We had plays that we wanted to put on the field Saturday that we didn't even have to use because the game plan was so good," said tailback Glen Coffee, now the SEC's third-leading rusher after a 162-yard effort at Arkansas.
Take the Razorbacks victory this past weekend as an example. Alabama rolled to 328 rushing yards ? an average of 9.4 yards per attempt ? leaving Wilson to attempt only 14 passes. He completed six for 74 yards, marking the second game this year that the most prolific passer in school history hasn't reached 100 yards.
"We've had a couple of games this year where we really haven't had to pass the ball as much as we had planned on it," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. "Even though it isn't a concern, you'd like to see that the players' timing is game ready and you are efficient and effective in what you're doing. It's certainly something we need to emphasize and continue to work on because it is something that we will need to do week-in and week-out as we go through our season."
Saban has stressed he would like to see more balance in Alabama's offense. In other words, he'd like to be more like Georgia, which ranks first in the SEC in total offense ? fourth in rushing and second in passing.
The Bulldogs' 552 yards against Central Michigan would be the season-high for yardage among SEC teams had the Crimson Tide not ripped Western Kentucky for 557. :scared
"Hopefully, we can do a good job and play well around (Wilson) so he has a chance to be effective as a player," Saban said, "because I think that's going to be critical in this game, to have balance in our offense."
For now, Wilson isn't minding the drop in statistics.
His team is still undefeated with Georgia waiting for an evening that Wilson said could be "the deciding moment in our season." :SIB
"Every game we've played we came out and kind of dominated them up front," Wilson said. "By the end of the game, they didn't want to be out there. If we can keep dictating the pace of the game like that, it makes it tough."
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One thing about John Parker is that you cannot rattle him. He has been in many big games and plays steady.
He does tend to sail the ball on his passes. When he does that he seems to not step into the pass and lift his front foot up or something.
The differance I see in this game is going to be Alabama's ability to open holes for their running backs who shuffle in and out without losing much intensity and athletic ability.
The reason Arizona St could not run on the Dogs was their offensive line stunk . Not to mention their best running back was injured.
There should be alot of running in this game. I am wondering if the under the total would be the way to go.
This change in the clock has really made the game differant in alot of ways. Reduced offensive plays for each team, puts the spotlight on your offense when you do have the ball.
Its almost like Arena Football
And I think they wanted for that to happen. Just takes some getting used to is all.
I have not figured out a way to exploit that yet.
ROLLTIDE !
