The most concerning thing about this game...

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

to me was the lack of pressure against UT.

Looking at everything else, and trying to be objective, I feel like we are in pretty good shape. However the lack of pressure that we got on Bray and the way they moved the ball on the ground concerns me. Bama's OL is better than UT's and if we can't play better in that aspect I'm worried we lose. It all comes down to our DL, if they play good I like our chances.

Thoughts?

 

[Maroonthirteen]

I think you are exactly right. Our rush defense has been concerning at times. UT had their highest ypc of the season vs us. I am sure someone will argue it was our game plan. But I have been concerned all year about the the LB corp. Bama's OL will hold their own against our DL. We will need some LBs to step up and make some solo tackles......that are not 4 yards past the LOS.

With that said, Alabama has moved the ball and put up points on everybody they played. I am sure they will against us too. We will 40 points to win.

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

Our pass protection is over-rated... we've allowed 14 sacks and AJ throws at least 2 passes OOB every game to avoid a sack...

our run blocking, however, is pretty good.

 

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

I am sure someone will argue it was our game plan

I'll even make that arguement. However I dont' think it was the game plan to allow Bray to stand upright all night with no pressure.

We've got to make AJ uncomfortable. And while I doubt we can stop them from running we at least have to slow them down.

 

[Dawgzilla]

I think it is the biggest problem with the defense, and will likely be the difference in Saturday's game. I thought the D-line was going to be pretty good this year. Maybe losing Fletcher Cox was too much to overcome, but I really thought they had established themselves.

MSU cannot give up 5 and 6 yards per carry to Alabama and expect to win the game. They will need to bring run blitz pressure, and try to put the game in McCarron's hands. McCarron is perfectly capable of winning the game that way, but at least it gives MSU a chance.

 

[Shmuley]

Their achilles heel, admittedly it's a small one, is at right tackle. Fluker is huge, but has poor footwork in pass protection. A speed rush or a combo blitz allows pressure on McCarron off that side. I'm confident Wilson knows this and has something dialed up for Autry and others. Getting to McCarron and forcing errors or throw-aways is a must.

LUS will be able to exploit Fluker. If LUS gets to McCarron and can knock him out of the game, they win. I'm betting this is where Lester is headed with his defensive game plan.

 

[Jgbishop]

I imagine we will see more stunts from the LB and DL to get more pressure. We don't blitz often but started a good bit after losing Banks Saturday. We apparently have blitzing packages that could help us out but still play man to defend the pass

 

[Spanky.sixpack]

We know we won't have to worry about quick strikes and speed.....

...as in mis-directions, spread and up-temp stuff. So we should be able to bring some people here and there because we have the talent in the secondary to match up. If we held the UT receivers in check we can handle Norwood (traitor) and Cooper. Downside to this is that Alabama rarely turns the ball over due to their conservative nature.