How Utah beat the tide.

[ProgRock 0]

I want to get some feedback on the way Utah went about beating Alabama.

A couple of things

1)Utah didn't run....period...hardly ever.

2)Utah's WR's were the RB's ...first they caught the ball then ran for more yards just like a RB...all of them.They didn't miss catches and they ran like Half backs.

3) Offensive line played pass protection well and a accurate and aggressive QB took control.He passed and did it quickly...he knew where the play was going the moment the ball was snapped.Line up read and deliver the offensive line didn't need to hold very long with this type ball movement.

The defense was smart and aggressive and tackled pretty well.There D could be aggressive because of the flood of points the offense produced early.

All that being said.....could Auburn fans live with this type play?Does it have to be Running back U?

I'm sure a win is a win but some don't want this type of O.

[AUloggerhead 3,149]

I want to get some feedback on the way Utah went about beating Alabama.

A couple of things

1)Utah didn't run....period...hardly ever.

2)Utah's WR's were the RB's ...first they caught the ball then ran for more yards just like a RB...all of them.They didn't miss catches and they ran like Half backs.

3) Offensive line played pass protection well and a accurate and aggressive QB took control.He passed and did it quickly...he knew where the play was going the moment the ball was snapped.Line up read and deliver the offensive line didn't need to hold very long with this type ball movement.

The defense was smart and aggressive and tackled pretty well.There D could be aggressive because of the flood of points the offense produced early.

All that being said.....could Auburn fans live with this type play?Does it have to be Running back U?

I'm sure a win is a win but some don't want this type of O.

1. The first few series had them running the HUNH and that seemed to mess with the uat heads on defense. The passes weren't overly long either -- the receivers had a lot of yards after catches.

2. The receivers were well-coached in fundamentals. That much was obvious. Compare & contrast with AU receivers over the past few seasons. No contest.

3. uat was on their heels in the 1Q and reacted way too slowly. They couldn't be aggressive because they didn't know what was hitting them.

Could AU people live with a big win over an opponent just by throwing the ball? Absolutely. In most instances the past few years, opposing defenses were daring AU to throw it. When AU couldn't, the game was usually over. An offense must be able to run & pass. Sometimes, you need to either gain a lot of yards for a 1st down or score a lot of points in a short time. If you can't pass the ball then you are in trouble. And of course, you need to be able to run for ball control & to eat up clock. If a opponent can't stop your running game then they are in trouble.

[keoson7 28]

They beat them soundly and very woodshed like....

[Mikey 16,781]

One thing, Utah's defense was much better than I expected. Of Alabama's 17 points, 7 came from a punt return and 7 more were the result of a turnover on the Utah 30 yard line. UAT's offense only earned 3 points.

Second: Utah's offense: I think that's what Coach Tuberville was trying to achieve when he hired Tony Franklin. It didn't work out for a number of reasons, but that was CTT's aim.

I think the spread is the way to go these days, and it looks like we are putting together a staff that can run it. People say it's a fad, but so was the wishbone. Only lasted 12-15 years before defenses caught up.

[JTA6453 2]

One thing, Utah's defense was much better than I expected. Of Alabama's 17 points, 7 came from a punt return and 7 more were the result of a turnover on the Utah 30 yard line. UAT's offense only earned 3 points.

Second: Utah's offense: I think that's what Coach Tuberville was trying to achieve when he hired Tony Franklin. It didn't work out for a number of reasons, but that was CTT's aim.

I think the spread is the way to go these days, and it looks like we are putting together a staff that can run it. People say it's a fad, but so was the wishbone. Only lasted 12-15 years before defenses caught up.

The 3 points earned by the offense came from a 52 yard FG w a few missed attempts from 49 & 47. Utah's D completely smothered the Andre Smith-less Cheaters.

[FootballFanatic 4]

The spread is more prone to fail when talent levels fluctuate.

In reality, you coach to your strengths. If you have talented lineman and a good running back, you run. If you have talented wide recievers and a good QB, you throw. If you have a great defense and a good field goal kicker you play cautious.

Theoretically I want a talented team that can play a balanced game and not have to rely on any one portion of the offense.

[AU1941 6]

Utah had great WR's and a good QB that made the quick throw's. If Tony Franklin would've had the same on his 1st team at AU, he and CTT would be out recruiting for AU today.

[TigerOne 1,515]

Their receivers ran great routes, the blitz was very effective and is the way to beat bammer with

sarah jessica as the QB. Utah's players were very well coached, confident and seemed to always

know what to do. Their coach was calm, cool and professional unlike the tasmanian devil across the field.

[runswithscissors 33]

1. Utah is a very good and quick team. their QB is phenomenal.

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

3. only two of our OL were in their natural spots all game. when you are a run first team, that is a huge huge blow. i think a good bit of SEC OL would have problems with the lighter, quicker Utah DL. while being lighter can cause a favorable mismatch for the OL, you run into a problem when the DL are as quick as those guys. SEC OLs are not built to go against that, as SEC DLs aren't built that way. when Andre was suspended that hurt enough, but then losing his backup killed us.

4. worst play by our DBs this season, especially Kareem Jackson. he IS the new Marcus Carter. they were picking on him quite a bit.

5. due to the OL problems and being behind, the run game never got off the ground. couple that with a patched together OL and JPW was running for his life most of the night. its hard to make good decisions in that situation, but i think JPW did a decent job with what he was given.

[SouthLink02 8]

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

What a douche

[80Tiger 909]

1. Utah is a very good and quick team. their QB is phenomenal.

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

3. only two of our OL were in their natural spots all game. when you are a run first team, that is a huge huge blow. i think a good bit of SEC OL would have problems with the lighter, quicker Utah DL. while being lighter can cause a favorable mismatch for the OL, you run into a problem when the DL are as quick as those guys. SEC OLs are not built to go against that, as SEC DLs aren't built that way. when Andre was suspended that hurt enough, but then losing his backup killed us.

4. worst play by our DBs this season, especially Kareem Jackson. he IS the new Marcus Carter. they were picking on him quite a bit.

5. due to the OL problems and being behind, the run game never got off the ground. couple that with a patched together OL and JPW was running for his life most of the night. its hard to make good decisions in that situation, but i think JPW did a decent job with what he was given.

And that is your line for next year, and please don't say that Fluker is better than Andre Smith every thought about being. You can hope he will be eventually, but freshman/sophomore OL will almost always be a liability instead of an asset. It is the most obvious position when it comes to strength or lack of it comes into play. Upperclassman OL almost always have an advantage when it comes to be in the weight room for 3 years compared to an incoming freshman. Every once in a while you have a "freak" like Smith or McNeil, but more times than not freshman/sophomore OL spell disaster. See AU the past two years

[BroncoAU 81]

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

What a douche

Yeah, and if I'm not mistaken, who's ass called WCM before playing UF to see how he was sucessful against them for 2 years straight, which in the eyes of the Tahd Nation, that was a Kirby Smart decision... I guess thats OK as long as its Alabama doing it and no one else...

[BamaGrad03 0]

The issue with Utah is the QB play. To run their system effectively against a good defense, you have to have a VERY accurate QB. And he was exactly that. Also, much of it is related to timing and knowing your receivers.

Again, NEVER underestimate the merits of a Senior QB.

[FootballFanatic 4]

You mean like the Senior QB that turned the ball over for bama a few times and didn't dump the ball out when under blitz situations?

Utah looked good out there. They aren't world beaters. They have a solid team. They should at least get their shot against the top teir teams in the league.

The one thing that you said was what it took to run their offense against a good defense. TBH the stats you generated this year were against some bottom feeder offenses. The few offenses that really played well this year put up over 20+ points on that defense. Even Georgia came back to score 30+ but they were down by that much from the start. Your only benefit was against the run game and a lot of teams you faced this year struggled to run the ball anyway.

[runswithscissors 33]

1. Utah is a very good and quick team. their QB is phenomenal.

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

3. only two of our OL were in their natural spots all game. when you are a run first team, that is a huge huge blow. i think a good bit of SEC OL would have problems with the lighter, quicker Utah DL. while being lighter can cause a favorable mismatch for the OL, you run into a problem when the DL are as quick as those guys. SEC OLs are not built to go against that, as SEC DLs aren't built that way. when Andre was suspended that hurt enough, but then losing his backup killed us.

4. worst play by our DBs this season, especially Kareem Jackson. he IS the new Marcus Carter. they were picking on him quite a bit.

5. due to the OL problems and being behind, the run game never got off the ground. couple that with a patched together OL and JPW was running for his life most of the night. its hard to make good decisions in that situation, but i think JPW did a decent job with what he was given.

And that is your line for next year, and please don't say that Fluker is better than Andre Smith every thought about being. You can hope he will be eventually, but freshman/sophomore OL will almost always be a liability instead of an asset. It is the most obvious position when it comes to strength or lack of it comes into play. Upperclassman OL almost always have an advantage when it comes to be in the weight room for 3 years compared to an incoming freshman. Every once in a while you have a "freak" like Smith or McNeil, but more times than not freshman/sophomore OL spell disaster. See AU the past two years

that is not our OL for next year. losing Andre hurt, but then the guy we slid over from guard to tackle (Mike Johnson) went out with an injury as well. that then forced us to slide yet another over and then start a true freshman at RG. Johnson will be back next season. you can't tell me that with the setup we were forced to patch together and being a run-first team you expected a flawless showing. we had 4 days to practice with Andre being gone and then had the Johnson injury without notice. we lose Davis, Smith, and Caldwell in 09. Carpenter may come in ready to play from prep school, as well as Massie if he is signed. i wouldn't even say that many seniors are on the same level as Smith, so why in the world would i say a freshman is? don't put words in my mouth.

[MDP32AU 0]

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

What a douche

What he said. TOOL

[BamaGrad03 0]

You mean like the Senior QB that turned the ball over for bama a few times and didn't dump the ball out when under blitz situations?

Utah looked good out there. They aren't world beaters. They have a solid team. They should at least get their shot against the top teir teams in the league.

The one thing that you said was what it took to run their offense against a good defense. TBH the stats you generated this year were against some bottom feeder offenses. The few offenses that really played well this year put up over 20+ points on that defense. Even Georgia came back to score 30+ but they were down by that much from the start. Your only benefit was against the run game and a lot of teams you faced this year struggled to run the ball anyway.

The Senior QB who went 12-2? Yeah, yeah I do.

Would AU still have been 5-7 this year with JPW at QB? You know the answer.

[AUloggerhead 3,149]

2. lots of input and gameplanning by Urban Meyer. while it still takes their guys to execute, even Utah's coach said he was on the phone with Meyer when he found out they were playing us.

What a douche

What he said. TOOL

What they said combined: douch + tool = douchenozzle.

Wonder who $abun called up to learn how to piss away a golden opportunity? Greg Norman?

[TigerOne 1,515]

You mean like the Senior QB that turned the ball over for bama a few times and didn't dump the ball out when under blitz situations?

Utah looked good out there. They aren't world beaters. They have a solid team. They should at least get their shot against the top teir teams in the league.

The one thing that you said was what it took to run their offense against a good defense. TBH the stats you generated this year were against some bottom feeder offenses. The few offenses that really played well this year put up over 20+ points on that defense. Even Georgia came back to score 30+ but they were down by that much from the start. Your only benefit was against the run game and a lot of teams you faced this year struggled to run the ball anyway.

The Senior QB who went 12-2? Yeah, yeah I do.

Would AU still have been 5-7 this year with JPW at QB? You know the answer.

Nope, we would have been 3-9.

[Guest BoStillKnows]

You mean like the Senior QB that turned the ball over for bama a few times and didn't dump the ball out when under blitz situations?

Utah looked good out there. They aren't world beaters. They have a solid team. They should at least get their shot against the top teir teams in the league.

The one thing that you said was what it took to run their offense against a good defense. TBH the stats you generated this year were against some bottom feeder offenses. The few offenses that really played well this year put up over 20+ points on that defense. Even Georgia came back to score 30+ but they were down by that much from the start. Your only benefit was against the run game and a lot of teams you faced this year struggled to run the ball anyway.

The Senior QB who went 12-2? Yeah, yeah I do.

Would AU still have been 5-7 this year with JPW at QB? You know the answer.

Nope, we would have been 3-9.

If we had Smith at left tackle.

[ProgRock 0]

I love this.....oh the offensive line had to do "different" things.This guy had to play in that position and that guy wasn't used to etc.....

A couple of words about that....ugh it's football,it's called injuries,they happen.Did florida cry about Harvin being out and their lack of a running game?Did the Alabama O line have anything to do with 31 points scored?

Don't you think Auburn had some major injury problems along with the rest of the league?It's a nice excuse but still and excuse because every one has them,just like turnovers.

[Mikey 16,781]

I love this.....oh the offensive line had to do "different" things.This guy had to play in that position and that guy wasn't used to etc.....

A couple of words about that....ugh it's football,it's called injuries,they happen....

Yeah, that "the o-line had to swap positions" is a real howler! The announcers said before the GMAC bowl that Tulsa's o-line had to do a bunch of swapping around. 600+ yards, no turnovers and 45 points later....

[rebdawg 5]

I love this.....oh the offensive line had to do "different" things.This guy had to play in that position and that guy wasn't used to etc.....

A couple of words about that....ugh it's football,it's called injuries,they happen....

Yeah, that "the o-line had to swap positions" is a real howler! The announcers said before the GMAC bowl that Tulsa's o-line had to do a bunch of swapping around. 600+ yards, no turnovers and 45 points later....

Yes! And the man who made that work is setting up shop in the Loveliest Village right now with two of the best recruiters in the country coaching backs and receivers.