Nick Saban breaks down Alabama’s 3rd-down offense
By David Wasson
Published:
Give former Alabama coach Nick Saban an oversized TV screen and a giant pointer, and he is in his element.
The retired coaching great joined analyst Kirk Herbstreit on the ESPN College GameDay set to break down Alabama’s 3rd-down offense against Georgia last Saturday.
“Ty Simpson was really well prepared in this game, because Georgia does present a lot of problems for you – especially on 3rd down,” Saban said. “For Alabama to go 8-for-8 on third down, keep the ball away from Georgia and get ahead 14-0 because of those 3rd-down conversions was huge in the outcome of the game.”
Saban then broke down a play where Simpson recognized Georgia showing a pressure defense and changed the play at the line of scrimmage. The Bulldogs checked out of their look into a Cover 2 defense, but Simpson recognized it and hit the open receiver.
“It is great recognition by the quarterback,” Saban said.
Saban then detailed a man-to-man defense from Georgia, where Simpson again found an open receiver in tight coverage.
“To be able to throw the ball into small places is really important when people are playing close coverage,” Saban said. “Ty steps up into the pocket and delivers a strike to his tight end.”
Saban also detailed a wheel route executed well by Alabama, and then a misdirection look called by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb that sealed the Crimson Tide’s 24-21 victory.
“I always try to win the game on offense – because in college football you don’t want to give the other team the ball with all the clock stoppages,” Saban said. “So I always want to win it with my offense on the field.”
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
