Question about Alabama injuries

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Bama fans, I know injuries have depleted your linebacker corps in recent weeks (Tyrell Lewis, Christian Miller, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson). I didn't get to watch the UA/State game -- just replays. Is this why State was able to hang around into the 4th quarter? Are you guys expecting to get some of those injured guys back by the IB?

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So it looks like Miller and Lewis have a chance to come back for the IB, likely Miller and Lewis the SECCG if we make it.

Yeah Holcombe struggled pretty well in the game but MISS ST has ran on almost everyone they have played.

So here is a break down:

330 yards on Bama
351 yards on Auburn
465 yards on LSU

And Further


LSU : 285 yards, 5.94 YPC
Kentucky : 282 yards, 5.88 YPC
Georgia : 177 yards, 4.78 YPC
Texas A&M : 228 yards, 4.38 YPC
Auburn : 194 yards, 4.13 YPC
Alabama : 172 yards, 3.51 YPC
Auburn : 194 Yards, 4.13 YPC

My opinion is that we had a few really bad penalties which, didn't take us off the field and 3rd down pass pro was bad. (Thanks George for stats)

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the DL was struggling as well

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The DL is pretty banged up as well. They just don't have the season ending injuries.

MSU's OL is very solid on the left side - might be the best left-side tandem in the SEC, honestly. That said, I was still surprised how much we got pushed around. I'm sure someone has reviewed the game tape to determine if it was physicality, scheme, or a combination of both.

The LBs not being able to generate solid pressure plays a big part though - linemen can focus on the DL and not worry as much about the LB in those situations. Quite often our LBs in games have forced OL to abandon assignments or try and play two at the same time. We didn't have that this game.

Give MSU credit. It's not like their OL is crappy. I don't know if that's the best OL we'll play this year (or at least best left side), but it certainly is top 3.

We should have a player or two back for the AU game. The Mercer game will get some much needed play time for our third stringers.

Right now, I was glad to see how well our offense was clicking in the 4th. A light came on in Hurts, and he looked like a world beater at the end there. If he keeps that up, we might win with our offense instead of our defense.

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but something lost is how State was able to consistently push the D-line a yard or two beyond the LOS

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I need to watch a replay, but I don't remember it going down exactly like that. I remember our Dline playing their gaps, and our LBs not filling in to make plays where they are supposed to.

I was inebriated, though.

This will be AU's first double digit victory since 2005. I honestly hate they have the injuries, I would much rather a team be at full strength. It's just not going to be a good matchup for them at the moment. Their offensive line will struggle and they will have a hard time stopping the run.

Hopefully they get some LBs back for the playoffs (think they'll get a spot regardless of Iron Bowl). Would be awesome to have an Iron Bowl playoff game.

I expected to struggle with MSU given their ability to effectively attack UAs weakness/inexperience at LB.

That said, it is the other side of the ball that is the bigger ? To me. UA will go as far as its OL will take them. This has been the case all year. They have been inconsistent. With Ross P. Injured, it will likely be more of the same going forward.

MSU punched them in the face all night on both sides of the ball. But, I was proud of how they kept fighting back. The efforts of the backups on D and some J. Hurts heroics carried the game. Great reps and lessons for next yr. 

Very impressed with the heart of UA's team. They battled 'til then end and every ounce of effort was needed. 

It will be a tough fight in the IB and hopefully the SEC CG. Hope to get some of our LBs back and get through to Auburn with no more injuries.

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didn't get to watch the UA/State game -- just replays. Is this why State was able to hang around into the 4th quarter? Are you guys expecting to get some of those injured guys back by the IB?

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Good team
Tough away game/Hostile crowd
Mobile QB with a good OLine.

All factors. Linebackers missed filling the gaps on a few runs and Fitzgerald is a good tough QB.

Offense left some points on the board with the missed FG and penalties killed us, especially the leaping one. Gave State the "Mo" right back.

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skrayper

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What's the issue? It's not a crazy prediction, dunno what to say? It's just not a good matchup for Bama with the injuries.

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I watched it. I haven't seen a team push bama around like that since we did it in 2013. The issues were more than just the LB's, the DL was struggling as well.

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Not so. State got a ton of their yardage after contact and that's the direct result of LBer quality. Our DL eliminates the offensive push while the LBers fill the gaps and blow up the run at the LOS. State runners were pushing the carry for 3-4 yards past the contact. When that happens, you get an entirely different look with your defensive front 7.