Auburn
- Alright, well, it's about settled. This team has regressed to a level I think we all hoped we'd never see at Auburn again.
- We had to out-athlete Samford to win the ballgame. Our offensive line was getting zero push. Our defensive line was shoved around. Our secondary still had issues covering receivers. Nick Marshall looked like he really was a defensive back being asked to play quarterback. Our receivers had too many drops. The only player on our team that seemed to be at 100% was CAP.
- Speaking of CAP, he's leading the SEC in rushing by a pretty wide margin. Almost 300 yards more than #2.
- I am pretty much in the JJ camp now. Not necessarily because I think we need to look towards next year and not necessarily because I don't think Marshall can win games, but rather because the playbook opens up with JJ.
- I can tell you the plays we are going to run over and over every game with Marshall in at QB: CAP up the middle, Louis around the edge, QB draw up the middle, read option, Marshall Scramble Throw it Deep. That's really about it. When Duke was healthy, you also had the Marshall Wait and Maybe Scramble Before Hitting Duke on a Deep Hitch.
- What was that play where we hit Roc Thomas running down field? Where has that one been? That was brilliant. Or the short post route that we hit Wallace, a backup QB? Or the fake the handoff and flip it to the receiver in the flat running with a full head of steam?
- Yeah, there were drops. But they were 2nd stringers.
- It was also impressive - even if it was only three plays - how JJ timed the plays. I think that was most impressive. Instead of Marshall's staring, waiting, and launching, JJ looked like a NFL guy in the West Coast offense. One-two-three-throw. Maybe he was able to do that because it was late in the game and he didn't give a shit about where he was throwing. Maybe. But he looked fluid against Arkansas in the 1st half of the 1st game.
- I still think we can win with Marshall. I do think Malzahn has been too conservative with play calling. I don't understand why we told Marshall, especially this late in the year, to be the drop back passer. He should be taking the snap, looking for his 1st or 2nd receiver, then scrambling to make a play. We should be running the read option. We should throw more screens. Just my opinion. I'm sure the coaches know something I don't. But it's obvious that the offense has lost its spark.
- If it's any consolation, Alabama looked like puke against Western Whatever.
Missouri/Georgia
- Missouri has the same kind of gift-wrapped schedule that Alabama has. They avoided Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. Miss State and Ole Miss as well. Not sure which was their toughest OOC game. @Toledo or Central Florida at home. Maybe the 3-win Indiana team who blew them out.
- I'm not sure if I'm happy about Missouri winning the East again especially over Georgia or if I'm frustrated. I think Alabama's going to win the Iron Bowl, and I think Georgia has the best chance of beating Alabama in the SECCG. But then again, knowing that the leg humpers are sitting at home on December 6th is a good feeling too.
Final Thought
- Looks like Belk Bowl vs. Clemson or Outback Bowl vs. Minnesota. If we beat Alabama, I believe we slip into the Peach or Citrus. Maybe against Michigan State in one and Wisconsin in the other.