Our Passing Game

So I know most of this has been talked about a lot, but just wanted to add some things that are very noticeable after last weekend.

We throw to the sidelines. I'm perfectly ok with that when we're a power running team. We reduce chances of turnovers and make the game easier to read for our quarterback.

So with a heavy running offense and primarily throwing to the outside means defensive game plans rely on stacking the box and playing a lot of man and bump coverage. Two very easy things that I noticed Kiffin does well to make it easy on Sims and get the best out of his receivers to combat similar problems is

1) bunch or stagger receivers and
2) put receivers in motion

I give Cam credit for improving our screen execution and encouraging Jennings to scramble more when spaces open up, but these are two simple adjustments that can be made presnap and take a lot of pressure off your QB in making decisions.

Alabama bunched their receivers at times when they were struggling to get off the ball against our press. While our young receivers and our players still developing physically occasionally have a hard time getting into their routes or creating separation early to give Jennings someone to throw to. Bunching allows for easy crossing and picking to give Jennings a quick, easy option to hit in the flat.

Another is putting receivers in motion or having them drag across the formation on play action. Cooper did this once early for his first reception. Super easy to add to have the defense give away their coverage, and when executed right, gives the receiver a head start in running a flat route where the QB can get him the ball quick with little reading of the defense.

Like I said, I know this has been talked about a bunch, but I just wish we added some of these simple and easy wrinkles to our philosophy and gameplan. And a lot of these things can help set up more run plays or easily come off of pre-existing plays without us getting "too creative" God forbid.