2017 Alabama vs. auburn

2017 Alabama vs. auburn

Alabama Football Podcast Breaks down Alabama’s breakdown in the armpit that is west Georgia’s own, Jordan-Hare. Yah.

In this episode Tom and Dave from the Alabama Football Podcast breakdown the Tide’s breakdown in the armpit that is west Georgia’s own, Jordan-Hare. Yah.

Sloppy Play

Alabama was a shade off all night on both sides of the ball, and at one stretch it seemed that everyone was taking a turn scoring a blunder. That’s not how it works. One miscue is not a call for everyone to miscue – no, I didn’t bring enough for the class.

As we step through the game we bring up several instances that are harmless individually but when strung together, they end up costing Alabama the game.

Game Planning

Check out our discussion of a tendency common in Alabama losses under Saban.

Injury Impacts

There are excuses and there are reasons, and there is a difference between the two. An excuse is to lament the weather or field conditions, a reason is the loss or diminished performance of one or more key performers.

Alabama is clearly a different team when Shaun Dion Hamilton is not on the field, simply consider the Tide is 3-2 over the last 2 seasons in games he didn’t play, with Mercer being one of the wins.

Add to that a gimpy Minkah Fitzpatrick and a trio of linebackers not yet back into playing form, and you get a defense that isn’t firing on all cylinders.

Given time, these are all correctable.

Not Sour Grapes

I’ll say this from the start… and I both know and hate how this sounds. On the podcast, its almost comical how uncomfortable I must sound talking about it…

The officiating on Saturday was abysmal. That’s not an opinion, that’s fact, watch the tape.

Calvin is tripped in coverage

Hale is held on a route

Trey Matthews simulated the snap, not once but twice

Rashaan didn’t rip Stitham’s helmet off

But I will stop short of claiming those are the reasons Alabama lost. That part was self-inflicted.

Mini Game balls

Anyone can read a headline, but which players contributed in more subtle ways to the Tide’s fortune?

Alabama’s Next Opponent

Stay tuned, we’re all anxious to learn the particulars – who, when, and where. Meanwhile, check out our assessment of the Tide’s chances for making the playoff.

Kick After – a ‘lil nugget that didn’t make the show

I can’t explain with words how much I hate it when Alabama loses a game like this. I know this is true because I’ve rewritten these lines so many times. Doing the podcast and writing the articles at these times is just the worst.

Yet its these games that yield a unique perspective on things. Not just in the true but syrupy way that bad times make you appreciate the good times more, but in a more practical way.

Watching and re-watching and discussing a game like this allows you to spot the trends and breakdowns that add up to missed opportunities and eventually the game. It can inspire confidence when you next see the Tide play and those small items are corrected.

Here’s to hoping we get another run at this bunch of tigers, because I think we might have a little something for them next time around.

We hope you’ll check out the Podcast and in the meantime, Roll Tide!