2010 Iron Bowl Espionage

[tigeraddikt 1,692]

Fellow tigers...I didn't discover this site 'til Christmastime last year, so I wasn't around during the perfect season.  I'm sure this probably had a thread at that time, but I'm curious....Ive' heard it said, but just in passing, that the coaches felt that during the 1st quarter, and 1st half for that matter, of the 2010 Iron Bowl Bama knew what offensive play was coming.  No other team by far stopped Cam on called runs and miraculously dropped back into pass coverage on called passes.  LSU's D was just about as good as Bama's, if not better, that year if I recall, and AU just shredded them on the run, so my question is...

What is the final verdict on whether or not Bama did, in fact, know what the offensive play calls were going into each snap, and how was it surmised that they knew this?

I was just thinking about this on the drive in to work this morning, and I realized I'd never heard anything definitive on the matter.  Thanks!

[Barnacle 9,107]

We won that game, right?

[kingofhill1 2]

It's not like they played us the first game of the season. They did have video from 11 previous games we played that season. There is this thing called studying film and whether we like them or not, their coaches are not dumb.

[GoBull367 0]

It's not impossible to stop a mobile quarterback.  Despite his size, Cam wasn't the Tebow type of QB for us.  He protected his body a lot and went down fairly easily for a guy his size.  I think their 3-4 was the perfect defense to contain him. It wasn't until we let him throw it down field that everything opened up for us.

[AUpocalypse 12]

Fellow tigers...I didn't discover this site 'til Christmastime last year, so I wasn't around during the perfect season.  I'm sure this probably had a thread at that time, but I'm curious....Ive' heard it said, but just in passing, that the coaches felt that during the 1st quarter, and 1st half for that matter, of the 2010 Iron Bowl Bama knew what offensive play was coming.  No other team by far stopped Cam on called runs and miraculously dropped back into pass coverage on called passes.  LSU's D was just about as good as Bama's, if not better, that year if I recall, and AU just shredded them on the run, so my question is...

What is the final verdict on whether or not Bama did, in fact, know what the offensive play calls were going into each snap, and how was it surmised that they knew this?

I was just thinking about this on the drive in to work this morning, and I realized I'd never heard anything definitive on the matter.  Thanks!

I don't think you'll ever get to the facts on this matter unless you get kirby or short stack to 'fess up. If you do, record it and send me a copy. 

The theory floated around for awhile. Given Saban's ties to Belichik there are grounds for this case: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/eric-mangini-exposes-bill-belichick-spy-games-article-1.247257

Also, AU could do nothing. It did seem as though uat knew what was coming and even the cbs announcers made several references to that. Uat defenders where ignoring routes by receivers and doing some other things which seemed out of place, but they were always on top of the ball. Then, AU started moving the football and there is a shot where Saban and Kirby are arguing as if the play they expected was trampled by the actual play Auburn ran. There is a post somewhere on this board which I tried to dig back up ages ago, and some youtube videos highlighting these events.

http://youtu.be/z3jmJaFdkx8 

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/10359348

[jmcrosson 203]

Fellow tigers...I didn't discover this site 'til Christmastime last year, so I wasn't around during the perfect season.  I'm sure this probably had a thread at that time, but I'm curious....Ive' heard it said, but just in passing, that the coaches felt that during the 1st quarter, and 1st half for that matter, of the 2010 Iron Bowl Bama knew what offensive play was coming.  No other team by far stopped Cam on called runs and miraculously dropped back into pass coverage on called passes.  LSU's D was just about as good as Bama's, if not better, that year if I recall, and AU just shredded them on the run, so my question is...

What is the final verdict on whether or not Bama did, in fact, know what the offensive play calls were going into each snap, and how was it surmised that they knew this?

I was just thinking about this on the drive in to work this morning, and I realized I'd never heard anything definitive on the matter.  Thanks!

I don't think you'll ever get to the facts on this matter unless you get kirby or short stack to 'fess up. If you do, record it and send me a copy. 

The theory floated around for awhile. Given Saban's ties to Belichik there are grounds for this case: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/eric-mangini-exposes-bill-belichick-spy-games-article-1.247257

Also, AU could do nothing. It did seem as though uat knew what was coming and even the cbs announcers made several references to that. Uat defenders where ignoring routes by receivers and doing some other things which seemed out of place, but they were always on top of the ball. Then, AU started moving the football and there is a shot where Saban and Kirby are arguing as if the play they expected was trampled by the actual play Auburn ran. There is a post somewhere on this board which I tried to dig back up ages ago, and some youtube videos highlighting these events.

http://youtu.be/z3jmJaFdkx8 

As an impartial observer, I really appreciate this type of response to the original post. No need for smart alec answers, imo.

[Barnacle 9,107]

As far as smart Alec answers go, what did you expect? Its a moot point. The only final verdict you will find is that Auburn won. What more do you need to know?

[amsterjam 107]

As far as smart Alec answers go, what did you expect? Its a moot point. The only final verdict you will find is that Auburn won. What more do you need to know?

:banghead:

[Warnugget 127]

To some of us fans, the drama and particulars of our teams' football games are important.  Not just if we win or lose.  Moot points are only moot to the people that don't care about them.  IMO, if we knew for a fact that they knew our plays then it would make the victory that much sweeter.  I'll always take my victories as sweet as we can make them.

And to answer your question:  Yes, we won that game.

[JMassie11 1,660]

There were rumors that they figured out our play calling system in the 1st quarter and Gus and chiz noticed and started sending in places by a player

[tdawgpike 0]

It's not impossible to stop a mobile quarterback.  Despite his size, Cam wasn't the Tebow type of QB for us.  He protected his body a lot and went down fairly easily for a guy his size.  I think their 3-4 was the perfect defense to contain him. It wasn't until we let him throw it down field that everything opened up for us.

I don't know what season you watched bro, but Cam did anything but go down easy for most of what I saw.

[herktiger 0]

As previously stated, there is ample video evidence of that game showing the actions and reactions of the uat coaches to AU play calling in the first quarter and most of the second quarter to suggest they knew the play that was called prior. Whether this was done "legally" with just good film study of formations, etc, or "illegally" by other possible means, it will probably not come out for years. What is definitely obvious is when AU stopped signaling in the plays from the sideline and began sending the play in with a player, the offense immediately began having success and with the miraculous fumble recovery, the epic comeback began...and the rest, as they say, is history!!

[au75 75]

You are so right CARL........

[dpwspringer 0]

I watched a replay on YouTube of highlights of the game the other day and one thing that stuck out to me was that the officials screwed us on a 4th down play where they gave bama a yard gain for their 1st down that defies physics... if you get my drift.  From what I saw and it looked pretty clear to me, bama's qb got knocked back before he even got to the original line of scrimmage by a wave of Auburn defenders that read the snap count right and Auburn came out with the ball.  But low and behold, an official gave bama a yard gain and 1st down.  Even the announcers were shocked enough by that call to point out how 'fortunate' bama was.  Bama has been 'fortunate' a lot like that over the years, more so than your average team... the refs seem to 'love' 'em.

But back to the OP, I don't know what bama figured out about our play calling but whatever it was it was very effective early on.  Whatever was going on, Auburn coaches figured it out and used that to Auburn's advantage in the second half because bama looked lost and confused at times.  But beyond that, there was a bs call on Nick Fairley and another bs call or two by the refs that IMO were beyond the typical 'close call that sometimes doesn't go your way scenario' that might have been worth a td or two for bama.  In my many decades of observing Auburn and Alabama football there is no doubt in my mind about how much the bama football program has traded off winning versus ethics over the years.  And they believe they can get away with things that others can't... for the most part history has proven them correct.

[keesler 5,957]

When both teams are relatively equal in talent and depth, football is nothing more than a chess match.  You try to out scheme/out play/out match the opponent.  UAT figured us out in the first half, AU figured them out in the second half -----  and the good guys WON.

The SEC has some of the best coaches in the country right now, you gotta prepare your team every freakin week in order to survive this conference. 

It's our time to shine THIS season - We've got the depth, experience, a nice schedule, and an upgrade in coaching.  These players will be stronger, wiser, and will have SEC gametime experience. 

[BPI 0]

It has been rumered but proven. Second half adjustments in tha game were amazing on both sides of the ball.

[aujess07 4]

[DyeEraTiger 0]

As long as they didn't do it illegaly--more power to them. Persoanally, I feel like missing our two starting DE's for the first half hurt more than anything else.

[theagent39 0]

At this point can it be proven: NO

But, it is clear bammer was on top of every single play in the first half that was relayed in from the AU sidelines. In the second half, the plays were sent in with players from the side lines. I think it is clear the AU coaching staff more than felt something was up and bammer was stealing the signals in the the first half because of the change. Bammer's defense seemed lost after in the second half after the adjusment.

NOTE: Saban has been accused or alleged by more than one coach/team of stealing plays. He learned his craft from a coach (as noted above) that was CAUGHT stealing plays.

[Elephant Tipper 430]

Most teams "push the envelope".  UpDykes open the envelope.

[wardon1345162806 0]

At Mich St Saban filmed all fri walkthru of opposing team-

[tigeraddikt 1,692]

Hey guys!  Thanks to everyone for participating in the thread...War Eagle to the good guys.  Better 1 day a Tiger than 1000 years a Turd! 

[tigeraddikt 1,692]

Fellow tigers...I didn't discover this site 'til Christmastime last year, so I wasn't around during the perfect season.  I'm sure this probably had a thread at that time, but I'm curious....Ive' heard it said, but just in passing, that the coaches felt that during the 1st quarter, and 1st half for that matter, of the 2010 Iron Bowl Bama knew what offensive play was coming.  No other team by far stopped Cam on called runs and miraculously dropped back into pass coverage on called passes.  LSU's D was just about as good as Bama's, if not better, that year if I recall, and AU just shredded them on the run, so my question is...

What is the final verdict on whether or not Bama did, in fact, know what the offensive play calls were going into each snap, and how was it surmised that they knew this?

I was just thinking about this on the drive in to work this morning, and I realized I'd never heard anything definitive on the matter.  Thanks!

I don't think you'll ever get to the facts on this matter unless you get kirby or short stack to 'fess up. If you do, record it and send me a copy. 

The theory floated around for awhile. Given Saban's ties to Belichik there are grounds for this case: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/eric-mangini-exposes-bill-belichick-spy-games-article-1.247257

Also, AU could do nothing. It did seem as though uat knew what was coming and even the cbs announcers made several references to that. Uat defenders where ignoring routes by receivers and doing some other things which seemed out of place, but they were always on top of the ball. Then, AU started moving the football and there is a shot where Saban and Kirby are arguing as if the play they expected was trampled by the actual play Auburn ran. There is a post somewhere on this board which I tried to dig back up ages ago, and some youtube videos highlighting these events.

http://youtu.be/z3jmJaFdkx8 

As an impartial observer, I really appreciate this type of response to the original post. No need for smart alec answers, imo.

Thanks, guys! WE!

[au_weagle 0]

I may have some input on this. Yes, I do think Bama knew Malzahn's coaching system with his colors and numbers. However, if you read coach Malahn's book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Hurry-Up-No-Huddle-Offensive-Philosophy/dp/1585186546) he talks about how the key can be changed any time if you think the defense knows your system. I think Bama was the first to crack his code, and it was the first time he needed to switch the key.

This may be the reason we came back so strong in the second half. Malzahn had time to reconstruct his play calling system.

[GoBull367 0]

I may have some input on this. Yes, I do think Bama knew Malzahn's coaching system with his colors and numbers. However, if you read coach Malahn's book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Hurry-Up-No-Huddle-Offensive-Philosophy/dp/1585186546) he talks about how the key can be changed any time if you think the defense knows your system. I think Bama was the first to crack his code, and it was the first time he needed to switch the key.

This may be the reason we came back so strong in the second half. Malzahn had time to reconstruct his play calling system.

I've always wanted to read that book.  Very interesting.