USC Grades
It has not been a great weekend for the Southeastern
Conference.
The weekend began on Thursday with South Carolina beating Vanderbilt in a lousy
game that both teams seemed bound and determined to lose. More surprisingly, the pre-season hype
monsters from Tennessee
needed a missed extra point and overtime to beat a totally one-dimensional
Appalachian State.
Saturday did not improve matters. Missouri got
waxed by West Virginia . Florida and Arkansas putzed around,
but ultimately survived, against UMass and Louisiana Tech, respectively. A&M blew a big lead but won in overtime
against UCLA. #5 LSU looked like they
had forgotten to practice on offense while preparing for their loss to unranked
Wisconsin . Gus Malzahn’s three quarterback rotation
caused Auburn
to cough up a hairball at home against Clemson.
Most embarrassingly, Kentucky blew a
massive lead to Southern Miss, and Mississippi
State lost to South
Alabama in what was the biggest betting line upset in over five
years.
The fabled dominance of the SEC is now completely, and
fairly, in question.
But I’m sure that you, faithful reader, realize the same
truth that I have realized: the SEC’s dominance begins and ends in Tuscaloosa , and has for a
while. After a shaky first quarter, the
Crimson Tide absolutely destroyed a top #20 team that was in their conference
title game last year. The Tide amassed
fewer than 20 yards in the first quarter, and then proceeded to score 52 points
over the final three. USC had 90 yards
between their first two possessions; they had 103 yards between their final 14. A true freshman became the first player in 20
years to score multiple passing and rushing touchdowns against a USC
defense. It was brutal; it was
beautiful; it was Alabama
football.
You’re welcome, SEC, and you’re on notice.
Here’s how I grade the game:
OFFENSE – A
The Tide offense loses the “+” because of a completely
listless first quarter. But, beginning
with Jalen Hurts’ second snap of his college career, things changed in a major
way. The Tide racked up 495 yards of
offense (242 rushing, 223 passing).
Hurts accounted for 32 yards rushing and 118 passing, scoring two
touchdowns with beautiful strikes to Ardarius Stewart, and another two while
shedding defenders on the ground. Despite
his youth and inexperience, Hurts has clearly earned the respect and trust of
his teammates.
Stewart had 113 receiving yards to go with his two TDs. OJ Howard had 3 catches for 39 yards, and
Calvin Ridley, who was blanketed by USC’s best corner, had 2 for 9. Grad transfer Gehrig Dieter, Cam Sims, and
Brandon Greene all had one catch.
Dieter’s catch went for a 44 yard touchdown after a pretty throw from
Blake Barnett.
Four different backs carried the ball for Bama, with Damien
Harris getting the bulk of the work with 9 carries for 138 yards. He broke off two long runs in the second half
that set up scores.
DEFENSE – A+
The Bama stop troops were phenomenal. 18 Bama defenders were credited with at least
one tackle, led by Junior Anthony Averett with eight. Averett gave up a long pass on USC’s first
possession, but he settled down after that and contained his man despite the
Trojans repeatedly targeting him. Seven
players racked up a tackle-for-loss, with Jonathan Allen and Shaun-Dion Hamilton
contributing two a piece.
Allen was a one man wrecking crew. He notched four tackles (all solo), two sacks
for 20 yards, two pass breakups, and while he was not officially credited with
a QB hurry, I can guarantee that the USC signal callers would beg to differ.
Right before halftime, Marlon Humphrey executed the tip
drill to perfection, picking off a tipped pass and scampering 20 yards to pay
dirt. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keith
Holcombe, Eddie Jackson, and Wallace Levi all broke up passes.
There was talk all offseason that the 2016 defense might be
the best of Nick Saban’s career. With
units like ’09, ’11, and ’15, that seemed like a bit of hyperbole. With only a one game sample to work with, I’m
not sure if it’s untrue. USC could get
nothing going. Their quarterbacks were
under constant duress, and when they did get the ball off, their receivers were
rarely open. It might be the best
defensive performance since the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, and I’m
certain that this USC offense is more competent than LSU’s.
SPECIAL TEAMS – A
I’m only deducting the “+” because of a few long kick
returns. Even that might be quibbling as
Adoree Jackson is one of the best return men in the country. Adam Griffith was perfect on one field goal
and seven extra points. JK Scott punted
5 times for an average of 47 yards. He
put three kicks inside the opposing 20, including a brilliant boot that bounced
out of bounds inside the USC 3 yard line.
COACHING – B+
I’m making a few deductions because of some lousy
playcalling in the first quarter. Bama
came out with an uninspired, predictable offense. But that changed dramatically through the
final 45 minutes. After halftime, USC
had no answer for what Bama was showing on offense.
Jeremy Pruitt stepped in at defensive coordinator and
produced a brilliant performance.
Everyone knows the old saying of “one was playing chess while the other
played checkers.” In this case, it was as
if Pruitt was playing chess while USC OC Tee Martin was trying, and failing, to
count to ten without taking his shoes off.
The participation report lists 59 Tide players. 59. In
a game against a Top 20 opponent.
Unreal. Here’s the best part:
there are areas where Bama can still improve.
For a coach like Saban, that’s a beautiful thing. The Process doesn’t have an end point. It’s about getting better during every game,
every practice, and every snap. If the Tide
can start stronger, and fix the mental errors, this team will be terrifying. I can’t wait.
Remember, next week’s game against the Western Kentucky
Hilltoppers is the most important game of the season. If it seems like a bit of a letdown after
playing a perennial power, just ask Tennessee ,
Kentucky , or Mississippi State
Roll Tide.
The Commissioner’s Son & Heir
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