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2014 Alabama's Bad Statistics
Posted on 1/2/15 at 10:48 am
Posted on 1/2/15 at 10:48 am
I've read posts stating that this was Saban's worst team since 2007. While 2014 Alabama demonstrated greater resiliency and chemistry than some of his other Alabama teams, last night should have ended any doubts about 2014 Alabama being Saban's worst team since Alabama's resurgence in 2008. The issue is how Alabama will prevent next season's team from being similarly disappointing or worse.
Sources: Memory, ESPN Recap, CFB Stats
Bad Statistics
1. 2/13 on 3rd down conversions
2. 10/18 3rd down conversions by Ohio State
3. Most 3rd and long conversions allowed in the last 10 years.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Most completions of 20+ yards allowed in the last decade.
9. Most yards allowed in school history versus Auburn.
10. Most receiving yards allowed against an Auburn player in Iron Bowl history.
There's several more that I don't recall or know, but you get the picture.
Other things to note,
The offense had a mediocre performance in all 3 games. The defense played well enough in the second half of all 3 Sugar Bowl losses for Alabama to take the lead, but Alabama's offense failed.
From 2008 to the 2013 Iron Bowl, Alabama was undefeated when running for 140+ yards. Alabama exceeded that total versus 2013 Auburn, 2014 Ole Miss, and 2014 Ohio State and lost all 3. What does that tell us?
Alabama has been on a decline since 2011 defensively, which was to be expected, but not this badly. Alabama's offensive line has been on a decline since 2012. Offensive playcalling versus "big" opponents is arguably on a decline as well.
Alabama never replaced Upshaw, and it has showed. This team did not have the big name players that previous defenses had. Collins was good, but he's not in the same ballpark as previous Saban safeties. Ragland may have been a big name, but not on the same level as CJ, Dont'a, or Rolando. Cyrus Jones wasn't mentioned like Milliner or Kirkpatrick. The nose tackles weren't as memorable as Jesse Williams or Mt. Cody.
What will the staff do to fix the issues? I've lost some faith in Smart and Saban this season, and the Sugar Bowl loss added to that. The defense versus 2013 Texas A&M and 2014 Auburn was unacceptable, and what the heck happened to the stout Alabama front 7 versus 2013 Auburn and 2014 Ohio State?
Some of our players have been getting the Alabama bump in recruiting. If Alabama truly brings in the best classes each season, then some combination of the following is occurring
A. key players aren't panning out
B. the best players aren't on the field
C. there's an issue with player development
D. the wrong players are being recruited.
E. ???
Saban is supposed to be a defensive back guru, but the cornerback position has hurt Alabama the past few seasons. Alabama prides itself on rushing defense, but has struggled versus nontraditional rushing attacks. I have no expectations for next season and am grateful for what Saban has done.
Sources: Memory, ESPN Recap, CFB Stats
Bad Statistics
1. 2/13 on 3rd down conversions
2. 10/18 3rd down conversions by Ohio State
3. Most 3rd and long conversions allowed in the last 10 years.
4.
quote:
Ohio State rushed for 222 yards inside the tackles, 39 more rushing yards than Alabama had allowed TOTAL in a game this season.
5.
quote:
Ezekiel Elliott's 85-yard TD run is the longest rushing play Alabama has allowed under Nick Saban
6.
quote:
The Buckeyes had eight runs inside the tackles that gained 10 yards or more, one more than Alabama had allowed TOTAL in a game this season.
7.
quote:
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a Sugar Bowl-record 230 yards. It was the most rushing yards against Alabama since 2000.
8. Most completions of 20+ yards allowed in the last decade.
9. Most yards allowed in school history versus Auburn.
10. Most receiving yards allowed against an Auburn player in Iron Bowl history.
There's several more that I don't recall or know, but you get the picture.
Other things to note,
quote:
Alabama: 31-3 vs non-SEC opponents since 2008 (all 3 losses came in Sugar Bowl)
The offense had a mediocre performance in all 3 games. The defense played well enough in the second half of all 3 Sugar Bowl losses for Alabama to take the lead, but Alabama's offense failed.
From 2008 to the 2013 Iron Bowl, Alabama was undefeated when running for 140+ yards. Alabama exceeded that total versus 2013 Auburn, 2014 Ole Miss, and 2014 Ohio State and lost all 3. What does that tell us?
Alabama has been on a decline since 2011 defensively, which was to be expected, but not this badly. Alabama's offensive line has been on a decline since 2012. Offensive playcalling versus "big" opponents is arguably on a decline as well.
Alabama never replaced Upshaw, and it has showed. This team did not have the big name players that previous defenses had. Collins was good, but he's not in the same ballpark as previous Saban safeties. Ragland may have been a big name, but not on the same level as CJ, Dont'a, or Rolando. Cyrus Jones wasn't mentioned like Milliner or Kirkpatrick. The nose tackles weren't as memorable as Jesse Williams or Mt. Cody.
What will the staff do to fix the issues? I've lost some faith in Smart and Saban this season, and the Sugar Bowl loss added to that. The defense versus 2013 Texas A&M and 2014 Auburn was unacceptable, and what the heck happened to the stout Alabama front 7 versus 2013 Auburn and 2014 Ohio State?
Some of our players have been getting the Alabama bump in recruiting. If Alabama truly brings in the best classes each season, then some combination of the following is occurring
A. key players aren't panning out
B. the best players aren't on the field
C. there's an issue with player development
D. the wrong players are being recruited.
E. ???
Saban is supposed to be a defensive back guru, but the cornerback position has hurt Alabama the past few seasons. Alabama prides itself on rushing defense, but has struggled versus nontraditional rushing attacks. I have no expectations for next season and am grateful for what Saban has done.
4
Posted on 1/2/15 at 10:54 am to Cumulonimbus
As far as their success in the run game goes, I think that was really more about the second level of our D than the DL.
Just get the best players on the field. Make the D easier to learn. Don't overthink things, just let the future NFL stars play ball.
Just get the best players on the field. Make the D easier to learn. Don't overthink things, just let the future NFL stars play ball.
Posted on 1/2/15 at 10:56 am to Cumulonimbus
quote:Same. I keep thinking "maybe we'll have a legit pass-rusher." and "maybe we can run the ball again." but I'll believe it when I see it. The last two years just seem so distant in terms of production from 2008 and 2009.
I have no expectations for next season
Posted on 1/2/15 at 11:55 am to Cumulonimbus
quote:
The offense had a mediocre performance in all 3 games.
Not so sure 'bout last year...didn't AJ throw for for close to 400 yards? We outgained OU also and had over 500 total yards. Henry had an awesome game on just a few touches to boot...
Posted on 1/2/15 at 5:57 pm to Cumulonimbus
quote:
Saban is supposed to be a defensive back guru, but the cornerback position has hurt Alabama the past few seasons. Alabama prides itself on rushing defense, but has struggled versus nontraditional rushing attacks. I have no expectations for next season and am grateful for what Saban has done.
I'm also grateful. Saban is outstanding at coaching DBs, but as he has said, his prototypical corner is 6'1", and as good as Saban and Smart are, they can't coach 5'10 corners to be 6'1.
Some have criticized the coaching in the aftermath of last night, but while we had some very good players on this team, no amount of coaching will ever turn a Trey Depriest into a CJ Mosely. Nor will it turn a Denzell Devall into a Dont'a Hightower. Or an Eddie Jackson into a Dee Milliner. Or an Austin Shepherd into a DJ Fluker. And certainly not a Christion Jones into a Javier Arenas. Our QB was coached up in a huge way, and put in extraordinary hours in the off season on his own to make himself better, but getting that kind of a bump in so many positions that were lacking isn't ever likely. It is what it is. Yet while this team isn't as talented as some recent teams, it has been a helluva lot of fun to watch, and has certainly accomplished great things. Certainly a team to be proud of.
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