re: If bama goes to a 4-2-5 defense

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Some use a 3-3-5 more than a 4-2-5 as their nickel-base.

Bama fans would know better, but I think they tended to go with 3 down linemen more than 4 under Saban. I know Kirby ran that at Bama and took it to UGA. Don't know if Bama went to a 4-man front after he left.

Changing between the 3 and 4 man front is a significant change. When UGA went from the 4-man to a 3-man front, the only DL who was really successful at going from a hands down DE to a standing up rush OLB was Justin Houston. It took time to get the right kind of DL/LB on the roster before the move really paid any dividends.

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A few times this year - against the better offenses - Alabama essentially had to drop the 3-down nickel mid-game because these opponents were really hounding the mismatch of a good H (TE or slot body) on OLB who really is a pass rusher. Teams would basically just go trips against Alabama, run a wheel or something similar (so the OLB matches), then torch him vertically. Notably, Alabama basically just had to default to 4 down, split safety and try to stop the run with 6 against Tenn and UGA...they were getting killed with 3-3-5.

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This board needs more of this type of discussion instead of the hurrr durrr Kirby has a bowl cut. Hurr Durr Seattle Hippie won't be able to recruit teh souf shite.