TN vs Bama Offensive Drive Summary + Random Notes & Comments

[vegasvolfan]

1st Q

1st drive
Nico has bru open but throws behind
3 yard run
Seems to stare down Bru, but throws a strike for first down (might have just realized he had him)
Sampson fumble after getting first down (1st fumble in his career)

2nd drive
Squirrel misses pass he should have had both hands up. I think it came in faster than he was ready for.
Run stuffed
Nico overthrows long ball Brazzell was open.

D interception of terrible pass in end zone

3rd drive
Heavy pressure. Deflected pass with holding call.
Sampson for 7
Misses longTD pass to open Squirrel White
PI
Run stuffed
On target pass for first down dropped by Beazzell
Catch and run to Thornton stopped short of 1st down
Missed FG

(Noticed Deboer seems to be frustrated with his team trying to amp them up after missed FG)

2nd Q - 0-0 (should be at least 6 points sans fumble and missed FG)

4th drive (following Bama TD)
Seldom returns kickoff, down at 19
Run stuffed
Nice dart by Nico to TE to get 1st down. He had a lot of time and checked down. Plus roughing passer.
Short run
Nico gets hurt smashing his facemask into ground
Moore throws ridiculous interception on the run off one foot and Bama returns to TN 35

5th drive
Pass to McCoy a tad high for 1st down. Seems designed because he was staring at McCoy the entire time.
Nice designed run for Nico. Keeps them ahead of chains.
Throw from Nico to Brazzel a little off, Brazz makes diving catch for 1st. Seems designed as Nico looks to fake check downs.
Run stuffed.
Nico scrambles out of pressure and throws beautiful pass to McCoy for 1st.
Nico has all day, should have thrown it away on 1st, but hit as he throws an interception.

6th drive (we should have at least 9 points)
Short run = ahead of chains
Iama throws 1st down pass plus personal foul on D (man he stared down that receiver, again seems like designed play)
Run for 4
Run stuffed
Nico stares down receiver and pass batted down
Missed FG

7th drive (following missed Bama FG)
Held them to 7 with 38 seconds and timeout.
Sacked.
I believe we should have called a TO here and tried a long ball to get a FG.

2nd half ( 7-0, but should have at least 9 points)

3rd Q

8th drive
Nico by design rolls out of pocket and throws a pass that is well defended but probably not catchable
Run for 6
Designed pass to Mc for 1st
Long ball. This was on target, but a very tough well defended tough catch for SW. it was where it needed to be though. Had it been inside at all it would not have been caught or intercepted.
Poor SW - taking a beating
Sack
Great OL play but Iama finds nothing and scrambles and doesn’t get first down
Great punt and great tackle at 11 + penalty which puts them at 6
(At this point in the game announcer mentions that AL has a respectable line but they only have 26 yards rushing ((and we only have 49))

9th drive
Pinned within our 10 but Sampson breaks one to give us breathing room at the 22
Nico checks a few scrambles for 4
Sampson breaks one to their 38
Run stuffed
Iama does what we hoped he could and escapes a sack, scrambles for a big run to the 9
Ima throws inches too far and ball goes through fingers of McCoy
PI
Sampson TD to tie game at 7-7

4th Q

10th Drive
Following a quick Bama FG
Weird illegal sub call gave us some yards still not sure what happened there b/c announcers made it seem like the refs went against the rules which is rare
Sampson run for 1st and to break 100 yet again
Short pass to McCoy
Run stuffed
After TO Iama throws an incredible long ball dime on the run that only Thornton and his long arms and hands could pull in for 61 yards. Designed play.
Sampson with powerful TD run to take first lead at 14-10

11th drive
After easy TD by Bama to go up 3
Pass to McCoy to get ahead of chains
Easy pass to McCoy overthrown.
Would have been a touchdown.
Bishop proves serviceable and gets the first down.
Another long ball I feel was on Brazzel. Hard catch but in bounds and in the hands.
Iama for a tough designed run for 9
Bishop for 10ish
Nice throw and catch for 1st but called back on illegal touching
Pass for 5
Option to BISHOP for 18 1st but Braz holds and throws receiver into Bishio would have been longer
TFL
Punt (fans boo)
DoG
Pin them around 3

12th drive
Iama gets something out of nothing for 7
Then throws a ball at receiver’s shins
PI
Sampson for 8 somehow
And then another 8
(OL owning their DL at this point)
Short run
Run stuffed
Braz for redeeming diving TD catch. Well thrown.

13th drive
Run stopped for 1
Another for not much
Pass for short gain short of 1st
Punt

14th drive
Kneels following interception

Milroe threw more bad passes and more good passes 1st half. Not so sure second half.

OL played a MUCH better game
Seems they have worn down last two DLs by committing to run and low gains in 1st half only to begin imposing their will by end of game

Bama is playing a LOT of freshman on D.

Neyland definitely a factor (Milro hasn’t played in this yet. There ya go Deboer.)

Both teams are among the worst in penalties. It showed in this game.

This game actually relied on D,, play calling and Sampson. Dare I say OL!!! Nico was more of a factor. I still think he will get that long ball down, but he definitely stares his receivers down

We still have yet to play a good O but no one has had anything for our D so far

I feel we grew as a team here including NICO. Not substantial growth, but our team is winning games it should win even if it’s ugly and has finished the last two by playing its best football (not its potential, but best that we have seen from them) when it matters most.

This game in its worst way proves the concept of recruiting 3 deep defensive linemen and perhaps others. Whether we score or not, 3 and outs, or fast scoring, they will be on the field often. So, they will get their snaps and if they keep playing like they are they will give our O more opportunities to score. Looks like the O is figuring itself out and taking advantage of more opportunities, and when they finally start clicking as they did on these drives and stop shooting themselbes in the foot, we will blow teams out. I hope the cupboard on D is stacked.

Refs called a lot of penalties and then let them play. Bama was held like heck by Gibson on an easy would be TD but then their OL tackled our DL to open a lane for their last TD. Seems there are fouls on both sides and teams just roll the dice to see if refs pick them up. I feel for these guys. At least put a chip in the ball along a grid that helps them with ball placement.

Flailed to watch if we played 3 LBs much. Man it seems our LBs and DBs tackle hard. Can’t help but wonder if snaking Doering’s LB coach helped us this game. Either way, I think that guy was a huge addition.

Man this game felt like we had more than 3/9 sacks/TFLs, but still good stats. Not as many as against FL. Pierce with 1.5/1.5.

Would have been cool to see Helton get a bit more than he did for HOF, but at least we have him props

Better number of drives

Our D held Bama to its fewest points. Second is SC at 27.

Sampson for 134 yards and 2 more TDs

In think former receiver crew comes down with more of these passes by Nico over past couple of games.

30-15 Ga over TX? KY stomped by FL by 28? SC 35-9 over Oklahoma!?! What’s Vandy doing with Ball State? Miss St looking much better than once too 10 Missouri even though they keep losing. LSU looked a lot better at Arkansas than we did.

And Indiana and Illinois in the Big 10???

THE PARITY in CFB

 

[GordonC]

didn't read all that, but the parity thing is becoming reality
the key is just win each week

 

[reecetn]

didn't read all that, but the parity thing is becoming reality
the key is just win each week

If you pay close attention to the things Saban said after he announced his retirement it is plausible to assume he knew that and is a big factor in why he left.

 

[VolArmy74]

Yet to play a good O? Tired of seeing this statement after every game we play when we shut a team down.

Alabama came in averaging 42 ppg and put 41 on Georgia, they were top 10 in the nation in scoring coming into the game. Their issues this year have been on defense, not offense.

Arkansas is 8th in the nation in total offense this year.

The defense is incredible and have stood tall in every game.

 

[vavolfan6]

My biggest observation about the offense was that for the entire first half and for brief times in the 2nd half, I still felt Nico's mental clock was a tad too slow. This is why I prefer him rolling out and scrambling more. When he does, he tends to do better with getting the ball out on time or choosing to run.

Far too many times I want him to run more. I still think we are under utilizing him. Its clear how much more he stresses the defense when he uses his feet. It also helps the Oline and keeps them out if long distance situations all the time.

Also, Nico sometimes throws to covered receivers or to low percentage targets. I wish he wouldn't feel forced to throw those. Instead, Run. Just turn it loose. Take whatever you can get. Make 3rd down easier for yourself. Otherwise, you set yourself up to have to make a hard throw with the opposing DE's ears pinned back.

Otherwise, I was happy to see the offense start to get in rythm the 2nd half. 400+ total yards. We rushed over 200 yards, which is above Alabama's average. Also, I thought it was great to get Bru involved..we should intentionally try to get the ball.in his hands multiple times a game. Let him work. The way he fights for yards is inspiring and makes life easier for everyone else.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Yet to play a good O? Tired of seeing this statement after every game we play when we shut a team down.

Alabama came in averaging 42 ppg and put 41 on Georgia, they were top 10 in the nation in scoring coming into the game. Their issues this year have been on defense, not offense.

Arkansas is 8th in the nation in total offense this year.

The defense is incredible and have stood tall in every game.

If you got tired of defending the defense against Chattanooga, NC State, Kent St, Oklahoma, Arkansas and FLA, I’m sorry you wasted your energy. They all had and still have horrid offenses with possible exception to FLA trending upward after the KY game. That said, TN also had a top 5 offense at one point. Why? Because of who they played.

Bama put up points against a bunch of nobodies and a Georgie who was caught on their heels at all phases of the game.

Things seem to have changed in the second half for good for Georgia and Bama.

Like I said, no one has had any answer for our D, but that doesn’t mean our D has played a really good offense yet—and that doesn’t mean that they aren’t good. They are looking REALLY good. Ultimately, we agree on that point, I just think we have yet to see a really good offense to absolutely know for sure, but I did also say that Bama put up its fewest points thus far. SC doesn’t seem to be a slouch, and they were ready unlike GA.

Ultimately, it’s a fairly accurate observation throughout the year. Nothing to get too worked up about.

 

[vegasvolfan]

My biggest observation about the offense was that for the entire first half and for brief times in the 2nd half, I still felt Nico's mental clock was a tad too slow. This is why I prefer him rolling out and scrambling more. When he does, he tends to do better with getting the ball out on time or choosing to run.

Far too many times I want him to run more. I still think we are under utilizing him. Its clear how much more he stresses the defense when he uses his feet. It also helps the Oline and keeps them out if long distance situations all the time.

Also, Nico sometimes throws to covered receivers or to low percentage targets. I wish he wouldn't feel forced to throw those. Instead, Run. Just turn it loose. Take whatever you can get. Make 3rd down easier for yourself. Otherwise, you set yourself up to have to make a hard throw with the opposing DE's ears pinned back.

Otherwise, I was happy to see the offense start to get in rythm the 2nd half. 400+ total yards. We rushed over 200 yards, which is above Alabama's average. Also, I thought it was great to get Bru involved..we should intentionally try to get the ball.in his hands multiple times a game. Let him work. The way he fights for yards is inspiring and makes life easier for everyone else.

If you watch closely, he isn’t scrambling when he throws, those are designed rollouts 99% of the time. But to your point, that’s the only long ball he he has hit, and we seemed far more effective with using him as part of our run game tonight.

The announcers said the same thing about Bru. Bru would have done more had Nico been more accurate.

This kid is pretty good for a Freshman behind an OL that has been horrid until this game. They played better tonight, and we saw Nico play better too. Our receivers and Nico need to figure it out though and I think they slowly are. But do we want to lose while they figure it out or win? I think we just saw our best OC game tonight where they adjusted per your statements.

A lot to be encouraged about. We should get there!

 

[VolArmy74]

If you got tired of defending the defense against Chattanooga, NC State, Kent St, Oklahoma, Arkansas and FLA, I’m sorry you wasted your energy. They all had and still have horrid offenses with possible exception to FLA trending upward after the KY game. That said, TN also had a top 5 offense at one point. Why? Because of who they played.

Bama put up points against a bunch of nobodies and a Georgie who was caught on their heels at all phases of the game.

Things seem to have changed in the second half for good for Georgia and Bama.

Like I said, no one has had anything answer for our D, but that doesn’t mean our D has played a really good offense yet—and that doesn’t mean that they aren’t good.

Simply a fairly accurate observation throughout the year.

No, it's not an accurate observation at all. Alabama had played 3 top 21 in the nation p4 defenses in their 6 games coming into this week. They averaged 37ppg vs those defenses. Milroe was #1 in the Heisman odds a couple weeks ago. Arkansas was #8 in total offense heading into todays games. They've played 3 top 40 p4 defenses and moved the ball against them, our defense is top 2 in the nation and they moved it against us. We're in week 8 of the season, not week 2, it's Alabama is what it is, a very potent offense with issues on defense.

On a positive note, the next highest ranked scoring offense we play the rest of the season is ranked 19 spots below Alabama's offense, and it's not Georgia, they are even further back. So in week 12 you can still say the defense hasn't faced anyone if you want.

 

[strkr]

My biggest observation about the offense was that for the entire first half and for brief times in the 2nd half, I still felt Nico's mental clock was a tad too slow. This is why I prefer him rolling out and scrambling more. When he does, he tends to do better with getting the ball out on time or choosing to run.

Far too many times I want him to run more. I still think we are under utilizing him. Its clear how much more he stresses the defense when he uses his feet. It also helps the Oline and keeps them out if long distance situations all the time.

Also, Nico sometimes throws to covered receivers or to low percentage targets. I wish he wouldn't feel forced to throw those. Instead, Run. Just turn it loose. Take whatever you can get. Make 3rd down easier for yourself. Otherwise, you set yourself up to have to make a hard throw with the opposing DE's ears pinned back.

Otherwise, I was happy to see the offense start to get in rythm the 2nd half. 400+ total yards. We rushed over 200 yards, which is above Alabama's average. Also, I thought it was great to get Bru involved..we should intentionally try to get the ball.in his hands multiple times a game. Let him work. The way he fights for yards is inspiring and makes life easier for everyone else.

Nico also should have thrown the ball away instead of throwing that Interception with us driving in first half. Sometimes like you stated take what is given and not thinking you have to make something out of nothing. Sometimes the defense has things covered- and he tries to force things. Like hype says reset and get it the next play.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

Too many “Nico missed open receiver”. But he did enough to win.

 

[vegasvolfan]

He definitely missed a lot of passes, and he definitely did enough to win. There were some dropped passes that would have been caught in the past and had SW been healthy. We pull those down and Nico starts looking better. Overall, all units showed improvement, sans FG kicker. That’s what you want to see on top of a dub.