sync.  Otherwise, we didn't fare well against LSU, Florida, Wisconsin, etc.  All of those teams played a 10 man front and largely held the running game down enough to outscore us.  I expect nothing less from Alabama.  If we lose this game, the season IS over as South Carolina, Tennessee, and LSU all can upset us or downright thrash us as LSU will do.

I take issue sir,  in order to make your point you cannot exclude Tennessee, who thrashed Cal earlier the same year.  One qb injury does not eliminate a teams abilities.  Secondly many believed Auburn to have a pretty fair team last year and the hogs dominated them.  Remember the only team that beat the national champs last year?  Last time I looked it was Auburn. You cannot eliminate Spurrier's team either.  They had a pretty fair team last year.  At least average. As far as stacking the box you are right on.  I imagine as you Bama will go into the game with that same strategy.  If we are unable to pass it may not bode well for our hogs.

WPS :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

[ErieHog]

He says that they are preparing for the Hogs offense like they would prepare for a team running the wishbone.  The Troy coach said that they spend 90% of their practice time on stopping the run......

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1189672194127360.xml&coll=2

That is a misrepresentation of what Saban actually said; Saban likened it to preparing for an offense like the wishbone, where even a stellar simulation "would never give you the look you need."

When you prepare a team to face the option, you give different focuses to the position coaching of DEs, OLBs, and CBs and their responsibilities.

The distinction is a slight one, but a very important one.

Amazing how people interpret quotes how they want to so they can further their agendas.

Nah.  It's just amazing what happens when people actually *read* what was *said*

[HogSophist]

Otherwise, we didn't fare well against LSU, Florida, Wisconsin, etc.  All of those teams played a 10 man front and largely held the running game down enough to outscore us. 

I'll give you Florida, maybe, but we ran the ball just fine against Wisconsin and exceptionally well against LSU. Really, the revisionist history is getting a little old. This idea that we lost late last season because our running attack was shut down just plain isn't true. It was breakdowns in the special teams and lack of passing game that doomed us in those games, not any kind of "10 man front" stopping our rushing attack. I'm not sure where people are getting this stuff.

Do you need to see rushing yards of 0 before you think the running game was shut down?

We rushed for 300 against LSU.  Are you trying to say that LSU shut our running game down???

Not at all, although they did shut it down when it counted. according to that poster no one "shut us down", just fishing for what that means to them.

[MysticHog]

Saban will make the necessary adjustments and shut the gimmick formations down.  Nutt ain't smart enough on his feet to counter.

It's no gimmick, our backs are better than your defense and will shred you for  about 350 yard rushing.  Saban is no genius, you overpaid for a retread.  You'll find that out before the next two seasons are over.

[PCHogs]

  "The Troy coach said that they spend 90% of their practice time on stopping the run......"

Um, .  .  . and how did that work out for him?

You're right, we did score 46 points, but nearly half of our points came from our special teams (Felix's TD (7 pts.), 4 FG's from Tejada (12 pts.), and 3 PAT's by Tejada (3 pts.) = 22 points out of 46). 

Now, I think this bodes well for us from a special teams perspective, but I'm not sure yet what this means for our offense against good SEC defenses and SEC teams that can and will score on us. I think we will have to score TD's to be championship contenders and without a passing game it will be difficult to come by.

[El Puerco Grande]

Traditionally the Hogs do improve considerably from game 1 to game 2.

[biggiepiggie]

He says that they are preparing for the Hogs offense like they would prepare for a team running the wishbone.  The Troy coach said that they spend 90% of their practice time on stopping the run......

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1189672194127360.xml&coll=2

Except that the wishbone always starts out with the inside belly series.

[softserve]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

We lost that game.

[Porkem]

I just hope Dmac or Felix breaks enough big runs and takes it to the house.  Hopefully, more times than Bama...cause we're going to have to overcome Saban's outcoaching of Dale.

[su wi]

how did we get an alabama paper to call it "the WildHog"?

[Hoggywentacourtin]

He says that they are preparing for the Hogs offense like they would prepare for a team running the wishbone.  The Troy coach said that they spend 90% of their practice time on stopping the run......

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1189672194127360.xml&coll=2

They spent 90% of their practice time working against the run and gave up 350 yds. I'd settle for that again.

[Hoggywentacourtin]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

We lost that game.

Yes we lost but this year, we can complete a screen pass. Last year CD could not would not complete that pass. This year is different. I have already seen it. Don't worry, we got this one.

[KAHog]

Traditionally the Hogs do improve considerably from game 1 to game 2.

Out of curiousity, how hard is it to improve after the debacles of the game ones we have had in the past two years?

[hog.goblin]

Otherwise, we didn't fare well against LSU, Florida, Wisconsin, etc.  All of those teams played a 10 man front and largely held the running game down enough to outscore us. 

I'll give you Florida, maybe, but we ran the ball just fine against Wisconsin and exceptionally well against LSU. Really, the revisionist history is getting a little old. This idea that we lost late last season because our running attack was shut down just plain isn't true. It was breakdowns in the special teams and lack of passing game that doomed us in those games, not any kind of "10 man front" stopping our rushing attack. I'm not sure where people are getting this stuff.

Our defense (combined with special teams) cost us in the LSU and FL games.  We scored enough to win those games.  We were just flat against Wisconsin.  Couldn't throw the ball and couldn't do put together long drives with the running game.  A lack of a kicking game probably cost us a couple of FG attempts in that game which could have been the difference.

[PulledPork]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

EXACTLY.  McFadden and Jones are just that freakin good.  and I believe they have gotten better since last year.

so freakin good that they were on the team for the losses to USC, LSU, Florida and WISCONSIN!!



Pulled out...

[hog.goblin]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

LSU couldn't stop us?  What are you talking about?  LSU DID stop us, when it counted.  And that's why we lost.

You lost track of the argrument I think.  It was never that LSU couldn't stop the passing game, it was that couldn't stop the running game.  They didn't.  They beat us because we couldn't pass on that last series of the game.  Give them credit for shutting down the pass or recognize our passing ineptitude, or both, but they never stopped our running attack.  Our defense and special teams lost that game.  Our lack of a passing attack prevented us from winning that game.

[LAHOGG]

If they spent 90% of the time on defense this week working on stopping the wildhog.  Why don't we just line up in the power I and pound them straight up with a little play action mixed in.  Thats what should be done against a 3-5 defensive front.  I'm starting to not like our chances because I have a feeling our offense is going to get to crazy and cause alot of penalty's etc.

[Hoggy Hogalot]

Frank Broyles has proclaimed that it shall be called the Hambone.

LMAO

[grayhawg]

We have not won a game in two years against a team with Average or better SEC athletes.  The only team that was close to that was Tennessee, but that doesn't count at they didn't have Ainge at QB and were completely out of sync.  Otherwise, we didn't fare well against LSU, Florida, Wisconsin, etc.  All of those teams played a 10 man front and largely held the running game down enough to outscore us.  I expect nothing less from Alabama.  If we lose this game, the season IS over as South Carolina, Tennessee, and LSU all can upset us or downright thrash us as LSU will do.

We beat Auburn I thought they had SEC talent.

[davis01]

I bet Gus sent him our playsheet.

Actually HDN sent ULM Gus' playbook, but since Gus is uch a great coach, it didn't matter.  However, GM sent HDN's playbook to Alabama (rumor has it), he sent it on a postcard.

[HogSophist]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

LSU couldn't stop us?  What are you talking about?  LSU DID stop us, when it counted.  And that's why we lost.

You lost track of the argrument I think.  It was never that LSU couldn't stop the passing game, it was that couldn't stop the running game.  They didn't.  They beat us because we couldn't pass on that last series of the game.  Give them credit for shutting down the pass or recognize our passing ineptitude, or both, but they never stopped our running attack.  Our defense and special teams lost that game.  Our lack of a passing attack prevented us from winning that game.

So we won that game by running it into the endzone on that last drive?

[slopinhogs]

try as you may Mr Sabin but the HAWGS are coming to town. hungry with big tusks and a vicious attitude.

there are too many variables to cover with DMac, Felix, Hillis and Smith. should help the receivers get open.

juuuuuuuuuust in cassssssssse we decide it worthwhile to toss a few down field. :razorback:

[Corganist]

Do you need to see rushing yards of 0 before you think the running game was shut down?

I need to see at least less than 200. Florida? Yeah they slowed us down. We only got about 150 or so at most on the ground that game. But we ran for around 250-300 against both LSU and Wisconsin.

No one's saying those games went amazingly well. They didn't. But it still has to be said that the reason they didn't go well was not because of the way the other teams handled our running game. That's all.

[hog.goblin]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

LSU couldn't stop us?  What are you talking about?  LSU DID stop us, when it counted.  And that's why we lost.

You lost track of the argrument I think.  It was never that LSU couldn't stop the passing game, it was that couldn't stop the running game.  They didn't.  They beat us because we couldn't pass on that last series of the game.  Give them credit for shutting down the pass or recognize our passing ineptitude, or both, but they never stopped our running attack.  Our defense and special teams lost that game.  Our lack of a passing attack prevented us from winning that game.

So we won that game by running it into the endzone on that last drive?

Apparently you were watching a different game.  They didn't tackle a single running back on the last drive:

"Arkansas pulled within five at 31-26 on Felix Jones' 5-yard touchdown run with 4:53 remaining, and the Razorbacks (10-2, 7-1) got the ball back at their own 27 with 2:04 to play.  But Casey Dick threw four straight incompletions."

They didn't stop the run because we chose not to run.

[HogSophist]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

LSU couldn't stop us?  What are you talking about?  LSU DID stop us, when it counted.  And that's why we lost.

You lost track of the argrument I think.  It was never that LSU couldn't stop the passing game, it was that couldn't stop the running game.  They didn't.  They beat us because we couldn't pass on that last series of the game.  Give them credit for shutting down the pass or recognize our passing ineptitude, or both, but they never stopped our running attack.  Our defense and special teams lost that game.  Our lack of a passing attack prevented us from winning that game.

So we won that game by running it into the endzone on that last drive?

Apparently you were watching a different game.  They didn't tackle a single running back on the last drive:

"Arkansas pulled within five at 31-26 on Felix Jones' 5-yard touchdown run with 4:53 remaining, and the Razorbacks (10-2, 7-1) got the ball back at their own 27 with 2:04 to play.  But Casey Dick threw four straight incompletions."

They didn't stop the run because we chose not to run.

If you are in need of a touchdown, with 80 yards to pay dirt, 2 minutes to go...the run has been stopped.
I guess teams cannot stop our passing game either, we just choose not to pass.

[hog.goblin]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

LSU couldn't stop us?  What are you talking about?  LSU DID stop us, when it counted.  And that's why we lost.

You lost track of the argrument I think.  It was never that LSU couldn't stop the passing game, it was that couldn't stop the running game.  They didn't.  They beat us because we couldn't pass on that last series of the game.  Give them credit for shutting down the pass or recognize our passing ineptitude, or both, but they never stopped our running attack.  Our defense and special teams lost that game.  Our lack of a passing attack prevented us from winning that game.

So we won that game by running it into the endzone on that last drive?

Apparently you were watching a different game.  They didn't tackle a single running back on the last drive:

"Arkansas pulled within five at 31-26 on Felix Jones' 5-yard touchdown run with 4:53 remaining, and the Razorbacks (10-2, 7-1) got the ball back at their own 27 with 2:04 to play.  But Casey Dick threw four straight incompletions."

They didn't stop the run because we chose not to run.

If you are in need of a touchdown, with 80 yards to pay dirt, 2 minutes to go...the run has been stopped.
I guess teams cannot stop our passing game either, we just choose not to pass.

Spin it all you want...the argument was that LSU shut our running game down.  You have changed your argument to the run was stopped...yes, by our coaches and the clock.

Our running game is not the reason we lost and that's a fact.  319 yards rushing at a 8.6 yrd clip is called success.  Just because our inept coaches decided to throw 4 straight times with the wrong struggling QB when in fact it may have been smarter to run the ball even with time running out does not equate to LSU getting credit for shutting down McFadden and Jones.

But if you can't see that, we should just stop the discussion now because I don't know what you are trying to prove other than your ability to revise history.

McFadden 21 rushes 182 yards 2 TDs 8.7 avg
Jones 16 rushes 137 yards 1 TD 8 avg

It was a sweet day on the ground.

Nearly all teams stop our passing game...that's why we chose not to pass.

[PulledPork]

sure hope we don't get stopped like vandy stopped Dmac last year....


Pulled out...

[CorningHog]

What I remember (and I was there) with a little help from HOGWIRED stats.

Kicking games were similar with the exception of the big play Holliday had breaking our back with the Momentum killer (3rd time in the game) with the long TD to answer us and regain the lead.  Possession time similar, 3rd down conversions similar, and of course we missed a PAT to start the game as well as had no confidence in our kicker for FG's and theirs was automatic.

DRIVE 1) Arkansas came out fast and furious 6-0 lead missed PAT
DRIVE 2) LSU 3 & out, good start for Arkansas' defense
DRIVE 3) ARK 3 & out, not so good
DRIVE 4) LSU comes out passing the ball. 6 plays/ 70 yds in 3:43 TOP, LSU 7  ARK 6
DRIVE 5) ARK 3 & out, still not good
DRIVE 6) LSU 3 plays/ 9 yds PUNT
DRIVE 7) ARK 4 plays/ 6 yds net, PUNT
DRIVE LSU 5 plays/ 64 yds TD, LSU 14  ARK 6
DRIVE 9) ARK 10 plays/ 76 yds TD, 2 pt conversion failed, pass incomplete  LSU 14  ARK 12
DRIVE 10) LSU 5 plays/ 31 yds...LSU driving...J Russell fumbles, Harrison recovers for ARK

DRIVE 11) ARK @ LSU 49 yd line..(momentum opportunity) 3 straight running plays..DMAC for 3, Felix first down for 9 yds, DMAC for 3 yds, pass incomplete from RJ to Cleveland, DMAC no gain on 3rd and 7, 5 plays for 15 yds PUNT  MOMENTUM SWING:::::   WHERE IS THAT DOMINANT RUNNING GAME WHEN YOU NEED IT??

DRIVE 12) LSU ran out clock to end the half

DRIVE 13) LSU 15 plays/ 70 yds FG...LSU 17  ARK 12
DRIVE 14) ARK 1st drive of the 2nd half, 4 plays and out, DMAC for 11 yds on 1st down, then nothing 
DRIVE 15) LSU 6 plays/ 68 yds, Fumble by Alley Broussard, recovered by Jarrell Norton @ Ark 17 yd line DRIVE KILLER big play!!  LSU could have been up 24 to 12 at this point early in the 3rd QTR
DRIVE 16) ARK takes over at its 17 yd line, 5 straight running plays to the LSU 42, END OF 3RD QTR.
9 play drive for 42 yds, ends on a 4th down with Dick getting sacked for a 15 yd loss at LSU 41 yd line.
DRIVE 17 LSU @ their 41 yd line, 3 plays / 6 yds PUNT  BIG PLAY---MOMENTUM STOPPER FOR HOGS!  GOOD!
DRIVE 18 ARK Dick intercepted on FIRST DOWN! by Landry, LSU starts at ARK 9 yd line.  MOMENTUM CHANGE!
DRIVE 19 LSU 3 plays/ 9 yds TD   LSU 24  ARK 12  (remember could have been 31 to 12)  LSU 2 turnovers so far.  Ark 1.
DRIVE 20 ARK DMAC 80 yds up the middle for TD, LSU 24  ARK 19
DRIVE 21 LSU 57 yd kick by Vavra, 92 yd TD kickoff return by T Holliday....MOMENTUM KILLER #3 for Hogs
LSU 31  ARK 19 after DMAC had pulled Hogs to within 5.
DRIVE 22 ARK ...Felix Jones answers with his own 62 yds k/o return!  Hogs tough out a 9 play/38 yd drive with DMAC rushing 5 times for 20 hard yds with Felix getting 3 rushes for 18 yds and the TD.  LSU 31  ARK 26.
DRIVE 23 LSU 1st and 10 at their own 27 yd line.  6 plays/ 24 yds PUNT
DRIVE 24 ARK ....... 4 straight passing plays, with little time left, incomplete by Dick GAME OVER
DRIVE 25 LSU  runs out clock with 3 plays and 1:31 seconds left in the game....LSU 31  ARK 26.

SUMMARY.

LSU stopped Arkansas for most of the day..........DMAC had a long run of 80 yds and 20 yds on Drive #22, so take away his 100 yds on those 6 runs and his other 15 rushes and he earned 82 yds in 15 rushes.....avg of 5.6 maybe (which is still awesome) but the big plays were missing and we are a "Big Play" rushing attack.  We DON'T have the HORSES to run the ball down people's throats......even with last years "Seasoned" offensive line against the BIG BOYS like LSU, Florida, Wisconsin, even Miss State.  Passing game still stunk, and without Felix and the big return, the two critical fumbles by LSU when they were driving the ball down our Defense's throat, this game could easily have been 45 to 10.

I know, coulda, woulda, shoulda.  But HOG fans need to wake up and see that Nutt & his staff, the way they practice, scheme and do things, they put people like D McFadden, F Jones and Hillis on an "ISLAND" the way they scheme and eventually we will get one of these "hosses" hurt.  The O-LINE is not dominant, is not physical and Markuson's strategy is ZONE BLOCKING which works with an NFL stretching type passing game, but not when combined with Arkansas' Nutty strategy of confusion on the passing game!

PREDICTION:  DMAC has 150 yds, Felix has 100yds.  HOGS lose still by 2 TD's.

ALABAMA  31

ARKANSAS 16  Tejada kicks 3 FG's and Hogs get 1 TD.

This is if Arkansas doesn't turn the ball over in a very HOSTILE Bryant Denny Stadium crowd!

[IowaHog]

Gentleman, we sometimes misunderstand the "object" of Bama or any other team.  Their object is not to "stop" our running game, it is to "manage" our running game.  To contain it, until it is not gonna score 35 against them.  If they can limit us to 2 field goals instead of 2 touchdowns at key places in the game, then they will depend upon their offense to score their 30 against our "D."  Then, if all goes right, they win 30-24 against Arkansas.

Our running style of offense will struggle most when we are in the red zone.  When their D-backs and safties don't have to chase a WR right out of the play, then their D get's much better.

See ya

So simple to understand, yet so difficult to get through to some people, isn't it HH?

[riccoar]

obviously you try to make us pass. doesnt mean you can. LSU had one of the best D in the country, couldnt stop us. the only question in this game, this year, and last year is our defense. we score 30 points a game. that is all you should ever need. the rest is up to the defense.

We lost that game beacuse we couldn't pass.  This year's O-line is not as solid as last years.