Key to Bama Game--Pressure on McCarron

McCarron has had some amazing O-lines to play behind, i honestly feel if the little punk had to run a little bit and make tough decisions that he would throw alot of pics

I agree but HOW

We havent gotten consistent pressure from the front 4

and when we do blitz it always seems to get picked up

The only way we get pressure is to blitz a DB. Thomas is much faster at getting to the qb than Eugene or Mills. Better get to him quick because McCarron is a good one who will find the open window.

Keys to the Bama game:

Tackle their players.
Score more points.
Block well.
Run well.
Pass well.
Hope they do all those things worse than we do.
Punt better.
Kick better.
Keep the ball.
Take the ball from them.
All at once would be nice but not entirely required.

Anything else?

I think we'll see a lot of short routes across the middle (hint: tight ends). We've been throwing almost everything deep. I gotta believe Cam and Les have a few surprises just like last years 2nd half passing game.

Nah dude we're rush four all game.

Pressure on Mccarron won't be enough, it's the running game that has to be stopped. If you let yield on and drake run up and down the field they won't need AJ.

If the key to beating Bama is getting pressure on McCarron, then we are in trouble. Our front four has been unable to put pressure on QBs the entire season. Alabama has only given up seven sacks for 43 yards. Bama's offense is geared towards counteracting pas rush and blitzing with short to intermediate passing, a bruising running game, well-balanced ratio of run to pass, and a QB who does not make many mistakes. McCarron has only thrown 3 INTs. I do not see us putting consistent pressure on McCarron this game.

There is no single "key" to beating Bama. You have to play solid in all phases of the game for 60 minutes. Therein lies the problem, as we have a mediocre defense, especially up the middle and at safety. You can expect Saban to attempt to exploit these weaknesses over and over.

As I wrote in another thread, I believe one of the major keys to beating Bama is to limit "3 and outs" on offense. Saban's defensive philosophy is to go all out with pressure and challenge the opposing offense to get a quick stop, flip the field on a punt, and force the opposing defense back on the field after 3 plays. I understand that this the goal of every defense, but Bama is the best at doing it. Unless our offense creates first downs, Bama's style of play will wear down our defense quickly. Our only chance to win is to sustain multiple drives that keep our defense off the field. I believe if we have a 25/20 TOP advantage and NO TURNOVERS going into the 4th quarter, then anything can happen and we have a chance to pull it out in a close game, like we did in 2011.

the key, as always, is the oline making holes and getting to the second level for the rb's, keeping Mett upright and on spot, sustaining drives, executing redzone offense and keeping our defense off the field.

defensive pressure on McCarron from our frontline would be huge but it is nothing we can count on so, as you say, we have to get creative. frankly, I think stopping the run is more important than worrying about how to trick McCarron. JMO.

get rested, get better, get ready...get even.

How do you get pressure on AJ with thirst defenders when we couldn't do it with the talent we use to have?