Sunday Hangover: Mizzou

It's been a while since an Alabama defense had a shutout. I'd like to see more of them. 

Sure, Mizzou had some guys out and the Tide knocked out their starting quarterback, but it was good to see a number of three-and-outs yesterday. 

I've always been an advocate of having a strong running attack, and that's what we got in this game with Alabama rushing for 271 net yards. Miller had two touchdowns, Haynes had a phenomenal run for a TD, and Milroe had a rushing touchdown. 

The passing game was more modest, and it seems Milroe is still trying to force it to Williams. Bernard had a solid game as the leading receiver with five grabs. 

The second bye week comes at a good time to get players healed up before the trip to LSU.  

Sunday Hangover: Mizzou

I didn't get to watch this game live because Mrs. Nasty scheduled us participating with other couples in an escape challenge deal at a local nature center. 

Scheduling such things during an Alabama game is grounds for divorce. 

Regardless, I caught up on the game later yesterday because I DVRed it. 

The touchdowns the Tigers scored were late in the game when inexperienced players were getting playing time. Mizzou's score didn't reflect how the Tide dominated the game. 

And they dominated it by offense. 

Mac Jones was silky smooth as a quarterback. He threw accurate passes, and he was especially adept at the deep routes. Many of those throws were just damn outstanding. As as Todd Blackledge noted during the broadcast, Jones does a good job adjusting in the pocket--moving to his right, moving to left, moving up in the pocket--as he adjusts to the pass rush and gets set to throw the pill. 

One matter I'm concerned about is the Tide's rush defense. They limited Mizzou to fewer than 100 yards rushing, but I still didn't like some of runs the opponent's backs had against our defense. 

Waddle and Smitty looked great. To diversify the offense, other receivers and the tight ends need to get integrated into the offense. Forristall had a great 34-yard catch, but I'd like to see more from the tight ends. 

As for the rushing attack, the Tide only gained 111 net yards because the passing game was so prolific. Harris had a decent game. However, Brian Robinson only toted the rock four times, and when Trey Sanders was in, he didn't do much to impress. I suspect both RBs will improve significantly going forward. 

It was great to have Dylan Moses back on the field commanding the defense. He makes everyone around him better. 

Sunday Hangover: Mizzou

I went into watching this game with a bit of trepidation because of Diggs being out indefinitely because of the broken foot he suffered against Arkansas. 

The Tide's D played much better in this game. Granted, Mizzou's top two receivers were not in the game, but the Tigers do have a decent offense. 

I'm still not liking that teams are able to run on the D as much as they have. Mizzou didn't have a 100-yard rusher, but that Rountree guy has some really nice runs, runs that should have been stopped. 

The offense had two 100-yard receivers in this game. Irv Smith is quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the team. He didn't have a great game production wise, but he's a force as a tight end. 

The two guys in the middle of the line had outstanding games: Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis. In particular, Williams had two tackles for loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries. 

Next up is a hungry Tennessee team. The game is at Knoxville, and the Volunteers are coming off a big upset of Auburn. 

Sunday Hangover: Mizzou--SEC Championship

As much as national championships are major feats for a football team, winning the SEC Championship is almost as sweet. Up until last year, the SEC champion was likely to become the national champion. 

Let's hope that trend reestablishes itself after last night's game. 

The majority of Mizzou's offense was created by Mauk scrambling out of the pocket and heaving it way downfield to that damn 88, Jimmie Hunt. Unlike the Iron Bowl, the nickel and dime backs played the goat on those plays, not Eddie Jackson, who got the start at corner. 

Looking at the stat sheet, you know your team played well defensively for the most part when the leading tackler was a defensive lineman. A'Shawn Robinson had nine tackles, three of which were tackles for loss. 

Blake Sims had an outstanding game. If I remember right, he went six for six on third-down conversions when passing. Overall, he went 23 for 27 for 262 yards and threw two touchdowns. That long touchdown to DeAndrew White a beautiful pass. As usual, Cooper was out there doing Amari-Cooper things with a SEC championship record 12 receptions.

Derrick Henry was another star of the offense with 20 carries for 141 net yards and two touchdowns. Once that guy gets in open space and starts picking up some serious steam, I would hate to be a defensive back trying to tackle him. He's a beast. 

Yesterday Alabama won its 24th SEC championship. Roll Tide.

Alabama will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. The Big 10 champion is a hot team.