Tire Store Report -- SEC Championship

Well, it’s been nearly a week and we are still pretty much beside ourselves down here.  Last Saturday evening in Atlanta the University of Alabama football team once again earned the right to raise a new flag over its stadium as the reigning champion of far and away the best conference in college football.  (You don’t have to take our word for it, 11 of the 13 eligible teams are heading for bowl games and 8 ended up ranked in the final regular season Top 25.)  That makes 27 SEC Championships for Alabama, 31 counting when it was still called the Southern Conference.

In this case, though, getting there was not half the fun.  A fine Georgia football team gave its best effort of the season and led Alabama late in the game.  Again.  In fact, in two games plus an overtime this year Alabama has led Georgia for exactly one minute and four seconds of game time.

Alabama made enough mistakes Saturday to have lost twice to a team of this caliber.  Think about it.  The team managed to fumble three times (including once on the goal line), throw two interceptions (one in the end zone / one inside the five), rough the punter, have first and goal at the six and come up with no points, get flagged for too many men on the field, go 0-for-the-first-three-quarters on third down, be regularly beaten at the line of scrimmage, lose the starting quarterback (and SEC player of the year) to not one but two injured ankles (including one stepped on by the best offensive lineman in the country), miss recovering a badly botched kickoff catch, give up a 35-yard kick return after scoring to take a late lead, flat out drop three passes (one, and perhaps two, of which would have gone the distance), drop an interception that the defensive back got two hands on with enough fake green grass ahead of him to feed a herd of fake goats….  That’s enough.  Our blood pressure is going up like an overfull inner tube in the sunshine.

The wonder of this game isn’t that Alabama trailed at the half; it’s that Alabama only trailed by one touchdown at the half.

Still, though, Alabama won.   And it won in a fashion that we would have called “improbable” and “amazing” but we overworked those words so badly after the Alabama Georgia game back in January that we gave them the rest of the year off. 

It’s hard to get a handle on how the game transpired.  The defense played not very well at all giving up 28 points, right up until the last 27 minutes of the game when it held the Bulldogs scoreless.  The running game got stuffed at the line of scrimmage, except when it was blowing through the line for critical chunk gains.  We overlooked about 4,367 opportunities to check down or throw swing passes to running backs who looked like they had stayed out on the playground after the recess bell rang, but caught passes in windows too tight to fit a football through.  The kicking game…. Never mind.

In the immortal words of W.C. Fields, “I saw it with my own eyes and I still don’t believe it.”

We know everyone else has done so, but the good thing about a dead horse is that it doesn’t mind being beaten.  So we’ll give a tip of the tire-grimed cap to Jalen Hurts.  Whatever else you might say about him the young man has shown class, loyalty, character, courage, tenacity, perseverance, and just plain old cussed determination.  He was the SEC Offensive player of the year and has found ways to improve his game.  If hard work will get it done, we wouldn’t bet against him at anything and mostly we aren’t talking about football.  He selflessly stuck with his team when a lot of other players would have chosen a different route -- we know because they did so.  Hurray for you, Jalen.

Commissioner, you did such an able job chronicling this game that we find very little to add to your efforts.  Thank you for a job well done, this week and all this season.

And so the regular season has come to an end.  It went all too fast.  Seems like just the other day we were sweltering away on the asphalt glad to be doing changes, rotations, and balances just to keep us occupied through the dog days of August till the season began.  And here we are, in the cold time of the year when the grease rack and the front parking lot stay empty as people who should be spending money on a new set of tires spend it instead on another bathrobe for Aunt Matilda that she won’t wear and a video game or two where they’ll get stuck on level three and shove it to the back of the cabinet for good.  The football seasons seem to slip by a little faster each year and occasionally the mind wanders around to just how many more we’ll get to see.  No one knows the answer to that question, of course, so we plan to enjoy the tail end of this one for all it is worth.  We hope you do, too.

In the meantime, Christmas will come and go.  So from all of us down here at the Tire Store -- me, the Comptroller, the lug nut crew, Big Willie, J.D., Pee Wee, Pops, Mr. Poole, and Moses -- Merry Christmas.  May God bless you all.

Roll Tide.  Beat Oklahoma.

 



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SEC Championship Grades

In the last eleven months, Alabama and Georgia have played each other twice with a championship on the line. Both games have been in Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium. In both games, Georgia compiled a double-digit lead well into the third quarter. In both games, Alabama’s starting quarterback was arguably the best player at his position, certainly in the SEC and some would say in all of college football.  But, in both games the starter struggled. In both games the backup QB rallied the team, led a comeback, securing a win and yanking the beating heart out of the Bulldogs like a scene from The Last of the Mohicans.

In case this story isn’t dramatic enough, the celebrated backup of game one, became the marquee starter of game two, and the backup hero of the second game was the starter of the first. A columnist with the Atlanta Journal and Constitution said it this way:

“Like a bad truck-stop burrito, Alabama keeps coming back on Georgia. It never seems to change for Bama. Struggle early. Change quarterback. Celebrate in Atlanta.”

Georgia dominated the 2018 SEC Championship Game until the Dawg’s all-world place kicker, Roderigo Blankenship missed a 30 yard chip-shot field goal attempt with 8:20 to play in the third quarter. Holding a 14 point lead, dominating time of possession, and immediately following a 51 yard drive for a touchdown, Georgia was in the process of delivering what Kirby Smart intended to be the killer drive of the game. Instead, the kicker who never misses, did.

Falling behind by three scores might have been Alabama’s breaking point. Instead, this almost providential development gave Alabama another chance, as an injured Tua Tagolailoa trotted onto the field.

But let me first set the stage.

The first half was rough going for the Tide. Alabama appeared headed for a touchdown on its first possession after an excellent punt return by The Other Jaylen gave Bama the ball at the Georgia 29. Fiver plays later, however, Tua threw an interception at the goal line.

The two teams exchanged punts, then Georgia ground out a 60 yard drive in 7 plays for the game’s first touchdown. Bama answered with a sustained drive of its own taking the ensuing kickoff 75 yards on 8 plays scoring a touchdown on the first play of the second period.

Then it was all Georgia.

The Dawgs brilliantly mixed short passes and punishing runs over the course of 13 plays that ate 7:19 of the game clock and ended with a touchdown.

Bama’s offense gave the defense no chance to gather its wits, punting the ball back to Georgia after three plays lost a yard.

Georgia picked up where it had left off, keeping the Tide defense off balance and gassed. This time it only took 2:22 for the Dawgs to cover 51 yards in a six play touchdown drive and Alabama found itself down 21-7 and in big trouble.

With 4:05 left in the first half, and trailing by 14 points, Alabama’s offense started its next possession 75 yards away from the endzone it desperately needed in order to get back in the game. On first down, the games MVP, Josh Jacobs, who by the way was suffering from a virus and had not eaten for 24 hours, ripped off a 59 yard run through the middle of the Georgia defense for a Tide first down at the UGA 16. Damien Harris got the ball inside the 1 yard line and Tua handed the ball again to Jacobs running off right tackle. Jacobs was hit at the goal line and lost the ball. The officials originally ruled the play a fumble recovered by Georgia for a touchback, but replay confirmed Jacobs recovered the ball in the end zone thus ending the play, prior to the Georgia defender snatching it from Jacobs’ hands.

Georgia was not able to do any more damage after receiving Bama’s kickoff. The score remained 21-14 at the half.

The first half stat sheet was a catalogue of problems. Alabama had possessed the ball for only 9:08 compared to UGA’s 20:52. The offense had not converted a single third down, and had gained only half the yardage Georgia accumulated. Everyone in the stadium knew the Tide absolutely had to get the score back to all square on the opening possession of the second half.  

Trailing only by 7 points, Alabama received the second half kickoff and was forced to punt without a first down. Georgia struck immediately with a 51 yard drive in 3 plays capped by a 23 yard completion to Riley Ridley (the younger brother of Bama’s Calvin).  In the stands, the hope Alabama would answer the second half bell with improved execution, was smothered by a fog of creeping dread that things were about to go from bad to worse. Sure enough, things did. The offense could gain only 4 yards in three plays after the UGA kickoff, and punted the ball back to Georgia.

Sensing the game was in their grasp, the Dawgs ran and passed their way 62 yards on 6 plays from their own 25 to the Tide 13. But the Bama defense stiffened, and Blankenship sauntered onto the field for a 30 yard attempt to make the Georgia advantage 17 points.

He missed.

Tide fans have seen lots of missed kicks this season. None were greeted with anything like the reaction to Blakenship’s Blunder. Perfect strangers hugged each other. Fists were bumped. Palms were slapped. And someone ventured the suggestion that if …. mind you IF …. Alabama salvaged a win out of the wreckage of the game so far, this errant 30 yard field goal would be the play of the game.

Tua, playing through pain, moved the team from the Tide 20 to the Georgia 28 throwing complete to The Other Jaylen for 23 yards, and Jerry Jeudy for 12. A third pass attempt to DeVonta Smith drew a pass interference penalty on Georia. On 1^st and 10 Tua threw deep down the middle, but the ball was woefully short of reaching the receiver in stride. As the receiver had to stop and wait for the ball, Georgia’s safety made a play on the ball and intercepted at the 3 yard line. [Analysts after the game pointed out how Tua’s ankle injury impaired his throwing mechanics. Because he was hurt, he was not able to generate the velocity and accuracy fans have taken for granted this season.]

With its back to its own goal line, Georgia decided to run the ball three times. Not an unreasonable strategy for a team with Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift. But the Bama defense played a brilliant and gritty stand, yielding only 9 yards and forcing a punt.

Once again, Tua courageously took the field. On first down, he found Henry Ruggs, III in the right flat for 9 yards. Damien Harris picked up the first down on a run of 8 yards to the Tide 45. Tua’s third pass of the drive was complete to DeVonta Smith who picked up 4 yards to the 49. On second down, Tua threw a strike to The Other Jaylen on a crossing route who lit his after-burners and raced 51 yards down the sideline for a Tide touchdown. Four plays; 72 yards; 1:29 off the clock.

Joseph Bulovas was good on the PAT and the score was Georgia 28 – Alabama 21.

At this point, fans knew it was on the defense to contain Georgia and give the offense a chance to tie the game.

Both teams exchanged punts, and with 12:27 to play in the game, Alabama had the ball at its own 20, desperately needing a touchdown to tie the score. The offense was determined. The Georgia defense was likewise determined to continue to pound on Tua as it had all day. After Tua gained a first down at the Tide 31 on a pass completed to DeVonta Smith, Georgia dialed up the pressure past the redline on the gauge. He threw incomplete to Ruggs on first down. He was hit in the backfield after the throw, and the pass rush drove left tackle Jonah Williams back into Tua, causing Williams to step on the side of Tua’s ankle with all of his weight.

It was a painful looking injury, and the brave sophomore had to be helped off the field by two trainers. During the injury time out, Jalen started getting loose on the sideline. Before he went out to check on Tua, Coach Saban walked over to Jalen who was throwing balls to Jerry Jeudy. The coach spoke briefly to his former starter, the ultimate teammate who stayed to be a backup at Alabama rather than play as a starter somewhere else. I don’t know what was said. But the last thing that passed between the player and his coach was a fist bump.  

What followed was simply remarkable.

With cool efficiency, and the precision of a heart surgeon, Jalen led his team down the field. He completed five of seven passes to Irv Smith, Jerry Jeudy, and The Other Jaylen. He made 4 first downs, and converted 3^rd and 12, 3^rd and 5, and 3^rd and 1. Najee Harris, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, and Jalen found running room through the Georgia defense. The drive ended with a 10 yard completion to Jeudy on the right side of the endzone for a touchdown. Joe Bulovas knotted the score at 28 all.

The complete drive, covered 80 yards in 16 plays, consumed 7:08 of game time, and left the Dawg defense gasping for breath.

Georgia attempted to return the ensuing kickoff and failed to gain the 25 yard line. From there, Jake Fromm completed a 26 yard pass to D’Andre Swift for a first down at the Alabama 49. Holyfield was tackled for a one yard loss and two incomplete passes later, Georgia faced a 4^th and 11 from the midfield stripe with 2:15 to play in the game and the score tied.

 Kirby Smart had a decision to make. He could punt the ball back to Alabama and gain field position. He could try to pin Bama deep. The most likely scenario would be Alabama with the ball needing somewhere between 80 or 90 yards for a touchdown and at least 60 yards for a field goal. So he did the logical thing … no… not really. He pushed the panic button and called for a fake punt play; and not just any old fake punt play, but one that required him to send his backup QB, Justin Fields into the game to take a direct snap.

I am reasonably certain even Butch Jones saw what was happening and knew not only that a fake was coming but that Fields was going to get the ball. The play gained 2 yards.

Alabama’s offense went back into business at its own 48. On 3^rd and 8 from the 50 Jalen threw complete to Irv Smith for 19 yards. He next threw complete to The Other Jaylen for 16 yards in the right flat. On the next play, Georgia was chasing Tide receivers while Jalen ran a draw all the way into the endzone.

Five plays; 52 yards; 2:07 off the clock.

Tide 35

Dawgs 28

Tide fans absolutely crazy!

Thinking back on it, I believe Kirby’s decision on the fake punt might not have been the act of coaching malpractice that many pundits are accusing him of. I believe he assessed the state of his defense and wanted to try to avoid overtime.

College overtime wears a defense out. Just ask LSU and Texas A&M. I would not be surprised if there weren’t Tiger and Aggie defenders still breathing oxygen after their seven overtime game two Saturdays ago. Kirby knew Blankenship would not miss from 30 yards again in his lifetime, so all he needed to do was pick up a first down anywhere inside the Tide 35. Those odds were better than the prospect of having to play OT against a red-hot Bama offense.

Winning any championship deserves an upward adjustment in the final grade, and the Tide’s performance richly deserves the bump up. So, here is how I grade the game:

Offense:            B+        Alabama gained 403 yards of total offense, earned 23 first downs and converted 5 of 11 third downs. After a rocky start, marred initially by some uncharacteristic drops by receivers, and later by the impact of injury, Tua completed 10 of 25 pass attempts for 164 yards. He threw 1 pass for a TD and was intercepted twice. Jaylen completed 7 of 9 attempts for 82 yards and a TD.

The Other Jaylen was the leading receiver with 113 yards and a TD on 4 receptions. Ruggs, Irv Smith, Devonta Smith, and Jerry Jeudy each caught 3 passes. Damien Harris caught 1.

Josh Jacobs ….the game MVP….led all rushers with 86 yards on 8 runs and scored 2 TDs. Damien Harris gained 52 net yards on 9 carries. Jalen added 28 yards and a rushing TD. Najee Harris ran the ball 3 times for a net of 15 yards.

Alabama had 6 offensive possessions that gained at least 40 or more yards [75, 75, 52, 72, 80, 52] that resulted in 5 TDs and an interception. Four times the offense was forced to punt after only 3 plays; two of those came back-to-back to start the second half.

Bama failed to convert a single third down in the first three quarters of the ball game. It completed 5 of 6 in the 4^th quarter. In the 4^th quarter, Alabama held the ball for 9:37. In the entire first half the time of possession was only 9:08.

Adjusted Grade:         A+

Defense:          B         Georgia compiled 454 yards of total offense [153 net rushing], and earned 23 first downs. The Dawgs had 5 long drives [60, 74, 51, 51, 62] that achieved four TDs and a missed FG. None of those long drives were made in the final 23 minutes of the football game. In the first half, UGA converted 5 of 9 third downs. In the second half the Dawgs were 0 for 7 on third downs.

Savion Smith was Alabama’s leading tackler with 11 tackles [8 solo]. Q. Williams and D. Thompson were each credited with 8 tackles. Tide defenders made 5 tackles for lost yardage and forced one fumble. They broke up 8 passes and hurried Fromm 3 times. In Georgia’s final desperation drive at game’s end, the Stop Troops sacked Fromm once, and on another play separated him from the football. The play was ruled an incomplete pass. The replay clearly shows Fromm lost the ball before starting any forward throwing motion, but the replay also showed the hand of one Tide defender making brief contact with Fromm’s facemask. The video ref allowed the call on the field to stand.

Adjusted Grade:        A+

Special Teams:

Punting:           A+       Miker Bernier averaged 40.2 yards per punt. The Other Jaylen returned Georgia’s first punt 36 yards. The coverage team allowed only 2 Georgia returns for a total of 16 yards.

Place Kicking:     A+     Joe Bulovas was perfect on 5 PAT’s.

Kickoffs:         A-        Bulovas averaged a net of 60.8 yards per kick. Two of his 6 kicks were touchbacks. Georgia returned 4 kicks for a total of 67 yards. One Georgia return gained 36 yards.

Adjusted Grade:      A+

Coaching:          A+        I though the play calling looked a little panicky in the first quarter when we ran two plays with both Jalen and Tua on the field. I don’t believe anyone in the known Universe was fooled into thinking a pass was going to be thrown to Tua when he was lined up as a wide receiver. The participation report lists 51 players who saw action in the game. Alabama made 5 trips into the red zone and scored touchdowns 4 times.

All in all, I think the officiating was not abysmal, which is a huge improvement over some games we have endured this season. Alabama was penalized 3 times. Georgia was flagged 6 times for 50 yards.

For Alabama and Georgia both, this was an emotionally draining and brutally physical game. But make no mistake, Georgia’s recovery will require some serious group therapy. Do not be surprised if the Dawgs let Alabama beat them again when they don’t show up ready to play Texas in the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama on the other hand needed a game like this one. Great teams find ways to win when they do not play well. Great teams overcome adversity and compete on every play. Great teams win close games in the 4^th quarter. Bama did all of that.

Trailing Georgia until the final minute of the game is about the best antidote for rat poison I can think of.

Sports have the ability to elevate the human spirit. To let us see what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice; placing team above self. The course of Alabama football over the last eleven months is one of those stories you treasure. It’s the stuff of legend. A story good parents will teach their children, and the lucky few who were in Atlanta for the two bookend games will never forget.

Let me leave you with one final bit …. When the last notes of the Rammer Jammer faded, the thirty plus thousand Alabama fans who remained broke into a loud chant of “Jalen…Jalen…Jalen …Jalen.”

The Sooners are next.

Let’s go be champions.

Roll Tide, Y’all.

The Commissioner

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