Started By
Message

Definition of insanity - continuing to run on first down

Posted on 11/9/25 at 8:51 am
Posted by bamabonners
Alabama
Member since Nov 2015
4594 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 8:51 am
Interesting stat:

"Alabama running backs now rank 129th in yards per rush (3.9) and 134th in first downs per rush (15.5%)."


So why keep trying to run on first? It's a wasted down and usually puts us in 2nd and 12. We don't have to be a run first team.

What would y'all do here? What are your thoughts on the idea that you have to establish a run? Or do you simply need to be able to sneak in a few run plays to keep the defense honest?
This post was edited on 11/9/25 at 8:54 am
Posted by Chad4Bama
Member since Sep 2020
8085 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:05 am to
Not sure why anyone would downvote your comments because it's true. Wasting first downs is the biggest problem with the offense. They were extremely good on first down against Georgia, which allowed the offense to be unpredictable. When it's constantly 2nd and 9 or 10, the defense is going to t off on the QB.

And if you do pass on first down and it's incomplete, don't come back with a 1 yard second down run.

At this point I don't know why our run game is so bad...but I do know we need to sit Jam Miller. He's bringing absolutely nothing to the offense.
This post was edited on 11/9/25 at 9:06 am
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
82517 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:12 am to
At one point last night I told Boz we should just line up under Center on 1st down and take a knee after the snap.

The end result would be the same and we'd avoid injury while getting to our 2nd down playcall.
This post was edited on 11/9/25 at 9:13 am
Posted by bamarep
Member since Nov 2013
52327 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:14 am to
I'll go one step further, continuing to run UP THE MIDDLE on 1st down.


Mix in a toss sweep for fricks sake.
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16071 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:19 am to
We ran a few tosses last night. Didn’t do shite on those either. RB talent isn’t very good to be honest, but the OL is a complete disaster when it comes to run blocking.
Posted by SECSolomonGrundy
Slaughter Swamp
Member since Jun 2012
17968 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:38 am to
Very vanilla offensive gameplan yesterday, or LSU has a good defense.
Posted by partsman103
Member since Sep 2008
8582 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:39 am to
Toss with #4 seemed more productive than running up the middle with #26.

I'm of the opinion Bama needs to overload 1 side and run the toss sweep until the Defense can stop it. Then follow up with the fake TS and hit the WR over the middle on a cross.
Posted by Diego Ricardo
Alabama
Member since Dec 2020
10842 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:43 am to
If we ran on first down and got a 2nd and 7 out of it, I wouldn’t complain. If you don’t hit the 1st and 10 pass then you’re probably pass-pass-pass and punt without a 2nd or 3rd and long conversion. 2nd and 10 run is the worst play call in football analytically speaking. So if we’re running I’d rather it on 1st down than 2nd. We can’t convert 3rd and 4th downs with runs. Ultimately, we’re predictable because we’re bad at it. Might as well have a strong 1st down run tendency to see if you can ram rod a play action fake into working for a big pass completion.
This post was edited on 11/9/25 at 9:45 am
Posted by crimsontater
Trenton GA
Member since Dec 2009
3891 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:51 am to
my untrained eyes see 2 major issues. fat slow o linemen that cant move anyone for the run game. then ty is stuck in fastball mode and its causing him to be off target.
Posted by scottydoesntknow
Member since Nov 2023
9433 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 9:58 am to
quote:

Mix in a toss sweep for fricks sake.


We did I think twice. With Jam hesitated until defenders got on him and then got no gain
Posted by passthetylenol
Alabama
Member since Dec 2020
411 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 11:28 am to
I wouldn't mind the run on first down if we liberally mixed in play action off of it. We seem much too predictable. Like, By Golly we are going to run on first down until you stop it!! Guys, they are stopping it.
This post was edited on 11/9/25 at 11:56 am
Posted by PBD4BAMA
Sweet Home Alabama
Member since Dec 2014
6079 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 12:21 pm to
Too many pulling plays running the ball. We are too slow most of the time to accomplish that successfully.
Line up man on man and dominate your matchup!
Posted by RollTide33
Member since Sep 2019
4173 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 12:49 pm to
quote:

Too many pulling plays running the ball. We are too slow most of the time to accomplish that successfully.
Line up man on man and dominate your matchup!


That's not happening because it isn't DeBoer's offense. He expects lineman to pin and pull.
Posted by Bama72
North Alabama / Alabama Alumnus
Member since Apr 2021
600 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 12:59 pm to
I agree 100%. I keep telling the coaches on the TV that they are wasting a down and everyone everywhere knows what the call is going to be.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow SECRant for SEC Football News
Follow us on X and Facebook to get the latest updates on SEC Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitter