Arkansas State coach weighs in on difficulties of stopping Alabama’s offense
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Arkansas State came into Tuscaloosa earlier this year and left with a 57-7 loss. The Red Wolves were one of the first teams to get blown out by Alabama, but they certainly weren’t the last.
As the season has gone on, though, opponents have been as confused as ever about how to stop QB Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide offense.
As the Georgia Bulldogs prepare to take on the Tide in Saturday’s SEC title game, Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson said defending Alabama is a “pick your poison” situation (via OnlineAthens.com):
“Our best pass rushers on the edge honestly did a really good job, they just get the ball out so quickly at times that it was hard to get there,” said Anderson, whose Sun Belt team finished 8-4 and is headed to the Arizona Bowl but lost to Alabama 57-7 on Sept. 8. “We got to him a couple of times, but man, even when you get to him he’s so elusive he can just extend the play so easily.
“I think it’s pick your poison. Do you bring a bunch of dang bodies and hope you don’t have to cover very long against some of the best wideouts in the frickin country? Those dudes are freaks. Or do you go with a four-man rush hoping you can either move the front or twist the front and a guy can come free but then good luck trying to get the dude on the ground. It’s a huge challenge.”
LSU, a team that beat Georgia earlier this year, lost 29-0 at home to the Tide, so the Dawgs face a monumental task in Atlanta on Saturday.
Will the Bulldogs be able to contain the Tide offense? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
