Some positives to take away from Saturday
We've already gone over some of the major deficiencies from the loss: 3 pick sixes, 24 points off of turnovers, a horrible game by the offensive line, no depth at running back, the disastrous run defense in the first quarter... It all sucked. But, unlike last year, there are actually some positives that can be gleaned from this cluster.
The adjustments made by the defensive staff were really good. When Alabama's starting center went out, A&M shifted their linemen to basically play over him and make him respond. He couldn't, and that interior running game that had been so good pretty much vanished. Daylon Mack and Zaycoven Henderson went up against guys three and four years older than them and held their own for most of the game. The combo of Alonzo Williams and Mack was used for the first time, and I liked it. It was also very effective.
The physicality the defense brought the last three quarters shows the difference between this year's team and last year's team. Until literally the last play, they were out there hitting hard and not backing off. The Aggies had 15 tackles for loss in that game, which really blows up the national perception that they were totally overmatched every single play. A lot of guys were out there giving it their all: Armani Watts, Justin Evans, Nick Harvey, A.J. Hilliard -- all those guys had big hits and strong tackles. For a guy who had a rep of not wanting to hit, Harvey was putting some licks on folks. He has been a real pleasant surprise this year.
One other pleasant surprise: Richard Moore. Now that his hamstring is healed, he showed why he was a 4-star last year. He may be undersized, but he's fearless and plays like he's shot out of a cannon. He probably gives up 30 pounds to Derrick Henry, but he got him one on one in the backfield and took him down. I'm a big fan of Otaro Alaka, but Moore made more plays behind the line of scrimmage in his limited work Saturday than Alaka did all season before he was hurt.
All of these means nothing, of course, if Kyle Allen doesn't recover physically and mentally for Saturday night and the team loses confidence like it did last year. For at least have the team, though, I'm not really worried.
Ok, two things that still annoy me
Outside of the 3 pick-sixes, of course. There were no new wrinkles in the offense with two weeks to prepare? Nothing? And you were slower than you were against Mississippi State when you knew Alabama's starting front three is intended to slow the run and not rush the passer, but the 2s are designed for the pass rush? Keep those guys off the field!
Two stats of note
Tra Carson outgained Alex Collins (and had a better yards per carry) against Alabama (thanks, Cat).
Opposing QBs against Alabama since the Ole Miss game: average QB rating of 4.2. Allen was by far the best of that bunch, and look what it got him.
Anatomy of a bad line
Here's a look at the players A&M has brought in on the O-line, from 2011 to present. This has been their biggest recruiting deficiency, in all likelihood, and it's been compounded with bad luck.
2011:
Joe Cheek, 4-star: Starter. Built to be a tackle, but not quick enough.
Nate Gutekunst, 3-star: Retired due to injury. Likely guard.
Ben Compton, 3-star: 4 and out.
2012:
Germain Ifedi, 3-star: 3-year starter.
Mike Matthews, 4-star: 3-year starter.
Kimo Tipoti, 3-star: Injured, retired.
2013:
Joas Aguilar, 3-star: Injured, retired.
J.J. Gustafson, 3-star: Backup center.
Jeremiah Stuckey, 3-star: Starter at left guard. Recruited as a tackle.
Ish Wilson, 4-star: Never really developed, then transferred.
Koda Martin, 3-star (TE): In the 2-deep, supposedly the next big thing.
2014:
Avery Gennesy, 4-star (JUCO): Starting left tackle.
Jermaine Eluemunor, 4-star (JUCO): Backup right tackle. Disappointment to date.
Kealvin Davis, 4-star: Hasn't cracked the two-deep.
Zach Ledwik, 4-star: Injured, retired.
2015:
Keaton Sutherland, 4-star: Recruited as a tackle, playing guard out of necessity.
Connor Lanfear, 3-star: Has played a little. Very little.
Trevor Elbert, 4-star: Redshirting.
Erik McCoy, 2-star: The starting center in 2016?
Taking a stab at 2016 (with only current commits listed)
QB: Kyle Allen, Kyler Murray, Jake Hubenak
RB: Keith Ford, James White, Kendall Bussey, Rakeem Boyd, hopefully Jay Bradford
TE: Jordan Davis, Zarrian Holcombe, Irv Smith
WR1: Josh Reynolds, Jeremy Tabuyo, Ed Pope
Slot1: RSJ, Boone Niederhofer, Quartney Davis
Slot2: Christian Kirk, Jamal Jeffery, Kemah Siverand
WR2: Speedy Noil, Damion Ratley, Kendrick Rogers
LT: Avery Gennesy, Koda Martin
LG: Jeremiah Stuckey, Keaton Sutherland, Connor Lanfear
C: Erik McCoy, J.J. Gustafson
RG: Jermiane Eluemunor, Lanfear, Colton Prater
RT: Germain Ifedi*, Martin, Justin Lindblade
(* Just a hunch.)
DE: Daeshon Hall, Qualen Cunningham, Mark Jackson
DT: Daylon Mack, Kingsley Keke
DT: Zaycoven Henderson, DeShawn Washington
DE: Myles Garrett, Jarrett Johnson, James Lockhart
WILL: Otaro Alaka, Claude George, Riley Garner
MIKE: A.J. Hilliard, Josh Walker, Tyrel Dodson, Landis Durham
SAM: Shaan Washington, Richard Moore, Dwaine Thomas
CB: Nick Harvey, Travon Fuller, Deshawn Capers-Smith
CB: Priest Willis, Alex Sezer, Charles Oliver, Roney Elam
FS: Armani Watts, Larry Pryor
SS: Justin Evans, Justin Dunning
Nickel: Donovan Wilson, Noel Ellis
P: Braden Mann, Shane Tripucka
PK: Daniel Lacamera
Um...
Ole Miss has had a better time of it. Earlier this year, in fact. But after getting blasted by UF and losing to Memphis, it's not good. Defensively, they're down at least three starters: Defensive tackle Issac Gross is out for the season with a neck injury, while defensive back Tony Conner (knee surgery) and linebacker C.J. Johnson (knee surgery) are out at last three more weeks. After Robert Nkemdiche got a concussion playing offense, it looks like they'll be without their stud of studs, too.
So people in Oxford are angry. One of them tweeted their AD to complain about Hugh Freeze. The AD responded, saying "Coach Freeze would like for you to call him" -- and posted his cell phone number. Not in a direct message, mind you; just for the whole world to see. Odds on Hugh answering his phone to hear "CLANGACLANGACLANG" in his ear today? 100%.
Ok, you can stop with that stupid idea already
Myles Garrett critics have made a big deal out of him not destroying the SEC as a true freshman as reason to downplay his abilities. Well, I will submit this to his critics: 14 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections in three games this year. And now you may kindly shut the hell up.
You like Taylor Bertolet. You really like Taylor Bertolet.
Remember this offseason when some of you were demanding open tryouts for kickers with the idea there had to be ONE worth a damn in the student body? Guess what Florida is doing today, because both of their kickers are hurt? Exactly what y'all suggested.
Remember, you could be this guy:
We've already gone over some of the major deficiencies from the loss: 3 pick sixes, 24 points off of turnovers, a horrible game by the offensive line, no depth at running back, the disastrous run defense in the first quarter... It all sucked. But, unlike last year, there are actually some positives that can be gleaned from this cluster.
- Alabama did not score an offensive touchdown after 13:47 in the second.
- After the first quarter, Derrick Henry averaged 3.5 YPC. All other backs were under 2.
- Alabama picked up fewer yards than either Mississippi State or Arkansas.
- Jake Coker's longest pass was 28 yards.
The adjustments made by the defensive staff were really good. When Alabama's starting center went out, A&M shifted their linemen to basically play over him and make him respond. He couldn't, and that interior running game that had been so good pretty much vanished. Daylon Mack and Zaycoven Henderson went up against guys three and four years older than them and held their own for most of the game. The combo of Alonzo Williams and Mack was used for the first time, and I liked it. It was also very effective.
The physicality the defense brought the last three quarters shows the difference between this year's team and last year's team. Until literally the last play, they were out there hitting hard and not backing off. The Aggies had 15 tackles for loss in that game, which really blows up the national perception that they were totally overmatched every single play. A lot of guys were out there giving it their all: Armani Watts, Justin Evans, Nick Harvey, A.J. Hilliard -- all those guys had big hits and strong tackles. For a guy who had a rep of not wanting to hit, Harvey was putting some licks on folks. He has been a real pleasant surprise this year.
One other pleasant surprise: Richard Moore. Now that his hamstring is healed, he showed why he was a 4-star last year. He may be undersized, but he's fearless and plays like he's shot out of a cannon. He probably gives up 30 pounds to Derrick Henry, but he got him one on one in the backfield and took him down. I'm a big fan of Otaro Alaka, but Moore made more plays behind the line of scrimmage in his limited work Saturday than Alaka did all season before he was hurt.
All of these means nothing, of course, if Kyle Allen doesn't recover physically and mentally for Saturday night and the team loses confidence like it did last year. For at least have the team, though, I'm not really worried.
Ok, two things that still annoy me
Outside of the 3 pick-sixes, of course. There were no new wrinkles in the offense with two weeks to prepare? Nothing? And you were slower than you were against Mississippi State when you knew Alabama's starting front three is intended to slow the run and not rush the passer, but the 2s are designed for the pass rush? Keep those guys off the field!
Two stats of note
Tra Carson outgained Alex Collins (and had a better yards per carry) against Alabama (thanks, Cat).
Opposing QBs against Alabama since the Ole Miss game: average QB rating of 4.2. Allen was by far the best of that bunch, and look what it got him.
Anatomy of a bad line
Here's a look at the players A&M has brought in on the O-line, from 2011 to present. This has been their biggest recruiting deficiency, in all likelihood, and it's been compounded with bad luck.
2011:
Joe Cheek, 4-star: Starter. Built to be a tackle, but not quick enough.
Nate Gutekunst, 3-star: Retired due to injury. Likely guard.
Ben Compton, 3-star: 4 and out.
2012:
Germain Ifedi, 3-star: 3-year starter.
Mike Matthews, 4-star: 3-year starter.
Kimo Tipoti, 3-star: Injured, retired.
2013:
Joas Aguilar, 3-star: Injured, retired.
J.J. Gustafson, 3-star: Backup center.
Jeremiah Stuckey, 3-star: Starter at left guard. Recruited as a tackle.
Ish Wilson, 4-star: Never really developed, then transferred.
Koda Martin, 3-star (TE): In the 2-deep, supposedly the next big thing.
2014:
Avery Gennesy, 4-star (JUCO): Starting left tackle.
Jermaine Eluemunor, 4-star (JUCO): Backup right tackle. Disappointment to date.
Kealvin Davis, 4-star: Hasn't cracked the two-deep.
Zach Ledwik, 4-star: Injured, retired.
2015:
Keaton Sutherland, 4-star: Recruited as a tackle, playing guard out of necessity.
Connor Lanfear, 3-star: Has played a little. Very little.
Trevor Elbert, 4-star: Redshirting.
Erik McCoy, 2-star: The starting center in 2016?
Taking a stab at 2016 (with only current commits listed)
QB: Kyle Allen, Kyler Murray, Jake Hubenak
RB: Keith Ford, James White, Kendall Bussey, Rakeem Boyd, hopefully Jay Bradford
TE: Jordan Davis, Zarrian Holcombe, Irv Smith
WR1: Josh Reynolds, Jeremy Tabuyo, Ed Pope
Slot1: RSJ, Boone Niederhofer, Quartney Davis
Slot2: Christian Kirk, Jamal Jeffery, Kemah Siverand
WR2: Speedy Noil, Damion Ratley, Kendrick Rogers
LT: Avery Gennesy, Koda Martin
LG: Jeremiah Stuckey, Keaton Sutherland, Connor Lanfear
C: Erik McCoy, J.J. Gustafson
RG: Jermiane Eluemunor, Lanfear, Colton Prater
RT: Germain Ifedi*, Martin, Justin Lindblade
(* Just a hunch.)
DE: Daeshon Hall, Qualen Cunningham, Mark Jackson
DT: Daylon Mack, Kingsley Keke
DT: Zaycoven Henderson, DeShawn Washington
DE: Myles Garrett, Jarrett Johnson, James Lockhart
WILL: Otaro Alaka, Claude George, Riley Garner
MIKE: A.J. Hilliard, Josh Walker, Tyrel Dodson, Landis Durham
SAM: Shaan Washington, Richard Moore, Dwaine Thomas
CB: Nick Harvey, Travon Fuller, Deshawn Capers-Smith
CB: Priest Willis, Alex Sezer, Charles Oliver, Roney Elam
FS: Armani Watts, Larry Pryor
SS: Justin Evans, Justin Dunning
Nickel: Donovan Wilson, Noel Ellis
P: Braden Mann, Shane Tripucka
PK: Daniel Lacamera
Um...
Ole Miss has had a better time of it. Earlier this year, in fact. But after getting blasted by UF and losing to Memphis, it's not good. Defensively, they're down at least three starters: Defensive tackle Issac Gross is out for the season with a neck injury, while defensive back Tony Conner (knee surgery) and linebacker C.J. Johnson (knee surgery) are out at last three more weeks. After Robert Nkemdiche got a concussion playing offense, it looks like they'll be without their stud of studs, too.
So people in Oxford are angry. One of them tweeted their AD to complain about Hugh Freeze. The AD responded, saying "Coach Freeze would like for you to call him" -- and posted his cell phone number. Not in a direct message, mind you; just for the whole world to see. Odds on Hugh answering his phone to hear "CLANGACLANGACLANG" in his ear today? 100%.
Ok, you can stop with that stupid idea already
Myles Garrett critics have made a big deal out of him not destroying the SEC as a true freshman as reason to downplay his abilities. Well, I will submit this to his critics: 14 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections in three games this year. And now you may kindly shut the hell up.
You like Taylor Bertolet. You really like Taylor Bertolet.
Remember this offseason when some of you were demanding open tryouts for kickers with the idea there had to be ONE worth a damn in the student body? Guess what Florida is doing today, because both of their kickers are hurt? Exactly what y'all suggested.
Remember, you could be this guy:
