Being a fan of Alabama football is more fun when you understand some of the intricacies of what’s going on down on the field. Jcbama85 fills us in time to time on the ins and outs of the game. –Ed.
Last week we took a look at Bama’s vaunted 3-4 defense. It’s a scheme that relies on big linemen to keep blockers off the linebackers, allowing them to make plays. LSU’s 4-3 scheme is quite different from the Bama scheme, yet very effective. Both have outstanding athletes in a scheme designed to take advantage of their particular strengths.
Many coaches will tell you, “it isn’t the Xs and Os, it’s the Jimmies and Joes.” Both LSU and Alabama have great defenses, primarly because they have great athletes. LSU and Alabama also have outstanding schemes that allow their great athletes to make plays based on their strengths. Alabama and LSU do it differently, but both are highly effective. It is no accident the teams with the best players are in the National Championship game.
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Les Miles is known as an outstanding recruiter, consistently landing top five classes every year. However, the best recruit Les Miles has brought to Baton Rouge wasn’t a player, but a coach. When Phil Fulmer was removed as Tennessee’s head coach, Miles rushed to bring UT Defensive Coordinator John “Chief” Chavis to Baton Rouge. Chavis has done a magnificent job as LSU’s Defensive Coordinator. He was recently awarded the Broyles Award as the most outstanding assistant coach in college football. “Chief” has installed a very aggressive 4-3 scheme and the Tigers have responded by becoming one of the top defenses in all of college football.
While Alabama is known as one of the most complex defensive schemes in college football, LSU runs a less complex scheme that relies on superior athletic talent to dominate their opponents.
Because LSU uses a four down lineman front, they have recruited very quick and athletic defensive linemen. LSU’s roster is full of outstanding defensive linemen and they will rotate seven or eight during the course of a game to keep them fresh.
While Alabama will employ huge, space-eating defensive linemen who weigh well over 300 pounds, LSU counters with leaner, faster defensive linemen who are taught to agressively get into the opponent’s backfield and make plays. Defensive end Sam Montgomery is 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, and the other defensive end, Kendrick Adams, is 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. Both players are tall, lean, and very quick. Of the eight defensive linemen LSU rotates, only tackle Mike Brockers is 300 pounds. Compare that to Alabama’s two-deep on the defensive line, where four of the six are over 300 pounds. It’s two different, but highly effective schemes.
The Tigers rely on their active defensive linemen to stop the run, and arguably the best secondary in college football to defend the pass. Cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne were both named to the First Team AP All-American team, the first time in history that the two cornerbacks were from the same team. Both are outstanding athletes and Mathieu is also one of the most dynamic return specialists in the game.
Because of their outstanding cornerbacks, LSU plays a lot of man coverage, or a “Tampa 2” combination, where the corners cover the wide receivers in man coverage, with the two safeties helping with deep coverage. Because LSU can cover the pass with their defensive backs, Chavis can be extremely aggressive with his blitz packages. On obvious passing downs, LSU will bring five, six or even seven rushers in an attempt to make opposing quarterbacks rush their throws. It has been very effective all year.
Where LSU is particulary dangerous is when they force teams into third and long situations. In these situations, LSU will replace a linebacker with an additional defensive back and move Mathieu to nickleback, lining him up in different locations to let him blitz from all over the field. While Mathieu is a very good cover corner, he is more dangerous blitzing, as his speed creates mismatches with larger offensive linemen or tight ends trying to block him.
So how does Alabama do a better job the second time around against the powerful LSU defense? LSU will use a similar game plan from the first meeting against Alabama. LSU will stack the box with eight defenders on first down in an attempt to stop Trent Richardson and the Alabama running game. This is where Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron will need to have a very good game. Look for Alabama to counter with a lot of first down passes.
It is critical that Alabama stay ahead of the chains and not be forced into many third and long situations. Alabama has demonstrated excellent balance this year, and they will need to be balanced in the BCS Championship game. For the Alabama run game to become a factor, they will have to throw often on first down, using quick timing and crossing patterns to take advantage of LSU’s combination/man defense. Alabama will show their ’empty’ formation, with only A.J. McCarron in the backfield, throwing quick slants, hitches, and screens to force the LSU defense to play the entire field. If Alabama is effective doing this on first down, it will open up the run game. Should LSU force Alabama into a lot of third and long situations it will be difficult for the Tide to win the game. Many teams run the ball to set up the pass. Against LSU, Alabama will have to pass to set up the run.
The championship game promises to be another battle between the two best defensives in college football. They use different schemes, but both are extremely effective in stopping opponent’s offenses.
In our next installment of Alabama Football 101, we will take an in depth look at the Alabama offense.