The Good...The Bad...& The Ugly- FAU

Ok, not going deep into this week because I haven't watched a replay to get deep in the weeds, and two, there isn't much to get into when FAU should be spelled FAIL. 
 
The Good...
 
Getting to the backups earlier. 
 
Any time you can get your starters out, healthy, and play the reserves early and often, that is a good day.  FAU wasn't going to stress anyone, but they were a better game for the backups to grow on than they were the starters to fine tune things.  Bama won't find a worse D Line this year, nor will they find a team with as slow a team speed as they saw this week, so what do the starters get from that?  Not much just more reps.  It also was good for the newer faces to see themselves get scored upon.  They perhaps were getting a little cocky and thought that they could coast.  They learned that every team wants to score.  Good lesson that will carry in film and practice. 
 
The more Drake plays the more I like
 
I preface this by saying that I would like to see him in early to see how he does against fresh defenses.  With that said, what he does when given the chance is pretty good.  He is a little more physical than Yeldon, but he has a better burst than Hart does.  He probably is about 2 weeks from being the 3rd back.  It isn't that Hart is playing bad, he's just playing better. 
 
Hart for return man
 
I'm RLB002 and I endorse this message.  Jones is ok.  However, he's starting that familiar bad habit of trying to catch in traffic without fair catching.  Remember, before he got hurt, Hart was getting a long look as a return man.  His size and moves fit that kind of role well.  It is more or less will he forget his knee and play the game he can. 
 
The Bad...
 
Redzone zip
 
Like many, I grumbled a bit about how the redzone play calling is getting a little bland and a lot like the last few years where they roll it up if they don't get in on second down.  That really falls on one person, Saban.  The problem he's going to have is that you cannot undo what you have done for weeks.  His reluctance to attack once in there has been a familiar theme.  It isn't an issue if you keep the other side from scoring like they have been, but we all said that wasn't a problem last year until LSU came to town.  It only takes one game to screw things up, and Bama won't get that lucky second chance this year if they stumble to someone.  If they do stumble, it will be a redzone issue that costs them. 
 
The Ugly...
 
none
 
 
Random Thoughts....
 
Four Weeks in and it is clear....
 
The BCS is going to have a down year.  When you look at the field, and you scan the top 15 preseason teams who are usually in the real hunt for the title, what folks thought was there isn't.   When you look at them, this is what you see:
 

1	USC (25)  Nope.  Kiffin undercoaches this time.
2	Alabama (17)  Haven't been tested yet, but they look the part.
3	LSU (16)  Got a little test from Auburn, but offensively they are vulnerable again.
4	Oklahoma (1)  Not just no, but hell no.  Stoops is running out of faithful voters.
5	Oregon  Maybe but they didn't really blowout Arizona if you watched it.
6	Georgia  Any team that needs phony motivation to win runs out eventually....
7	Florida State  Got a test and passed, but it wasn't with an A.  They have not improved on D.
8	Michigan (1)  I bet that 1 guy wishes he could blame it on drugs right now.
9	South Carolina  Schedule is too tough and their OL is too weak.
10	Arkansas  John L Smith could tear up a steel ball
11	West Virginia  I will be honest, I have liked what I have seen of them.  Lots of vets and a mission to win now.
12	Wisconsin  Losing their OC has unraveled the mystery of the Wis
13	Michigan State  Survey says X
14	Clemson  Same ol Clempsun....lots of talk, lots of hype, and lots of points given up in the 2nd half.
15	Texas  Blistered Ole Miss but who hasn't?  Nothing to say they are really that strong yet.

 
This is who the nation by in large thought was the best of the best before the year.  Does that mean voters are that wrong?  No.  It just means that there are that many teams that underperformed thus far.  It is a down year because nobody outside of Alabama has separated itself from the pack or even presented itself as a legitimate contender.  To be honest, LSU has the defense to go far.  Their problem is October- FLA, USCar, aTm, and then in November Bama.  Oregon has a rough November with USCal, Stanford, and Oregon St.  UGA book ends October with USCar and Florida.  If they find a way through that, they get Bama or LSU and they have yet to show they have the defense for Bama's power game or the offense to handle either team's defense.  So the pack is ripe for an underdog this time, but it isn't like there is a greatest of all time lurking. 

All this time later, some fans still Aubsess

I get why fans who live in Alabama have a case of Aubsession.  They hear it 365.  However, you really shouldn't care.  Yes they won a title in the last 3 years.  Yes, they won once in 3 years against Bama.  Yes, they still play football....well they wear the uniforms at least.  However, the amount of time chortling about their "demise" is silly.  To me, it is more worthwhile to watch them, and smile but spend my time thinking what Bama is doing.  Some still talk about Cam.... that dog won't hunt nor will he get off the porch.  SI has yet to deliver that story that all have waited on.  The whole Aubsession ranks up there with Linus waiting for The Great Pumpkin.  The mere fact that some sites have to dedicate a thread to their message boards for Auburn discussion on ALABAMA sites says the base does not have the eye on the prize. 

Is Dee Hart really a better running back than Kenyan Drake?

Depth Charts are a tricky thing, especially when Saban is holding the pen.  Hart has practiced and been in the program longer.  He has rehabbed and is back in the flow as a 3rd string.  Does that make him better?  No.  Means he knows the plays better.  He also is probably a slightly better pass blocker than Drake is.  Keep in mind, you haven't seen him have to do that enough yet to know.  Hart has done a little more work in that area.  It isn't about stopping the rush, as much as it is slowing it and diverting it.  With that said, in about 2 weeks, Drake probably gets ahead of Hart because he's playing better and needs more snaps.  Hart is better suited in a different offense really, but he can be a return specialist.  I don't know what we would say had Hart not gotten hurt last year or how he would have done.  I do know that I would have liked that conversation and situation better. 

Is TJ Yeldon really a better running back than Kenyan Drake?

This is a trickier question on the grounds that they aren't the same type of runners.  Yeldon is probably the more complete player.  Drake is a more dynamic player.  His spark is different than Yeldon's because he changes the tone of the game with his style of play.  That's why you notice him so much.  Why is Yeldon catching your eye against Michigan but kinda drifting since?  Eddie Lacy has taken his carries.  Give Yeldon 20 carries, you are calling him the next chosen one.  Give him 8, not so much.

The Good...The Bad...& The Ugly....Arkansas

The Arkansas game is over and two things are abundantly clear after 3 weeks....

1.  Alabama is one of the elite.
2.  Arkansas isn't worth a sheet....

More on 2 later in Random Thoughts.  As to the game, it was a good game for them to have because they haven't really had a 4 quarter performance, and they finally got that this week. 

OFFENSE

The Good...

The more Bama runs, the more opponents hate playing them

The good thing about having 4 solid options to run the ball is that they all stay fresh and they all continue to break opponents.  Lacy finally looked confident and that set the tone early.  Yeldon did well in his turn.  Hart is their change of pace now that Fowler is gone.  The guy that I think may be the best of the group is Drake.  Yeldon and Drake as a one two punch is scary for the future.  They compliment each other really well.  I think we see more of him as the season wears on.  They will try to get him up on carries to keep Lacy healthy. 

When you run first, then pass, your O Line will always look better

If you are one of the many thinking that DJ Fluker and/or Cyrus Kouandjio both played better, you would be right to a point.  The reason is a long held belief that many linemen have.  If you get them going downhill early, they play better.  Establishing the run is not hard with the size Bama has.  The problem is that teams will stack the box on them.  However, if they continue to pound, typically two things happen.  One, they can establish bites on play action, and two, they wear down defenses. 

Good day for DJ McYeldon....

Verne can't help it, scotch has that effect on people.  It made grandpas confuse their wives with their barmaids for ages.  Getting serious though, McCarron had probably his best game of the year, and he really did the least at times.  The main thing to keep in mind is that the game was over by halftime.  It was because of turnovers and McCarron making passes when they had to have them.  He spread the wealth around pretty well hitting 7 receivers in the short time he played and got his chemistry down with Cooper and Jones. 

That fad called the Spread seems to be contagious....

If McCarron gets hurt, many fans will eat words over the spread because that is what Bama will have to run to compete. 

The Bad...

The more I watch Ely, the more I wonder if Avalos hit reset on his college career

I am sure I will get a little grief over that, but Ely has about the weakest arm I've seen on a Bama QB since Avalos.  He doesn't look confident or comfortable, but he probably knows the  playbook and that gets him more looks as Alex gets up to speed and grows into a serviceable QB.  While Sims is their best option, I don't feel that much better about him outside of running the option.  His arm is noticeably bigger than Ely's, but I don't know that anyone, including the staff, knows if he can read a cover 2 under pressure. 

The Ugly....

None


DEFENSE

The Good...

Making their asses quit with backups too

Bama imposed its will early and often on a mentally broken Arkansas team.  The bottom line is that they knew they could and they did early.  The game was over, and in past weeks they let up, this week they dug in and broke them some more. 

Young guys looking good in mop up

I really like the way some of the new/backup guys play.  DJ Pettaway continues to impress.  He really has a power rush that collapses his man on every play it seems.  Pagan is earning a lot of PT during meaningful minutes, and I won't be shocked if he takes over for Dial soon.  Devall looked like the Jack of the future.  I thought Hubbard finally came out of his shell after 2 weeks of meh.  I can see why Lake had his RS burned early, he's a load to move in the middle.  The more the Tide clean up on the field, the more time these guys get to play and grow in real time situations. 

Turnovers

Bama now has a net margin of 11, tied with Mississippi State for best in the nation.  They added 5 on Saturday and it was a clinic to watch the linebackers stripping the ball, the defensive backs tipping passes up to get 2nd chances, heck it was so contagious that Dee Hart caused a fumble.  Bama doesn't necessarily need a ton of turnovers to be dominant and win games, but it sure does make it easier. 

There wasn't anything really that bad or that ugly....

RANDOM THOUGHTS

John L Smith is really Joe Kines in disguise

Same wild eyes, same frontier gibberish, same really crappy teams, and same bad interviews (Joe meet John). 

I'm not sure if he was talking about his Friday night or the team in the latest in a history of bizarre moments....click John to get that one....  Regardless, Arkansas has effectively sent their program back to the foundation and all that has been built and created is gone.  Their recruiting class last year wasn't great.  This one will hit a new low as nobody of quality will go there unless they are just a true Hawg fan.  Next few will struggle even after they name a permanent replacement because the rebuilding process will not be attractive to many. 

I don't dislike the plan Arkansas had in getting a 1 year fill in on short notice.  They didn't jump the shark and hire a problem like Bama did with Shula.  However, they could have gotten someone with a better track record than Smith.  3 weeks in and Arkansas players have rolled up the tent and started thinking about next year.  Even with Wilson back in a week or two, they have a lot of issues.  The players really aren't to blame.  They went from national title aspirations to national joke with the hiring of Smith.  They don't look like a team that has any chemistry.  The old staff and Smith may not gel well.  I don't recall him ever running anything that was as advanced as Petrino's style.  Those guys are probably eyeing the door too.  I would. 

Auburn thanks Arkansas for being so lousy...

The only thing hiding Auburn's implosion from 2010 champion to 2012 doormat is Arkansas and Ole Miss.  The issue with Auburn is three fold:

1. Their recruiting has been a miss despite the stupid star rating systems
2. Their players are running an offense and defense that do not fit them at all.
3. Their ability to develop players seems to be sub par to the conference. 

Take that away, they're alright...  Short of having the best player the SEC has seen in a decade or more in Cam Newton save them, they are nothing short of mediocre with no hope. 

Despite the AUBsession, it is time to get over them

Bama sits as one of 2 powerhouses in the country.  They recruit well.  They play well.  They look set for the long run.  So what do 80 percent of Bama fans talk about on message boards during the week?  Auburn.  Some are still hung up on Cam.  Some are all in on the Memphis story.  Some are all over anything Auburn and want to pick it apart.  While all of this is a choice to make, it is an unhealthy one.  Let it go.  Let them do what they do, and make sure Bama does what they do. 

That does not mean start over hyping anything Saban or Alabama does.  This is the best stretch since Stallings was the coach, and with one or two more years like the last 4, he will be on a run that only Coach Bryant has had.  However, that does not put him anywhere near Coach Bryant's stratosphere.  What he did in the 70s is the benchmark to me if you want to compare.  8 out of 10 SEC titles, 3 national titles, and a slew of legendary players that went on to the NFL.  The standard is the standard, it doesn't get lessened just because the times change.  Lower your standard for greatness, you won't be great.  I doubt Saban would like the question about him vs Bryant if you posed it to him.  He'd probably go off on a 30 minute tirade about it. 

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly....WKU

While I would love to sit here and say that the team improved as a whole from week one to week two, I cannot.  Nor can I say that this team is not a clone of 2010 thus far.  There are so many comparisons to make that have me worried about the letdown game somewhere ahead, that I try not to think about it. 

OFFENSE

The Good....

The passing game gets going early...

In flashes, the offense was as dominating as last year's defense.  Getting the field stretched and hitting targets all over the field- namely Norwood and Jones- will have teams scouting the Tide accounting for them and should open up running lanes and other WRs. 

AJ McCarron had a growing up moment

AJ of last year probably rolls up the tent after sack 3.  AJ of this year kept plugging away and making things happen.  There are plenty of things to look at and grow from for AJ in spite of the stat line, but one thing that the staff will probably notice is that he kept his head up and didn't fear the rush this time.

Sims at QB2....Ely at Attrition Train Station 1

I don't honestly like either as a true starter.  However, if the worst event that could happen this year happened, I would prefer Sims at QB simply because he is enough of an athlete that he can make a play or two that Ely just won't.  Sims at QB will also create some consideration to a more spread option look.  While I am not anti-spread, I don't like the thought of going a complete 180 from where you were, but that is the best they can do if the situation is needed. 

The Bad...

The scouting report has leaked out....Fluker and CyKo are flat footed....

If you have read my thoughts over time, you know that DJ Fluker has that issue.  Cyrus wasn't as noticeable against Michigan, but it was pretty clear that he has no idea how to defend his inside shoulder.  For Cyrus, that's a week of intense practice.  For Fluker, he's too far gone and too damn heavy and slow to change.  I know a guy his size can move, I am watching a ton of them do it on Sundays.  What is worse, Bama could not run on Western FREAKIN Kentucky!  A week removed from thumping Michigan, they looked poorly prepared to play.  Probably why Saban was so irritated last week.  That being said, I know some will spin their bullshit til they are blue in the face out there as to why it didn't happen.   I can tell you anyone who tells you that it was the plan or that WKU is really good or that they aren't used to playing smaller players or whatever lack of testicle to brain answer you get, they are all bullshit.  They aren't as good as they think they are right now.  Period. 

With the lack of control at tackles, the number of passing options drops by 2

If Bama has to get into max protect situations just to save AJ, that will take 2 receiving options out of the play.  That will be Williams and whomever is manning H/TE to cover the flaws.  That is a really bad situation for the Tide offense because they are at their best when they are spreading the wealth to 3 WRs and the TE/H Back. 

The Ugly....

Someone abducted Saban and put Shula out there in the second half......

I know he's a genius and I'm not, but there is 0 reason for any starter to be in their role in a 28 point game.  Jalston Fowler's injury is another reminder that you sometimes are too cute for your own good.  Fowler was at fullback and got rolled up.  His status is unknown at the time that I type this.  Would he have been out there in the 4th?  Yes.  Would he have been in the spot where he got hurt?  No.  He would have been at tailback and on another assignment.  The good news, and it is a real stretch to find a good news in an injury, is that it wasn't McCarron because the depth chart is pretty deeply divided from 1 to 2.  Another worry that is starting to creep up is that they don't know how to finish off a team for good. 

Two weeks, two quick starts, two weak finishes. 


DEFENSE

The Good....

Any shutout is a good shutout

Will there be coachable moments on defense?  Yeah, but the bottom line is that they did not let WKU score nor did they really get close. 

There is depth in some spots and the talent there is good...

Guys like Pettaway, Pagan, DePriest, Stinson and Dickson playing at the level they are should give fans a good sense for what the future holds.  I really like how each of them play and disrupt the play on both run and pass.  Their stat lines may not show much at times, but the job they have done thus far has been impressive for each of them to have as little playing time as they have (minus Stinson).  I would also like to see some more of Lake to see how he performs in multiple weeks.  What I did see of him looked good.  Another player that impressed was Fulton.  I'm always going to like cover corners, and Fulton is a cover corner.  Where Milner and Belue are more zone covers, Fulton is a guy who, when allowed, can basically cut off a WR from the game.  He is physical off the line and isn't afraid to lay his shoulder in. 

Lots of Turnovers

It has been a while since Bama created 3 fumbles in a game.  One thing that has been a pleasant surprise has been that they go for the ball a little more.  In the past, they were more focused on just making a play, and that worked for the most part, but if Bama can be both stingy and a thief, that makes things hard for opposing offenses when it comes to planning and strategy. 

The Bad....

Soft Zone Issues

This continues to be an issue resulting in Bama not having a top end safety/leader in the secondary.  WKU made adjustments, none that resulted in scores, but they were able to find the gaps in the cover 2.  If Nico is going to play in space, he's going to have to get faster in his reads and move to the read faster than what he did.  Nick Perry continues to underwhelm and play out of position a lot.  I am surprised that they take risks with Lester as a pass rusher because I would think that he would be better in center field than Perry/Sunseri would?  If Wilson can play next week, and can see the film, he might be scared by 33 defenders, but once his head clears he might like how badly they play any route that breaks middle. 


The Ugly....

None


RANDOM THOUGHTS

Eddie Lacy won't be Eddie Lacy probably for about 4 games.

Not digging Lacy's game right now.  It is pretty clear from watching his body language that he's not ready to play but trying to gut it out.....yes there is a pun in there....but I don't know that I want him with the ball when the game is on the line.  Once he gets in game shape, I may change my thought on him, but right now, he looks timid and defeated at times. 

The implosion of the SEC West is on....

Texas A&M found out that even a mid-level Florida is tough when you aren't deep.  A&M and Missouri both learned that depth is what makes the SEC the best.  It isn't a one deep conference like the others are.  That is not unexpected and both will be in the 7-8 win level and probably get one win  that they shouldn't. 

Auburn's mess is much more complicated.  A team that has supposedly recruited well and has a lot of juniors and seniors should not look as bad as they did against MSU.  It is a bizarre tale that it isn't just stars and ranks, it is character and fitting the program.  They have players that are spread players trying to play power football now.  That dog won't hunt.  On defense, they have a couple of good players, but they have missed on so many players that there is a noticeable lack of depth and talent.  Of course, when your offense can't muster a touchdown, your defense can be 3 deep and it won't survive. 

Arkansas is its own doing too.  Not going out and finding a permanent replacement for Petrino is going to result in a lost season that has a 3 to 4 year impact.  Recruiting is not going to be kind to the Hawgs when they cannot say where they are going.  The players on the team are not going to buy in to a guy that may or may not be around long.  Why should they?  They can go down Smith's path and then have to make a complete switch if they go out and get another coach.  It is a poor answer to a problem that will haunt them for a while.  It has the mark of Mal Moore's Shula hire all over it. 

Congrats to Rich Rodriguez

Oklahoma State got some tough karma from Arizona in the middle of the night.  Rod's Wildcats absolutely donkey punched the Cowboys to the tune of 59-38.  I get made fun of for saying that he's actually a pretty good coach, he just took the wrong job at Michigan.  Out west, he can get more speed players from California and the rest of the region to run his spread offense.  He was never going to get that kind of talent in the rust belt.  That area produces more plodders and hog mollies.  Will he win a title there?  Nah.  Will he make Arizona relevant again?  Probably. 

UGA doesn't play Old Man Football...they play Lil Man's Football

While the UGA nation believes they are tough, let's be honest.  They are not as good as half the West.  They have an undersized defense, and an undersized QB, that wilted last year every time they got punched in the mouth.  That test comes in the back to back games with UT and USCar.  The thing that is amusing is that they think they are tough.  Do you see tough when they play?  Or do you see opportunistic?  I see the latter because they spend a lot of time feasting on the lesser thans and not much time beating the best of the best.  They may earn the title of playing old man's football, but I'd reserve that to teams that win big games and tough games. 

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly....Michigan

So if you have been looking for this blog link on other sites, you won't see it.  The reasons are the reasons, but my weekly review of the Bama games and Random Thoughts will continue for another year and beyond.  However, if you want to get the first notice when this updates, follow the blog or follow me on twitter @rlb002gbu. 

With that little piece of house keeping done, I thought the game was two parts- the total demolition of Michigan and the letting the boot off the throat of Michigan.  With all the effort to not compare this team to 2010's team, they did the one thing that everyone always remembers about 2010....they let up when they could have kept the pressure on them.  Overall though, I thought it was a good statement for the team to make and the case is made now that they are in the top 4.  In no particular order, those are Oregon, USCal, LSU and Bama. 

OFFENSE

The Good...

4 Backs....4 ways to break a spirit.

The news story for the running backs is that for the first time since 2007, there is no clear cut number 1 back.  Instead, Bama is going to run with a 4 headed attack of Lacy, Yeldon, Fowler, and Hart.  None of which are quite ready to take 20 snaps a game, but all of which can take 35 to 40 a game.  With the focus on play action, that is going to be a necessity.  They have to establish the run with multiple backs to run waggles and play action passes with all 4. 

With a Rebel Yel(don) she cried more more more

After one game, it is easy to get over hyped about Yeldon's ability and potential.  What isn't over hyped is that when he gets the ball, he gets the most out of every carry.  The comparisons begin to all sorts of backs from Ingram and Richardson, because they are closest in fans minds, and Humphrey because he torched teams.  To be honest, he is closer to Alexander than any of those guys because like Shaun, he gets low and is more spins and jukes than power and punch.  Regardless, the upside is unlimited to him because as he gets acclimated to the SEC, he will learn and grow into the next star. 

The TE can be thrown to!!!!

Williams' playaction play was a great play because not only did he get the ball, he clubbed the guy in front of him and rubbed off to get open.  I would like to see them use him and the other TE/HBacks more to get things open and torture safeties.  Putting Williams into the passing game probably won't happen much because Fluker's pass blocking is still weak, but the chances they get to use him and roll him across the field and get him running down hill will be a good thing. 

Fowler moods

It is not a secret that I don't get all giddy about him like some do.  That said, I see his role on the team.  He isn't a starter but he has a niche role that is important.  With Yeldon being the speed back, he's gotta be the power back.  He can provide 10 or so carries a night of bruising up and down running.  Other plays he can be the fullback/h back to lead block and punish.  His blocking improved over the course of the night as his first block was a wiff, but after that he got his head up and drove linebackers around fairly well.  He ain't gonna ever run left but he will move the pile when they need it, and that's a role they desperately need. 

AJ started hot

AJ likes the playaction offense.  It fits his style and mentality.  To be honest, the playbook was pretty bland thus far, and I think they were happy to not have to go deep into the book, but I wish they had worked a little deeper to give teams more to think about in the passing game.  The stat line wasn't great, but the top 2 stats are that they did not have any broken plays and they didn't have to burn any timeouts or have any delay of game penalties to get the play going.  Saban will look at that as much as anything for him.  By the way, I can half way tolerate the tattoo, but the purple bow tie and stealing my sunglasses from 1986 aren't tolerable.....

The bad...

After a quarter and a half, it got meh in a hurry

That isn't a player fault as much as the entire playcalling mentality fault.  It was pretty clear that once up 24, they wanted to nurse it.  The problem with that is the same today as it was in 2010, that is dangerous and can bite you.  I don't think some folks realize that Bama was 1 blown coverage or turnover from being in a game again in the second half.  I thought they got a little too cute with some of the things they were trying to do in the 3rd quarter and it stalled out the offense and resulted in less than great numbers for McCarron. 

OL Pass Protection

Outside of CyKo and Jones, the pass protection was pretty sub par most of the night.  Fluker's footwork for as many games as he has played is just not acceptable.  I lost count watching the replay of how many times he lost containment or just got rushed over.  The issue is that he just doesn't get his feet off the ground.  I know it can be done, I saw Yokozuna climb the top rope and do a splash on jabroni's back in the day.  Fluker just has to get motivated to move.  When he does slide and step out, he's pretty dominating, but when he gets flat footed, he gets his hat handed to him.  Same issue really with Steen.  He hesitates and gets flat and loses his entire containment because he's not fast enough to recover.  Warmack has moments where he just forgets what to do it feels like.  From a run block perspective, all 5 do as good a job as anyone in the nation.  However, with Arkansas, Missouri, and LSU ahead, they won't be afforded the luxury of just running it to death. 

The Ugly....

AJ's shovel pass shoveled poop

It may have been the most feminine pass I have ever seen.  I know this much, he's probably getting hazed (rightfully so) for it, and will get some growling from the staff for it.  That play may be burned at the next bon fire......

DEFENSE

The Good....

Front 7 play

For the most part, I thought the success on defense wasn't individual efforts but the front 7 locking down a mobile QB and holding them to 85 yards and 2.4 per carry.  Granted their starter was out, but that number isn't changing that much.  A program that has always wanted to establish the run, was pretty dormant and ineffective.  Credit guys like Square and Dickson as well as Williams and Stinson for collapsing the pocket and run lanes all night.  Short of one lapse where Michigan beat the containment and the RB danced about 20 yards, there was 0 momentum for the Wolverines via the run. 

Hitting is contagious, I doubt Saban takes them to the doctor

It was pretty clear early that everyone was amped up and ready to pop helmets on both sides.  Short of Johnson losing his composure and going high on Robinson, they laid some really clean hits and they were all fundamentally sound.  No shoulder only shots, no heads down, no flying around and missing stuff, it was all squaring up and popping the guy with the ball. 

Secondary play early

I will say this and expect the grumbles, but I didn't like the secondary play as a whole.  The obvious breakdowns were there, but I saw at least 7 plays where the secondary was beaten and Michigan just didn't execute.  However, early on, they had to confuse Robinson and make him second guess himself.  Mission accomplished.  Between the guys up front hitting him around, and the secondary moving around and showing zone playing man and visa versa, he was rattled and struggling for a good while. 

CJ Mosley

His touchdown was a product of good pressure and him doing a good job of shadowing Robinson in the flat.  Dickson beat his man and bore down on Robinson in the end zone.  So, his timer is short anyways because he's deep in the endzone, add a blitzer bearing down on him, he's ready to get it out of his hand as fast as he can.  That means he isn't reading his progressions, he just knows that X Y Z H are in areas.  When that happens, a linebacker as good as CJ is in space sits back, reads, and cuts the pass off.  That play is a good sample of his play.  He loves to move in space and follow the play.  He's very smart and probably is going to be better than Rolo when his career ends.  I say that because he sees the game better than Rolo did at this point. 

The Bad...

Two breakdowns, two pants needing feces removed

As folks on www.crimsonchat.com will tell you, I talked about the inexperienced secondary being an issue early this year.  After game 1, that issue is still there.  If you slow down several plays, they gambled and got lucky.  However it wasn't a gamble and pick or a gamble and a swat, it was a gamble and the QB couldn't hit the guy or the WR muffed it.  There was a lot of that.  Millner was probably the most guilty of doing it.  It worked for him but there are better QBs ahead.  Belue made some rookie mistakes, and despite fans trying to fool themselves into thinking playing in Pigmuff JuCo League means he's experienced, he's a rookie and has never played this kind of speed and talent.  Neither corner worry me as much as the poor safety play. 

Both breakdowns are equal blame on corners and safeties.  The issue is that they too are not experienced in meaningful plays outside of Lester.  Lester got a stinger but before that it seemed that they were trying to use him like he was Barron.  That's not a good experiment because he's too timid and hesitates too much.  He's better in center field.  Sunseri is more that role, but he lacks the speed to react to things.  I cringe to think how they deal with Arkansas WR and Missouri's WRs with him.  HaHa looks like a hitter but seems to be slow to react to things he sees.  That is to be expected because he never played either.  Both are out there for the first time in a real game and it looked that way when they played.  I am just going to say, I hope Perry is only playing because Lester got hurt.  All I am going to say bout that.

The Ugly...

Kickoffs

Saban and Williams want to get air under the ball.  I get the theory, but if you have a guy running it out every time, you increase the odds of a bad play.  We all know Foster can donkey punch the ball out of the endzone now that the ball is up.  So what if they are at the 25?  I'd rather know they are at the 25 every time than maybe at the 15 once, and 35 the next and I'm not talking about their 35....Talking to Griffith last year, they want all their kickers to sky it and not worry about the distance.  That didn't work last year and it has potential to be a problem this year.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Penn State- Welcome to Unhappy Valley for 30 years

The prison sentence they are going to deal with is justified.  Fans will hate it.  Boosters will hate it.  Recruits will hate it.  Nostalgic fans like me will hate it.  That doesn't lessen the need to make an example.  Socially unacceptable things like covering up child abuse so that the legacy of JoePa is preserved is not acceptable.  Penn State now embarks on the long redemption to find their new identity.  The long term penalties will be gone, and with it will be a program that has been relevant for 40 years.  The odds that they return to prominence is small.  Even smaller will be the crowds eventually.  The legacy of Paterno, as much as his estate wishes it wouldn't be, will be the empty seats from his empty moral compass. 

Savannah State take that whoopin, pay the bills

You can bitch about the score Okie State put on them, but hey, they shelled out 400,000 for that beating.  They were getting their money's worth.  Besides, would you rather them do what cross state Chokelahoma did?  Savannah gets another big payday next week with the Criminoles.  Another 475,000 for that massacre, and they pay for the entire athletics program.  That's why it is ok.  They want that whooping so that gymnastics and basketball and baseball and soccer and water basket weaving teams get theirs.  Remember, South Florida, Southern Miss, Ohio, and others used to do it, and they have all become quality mid-tier opponents to play now.  So, yes, Mike Gundy is a jerk, but the beating they put on D7 Savannah State is not a good sample of his issue.  The first time he doesn't get his way this year, and I hope it happens often, will show why he's not likeable. 

Time for LSU and Alabama to cut off the rest of the SEC....

One thing that twitter and facebook have taught me this weekend is that other schools are more than happy to trade on the foundation that LSU and Alabama have put in.  Many UGA fans point to the strength of the SEC, and I'm sure Auburn and other fans would too if they could win, but the truth is that the SEC isn't that strong as much as it is blessed to house 2 of the best teams in the last decade.  Meyer's Florida teams need consideration for the dominance of the BCS too, but the rest of the SEC has not supported that argument.  Georgia failed to stop Michigan State.  The same MSU that got plastered by Bama's 3rd string a year before.  Auburn looked soft and lacking depth vs. Clemson.  The same Clempsun that got hung a 70 by West Virginia (who I think win the Big 12 this year).  The rest are just as guilty over the last year or 3.  Auburn and Georgia fans are more guilty of talking about how great a conference they play in.  So, it isn't how good the SEC is, it is how good Bama and LSU have been for 6 years.