WEEK 2 - ALABAMA PREVIEW
08 Sep 2022 | Sam Martens
Longhorn Faithful,
We have arrived. Nick Saban and the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide are in town to face our Longhorns in the long anticipated non-conference matchup.
Let’s begin now.
UL MONROE warhawks RECAP
As predicted in last week’s preview, the Horns romped the Warhawks 52-10! It will not always be this easy, but let us all hope my prediction holds once again this week…I won’t lean too much into a game against an incredibly overmatched opponent, but here are the big-ticket takeaways from my perspective.
ULM Coach Terry Bowden started his presser with “They were just better than us in all phases…They were the better football team and they’ll be the better football team tomorrow.” Thanks Terry! But this has was a welcoming comment considering some of those “phases” didn’t match up against the bottom of the barrel last year.
Particularly, the defense shut down the opening drive in 3 plays, D’Shawn Jamison blocked a punt with his gut he was there so early, and Keilan Robinson takes it to the house. This was one of two defense/special teams scores led by Jamison, which regardless of opponent, is evidence of his playmaking. Led by sophomore Barryn Sorrell, who was mentioned as one to watch, the defensive line dominated a porous Big Ugly front all night. DeMarvion Overshown and freshman Jaylon Guilbeau seemed to be involved in every tackle.
Offensively, Quinn Ewers books his first possession as a Texas Longhorn with an interception. I put that on Sark for not running the damn ball the first 10 plays. Yes, 2nd and 3rd down should have been completed if not for late throws by Ewers, so perhaps good play calls, but unnecessary for a 19-year-old in his DKR debut. BUT, Ewers followed up going 16 for 21 the remainder of the game for 225 yards (5 off from prediction) and 2 TDs. His pocket presence impressed me more than any one throw. Sacked once, but all in all stepped up consistently and delivered throws highlighted by a one footed fling to Ja’Tavion Sanders in a very tight window. Speaking of Sanders, he finished the game with 6 catches for 85 yards, the most in a game for a Longhorn TE since Jermichael Finley in 2007…
On to Bama.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE PREVIEW
The Tide are led by none other than West Virginia native Nicholas Lou Saban Jr., a 7-time national champion, 10 time SEC champion, the undisputed greatest college football coach of all time. His mortality might be question if not for his oddly often-mentioned habit of eating two oatmeal cream pies for breakfast every day.
The Crimson Tide opened the season demolishing the Aggies (Utah State) 55-0 behind a 41-0 first half led by Heisman-winner Bryce Young’s 6 touchdowns. He did not only throw those all in the first half, but he managed to pick up over 100 yards on the ground. Young, junior out of Pasadena, finished 2021 with 47 TDs and 7 Ints with over 4,800 yards. Slightly undersized but as good as the college game has to offer.
At RB, Jahmyr Gibbs is just about as good as Bijan Robinson, but will split some carries with Roydell Williams and Jase McClellan because why not, they are 5-star athletes too.
The receiver room is highlighted by Georgia transfer (coward) Jermaine Burton, freshman Kobe Prentice, and Traeshon Holden. I hesitate to say this, but I am not sure this is as strong as a room that Alabama typically sees. But with Young slinging, might not matter.
Alabama Big Uglies go Super Senior, Junior, Senior, R. Senior, and Sophomore (#2 player in country). No, there are no Brockermeyers starting. But this experience and frankly obscene size makes me wonder how they give up any sacks all year.
Defensively, the Tide roll behind LB/DE Will Anderson Jr., the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (as a sophomore). Please say a prayer for Quinn’s safety. He led the nation with 17.5 sacks last year. Dallas Turner and Henry To’oTo’o (??) are all-world hitters at linebacker too.
On the line will see a healthy dose of Byron Young (292 lbs), Tim Smith (304 lbs), DJ Dale (309 lbs), Jamil Burroughs (309 lbs), Justin Eboigbe (292 lbs), and Jaheim Oatis (370 lbs). I can confidently say these Big Hefties are somehow all faster than I at these weights too.
If there is any question mark for the Crimson Tide, it might be in the secondary. Both starting cornerbacks departed, and Saban mentioned this unit as his biggest challenge before the year. But 5-star LSU transfer Eli Ricks and Kool-Aid (OHH YEAHHH) McKinstry look to fill the void. But anchored behind them are two senior safeties Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams with Brian Branch and Malachi Moore in their Star/Money positions.
I normally won’t dive into a full roster like this, but it is difficult not to mention the unbelievable talent that Nicholas puts together.
TEXAS - ALABAMA GAME PREVIEW
Despite state petitions and fan cries, kick-off is at 11 AM in Darrell K. Royal Stadium with a game time temperate of 86 (the only thing to celebrate about morning starts). Broadcasted on FOX commentated by Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft. College Gameday and FOX Big Noon Kickoff will both be on campus. The line is currently at +20.5 with the over/under around 65.
How in the world do we compete against that roster? Well, I sure as hell will not predict a Longhorn loss, so let’s see what could stem a miracle victory.
Schematically, I think it starts with a whole lot of offensive misdirection from Sark. Look, you never want to draw up a gameplan revolving around being cute, but lining up to punch Alabama in the mouth won’t work. I expect that misdirection to result in a lot of quick passes to Bijan/Keilan/Roschon in space. I think the linebackers might actually struggle to guard us there, and for that matter, hopefully Ja’Tavion Sanders is a mismatch. Ewers will have a couple shots at most down the field with our receivers (let’s say freshman Casey Cain), so he needs to find a way to be perfect on the long ball. Sark’s knowledge of Pete Golding (DC) may open up a trick play or two early.
On the defensive side, I think you have no choice but to spy Bryce Young with Overshown all game. Young will get his in the air, but to stand a chance he can’t be a threat on the ground. PK likely has a plan to put Jaylan Ford/Guilbeau in the flats to try and stop their RBs in the passing game. Jerrin Thompson will be picked on. Expect aggressive corner play out of D’Shawn Jamison as the turnover battle is critical to a win. Root for Sorrell and crew to get home with pressure against all odds.
But most importantly, outside of all X’s, O’s and rosters, this game comes down to you. The Longhorn Faithful. When and how does Nicholas lose? On the road. From the moment the Burnt Orange run on the field, we the fans, have to make our players believe. This is a game of mental fortitude, but above all, college football is a game of belief. The belief that instills the slightest doubt in the minds of Alabama players. The belief that burns down the city of Austin when The University of Texas takes down the Alabama Crimson Tide.
As Big Bad Nick once said, “Changes in history usually occur after some kind of catastrophic event.” Well Rest in Peace to Queen Elizabeth II, it is time for a monumental change to the College Football Landscape.