LSU DC Dave Aranda describes how Alabama’s offense ‘morphs’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda held Alabama to 10 points, it’s lowest offensive output of the 2016 season. It wasn’t easy, as Aranda described the challenges of preparing for Lane Kiffin’s Crimson Tide offense, which he said “morphs” to target a team’s biggest weakness. What UA did one week prior had little bearing on what it might do the next week.
Associated Press reporter Ralph D. Russo shared some of Aranda’s analysis and observations in a serious of tweets Thursday:
Interesting convo with LSU DC Dave Aranda about 'Bama O.
Said Kiffin turned it into one that morphs to best attack opponents' weaknesses.— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 5, 2017
Aranda said to scout Alabama O you need to do deep dive on yourself. What you see Bama do vs others might be nothing like what it does v you https://t.co/tXTWlU4WLR
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/JeffiBelcher/status/817047600725708801
You definitely pay close attention. Aranda used those two examples. https://t.co/87lAGJxo0m
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 5, 2017
One thing that stands out, is that Russo implies that Aranda’s praise was for what Kiffin did. The big question will be if new play-caller Steve Sarkisian is able to keep Clemson and defensive coordinator Brent Venables guessing the same way Kiffin would have.
Venables and Tigers coaches likely picked up on what Aranda noticed having prepared for the Alabama offense two years in a row. With Sarkisian taking on his new responsibilities this week, it will be interesting to watch if he’s able to attack Clemson’s defensive weaknesses Monday night.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
