re: Morning after thoughts

I was at the game, so I didn't see a ton of replays. However, with just watching it live, here are my takes...

1. Michigan in 1st half offensively had a good plan, good mix, misdirection, trick plays. Got 13 points..meh

2. Defensively, they had a very good plan, and came another OL and Milroe from everywhere. They were physical.

3. Alabama, defensively, was ok, but once again wasn't disciplined enough with the candy on a few plays, and that bit us. Zero pressure on qb.

4. Offensively, the OL didn't handle anything very well at all. Milroe didn't really either. He had some check downs, but he hasn't done that all season. He had some crosses that he didn't look at, again hasn't done much of that all season.

In the 2nd half, our defense made adjustments and put the clamps down till 4th and 2. Michigan had 2 plays up till that point, the toe touch catch for a first down and the wide open pass play after the Milroe fumble.

Offensively, we settled in and were much better. The snaps on first drive were horrific. But we controlled the half. The fumble was a momentum killer but we got it back. The illegal substitution penalty was bad too. I think that kept us from getting a td or at least getting closer and taking more time off.

After 4th and 2, it was a shite show. Defense left back wide open, and totally disappeared. Got out of position. They went right down and scored. We still had a chance but didn't make a play to get in FG range. I thought we were going to get the muffed punt but couldn't do it.

OT, the D again was gone. Two plays. Offense looked out of ideas. Nothing new or different, when they really needed it. The 4th down call was obvious, even if it was possibly a pass. Poor snap, poor blocking, poor result.

This game to me summed up the whole season as a team and individually. Rough start, better in the middle, but back to a struggle in the end. The OL looked better but they have plenty of issues across the line. Yes, the center snaps are maddening, but it was the complete line. Milroe did improve a little bit but to me, more of just a runner and broken play guy. He doesn't read defenses well and therefore doesn't know where to go with it. Like last night, all season he has had backs out of the backfield or TE in the middle of field and hasn't gone to them and they have been wide open. For as well as he did at times and sparkled and won us over, he still, at the core, isn't good enough yet.

Defense was much improved but still gave up drives in big moments. They got out of position on eye candy. They would lose momentum and wouldn't regain it. But they also gave us opportunities to win when the offense struggled.

Coaching wise, I don't think Rees is as bad as yall think, but he's not great either. Part of it is his play calling, part is OL, and part is Milroe not taking advantage of the play that was called. At times he was good, others not. He doesn't have a lot of creativity. Steele did a good job, but it couldn't have been any worse than Golding. I don't think Steele was aggressive enough, especially last night, but the defense was better this year. Saban is Saban. He deserves some questioning but it was a hell of a job this year. However, he has some decisions to make about staff and players. Will be interesting.

Strength and conditioning coach needs to step it up. We are nowhere near where we were with Cochran both physically and mentally. We need some attitude!

I will not be coming back to California as I am now 0-2.

Roll Tide!