Tire Store Report SEC Championship Edition

Remember back when things were terrible?  A favorite son who coached and behaved poorly?   A replacement coach who did ok and then slunk away in the night?  A coach who behaved poorly and never coached a game unless you count A-Day?  Another favored son who seemed to try his best but just wasn’t cut out for head coach and left with hurt feelings on both sides?  A new coach who started a season that filled everyone with hope and then we lost to Louisiana College of Drainage & Tractor Repair at home?  And fast forward just a little bit to when things got better.  We gave a good account of ourselves in the SEC Championship but lost to Florida?  And then, the very next season, Florida was undefeated, ranked #1, the defending national champion and we ran them out of the Georgia Dome on our way to the National Title?

Remember those times?  Remember the elated feeling you had after that Florida game in 2009 when Alabama was the SEC Champion again, for the first time in 10 years?  Maybe you don’t.  We do.  It was a wonderful feeling. 

Times have been so much better lately.  Alabama has won three straight SEC Championships and four out of the last five.  Alabama is the only undefeated major conference team in the country. Around the SEC, Florida now has two conference losses and everyone else has at least three.  The Crimson Tide is back in the College Football Playoff, in which it has never not appeared.  As the Commissioner notes, that’s 26 SEC titles (30, if you count the old Southern Conference, which we absolutely do -- can’t imagine why you wouldn’t).  If you are counting (and we absolutely are -- can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) that doubles second-place Tennessee’s 13 SEC titles.

And you know what?  We had that same wonderful feeling on Saturday evening -- just as we did in 2009.  It never gets old.  It was just as good this time around.

The Grades were tip top and we agree with them.  We also agree with curving them all to A+.  I do hope we get to see one game this year where all three phases of the game excel against a quality opponent for four quarters.  Saturday afternoon’s effort was a little slip shod, and we still hung half a hundred on them

We hear and read that Alabama fans are “entitled” -- we guess meaning spoiled and just expecting to win a lot of football games.  OK.  Maybe so.  That doesn’t, however, translate into taking any of this for granted.

I have deal with an old friend, a loyal Tennessee fan who takes a very clear-eyed approach to college football.  Every year after the Alabama Tennessee game we have lunch.  Winner pays.  It’s a good tradition.  This year, over open-faced roast beef sandwiches with brown gravy (which is the way we have it -- can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) he asked me, “Don’t you guys ever get tired of winning?”  I didn’t even really consider the question.  I just stuck my fork in my mashed potatoes and said, “Nope.”  He laughed at me and then said, “Yeah, we wouldn’t either.”

 For us, the big sequence of the game was not Fitzpatrick’s interception return for a touchdown (regardless of how exciting it was).  We thought it was in the second half, with Florida’s first and goal and a chance to pull within 10 not even half way through the third quarter.  With a first down at about the two, they chose to run up the middle.  Or tried to.  The play, as they say, failed to gain.  On second down, they tried to run around right end, gaining about a yard, but nearly fumbling.  (We’ll pause right here for an interesting point -- did you see Averett and Foster both trying for the scope and score on that play?  From 100 yards away? This defense doesn’t just try to score, they expect to do so.)

On third down, we think they tried the old “jump over the pile” play.  We say think because before the running back could leave his feet, he got punched in the midsection by the defense and ended up hopping up about as far, well, about as far as we can.  On fourth down, perhaps remembering Marty Lyons’s advice to Chuck Fusina in ‘79, Florida decided to pass.  Again, we think it was supposed to be a quick hitter to the left, but gigantic Dalvin Tomlinson forced his way through the line and jumped into the passing lane of the called play.  When he landed he started chasing Florida’s quarterback, gaining on him at an alarming rate.  To his credit, Florida’s quarterback ran for his life towards the sideline, finally throwing a desperation pass into triple coverage.  The receiver got both hands on the ball but couldn’t get his foot down in bounds -- not to mention Fitzpatrick swatting the ball out of his hands back up the tunnel in the corner of the end zone.

Then the offense took the ball and drove it 98 yards for a touchdown. You could just tell after that play, Florida was done.  They went from discouraged to somewhat vengeful.

The zebras once again almost let a game get out of hand.  There had a been a number of questionable hits out of bounds, a really late “sling him down by the jersey play”, as ugly a facemask infraction as we can remember, finally boiling over in a play nasty enough to get three separate infractions flagged and leading to the ejection of a Florida player on Alabama’s next offensive possession.  And credit young Joshua Jacobs (Fr. 5-10 204) with pulling Cam Robinson (Sr. 6-6 310) out of a situation where penalties might have offset. Robinson was rightly upset and coming to the defense of a teammate. Though to give Robinson his own amount of credit due, we doubt that Jacobs (giving up eight inches and 100+ pounds) could make Robinson do anything he wasn’t pretty well inclined to do in the first place. 

Alabama then exacted its own brand of vengeance from the two-yard line, putting in a backfield of Jalen Hurts, Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, and Bo Scarbrough.  We don’t know what they call it this year -- we’d go with the Half Ton Package.  No, really, we looked it up, and the backs in that formation weigh over 1000 pounds.  We almost felt sorry for Florida’s inside linebacker.  Almost.

We bid a relieved adieu to the Verne Lundquist era, and especially his extended Farewell Tour.  We expect next year to be a little better; presumably fewer player misidentifications and a little more description of the action than “My my” and “Oh my goodness” and “Yes sir”.  Maybe not quite as much effort to find an uncalled penalty on any positive play for Alabama.   Mostly, though, our problems didn’t stem from Uncle Verne, but from the way the executives at CBS direct and produce the games.  Unfortunately, that will remain unchanged.  As will their quest for the magical five-hours-without-overtime broadcast.

We hope you all have a nice December, see your friends and families over the holidays, and get some SEC Championship memorabilia in your stocking.  We’ll do all that, but also spend time getting anxious about and excited for the game on New Year’s Eve with Washington, hoping we whip them and move on to the National Championship.  As I told my friend, we really, really like winning at football -- can’t imagine why you wouldn’t.

Roll Tide, everyone.

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SEC Grades

Here's a thought experiment to try in case you are stuck inside on a rainy day: What would they have to do if the 2016 Crimson Tide played a perfect game? You know what I mean? A game where all three phases consistently perform at the standard expected by The Process.

To get you started, some of the things I think would result are: (i) they would have to add another row of lights on the score board-double digits would not be enough to count Alabama's points; (ii) they would have to start paying teams from the SEC East an appearance bonus like schools from the FCS get; (iii) the "Who's In" playoff talk show on ESPN would have to have one of those flip-over thingies for the Tide starters, and another for the rest of the roster; (iv) the landscape architects at the Capstone would have to figure out where to put the new markers on the Walk Of Champions commemorating all the conference and playoff titles the Tide will win.... oh, scratch that one, the University is already working on that.

Such speculation may be one way to while away the time between now and the start of post-season preparation, but it is certainly the case that this season's edition of the Crimson Tide have yet to play a perfect game. The performance turned in for the 25th anniversary edition of the SEC Championship Game is a case in point. Take the first quarter.....please......the Tide defense gave up a TD on the Gators' opening drive, a 10 play, 65 yard march, that featured Florida converting on each of three third downs and consuming more than 5 minutes of the game clock.  The offense could only generate a loss of (-7) yards in the first quarter. It did manage to preserve enough of the great field position handed to it by Shaun Dion Hamilton's 40 yard interception return on Florida's second possession, to kick a field goal. Special teams allowed the Big Lizzards 2 points with a blocked PAT attempt. Offensive play calling made some observers speculate that Lane Kiffin had spent more time meeting with his agent than with his players. Or maybe he had studied so much Houston game film, he was calling plays for the Cougars instead of the Tide.   

Yes, the first quarter was just dreadful.....in everything except the score.....after 15 minutes, the Gators, who held the ball for more than 12 minutes, were on the short end of 16-9. Sophomore corner, Minkah Fitzpatrick, set a school record when he returned his 4th career pick-six. Freshman Derrick Gore blocked a Florida punt, and fellow freshman Josh Jacobs ran the ball into the end zone, becoming the first player ever to return a blocked punt for a touchdown in an SEC Championship Game [Georgia scored on a blocked field goal attempt in the 2012 SEC CG].

The second quarter was much better. The offense generated 179 yards, 9 first downs and 17 points. The defense frustrated Florida until the Reptiles mounted another long drive to score a TD with :19 to play in the half. The half-time score of 33-16 was certainly encouraging, but it was hard to shake the feeling that Alabama was just not playing like Alabama. 

Alabama got the ball to start the second half and reverted to its first quarter form. A screen pass on first down lost 10 yards. A run up the middle on second down erased that loss, so on third and 10 Coach Kiffin called........a pass that was incomplete. Florida took the ensuing punt and picked up right where it left off at the end of the first half, driving with the passing game to a first and goal at the Tide 2. A run up the middle on first down was stopped for no gain. A run  on 2d down got the ball a foot and a half from the end zone. On third down, Rashaan Evans met the Florida running back a yard into the Gator backfield and stoned him for a loss to the 2. On 4th down, Florida attempted a pass, but Appleby, under pressure, had nowhere to go and his throw went off the hands of his receiver who was out of bounds in any event.

At this point, the hinge of fate turned completely in Alabama's favor. The Tide ground out a 98 yard drive culminating in a 2 yard Bo Scarbrough TD. For a moment, the drive looked like it would fall victim to Coach Kiffin's impatience, when Jalen was sacked for a 9 yard loss on 1st and 10 from the Tide 34. A run on second down failed to gain, but on third down, Jalen connected with ArDarius Stewart for a 31 yard completion to the Florida 44. From that point, the drive stayed on the ground with gains of 8, 34 and the final 2.

For all but the most technical of reasons, the game was effectively over at this point. Florida had gone from first and goal at the 2 to failing to score and being gashed for another Bama touchdown.  The Tide would add 14 more points with the running game, as the defense preserved a second half shutout. 

Because this was Alabama's 26th SEC Championship [30th conference championship when you add the 4 titles earned during the days of the Southern Conference], every phase of the game will be officially recorded as A+. However, because there are two more games to play, and there is work to be done, here's how I grade the game:

Offense: A- In spite of the horrible first quarter, it is hard for the offense not to grade out well. After all, the O did score 41 points. The Tide gained 372 yards of offense [234 rushing], earned 18 first downs and converted 5 of 10 third downs. 

Bo Scarbrough was the leading rusher with 91 yards on 11 runs.  Damien Harris added 86 yards on 8 carries, Josh Jacobs ran 6 times for 36 yards and Derrick Gore gained 21 net yards on 4 rushers. Scarbrough scored 2 rushing TDs, Jacobs and Gore each scored a rushing touchdown as well. Gore also blocked the Gator punt, prompting one wag to say after the game that "it has taken 16 years, but Gore has finally carried Florida."

Jalen netted only 1 yard on 8 running plays. He gained 23 but lost 22 in sack yardage. Jalen's passing numbers were a modest 11 of 20 for 138 yards and a TD. He did not throw an interception. 

Calvin Ridley gained 43 yards on 4 catches. Stewart added 42 yards on 3 receptions and OJ Howard caught 2 balls for a total of 41 yards. Jacobs and Gehrig Dieter each gained 6 yards on solo receptions. Dieter's catch was good for Jalen's lone TD pass. 

The offense generated four sustained drives [88, 62, 98, 91] each of which culminated in a TD. 

Defense: A Florida was supposed to be banged up, and inexperienced on the offensive line. One week ago, FSU held the Lizzards 0-for-14 on third downs. Against the nation's best defense, the Reptiles rang up 261 yards passing.....that was also their total offense. As astonishing as it may sound, Florida gained 0 net yards rushing. That's zero. Nada. Zilch. Zip. Nil. Nuthin'. Nary a one. Florida mounted three drives [64, 92, 64] producing 2 TDs and a turnover on downs. The rest of the game, Florida's drive chart looks like this: 0, 2, 2, 9, (3), 6, 4, (3), (10), 20.

Reuben Foster was voted MVP of the game. He was credited with 11 tackles [9 solo; 2 TFL]. Ronnie Harrison made 7 stops [5 solo] and Dalvin Tomlinson was credited with 5 tackles. Anthony Averett, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jonathan Allen each made 4 tackles. Tide defenders made 9 tackles for lost yardage, forced a fumble, made 3 interceptions, and hurried the Gator QB 9 times. 

Special Teams:

Punting: A+ JK Scott had a so-so night, by his usual standards, averaging 40.5 yards on 2 punts. Neither of his punts were returned. The Tide return game was excellent. Treyvon Diggs returned 3 punts for 90 yards [long - 47] and as previously mentioned, Josh Jacobs returned a blocked punt 27 yards for a TD.

Place Kicking: F Sorry, but a failing grade is automatic when special teams gives up a blocked kick, especially on a PAT. Griff also missed from 40 yards while he made two FGs from 31 and 25.

Kickoffs: A Griff and Scott shared kickoff duties, averaging 63.1 and 64.5 yards respectively. The coverage team did not surrender a big return. 

Coaching: B- The offense was not ready to play.  The first half proved that. The defense was stung by some wrinkles Tide coaches had not seen in film. Alabama was penalized only twice, while Florida was flagged 7 times, including three on one play. To the coaches' credit, the Tide players kept their cool when the Gators were getting extremely chippy in the 4th quarter. The participation report lists 61 players who saw action in the game.

Shaun Dion Hamilton is lost for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained in the second quarter. Marlon Humphrey did not start but returned to action against the Gators. Cooper Bateman replaced Jalen late in the game and led the three-deep on a TD scoring drive.

The downgrade is for incomprehensible play calling. Readers of this blog are no doubt tired of my complaining about play calling, but from my perspective, Coach Kiffin gets enamored with the idea of a perimeter passing attack and is often impatient with a productive running game. This results in early down passing attempts that produce negative plays. 

The playoff suspense, if there ever was any, is over. Alabama will play Washington in Atlanta on New Year's Eve. Optimistic Tide fans may not even be giving up their hotel rooms between now and the end of the month. I suppose it's OK to celebrate Christmas in the lobby.

Between now and then, the players will finish up finals, have a few days away from football, then return for mini-camp and specific prep for the Huskies. ADs across the land will be looking to fill vacancies created by hirings and firings. Coach Kiffin is rumored to be on the short list for Houston and perhaps Oregon head coaching positions. Everyone at The Commissioners Blog wishes him well. 

Coach Saban told reporters that when he was an assistant on a team in the post season, and had a head coaching position waiting for him, he worked the assistant job until the post-season had run its course before leaving for the new gig. Whether he would expect Coach Kiffin to do the same was unclear. One thing is clear, however, at least as I see things, Lane Kiffin needs Nick Saban and Alabama more than Saban and the Capstone need Lane Kiffin. 

How fitting it was that the 25th anniversary of the SEC Championship Game would be marked with the 9th rematch between Florida and Alabama. And how fitting it is that the Tide now hold the series lead 5-4 over the Gators. I will have some additional post-season thoughts over the next few weeks, but for now, everyone relish the Tide being the Champions of the Southeastern Conference......again!

Roll Tide, Y'all.

The Commissioner