Krebs, The matchup problem is in how Alabama plays defense. They are quite methodical. They make lots of reads at the LOS and assign coverage. If you wanted to know why Auburn gave Alabama fits, but they stuffed UF, the style of play had a lot more to do with it than the heat of the rivalry in the Iron Bowl. Most defensive minded (read coaches) I know who pull for the Tide wanted to see just about anyone else besides Texas... The issue here is.. does Texas sacrifice Colt McCoy to establish a running game? Because he is their best runner, and he is going to get hit harder than he's been hit all year...over and over and over.. but if Texas can keep the tempo up and move the ball, and Texas is MUCH better than Auburn, as I said.. the present some matchup issues for Alabama.
George, You misunderstand.. They make the line calls at the line.. Similar to an spread option team that lines up and makes the call from the LOS.. The teams that give Alabama fits aren't the best teams, they are the teams that hurry them up and don't allow them to get set... They rely an awful lot of specialized substitution. If you play the chess match with Saban, you'll lose. If you think their D is good now, you should have seen it with Hightower in the lineup... Your best bet is to hurry to the LOS, put your 11 on their 11 and just run the play... then get to the LOS and do it again. You will discombobulate them.. They will be running around looking for a call from the sideline. Every team that has done this to them has had success... they just don't stick with it. Texas runs that all day long.. That's not to say that I don't think Bama is better or that they don't have the best defense in the nation. I think they are and they do.. I'm just saying that Texas has way more offensive talent than the teams that Bama has struggled against.. unlike those teams, Texas has a by God QB... If Brown gets them on their heels, he can keep them there all day.. The bet is, they will slow down and that's when you lose. I've actually watched more Tide football than Irish this year... (god damned weddings).. Just like everyone else, they are human.