One key to Bama reclaiming SEC crown: Slowing down Pitts-Toney combo
The last time Alabama saw an offense like this, things didn’t go so well.
Nov. 10 seems like a long time ago, does it not? That was the night Ole Miss stood toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the land and threw the ball all over the yard. A record-breaking performance from Lane Kiffin’s group exposed the Crimson Tide’s few weaknesses, particularly in pass coverage against a sophisticated group with ample playmakers.
But that 63-48 Alabama win also appeared to bring out the best in Dylan Moses, Patrick Surtain II, Christian Harris and Co. Since that night in Oxford, the Tide have steadily improved and today ranks first in the SEC in scoring defense.
Which brings us to Saturday. If No. 1 Bama is to reach the College Football Playoff undoubtedly and unblemished, it’ll have to figure out how to slow down No. 6-ranked Florida’s high-flying aerial attack.
“This team is as explosive as anyone in the country on offense,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said.
The casual observer will point to quarterback Kyle Trask, and for good reason. But the one-two punch of wideout Kadarius Toney and tight end Kyle Pitts has been a matchup nightmare all season.
Toney is the SEC’s No. 5 receiver with 62 catches for 831 yards (83.1 per game) and 9 touchdowns. Pitts, at one point an Alabama recruit, has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries but is expected to return for Saturday’s 8 p.m. ET kickoff in Atlanta.
Pitts’ blend of size and speed vexes opposing defenses, especially in the red zone. His 11 touchdown receptions trail only the Tide’s DeVonta Smith (15). Think O.J. Howard, only better and more relied upon.
Trask, meanwhile, is right there with Mac Jones when it comes to quarterback play. Trask’s 3,717 yards and 40 touchdown passes both lead FBS.
Half of those scores have gone to Toney or Pitts.
So what is Pete Golding’s defensive group to do?
An effective pass rush would help. So much of Dan Mullen’s offense is predicated on timing. Disrupt Trask, disrupt the offense.
See LSU’s 4 sacks in its upset win Saturday for a prime example.
Disciplined safety play will also be at a premium. “Star” position Malachi Moore will be a busy man, either helping in man coverage or coming over the top to assist if Toney or Pitts breaks loose. The same goes for safeties Daniel Wright and Jordan Battle.
Part of playing against an elite offense is mental, too. It’s kind of like guarding LeBron James. You’re not going to outright stop Trask and friends. Bouncing back from yielding a big play might be more important than trying to eliminate it in the first place.
“They’ve done a good job of utilizing all their talent in a very positive way,” Saban said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us defensively to be able to match up and really execute fundamentally like we need to to have a chance to have success against these guys.”
deh got Mac
and najee, too.
we got Marco
wif a shu
It’s never going to end…
LOL
It is going to be interesting how we game plan for those two. Surtain and Jobe can lock down whoever they are covering on the outside. It comes down to the LBs, Malachi, and the Safetys playing smart and together. Also, they have to wrap up in the open field and limit YAC.
Interested to see how they defend Pitts if he’s healthy. Only chance I see for the Gators is for Pitts to have a monster gm. No one has really been able to deal with him. Saban usually tries to takes away what you do best. Interesting chess match.
Uh, Bama did not play Ole Miss on Nov 10…they played them on Oct 10. lmao
And the gators are not #6. Who ever Phil is, he is messing up big time
He can’t assume what the playoff rankings will be when they come out tonight, so he has to go with what they’re ranked right now.
The most important element for Alabama in this game (which the writer seems to overlook altogether while putting in OT to talk about the Ole Miss game) is how complete a game the defense played just now against Arkansas (and more importantly, how well they’ve played overall since Ole Miss). Getting 8 sacks in a game is an indication that the pass rush is showing up at the right time. They will need to get some to slow down Trask.
Yep, it all starts up front and the pass rush has greatly improved the past few games. Chris Allen, Barmore, and Will Anderson need to continue to wreak havoc.
Whats with the 41 boyz? We still have as much chance to make this year’s CFP as the co-east champions from mulletville last I checked. All we need are the top 4 teams to opt out…bars open, first round on me
Sorry 17…comment was meant for below
If Allen can play.
The fundamental problem is that if the offense doesn’t score a TD on almost every series, we lose. Alabama’s defense is likely to get more stops than Florida’s defense.
But it should be an entertaining game. At least we’ll be able to see the ball in the air this weekend.
That’s for shoe Nash! Fun n gun will be very entertaining to watch regardless of outcome
Well, I guess you guys finally have something legitimately humorous to come back with on the “40 Years” stuff. Er, 41 years.
Humper, at least a couple of more before hitting the keyboard. You’re certainly not primed yet.
Whats with the 41 boyz? We still have as much chance to make this year’s CFP as the co-east champions from mulletville last I checked. All we need are the top 4 teams to opt out…bars open, first round on me
Yeah, sure you do.
With UF’s defense it might be a game where they get a steady Najee diet. If it takes time off the clock and still produces TDs it will be just as good. IF that happens it will make the DBs easier to beat as they will have to come up to help stop the run.
How does Florida win this without the Football Gods intervening. Say what you will about Bama’s defense, but on a bad day it is better than Florida’s. Bama has elite receivers that are made even better by the fact that unlike Florida, they have an elite running back that can run the ball. Even if you buy into the “Florida’s offense is better” it isn’t by much and that is based on passing alone. Bama can run it too and the Gators aren’t going to be able to stop them.
I hate both of these teams, but I predict Bama opens up a can on Florida.
Capt. Kirk, you are spot on. Bama has Najee and Brian at RB and either one is better than all of the Gator RB’s. Bama’s OL will open up holes all game long and the Gator D will be begging Darth Gator for some help!
When you have no running game and you have to throw for all your offense, you tend to have higher number. Higher numbers does not mean better. Trask has more yards and TDs than Jones, those are the only metrics he leads in and is not even in second place in the others, Like QBR, Passer rating, or completion percentage.
Should thrown in attempts. Trask has almost 120 more attempts.
True dat.
UF has 290 more rushing yards than Vandy.
I think Mullet should save Pitts for the Citrus Bowl (:
Pitts is opting out.
I hope not. I’d love to see Pitts one more time. Don’t tell anyone but he’s become one of my favorite players…
LOL that would give Mullen a huge rash.
Last weekend each playing against 3-7 teams, Jones had 0 TD passes and 0 TD runs, while Trask had 2 TD passes and 2 TD runs. Only in the demented world of Heisman voting would the former be considered a performance superior to the latter.
Props to you for continuing to die on this hill.
Not giving this hill back, no matter what!
The demented world of 3 turnovers costing you a game, maybe? I dunno, just sayin’……
Only does a dumba&& fan like you continue to look past 3 turnovers in a game you lost by 3 points…
When one of those turnovers was a pick 6.
Only a dumbazz fan like you overlooks that Trask gave the team the lead 27-31 with a TD pass late in the game, then the defense promptly went out and gave up another TD to fall behind 34-31, then Trask led the team to a tying field at 34-34, then the defense promptly went out and gave up the winning field goal, 37-34. They sure breed a lot of you dumazzes in Alibami.
They were a 24 point favorite over LSU… Trasks turnovers led to 13 points for LSU and they lost By 3..
You may be the dumbest person on this site…
That is why stats are misleading. Jones played to what the defense gave him and of played 1 half of football. Trask turned it over (multiple) and his team lost the game. If Florida had a running game Trask wouldn’t need those 3 yard td passes. Check the beloved stats Bama scores running about the same if not more times than passing. Balance.
One stat is almost always spot-on – total QBR. Trask had a 64.9 vs. LSU bringing his season average down to 90.3
Jones, on the other hand, had a 91.1 vs. ARK bringing his season average down to 96.0
ACTUALLY…Trask had 3 touchdowns, you forgot that beautiful 68 yarder to Eli Ricks…epically Ed Smith posture worthy as well young scribe.
That pick 6 really showed his accuracy. It was a perfect spiral right to the defender…
…personally I’m still trying to figure out how ol 2nd and 26 isn’t at least 2nd favorite at this juncture…name anyone who’s been more valuable to a team, I can’t.
Heisman voters look at and value a QB’s Total QBR. It would serve you well to understand that metric and do the same. It might prevent such homerisms as that post.
Actually that’s totally false. Rex Grossman.
What does QBR have to do with Rex grossman?
QBR started being tracked in 2011… When did Grossman play?
You’re such a dumba$$ and have no clue what you’re talking about…
No, look this up if you like. The last 3 Heisman QB’s
Joe Burrow led the nation with a QBR of 94.9
Kyler Murray led the nation with a QBR of 95.4
Baker Mayfield led the nation with a QBR of 92.3
And by-the-way Mac Jones leads the nation with 96.0
@BamaTime: Rex played college ball from 1999 to 2002 and ESPN does not even have college passing stats older than 2004. Scribe is just a little football ignorant… and obviously a homer :)
9mm… I know. That’s why I asked him what does the QBR have to do with Grossman…
That stat wasn’t Even around then…
@BamaTime – “What does QBR have to do with Rex grossman[sic]?”
Everything. Rex Grossman was far and away the best passer in the nation in 2001 and lost the Heisman vote to Eric Crouch. At the time, the official quarterback passer rating was the PER (Passer Efficiency Rating). Here are the official 2001 PERs for Grossman and Crouch:
Rex Grossman – 170.8
Eric Crouch – 124.3
Suck on that lollipop.
@9mmDave – “Rex Grossman played college ball from 1999 to 2002 and ESPN does not even have college passing stats older than 2004. Scribe is just a little football ignorant.”
LOL. What an ignoramus. In 2001,the official college quarterback passer rating was the PER (Passer Efficiency Rating). And, yes, it most certainly IS on ESPN. And, here are the official 2001 PERs for Grossman and Crouch, yes, from ESPN:
Rex Grossman – 170.8
Eric Crouch – 124.3
Despite that huge disparity in Passer Efficiency Rating between Grossman and Crouch, Crouch won the Heisman in what most knowledgeable observers (that excludes everyone from Alabama) consider one of the most unjust votes in Heisman history.
Suck on that, 1mm.
“LOL. What an ignoramus. In 2001,the official college quarterback passer rating was the PER (Passer Efficiency Rating). And, yes, it most certainly IS on ESPN. And, here are the official 2001 PERs for Grossman and Crouch, yes, from ESPN:”
Passer efficiency Rating and QBR are two different things dumba$$. The passer efficiency rating is actually what the NFL uses and still does. The QBR was creating in 2011..
All you did is prove our point that your stupid a$& has no clue what you’re talking about…
“The Scribe 1 HOUR AGO
@BamaTime – “What does QBR have to do with Rex grossman[sic]?”
Everything.“
Actually no it doesn’t.. The QBR didn’t exist when he played.
@Scribe In addition to the Heisman, Crouch also won the Walter Camp Award and the Davey O’Brien Award…and of course was named the first-team All-American quarterback. I guess all that was at the expense of Rex Grossman’s better credentials? No. It was not just about passer ratings. Nebraska was not a passing team. Eric Crouch only passed for 1100 yards but he rushed for over 1100 yards too. Of course, that would have been reflected in his QBR rating if there had been such a metric at the time. You’re comparing apples to oranges… which is just nonsense.
In all fairness and dementia aside Scribe…the only way Trask now wins the Ed Smith posture trophy is he performs a Johnny Manz shock the world beat Bama ballad. Don’t see it but anything is possible…
Jones played little more than a half and Arkansas dropped back to stop the long ball, so Jones took what the Hogs gave him. Trask played what is arguably the worst defense in the league and still only managed to put up 34 points against it at home. Yeah he had two TD passes and rushed for two, but he also threw two interceptions (one in the red zone, one a pick six) and fumbled with less than a minutes to go in the first half which led to a LSU FG that should have never happened. And what a coincidence, Florida lost by three. You can throw all over the field, but if your play helps cost your team the game, Heisman voters aren’t going to be impressed.
There is more to being a top QB than passing yardage and TDs. Part of that is not tuning the ball over, Trask failed to do that 3 times, part is knowing when to use the running game, Trask has none, part of that is taking what the defense gives you and not forcing the ball, see the turnovers, part is completing the passes that you do throw, compare their comp%, part of it is being able to lead your team to victory, Trask has failed in this 2 times thus far, Jones none.
Scribe: Against the same team Jones had 3 td passes and led his team to 45 points. Did all that in a 1/2. Zero turnovers and a WIN. Trask needed a whole game to score 35 and 28 more attempts. Trask also had 3 turnovers in his LOSS.. Hmmm. Only in a demented fans world would the latter be considered a performance superior to the former. Stats aren’t always your friend when you try to cherry pick.
He can cherry pick with the best of them.
It doesnt matter. If UF score 45 points Alabama will score at least 46. Alabama’s offense is too good.
My prediction is that Bama wins a close game. 38-30. Florida will be looking for revenge, but I believe the Bama offense scores more on the Florida defense than the Florida offense scores on the Bama defense. Alabama can beat you by throwing for 400 yards or by rushing for 200. Should be an entertaining game! Roll Tide!
RTR.
florida has no running game to worry about—they will double pitts and toney and drop 7-8 in coverage like everyone else has figured out.
You cant double Pitts and Toney. That’s 4 DBs on 2 players. If you have 4 more DBs in coverage UF can just run draws against 3 man boxes and with the DBs already so far down the field it would be a cakewalk for the RBs. Saban’s not dumb.
UF has no rushing game. Ole Miss actually has almost 400 more yards rushing than UF. That, and an average O-line is going to allow Bama to rush 4 drop 8, with the occasional blitz from out of nowhere. Not that it is going to be an easy win, but UF has too many weaknesses.
You cant rush 4 and drop 8. That’s 12 men on the field
LOL thanks. I was hoping the officials would not notice. I meant drop 7. I type laying on the bed with the laptop on my chest and sometimes I just take a shot at the numbers and hope to be in the ballpark.
LOL
ROLL TIDE!
Wow, despite playing a 10-game all-SEC schedule, Trask has more TDs per game and fewer interceptions than Burrow. Take that, Bamabubbas. LOL.
He also has 3 turnovers in one game.. Burrows didn’t have that either..
And Burrow didn’t lose a game… much less to an unranked team.
@9mmDave – “Rex Grossman played college ball from 1999 to 2002 and ESPN does not even have college passing stats older than 2004. Scribe is just a little football ignorant.”
LOL. What an ignoramus. In 2001,the official college quarterback passer rating was the PER (Passer Efficiency Rating). And, yes, it most certainly IS on ESPN. And, here are the official 2001 PERs for Grossman and Crouch, yes, from ESPN:
Rex Grossman – 170.8
Eric Crouch – 124.3
Despite that huge disparity in Passer Efficiency Rating between Grossman and Crouch, Crouch won the Heisman in what most knowledgeable observers (that excludes everyone from Alabama) consider one of the most unjust votes in Heisman history.
Suck on that, boi.
You are way off on a 20-year-old tangent. Jeezz
Back to the present. You said.
“Last weekend each playing against 3-7 teams, Jones had 0 TD passes and 0 TD runs, while Trask had 2 TD passes and 2 TD runs. Only in the demented world of Heisman voting would the former be considered a performance superior to the latter.”
Now if your DA would learn something about QBR you wouldn’t make such a football ignorant post.
Trask had a 64.9 QBR vs. LSU bringing his season average down to 90.3
Jones had a 91.1 vs. ARK bringing his season average down to 96.0
91 is a better grade than 65. Nothing demented about that.