CrimReaper1

Completely agree with that. That Malzahn playbook looked completely out of sync. No timing or rhythm aside from the very first play to Stewart.

Barnett will be a competent backup this year and sneak some snaps in... Particularly if Hurts throws some INT's.

However, Hurts is the long term QB on this roster... And Tua is basically a left handed clone. When the time comes, it will be a great luxery for Sarkisian to have a legit dual threat to backup Hurts.

Long story short, Barnett will never be the man at UA. Looks like a solid backup option though. I'm about 99% sure wherever Kiffin ends up next year, so will Barnett.

RTR

So smart to do this 1 year ahead of time. Have to find out if he can handle himself and see it personally. If not, he won't be around. If so he will be comfrotably living in Tuscaloosa and prepared to take over. Saban always 1 step ahead

Correct me if I'm wrong... But I'm pretty sure a walk on #38 Wallace was getting snaps in the third quarter. Kind of surprised it wasn't one of those freshman DB's first.

Kind of forgot about R. Davis... Still no word from the NCAA? He would be a guy that could help the DL depth.

Hand played sparringly especially in the first half. In fact, he was the only non starting DL I saw get in the game until Dakota Ball later on in the game.

Really surprised me, I thought for sure he would basically be a 4th starter... But I guess the staff isn't quite there with him yet. Or they just love DT, Allen, and Payne. All of them played well... And Jon Allen is basically unstoppable.

Out of all position groups though, DL is on thin ice. It was a reality check watching Dakota Ball rush the passer lol. We have to develop another guy quickly.

A few things I took from the game:

-Huge props to Saban/Kiffin for going right back to Hurts after the fumble.

-Not sure why all the mind games with the QB situation but I love how it ended. Going with both freshman was a welcomed site

-It sure looked like Blake Barnett clearly fumbled on his sack. No idea how that play was not at least reviewed.

-Hurts has some type of demeanor. As a Coach I always look how a young kid is received by his teammates... Mentally, he appears to have the whole package.

-Harris is going to earn that starting RB spot. He's really improved. (TerryP knew it)

-The OL has a ways to go. The jet sweep/auburn trickeration offense looked out of rhythm. They blocked much better on the regular plays.

-Stewart was extremely impressive. The long run TD was a gimme but he made some other nice plays and is a real weapon (Terry P called it... Yet again)

-Who was Ronnie Harrison going after on the sideline? He appears to have some anger issues and plays on the edge. Probably his biggest strength, just hope it doesn't hurt down the road

-Rueben Foster might be the best LB in the country. He had the best high school highlight tape I'd ever seen and this is what it looked like

-Looks like SDH will be on the field more than Evans, as Evans almost played all DE/OLB snaps. SDH looked great BTW

-Avarette got turned around a few times but will learn fast. In all honesty, he looks like the only player you could possibly single out to attack.

-Very little DL rotation in the first half. Hand didn't even play much. Looks like Dakota Ball will be the first of "the rest" to play when needed

-Cool to see Diggs already returning kicks. Sounds like he's just a bad * all around player

-If Jon Allen stays healthy, he's going to have the best year of any DL under Saban. That guy has no weaknesses... All strengths.

-Any word on Cam Sims? Sure looked bad. Charlot should be kicking himself

-Looks like a walk on named Wallace could be in the 2 deep... #38. Interesting

-Jacobs is going to be awesome... Would not surprise me if he becomes the #2 back

-Barnett threw 3 really nice balls in the second half. Good experience for him (just in case)

-Lastly, I have to point out that the Cowboy Stadium is now a waaaaay better place to watch a college game than 4 yrs ago. They've built a lot more around the stadium, there are some shade trees, and there was much more to do in terms of tailgating. Helped a ton that the weather was mild... Really enjoyed that trip.

What's the chances of Shank playing over Cotton? Seems more likely to me if Bozeman is our best option at center.

McMillon seems like a good choice. I also thought Anfernee Jennings could end up at DE... Has that Upshaw type of body. Lastly, Terrell Hall. He's already a monster, just keep feeding him!

I was at that game and someone dropped a good pass from him...

With the D Line depth at odds, I was surprised they didn't start Terrell Hall at DE. I know he's not at our normal weight yet, but at 250lbs it's not like he's going to get smaller. Was hoping they could get him up to 260+ by kickoff and bigger by the end of the year. He's got the frame to be a monster... And we've already got 4 OLB's in the mix.

If the rumors of Dwight are true, it's going to come down to Q. Williams or Jamar King eating up some snaps. King must be a mess in camp so far. Let's hope the R. Davis news comes down soon... Real soon.