Spotlight on ......... football

What else were you expecting at this time of year? I think I have watched football for several days straight and can't imagine what anyone else would be doing. I'm one of those that attempts to watch the "game within the game." I would imagine for anyone else watching with me it gets quite annoying, but I always felt I was a coach. I guess I get my coaching in dissecting every play.

Lets start and end with my boys, the Crimson Tide. Ugh. Someone forgot to let them know the game started at 815pm. By the way, in case you were ever to read this - Andre, Did you enjoy watching the game from the comfort of your recliner? I have no inside knowledge of why he was actually suspended. I've heard the news and reports as everyone has. From that word I can speculate like everyone else as well. However, the bottom line is you did something that put you in front of your teammates and kudos to Saban for suspending you. It's nice to see a coach put a team ahead of a player. Now to the game. Moving past the 1st quarter shell shock, Bama started playing. They received outstanding individual efforts from several players, but never got on the same page as a team.

It will always start and end with the O-line. Obviously, not having Smith hurt. Then losing Johnson in the 1st quarter hurt more. Bama moved starting right tackle Doug Davis to LT and placed true frosh Boswell to block a speedy defense. When your identity is physical and you're not, its tough to win. Even with a huge threat like Julio Jones, Wilson has to have time to get the ball to him. The play that really stood out to me was a sack in the 4th quarter. It wasn't that Boswell got beat, although he did. It's the fact that he was unsure of his assignment. In pass protection, the lineman are just about always responsible for the D-line and a LB. Utah walked a LB up to the line, Boswell fanned out and the DE killed the play. Had he known what was going on, he should have known that Coffee, who was trying to pick up the LB wasn't his man. He was probably thinking that he had the end man on the line and fanned trying to pick up the LB. If he had realized they were probably responsible for #2 (most of the time being the middle backer) meaning the center and guard had a double eyeing that backer that either a back was responsible for that LB or that was JPW's hot read.

As Bear used to say, "we need 11 guys doing their job and nothing else and we can win this game. Show character, class, and do your job and we'll be a winner." Boswell didn't take that lesson to heart. I'll give Boswell the benefit of the doubt as a true freshman and also realize that I don't know if I would've done any better, but there was a reason he was recruited, signed and played as a freshman. Hopefully, it will be a valuable lesson and a mistake that won't be revisited. Anyway, you can see that a simple sack is turned into something else when you're really watching.

Some advice for the rest of games left and teams who have finished.

UGA- 24 should come back and 7 should go pro. For the "dawgs" to have a legitimate chance of a big championship they need them both, but 7 is a projected top 5 pick- you can't fault a man for leaving if that is the case. 24 isn't projected to go in the 1st round. He could stand another year getting bigger and faster. Also, he will be playing behind a much better line. That could go a long way. While UGA's D played much better against MSU on New Year's, I'm not sold on MSU. Therefore, get rid of the defensive coordinator. There is no excuse for that defense with the talent they have and the fact they had a National Championship caliber offense. Last, I watched the Army High School game today and think that Murray has a long way to go. Anyone expecting him to walk in and replace Stafford, think again. He is a long way away even comparing him to Stafford as a prep. If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't impressed with Bama's future QB either. Evidently, Richt and Saban know more than I do. Hence, why the get paid the money they do.

Tech- What happened? LSU? I have no suggestions because I'm stunned.

Tennessee- You have the names and the coach has the ego- good luck.

Auburn- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Chizik???? As a fan who respects all SEC schools, I sincerely hope he does well. But- if you're going to fire Tubby, you have to bring in a rock star. I know a lot of SEC schools that would take a 85-40 record with a title. Good luck.

Florida- I'm impressed. I'm even further impressed by the youth. If Superman comes back, and yes I'm a believer, look for them to being playing for another SEC crown. They are fast, physical and play best in big games. My prediction is 42-24 in Miami. I think UF is that much better than OK. You couldn't give me enough points to take OK in that game.

That's enough for now. I hope you enjoyed the read. Any suggestions, posts or comments are welcome.

Your "men" friend,

Josh