CFB Nerds UA vs AU

Going to be a very tough game.. It will all come down to how Mac handles the pressure. If he gets the ball out and makes good reads we run away with it.. If not it will be a long painful day for him

I predict many of us will have new or enlarged stomach ulcers due to this game, whether we win or lose.

I've researched, thought about, and discussed this game at length, and I've come to a simple conclusion:

Whether Bama wins or doesn't isn't an issue regarding stats or tendencies, it's not tremendously about this matchup or that one, and it's not inherently about injuries either - it's about whether the Alabama football team plays well. Sure, we've been hit by injuries, but we still have talent in those spots; not as much depth or experience, but we have players that should be able to get the job done.

The simple fact is that if Alabama shows up and limits penalties, communicates well, avoids mental mistakes, tackles, executes whatever gameplan was taught by the coaches, and doesn't commit numerous unforced errors, we'll win the game and be perfectly fine.

However, if Alabama shows up and doesn't have attention to detail and makes numerous mistakes, lengthy discussions of stats, match-ups, and injuries won't mean piss. We'll simply lose if auburn plays well.

All I want is for my team to show up and play to the best of its current ability. If that ceiling has been lowered by injuries, so be it. But if we play well - even with the myriad of injuries - we're still one of the best teams in the land.

Just be the best version of Alabama given the circumstances. I want to believe we can and will show up and do just that, but we've laid eggs for a half or all of the last few big games, and I'm honestly not optimistic. I'm not pessimistic either, just...matter-of-factly honest with myself about the product we seem to put on the field of late when the pressure gets turned up.

Just. Play. Well.

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I get what you're saying, but mistakes are going to happen. The Auburn defense is too good, and Jones is too inexperienced for some mistakes from him not to occur. And on the other side, the front 7 is so young and the Auburn offense uses so much pre-snap motion, mistakes are bound to happen.

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I don't think you are getting what I'm saying. Forced errors are going to happen; but unforced erros do not have to happen one single time. It's called playing to the best of your ability. If a man beats you on a play, he beats you. It happens. Just don't beat yourself.

Also, Mac Jones is not inexperienced. He's been at Alabama for years, has a ton of reps with the 1s at practice and in games, played all of 2 complete Adays, and has even started 2 real games, one an SEC game. Let's stop with saying the kid's inexperienced.

Secondly, Mac Jones is still surrounded by an excellent Oline and the best set of skill players in the country. I believe this offense as currently constructed with Mac Jones should be better than any offense AJ McCarron ever led. We have that much talent.

Secondly, auburn's offense is good, but it's not the 85 Bears. There's no reason why auburn can't be eaten alive with plays Mac Jones can run in his sleep, given the amount of talent on that offense.

And contrary to popular belief, our defense is still pretty good. Tenth in the country in scoring defense is nothing to sneeze at, and auburn's offense is still garbage. It's just garbage. We see it every year, we know what we'll see, and we'll coach 'em up. If they execute the gameplan, we'll be fine. There's only one football. auburn can't play with 3.

That 2012 Oline was maybe the best ever assembled. However, I don't agree about the running backs. I think if Najee and Robinson were featured in that offense, they'd shine just as brightly. We just don't run like that anymore schematically.

Secondly, I think we have the single best set of 4 starting WRs in the history of football, and this cannot be understated. AJ MCCarron was throwing to 1 stud and a handful of other dudes. Mac Jones is throwing to a pack of studs.

I also believe that we have an excellent Oline at this moment, but it's just my opinion and is subjective.

But we're getting lost in the weeds. Mac Jones is obviously a good enough QB for this offense to be an excellent offense. Excuses are not welcome or needed.

Mac has been on a somewhat short leash in the games he’s played. I’m really interested to see what Sark does with him in this game, given that we need to win and win big.

Zero chance we get the PI calls we should in Jordan Hare

Amen - just come out start to finish and play a clean game. No stupid mistakes, no bonehead penalties, no special teams gafs, no giant turnovers that give away points and/or take away our points.

Just play a clean game and let the chips fall where they may.

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You can tell they don't have a good feel for this game. Neither do I. I keep hoping that the light turns on for the Bama defense and they have a dominating performance but with the continued decimation by injury I just can't really believe that is going to happen in this game.

So even though Auburn's offense isn't great, I think they will find ways to score points on this defense and Alabama is going to have to put up 30 points to win it. That's a tall task against the Auburn D with no Tua. With Tua I'd be very confident. Without Tua it feels like it really could go either way and I'm not surprised the line is so close.

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One good thing about our defense is that teams that aren't great offensively, we have not allowed them to score many points at all, save for some garbage time stuff. LSU is an incredible offense, and our offense/special teams helped them out with short field in that first half. That is the only team that has really put up significant points against us.

You must be a media troll. How cute.