They led 17-13 from with 14:30 to go in the 4th quarter.
They 20-13 with 4:41 to go and led until Michigan tied it with 1:34 to go in the game.
Saban didn't run the ball. He screwed the pooch. His back averaged 8 f*cking yards a carry.
That’s an overly simplistic take that ignores context. Let’s look at Alabama’s fourth quarter offense in context:
1st possession: McClellan runs it in for a touchdown to cap off an impressive drive and take the lead. I assume you’re ok with that.
2nd possession: Milroe throws for a first down on the first play (obviously a good result for Alabama) and then fumbles on the second play after a 5-yard run.
3rd possession: Alabama does just fine moving the chains, but their drive stalls after a penalty that gives them 1st and 15. Not sensible to run the ball in that scenario. They still got a field goal to extend their lead to 7. A good result for them, considering how well their defense had been playing.
4th possession: Tie game, starting at their 25 with only 1:34 left on the clock. Not the time to be running the ball.
When you look at the context, it’s foolish to say not giving it to McClelland is the reason they lost. They scored 10 points in the quarter, which is very good. They just couldn’t stop Michigan from scoring in the clutch.
Give credit to Michigan, who outgained Alabama in yards 351-288. The biggest reason Alabama even had a chance to win at the end is because of Michigan’s miscues on special teams. Overall, Michigan proved to be the better team.
One could argue making a dude who carries the ball like a loaf of bread your primary ball carrier is a poor decision when you have a running back averaging 7.7 yards a carry available.
Can we all put the Rose Bowl behind us and collectively agree that no one in the country wants Michigan to win over either Washington or Texas? If this can't bring the country together nothing ever will.
They led 17-13 from with 14:30 to go in the 4th quarter.
They 20-13 with 4:41 to go and led until Michigan tied it with 1:34 to go in the game.
Saban didn't run the ball. He screwed the pooch. His back averaged 8 f*cking yards a carry.
That’s an overly simplistic take that ignores context. Let’s look at Alabama’s fourth quarter offense in context:
1st possession: McClellan runs it in for a touchdown to cap off an impressive drive and take the lead. I assume you’re ok with that.
2nd possession: Milroe throws for a first down on the first play (obviously a good result for Alabama) and then fumbles on the second play after a 5-yard run.
3rd possession: Alabama does just fine moving the chains, but their drive stalls after a penalty that gives them 1st and 15. Not sensible to run the ball in that scenario. They still got a field goal to extend their lead to 7. A good result for them, considering how well their defense had been playing.
4th possession: Tie game, starting at their 25 with only 1:34 left on the clock. Not the time to be running the ball.
When you look at the context, it’s foolish to say not giving it to McClelland is the reason they lost. They scored 10 points in the quarter, which is very good. They just couldn’t stop Michigan from scoring in the clutch.
Give credit to Michigan, who outgained Alabama in yards 351-288. The biggest reason Alabama even had a chance to win at the end is because of Michigan’s miscues on special teams. Overall, Michigan proved to be the better team.
I agree with your analysis. Good job. Although I will say that Bama only stopped themselves w the bobbled snaps and the illegal substitution penalty. They were starting to run at will against a tiring Michigan D. I think a slightly different chain of events there and Bama does start to steamroll.
But football is all about execution. I don’t care what you are ranked, whether you are playing your backup, whether your coaches are more experienced. You simply have to execute. Michigan did, Bama didn’t.
I’m not rooting against Michigan, but I am rooting against Harbaugh. The kids didn’t cheat but the coaches did.
He was at 7.7 at the end of regulation. 12 carries for 92 yards.
He had 2 carries for -5 yards in OT which left him at 6.2 for the game.
You’re saying overtime doesn’t count? Here are his carries:
6,34,3,-2,5,9,7,3,3,3,4,0,-5
Half of his carries were three yards or less, which usually leads to a passing down. For college stats, lost yards from sacks are deducted from rushing yardage so Miloe averaged 7 yards per rushing carry
He was at 7.7 at the end of regulation. 12 carries for 92 yards.
He had 2 carries for -5 yards in OT which left him at 6.2 for the game.
You’re saying overtime doesn’t count? Here are his carries:
6,34,3,-2,5,9,7,3,3,3,4,0,-5
Half of his carries were three yards or less, which usually leads to a passing down. For college stats, lost yards from sacks are deducted from rushing yardage so Miloe averaged 7 yards per rushing carry
No I'm saying he should have gotten the ball more in 4th quarter when they had the lead. He's less likely to fumble and Milroe's fumble probably cost them the game.
You’re saying overtime doesn’t count? Here are his carries:
6,34,3,-2,5,9,7,3,3,3,4,0,-5
Half of his carries were three yards or less, which usually leads to a passing down. For college stats, lost yards from sacks are deducted from rushing yardage so Miloe averaged 7 yards per rushing carry
No I'm saying he should have gotten the ball more in 4th quarter when they had the lead. He's less likely to fumble and Milroe's fumble probably cost them the game.
Basically, what you’re doing is checking the game-end stats, picking the back with the highest yards per carry and saying he should have been given the ball more.
Even with a lead, 3 and outs are deadly. Against Michigan’s run defense , Alabama needed to attempt passing the ball. Just rushing the ball wouldn’t have got it done.
No I'm saying he should have gotten the ball more in 4th quarter when they had the lead. He's less likely to fumble and Milroe's fumble probably cost them the game.
Basically, what you’re doing is checking the game-end stats, picking the back with the highest yards per carry and saying he should have been given the ball more.
Even with a lead, 3 and outs are deadly. Against Michigan’s run defense , Alabama needed to attempt passing the ball. Just rushing the ball wouldn’t have got it done.
I don’t agree actually. Bama’s self-inflicted gunshot wounds are what beat them. They were starting to run at will but for the mistakes.
However, let’s be clear. The better, more experienced, best executing team did win on this particular night.
You know the carries can vary right? If he gets stuffed on 1st down, it’s a passing situation for 2nd down.
When you average 7.7 after 14 carries you're pretty consistent.
You might be the most stupid poster here. The guy averaged 6.2 yards per carry, as he had 14 carries for 87 yards. But even if he had 108 yards on 14 carries, he could have had a 90 yard run and then 13 carries for 18 yards. You must be really stupid.
Basically, what you’re doing is checking the game-end stats, picking the back with the highest yards per carry and saying he should have been given the ball more.
Even with a lead, 3 and outs are deadly. Against Michigan’s run defense , Alabama needed to attempt passing the ball. Just rushing the ball wouldn’t have got it done.
I don’t agree actually. Bama’s self-inflicted gunshot wounds are what beat them. They were starting to run at will but for the mistakes.
However, let’s be clear. The better, more experienced, best executing team did win on this particular night.
Running at will? We must have been watching different games.
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