Pretty Ballsy Move By Saban!

[MelroseHawkins]

At half Saban chose to go with a pretty inexperienced true freshman QB, who really had not played much during the year. Saban realized that he needed more passing, in particular downfield, and realized the freshman gave him the best chance with his arm. It was a pretty bold move yanking the starter who has gone something like 25-2.

I can't really see Ferentz having the kahonas to do that with the back-up, let alone true freshman. I realize that young man was the #1 dual threat QB coming out of HS, but still is only a freshman. Helluva move by Saban to jump start Alabama.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Absolutely agreed. I've been a Bama fan for years and I was terrified that Jalen was going to cost us the game in the days leading up to the game - by the end of the first half, I was getting ready to get piled on for my boys losing. I'm sure that locker room was unpleasant at halftime based on how inept the offense looked. But Saban, oh man, that was legendary coaching. I was at my buddy's place (huge Hawk fan) for the second half and the moment UGA had 4th and short on the 39 and Kirby punted it, I guaranteed him that Bama was going to win. I pointed out that Kirby was acting just like Ferentz 1.0 after they put up 20 points. If you have an elite team on the ropes, you have to go for the jugular like Ferentz did against OSU - you can't pussyfoot around playing a field position game. You can't let them hang around down two possessions.

The really remarkable stat on Saban is how few active coaches have beaten him. I don't remember the full list, but it is like Ferentz, Meyer, Dabo, Richt, Sumlin (did he leave A&M and get a new job) and Gus Malzahn. I think one or two other guys might have a W still hanging around from his MSU days, but holy crap, that is a pretty damned elite list Ferentz is on. Thank you Tate to Holloway!

 

[mopkins]

Well Hurts isn't really in there to throw the ball all over the field, he's in there to be a runner for the most part. Once Bama got down and Georgia was stuffing their run, it was obvious they had to start throwing the ball around the field. Ferentz would never be in that situation because he would never start a run-first QB in the first place.

Kirby Smart was an idiot. He had two 1,000 yard rushers and towards the end of the game he had a freshman RB in there instead of either of his stud RBs. Sony Michel averaged 7 yards per carry and they only gave him the ball 14 times and never once threw it to him. Instead Kirby kept rolling that D'Andre Swift dude out there and kept Michel and Chubb on the sidelines towards the end. Just stupid.

 

[mopkins]

It does make you wonder what the QB situation in Alabama is going to look like this offseason. How does Jalen Hurts go into next season with any sort of confidence when he got benched in the title game?

Obviously Alabama isn't used to having their running game shut down completely so my guess is Hurts remains the starter, but the fans are going to be calling for the backup every single time Hurts struggles or Bama is losing.

 

[skinnykilmer17]

Well Hurts isn't really in there to throw the ball all over the field, he's in there to be a runner for the most part. Once Bama got down and Georgia was stuffing their run, it was obvious they had to start throwing the ball around the field. Ferentz would never be in that situation because he would never start a run-first QB in the first place.

Kirby Smart was an idiot. He had two 1,000 yard rushers and towards the end of the game he had a freshman RB in there instead of either of his stud RBs. Sony Michel averaged 7 yards per carry and they only gave him the ball 14 times and never once threw it to him. Instead Kirby kept rolling that D'Andre Swift dude out there and kept Michel and Chubb on the sidelines towards the end. Just stupid.

Yeah I didn't get that RB thing either. Anyone ask him about it after the game? It was past my bedtime.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Well Hurts isn't really in there to throw the ball all over the field, he's in there to be a runner for the most part. Once Bama got down and Georgia was stuffing their run, it was obvious they had to start throwing the ball around the field. Ferentz would never be in that situation because he would never start a run-first QB in the first place.

Kirby Smart was an idiot. He had two 1,000 yard rushers and towards the end of the game he had a freshman RB in there instead of either of his stud RBs. Sony Michel averaged 7 yards per carry and they only gave him the ball 14 times and never once threw it to him. Instead Kirby kept rolling that D'Andre Swift dude out there and kept Michel and Chubb on the sidelines towards the end. Just stupid.

The 5 or so swing passes called to that slow white fullback were nothing short of Greg Davis-esque.

 

[okeefe4prez]

It does make you wonder what the QB situation in Alabama is going to look like this offseason. How does Jalen Hurts go into next season with any sort of confidence when he got benched in the title game?

Obviously Alabama isn't used to having their running game shut down completely so my guess is Hurts remains the starter, but the fans are going to be calling for the backup every single time Hurts struggles or Bama is losing.

My guess is that Jim Harbaugh and about 10 other coaches have been on the phone with Jalen this morning talking transfer options. That freshman went from a relative no-name to probably the Heisman front runner in 30 minutes of football and Jalen ain't seeing the field again unless that kid gets hurt.

 

[uihawk82]

Absolutely agreed. I've been a Bama fan for years ay!

How many football teams are you a fan of besides Bama and jNW? And maybe Iowa.

 

[FCAS]

My guess is that Jim Harbaugh and about 10 other coaches have been on the phone with Jalen this morning talking transfer options. That freshman went from a relative no-name to probably the Heisman front runner in 30 minutes of football and Jalen ain't seeing the field again unless that kid gets hurt.

Ignoring the rules violations for a minute, if they want a QB then Eason would be a much better option than Hurts.

 

[tksirius]

At half Saban chose to go with a pretty inexperienced true freshman QB, who really had not played much during the year. Saban realized that he needed more passing, in particular downfield, and realized the freshman gave him the best chance with his arm. It was a pretty bold move yanking the starter who has gone something like 25-2.

I can't really see Ferentz having the kahonas to do that with the back-up, let alone true freshman. I realize that young man was the #1 dual threat QB coming out of HS, but still is only a freshman. Helluva move by Saban to jump start Alabama.

Could you ever see Kirk participating in a national championship game?

 

[uihawk82]

The kid made some goofy young mistakes but he also made some great plays, a way better passer than hurts who just couldnt seem to see the field.

I do think the young kid got to play against a Georgia defense that was getting tired in the 4th qtr. It is hard to play when you are getting held a lot which other people mentioned and I saw. It takes a lot of energy to ward off someone grabbing you.

Again a gutsy coaching change even though I am not a Saban or Bama fan. It is easier to make changes when you have 5 natty titles already under your belt.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Hard to imagine Ferentz ever doing something like that, but, in all fairness, the ability of back-ups at Alabama is quite a bit different than the ability of back-ups at Iowa.

Saban has a garage full of Rolls Royces and Ferraris, while our vehicles are on blocks as we upgrade the drive train, hoping that the current Oldsmobile doesn't break down in the meantime.....

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Could you ever see Kirk participating in a national championship game?

Made me snort.

 

[Fryowa]

Ferentz would never be in that situation because he would never start a run-first QB in the first place.

And he'd never have two QBs ready to play in an NCAA game on the same roster, let alone under that kind of pressure.

It's one thing for Saban to think up the idea, it's another thing to have fifteen 5*'s on your roster to give you the luxury of doing it.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

The kid made some goofy young mistakes but he also made some great plays, a way better passer than hurts who just couldnt seem to see the field.

I do think the young kid got to play against a Georgia defense that was getting tired in the 4th qtr. It is hard to play when you are getting held a lot which other people mentioned and I saw. It takes a lot of energy to ward off someone grabbing you.

Again a gutsy coaching change even though I am not a Saban or Bama fan. It is easier to make changes when you have 5 natty titles already under your belt.

Also, I was thinking, did Georgia even take the time to scheme against this young player. Another reason the move was brilliant.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

The kid made some goofy young mistakes but he also made some great plays, a way better passer than hurts who just couldnt seem to see the field.

I do think the young kid got to play against a Georgia defense that was getting tired in the 4th qtr. It is hard to play when you are getting held a lot which other people mentioned and I saw. It takes a lot of energy to ward off someone grabbing you.

Again a gutsy coaching change even though I am not a Saban or Bama fan. It is easier to make changes when you have 5 natty titles already under your belt.[/QUOTE]

Damn good point there. Leash is a bit looser on those guys, isn't it?

 

[Fryowa]

I've been a Bama fan for years and I was terrified that Jalen was going to cost us the game in the days leading up to the game - by the end of the first half, I was getting ready to get piled on for my boys losing.

Barf.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Hard to imagine Ferentz ever doing something like that, but, in all fairness, the ability of back-ups at Alabama is quite a bit different than the ability of back-ups at Iowa.

Saban has a garage full of Rolls Royces and Ferraris, while our vehicles are on blocks as we upgrade the drive train, hoping that the current Oldsmobile doesn't break down in the meantime.....

But, he is still a true freshman going in for first real significant minutes in the 2nd half of the NC title game. I'd agree if was a soph or junior back-up, but chit, that's a true freshman. Go back to when you were 18-19. Amazing job.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Hard to imagine Ferentz ever doing something like that, but, in all fairness, the ability of back-ups at Alabama is quite a bit different than the ability of back-ups at Iowa.

Saban has a garage full of Rolls Royces and Ferraris, while our vehicles are on blocks as we upgrade the drive train, hoping that the current Oldsmobile doesn't break down in the meantime.....

 

[mopkins]

Probably shouldn't be ignored that the Bama QB took a horrible sack right before he threw that touchdown. He sorta went from goat to legend in about 10 seconds