Like most people, I was shocked that Alabama threw the ball 45 times against a really good LSU pass defense. I think I would have liked to see Alabama (particularly Sims) run it a bit more. However, the way the game went, it really did look like the defense was dictating that we throw it and the run game was really struggling at times. I believe in taking what the defense gives you (if they are going to sell out to stop the run, then throw it). So, I have mixed feelings about the play calling against LSU.

Anyway, unlike against LSU, throwing it 50 times might actually be the right call at home against MSU.

I found this very hard to believe for an undefeated number 1 team, but MSU is 123 (out of 124) in the country in passing defense (passing yards per game). They give up 300 yards per game (that is pretty hard to do).

Now their pass rating defense is a good bit better at 37th, so they probably aren't as bad at pass defense as that first stat indicates. But still, are they going to be able to cover Cooper and company if "Home Blake Sims" is on his game? I'm looking for Cooper to have a huge bounce back game this week. I do think MSU will HAVE to double him because I don't think they will believe they have anyone that can cover him 1 on 1. So even if they limit Cooper, Sims should have some other guys running free.

ETA: The NCAA site says they are 120 out of 125, a little different than ESPN's site.

This post was edited on 11/10/14 at 9:15 am

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Posted by Riseupfromtherubble

You'll Never Walk Alone

Member since Jun 2011

38360 posts

Posted on 11/10/14 at 9:48 am to elposter

MSU plays a lot of zone, passing the ball should come much easier against them as should yac opportunity. LSU was playing tight man all night, our receivers got a step on them several times but it's still a tough throw to make, factor in the drops and the passing game looked worse than it really was Saturday.

Amari Cooper expects a lot out of himself, I suspect his drops against LSU will fuel him towards a monster game Saturday, he knows how to find the open window in a zone defense as well as anyone.

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Posted by MikeHoncho

Anytown, USA

Member since Oct 2012

2769 posts

Posted on 11/10/14 at 11:08 am to Riseupfromtherubble

quote:
Amari Cooper expects a lot out of himself, I suspect his drops against LSU will fuel him towards a monster game Saturday, he knows how to find the open window in a zone defense as well as anyone.

Well said. I think Amari is gonna have a whale of a game Saturday. I can't wait

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Posted by pivey14

In Your Head

Member since Mar 2012

15445 posts

Posted on 11/10/14 at 12:34 pm to elposter

We give up yards, but are one of the best red zone defenses in the nation. This defense is very opportunistic. Yea, we give up the long plays that put teams in the red zone, but from their on out, they are pretty incapable of scoring. Don't let those statistics fool you, we have been up a good bit in the 4th Quarter of almost every game. We put our second string in, who tend to play soft and give up a substantial amount of yards. Our depth is solid, but play calling on defense is fairly vanilla late the in game which tends to produce big plays and a lot of yards for the opposing team.

Also, the secondary doesn't have to be as consistent as LSU. Our D-Line is substantially deeper and stronger than LSU's. That'll factor into the passing game a good bit.

This post was edited on 11/10/14 at 12:37 pm

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