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Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz shared his plan to beat 2020 Alabama yesterday...
Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:06 pm
Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:06 pm
quote:
Eli Drinkwitz shares his genius plan to stop Alabama last season: ‘Let DeVonta Smith beat us’
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
In retrospect, not so much.
On Wednesday, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed, during an appearance on SiriusXM’s College Sports, his contribution to the defensive game plan last season to slow down eventual national champion Alabama.
“Going into that game, we didn’t really think that they were going to have potentially the best player at their position, on offense, on every side of the ball,” he explained.
“You could argue Mac Jones was the best quarterback in college football. You could argue Najee Harris was the best running back in college football. You could argue that Landon Dickerson and (Alex) Leatherwood are the best tackle and center in college football.”
The No. 1 focus, he said, was to make sure Jaylen Waddle didn’t get the ball. In order to keep it away from the electric receiver and - as always - try to contain the run - the Missouri coach made it a point to make Alabama’s second receiver beat the Tigers.
“I was like, ‘Hey, look guys, Jalen Waddle is what makes them go, alright? So we got to double Jaylen, and let DeVonta Smith beat us. OK? He’s kind of a nice piece out there, but man, we got to take Jaylen Waddle away.’”
As it turned out, all the planning in the world didn’t help the Tigers as the Tide won 38-19.
Waddle had eight catches for 134 yards and two scores. Harris had three touchdowns and 98 yards rushing.
And that second option at receiver?
Yeah, Smith had eight passes for 89 yards. Of course, Waddle sustained the injury against Tennessee just a few weeks later, and Smith finished with 117 receptions, 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to securing the Heisman Trophy.
“Let me just tell you we were ineffective at doing both of those, and at the end of the year, I’m sitting there watching DeVonta Smith win the Heisman Trophy, and I’m thinking, in my mind, we were gonna force the ball to that guy. That’s how much I thought of Jalen Waddle, and both of them were tremendous players.
“So yeah, that’s the outstanding defensive contribution I had for the season.”
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Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:09 pm to RollTide1987
I mean, Waddle was the best WR in CFB the past two seasons 
Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:10 pm to RollTide1987
Bama always gets a ton of talent but what they had on offense the last couple of years may never be matched again. Insane amount of skill talent.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:10 pm to Rrrrroger
quote:
I mean, Waddle was the best WR in CFB the past two seasons
You're not wrong. As crazy as it sounds, the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide offense would have been much better than it ended up being if Waddle had not gone down. Also...I think Waddle ends up winning the Heisman Trophy because that guy was absolutely unstoppable before he went down with that ankle injury.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:18 pm to RollTide1987
Coach Drink has a personality of gold
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:20 pm to RollTide1987
Pelini probably didn’t even know the names of the Bama offense
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:23 pm to RollTide1987
Mizzou was outclassed in talent, but they played better as the game went along and I remember being impressed with their halftime adjustments.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 10:05 pm to RollTide1987
I couldn’t imagine if O said this.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 10:07 pm to RollTide1987
A less confident coach would never say something like that.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 10:13 pm to viceman
Not to mention that starting QB was moved to safety mid season ha
Posted on 3/26/21 at 11:08 pm to V Bainbridge
quote:
Bama always gets a ton of talent but what they had on offense the last couple of years may never be matched again. Insane amount of skill talent
Yep 2018 Bama not winning a championship is a travesty.
QB. Tua, Jalen Hurts , Mac Jones
RB. Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, Najee
Wr 4 1st rders, 2 Biletnikoff winners,and a Heisman.
TE 2nd rd
O-line bookend tackles 10 overall pick, # 11 overall Jonah Williams and Jedric Wills plus Outland trophy winner Leatherwood waiting his turn at guard.
It was the most talented offensive personnel ever assembled.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 12:52 am to Sun God
quote:
Pelini probably didn’t even know the names of the Bama offense
Yet he hired the 4th DC from the list after Pelini was fired. Ed is so smart!
Posted on 3/27/21 at 1:49 am to TrueLefty
Eli gives me the exact opposite feeling about our football program that Cuonzo gives me about our basketball program.
It sucks cause I love both but, it is what it is.
It sucks cause I love both but, it is what it is.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 5:13 am to V Bainbridge
quote:
Bama always gets a ton of talent but what they had on offense the last couple of years may never be matched again.
We say this every few years and every few years they reload with something more impressive.
Can Saban retire already?
Posted on 3/27/21 at 7:44 am to StringedInstruments
The influx of amazing skill players in 2017 was different. Winning 2 NC with that group was good I guess, but could have been so much more. Injuries and a group of terrible position coaches after the 2017 title was the tipping point. When talent meets coaching, we gonna roll.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 7:46 am to RamboMizzou
What does that even mean?
Posted on 3/27/21 at 7:56 am to cardboardboxer
Truth be told a lot of coaches probably tried that strategy before the Waddle injury. Given that Waddle had 134 yards and 2 TDs in the Mizzou game it's pretty clear BAMA was instead picking their poison for them.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 8:04 am to everytrueson
quote:
Coach Drink has a personality of gold
in due time that should lend itself well to recruiting.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 8:07 am to JesusQuintana
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less confident coach would never say something like that.
X100.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 8:32 am to everytrueson
quote:
Coach Drink has a personality of gold
He has a good sense of humor about it all. Really his plan was no worse than the rest of the conference when it came to stopping the Tide.
Alabama was like those great USC teams under Pete Carroll. There are so many big time weapons on the field you can't stop them all or even really game plan for them.
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