I think it goes without saying that runs on first and second against that Bama front seven leads to telegraphed passes on third down to a ready and waiting Alabama secondary, and that is the “alternate” recipe that will lead to another LSU loss.
If I had a dollar for every arm-chair quarterback out there willing to impart their iron-clad knowledge for the head coach of their favorite team, I would likely be writing this article from some sandy beach on a hide-away Caribbean island while sucking on a pina colada. Unfortunately, I am at my desk, as I do not get paid by the number of wannabe football coaches in America. But since this is my article, I am going to go ahead and join the ranks of these gridiron gurus and throw my two cents in as well. My area of focus in this piece is the LSU/Alabama matchup to be played in the “friendly and tranquil” confines of Tiger Stadium this November. My objective is to school Coach Miles on what he is going to have to do to secure a Tiger victory over the Tide. That is something that has not occurred since the Game of the Century in 2011.
Coach Miles would best be advised to approach this early November game by taking a very close look at last year’s game. Obviously, this is a given for any coach who has a clue. But, it seems that with the Mad Hatter he is often slow to budge from his natural tendencies which are to run, run and run some more. And he keeps rolling with those tendencies when perhaps a different approach is warranted.
The 2016 version of the Crimson Tide is not likely to look much different than the National Championship 2015 version. So, that should give Les an inkling when consulting with OC Cam Cameron on devising an offensive game plan for this always pivotal tilt. But, for some reason, Einstein’s definition of “insanity” seems to always come to mind when thinking of Coach Miles and his head-strong offensive philosophy.
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Now, to be clear, I am not at all suggesting that Coach Miles abandon his workhorse backfield tandem of running backs Leonard Fournette and Darrius Guise. They should continue attacking that formidable Bama D. Abandoning that backfield tandem would be yet another form of insanity.
What I am suggesting is altered timing and sequencing within the realm of offensive play calling. Yes, Alabama running back Derrick Henry had quite an evening in Tuscaloosa last November, but it was that impenetrable Alabama defense that won the day for the Tide and their faithful. With that firmly understood, it doesn’t take a CERN nuclear physicist to unravel the mysteries of this Saban-inspired human gauntlet to understand how to attack it. Nick puts up a brick wall and you have to loosen it up. Fail to do that Les and you are Ohhhh and 6 for your last 6 tries against Nick Saban.
Talent is talent is talent and Bama unquestionably has some major talent. There is nothing any other team can do about that.
However, what an opposing team CAN do is try to take them out of their game to the best of that team’s ability, and in order to do so they have to play to their own strengths. I just did not see Les Miles tapping into this approach very much at all last year.
Perhaps he just didn’t have the horses in the passing game up to speed to really execute through the passing game to open loosen that brick wall . But, this is a whole new season that we are now approaching, and Miles will have a veteran, salty and seasoned team on offense and defense. If he is ever going to beat Nick at his own game, this is the year to do it.
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Now, for that recipe for success. As a matter of facet, my recipe is one that most restless Tigers in Louisiana scream for every Saturday night in the fall. Open up the offense and do so with balance and unpredictable timing.
It doesn’t take a whole lot of firing synapses to figure out that Alabama is going to seriously load the box early and often against Fournette given Coach Miles’ predictable run-first philosophy. So, what better way to loosen that box up than to dink, dunk and go over the top on first down and then seriously mix it up from there.
Of course, Junior QB Brandon Harris will need to complete a majority of these passes to a very capable receiving corps in order for this strategy to be successful. And even if the Tigers go three and out on a few of their early possessions, they must stick to a game plan that continues to mix it up. I think it goes without saying that runs on first and second against that Bama front seven leads to telegraphed passes on third down to a ready and waiting Alabama secondary, and that is the “alternate” recipe that will lead to another LSU loss.
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Yeah, I know this is much easier said than done, but this is their only chance to overcoming the mighty Crimson Tide. Nick Saban is a master head coach at the top of his game with more talent than anyone at his disposal. Come at him with predictability, and it is game over. However, attack him with an against-the-grain unpredictability and comparable talent. Maybe you can keep him guessing into the 4th quarter, and then you got a chance. Tiger fans are certainly hoping that after last year Coach Miles has finally gotten the message, and now he sees the light. We will all find out under the lights in early November.