re: Honest question on bama's d gameplan

quote:

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Saban believes in stopping the run with 7, and will virtually never "stack" the box, i.e. have 8 in the box. We'll be in base if you are in 2-wide or less. If you go three wide or more regularly, we'll be in Nickel. I doubt we'll see a ton of Dime unless it's 3rd and forever.

My guess is you'll see a similar gameplan as to what we brought against Georgia. Remember, stopping Fournette doesn't mean "stopping Fournette", it means controlling the LOS with our Front 7. Personally, I don't think Fournete will have much room between the tackles, but getting to the edge can be done - and I expect LSU to try it frequently.

We'll rush 4 mostly early, but will likely bring more heat as the game goes on, and probably end up bringing 5 on most plays in the 4th. We'll play man/combo press coverage all day, and expect db's to play on islands with rotating safety help.

If you sub, we'll sub. And we'll sub even when you don't. We'll be fresh in the 4th on the Dline, unlike most schools.

In short, we'll endeavor to stop the run first and force LSU to throw, and throw into tight windows. Harris will have to be very accurate with the ball. Should be a great matchup.

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This is the most accurate post. Saban doesn't "stack the box". He just doesn't, and part of that is because that front 7 he employs is just good enough to not require it, and that is a huge advantage.

I just think Bama is going to have trouble with this against LSU. Yes, I realize the success that Bama had against Chubb. I fully agree that when the game was on the line, they flat out dominated Georgia's running game. That last run by Chubb to inflate his stats was cosmetic. I just think LSU is a brings a different caliber of attack, with a quarterback that can at least present a running/mobility threat. I think as good as Bama looked versus Georgia, they also showed some cracks versus Tennessee. Saban's defense typically destroys pocket passers. I honestly believe that is why LSU has seemed hell bent on having a mobile quarterback under Miles. Harris is not on the level of Dobbs as a running threat, he absolutely can run. LSU has shown that a bit, but hasn't asked him to do to much of it because they have not needed it, which is smart because you're risking the health of your starter when you ask him to take on that load. I really think Harris is the x factor in this game for LSU and I won't be suprised at all if the gameplan is to use him much more as a runner in this game. I look at LSU as kind of the reverse of UT, with UT Bama was very much focused on Dobbs as a runner, and I think their focus on Hurd as secondary. It will be reversed in this game, and I think Harris will have some big opportunities to make plays with his legs, he's very underrated as a run threat, and might be the best run threat at QB that miles has ever had at LSU. Again, they haven't shown it too much, but he absolutely has that ability. Georgia did not.