Posted on 11/11/2018 8:14:56 AM PST by blam
Call it what you will, but this game against Mississippi was a war. They gave Alabama their toughest challenge so far this season, especially the tough Bulldog defense. And in this game, Alabama won, but didn’t look great in doing it.
For the comfort of the Mississippi State fans, an objective writer must admit that Miss. State was not just playing Alabama, but the refs. Two critical mistakes could have made the game more exciting and perhaps made the game much closer. The first was was Damien Harris’ no called fumble that clearly was a fumble and the second was a phantom block in the back call that was missed taking a sure score off the board for the Bulldogs.
Now neither of these calls cost State the game, Alabama would have won had these calls gone the Dog’s way. If you’re objective you have to admit this too, so while State was robbed of those two calls, clearly the refs did not cost them the game. Still it would have made Alabama’s win a little less lopsided and made them look a little worse.
Now while to some it may seem foolish to say that Alabama didn’t look great in a 24-0 win over the nation’s #15 team, it didn’t look great by the standard which Alabama has set for itself. They have averaged over 500 yards offense in every game, well except for this one where they managed just 305 yards. Tua, who has looked like a perfectly programmed robot for much of the season proved that he is indeed human after all. He threw an interception, a dreadful looking one, had a fumble to boot and proved that he can be hurt and yes, he does bleed.
Tua had been averaging over 262 yards a game against teams so far this season, but managed just 164 against the Dogs in longer than usual playing time. He’s averaged three touchdown passes a game, but in this one he just got just one.
As for the nation’s deepest pool of running backs, Alabama has averaged over 242 yards a game against all teams, but against the Dog’s defense, gained just 142.
Lastly on Alabama’s so so night on offense, so far this season they’ve averaged over 58% in converting third downs. That led the nation. On Saturday against the Dogs, Alabama converted just 4 our of 12 for a less than stellar 33.3% conversion rate.
What did look good was the Alabama defense, though aided in part by refs, they did manage to pitch another shut out and make sure that Miss. State was really never in a position to threaten the Tide for the win.
Overall, Alabama still looked tired from their war with LSU and it was obvious that Tua entered the game far from 100% healthy. If Alabama was wise, they’d rest him against the Citadel team, who they could beat with a tuba player from the band playing quarterback. Better to risk a tuba than a Tua in a meaningless game where certain folks obviously need to heal.
While it will irk Nick Saban that writers like me are saying the Tide looked bad in a 24-0 win over a nationally ranked team, sadly it is the truth. With tougher games on the schedule coming up, this is either reason for concern or a wake up call for this Alabama team.
You cannot play at your top every single week.
Still that’s two games straight against the best the SEC West has to offer without giving up a point.
ZERO penalties called on Bama. It’s beyond ridiculous.
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide.
I’m not sure what this author wants. Two shutouts back to back as you mentioned ( and LSU being one of them). Was everyone getting used to the rack up of points in the 50’s that was happening earlier in the season? No one said anything when Bear had defeated teams by just a few points....it was a win. I guess nowdays they have to make them “decisive” wins so that it is easier for the pollsters to vote on for poll positions.
Quiet bus ride back on 82 I’m sure.
State has some rebuilding to do.
Alabama has owned the season, gotta give them their due.
One of the reasons that I’m really not a fan of the playoffs.
I think the worst thing is that when a team is out of the picture, the fan interest drops precipitously.
The game after Florida lost to Georgia, there were thousands of empty seats for Florida’s next game against Missouri.
I liked it better the way it was before, when you could argue over who was the best team. Now College Football is just like the NFL. Gone are the traditions that made it great.
Georgia Bulldogs also struggled a bit
cute
Bama won 24 - 0 for their second consecutive win and shutout against a ranked team. What more were they supposed to do?! Maybe Clemson can beat them, but I don’t think anyone else can.
I’m no fan of Alabama, but if people regard a 24-0 win as a letdown, you must be pretty good.
Before everybody was crying that Bama hasn’t played anyone.
Well, now they’ve played two ranked teams back-to-back and outscored them...53-0!
Call me Deacon Blues.
Seriously, I watched the game, and agree there were times Alabama looked like they were struggling, and other times they looked like their good ole selves.
Coach Saban is probably giving them an earful right now.
Miss State was definitely screwed on TD block in the back penalty. And Bama lucked out with the non review of the Harris fumble. These could have accounted for 14 pts.
However, the State defense did itself proud. Unfortunately for them it looks like next year they are losing half their starters to graduation.
Hopefully the tide will be back in stride for the Iron Bowl.
cute"
It' just beginning.
Tua Tagovailoa's Younger Brother, Taulia, Commits To Alabama Football
I think they pronounce Taulia like: two-leah.
The Bear was known to rip into his team at halftime when they would be up by 30 points.
But if they were losing he’d be much more encouraging and positive.
Blather
Tide is still undefeated and will be number one. No one really cares what the final score was or why. They care about the win. Most teams play down to their competition
The bad calls were terrible bad calls. Alabama would have won without the refs, but those calls were ridiculous. The no calls last week when LSU was getting intimate hugging defenders were equally ridiculous.
The targeting of Tua’s knee and hoohoos reminds me of the Saints targeting Brett Farve in his last playing days.
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