[Stoney]

Road Warriors: Bama prepping for trip to Baton Rouge


By Tommy Deas
NYT Regional Media Group


Published: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.
TUSCALOOSA — It’s no secret that the University of Alabama football team has been dominant on the road this season.


No. 1-ranked Alabama has defeated the Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee handily in their own stadiums, and also soundly whipped Clemson on a neutral field in Atlanta in the season opener.
So what, exactly, has been the key to the Crimson Tide’s away-from-home success?
“I’m really not sure there is a reason we play better on the road,” sophomore defensive back Kareem Jackson said.
The answer to why Alabama has been so good away from Bryant-Denny Stadium may not be so clear, but the how is more easily defined. The Crimson Tide has taken command from the start in every game away from home this season.
Alabama’s first-half dominance is well documented. The Tide has outscored opponents 108-6 in the first quarter through nine games this season, and led at halftime by an average score of about 22-3.
Away from home, the story is much the same. Alabama has a 50-3 first-quarter advantage and has outscored opponents 52-10 in the second quarter in those games. In short, Alabama’s opponents have had to play from behind in their own stadiums.
“That’s definitely a big key,” running back Glenn Coffee said. “We like to take the wind out of the sail and to make big plays early.
“It stops any momentum building the other team can have.”
The Tide has got the ball first in every game away from home this season and scored on every opening drive, holding the ball for 10 plays or more each time.
Alabama’s opening drives at Georgia and Arkansas resulted in touchdowns, with the Tide driving 80 yards in 11 plays in Athens, Ga., and 71 yards in 10 plays in Fayetteville, Ark.
An opening drive to a field goal at Tennessee went 50 yards in 11 plays, while the Tide gained 27 yards in 10 plays (with two penalties) against Clemson.
The average time of possession of Alabama’s opening drive on the road has been close to 5 minutes.
“The offense is running some clock and also moving the ball and then they end up getting points, I think that helps us out because (the opposing) offense comes out and thinks they have to get points,” safety Rashad Johnson said. “It maybe puts pressure on them while we’re relaxed and just doing what we do.
“If we can go and get a three-and-out right there and get our offense the ball back, it definitely starts causing some problems and some people (on the other team) starting to panic.”
The Tide is equally good at stopping its road opponents in the early going. Alabama has given up exactly one touchdown and two field goals in the first half in away-from-home games so far.
“We just accept the challenge wherever we go,” Jackson said. “We try to go in with confidence.
“We know what’s at stake and what we have to do. If we keep them from scoring in the first half, it leaves them with less time to do it in the second half.”
A positive side effect for Alabama in taking early leads on the road has been keeping hostile crowds quiet. The Tide’s dominance from the start has deflated opposing fans, making it easier on the road team.
“I definitely think that’s important, to get a fast start and silence the crowd as soon as we can,” Johnson said. “That can play a factor if the game is closer later on in the half or in the second half.”
Most importantly, Alabama has been able to keep its poise on the road and stay focused on its task. The Tide has been able to maintain the same confidence in opponents’ stadiums that it plays with at home.
“Coaches preach to us as long as we play Alabama football, it doesn’t matter where we’re at or who we’re playing,” Coffee said. “I think that’s a mindset we take every game.”

[tiyoomedia]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Road Warriors: Bama prepping for trip to Baton Rouge


By Tommy Deas
NYT Regional Media Group


Published: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.
TUSCALOOSA — It’s no secret that the University of Alabama football team has been dominant on the road this season.


No. 1-ranked Alabama has defeated the Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee handily in their own stadiums, and also soundly whipped Clemson on a neutral field in Atlanta in the season opener.
So what, exactly, has been the key to the Crimson Tide’s away-from-home success?
“I’m really not sure there is a reason we play better on the road,” sophomore defensive back Kareem Jackson said.
The answer to why Alabama has been so good away from Bryant-Denny Stadium may not be so clear, but the how is more easily defined. The Crimson Tide has taken command from the start in every game away from home this season.
Alabama’s first-half dominance is well documented. The Tide has outscored opponents 108-6 in the first quarter through nine games this season, and led at halftime by an average score of about 22-3.
Away from home, the story is much the same. Alabama has a 50-3 first-quarter advantage and has outscored opponents 52-10 in the second quarter in those games. In short, Alabama’s opponents have had to play from behind in their own stadiums.
“That’s definitely a big key,” running back Glenn Coffee said. “We like to take the wind out of the sail and to make big plays early.
“It stops any momentum building the other team can have.”
The Tide has got the ball first in every game away from home this season and scored on every opening drive, holding the ball for 10 plays or more each time.
Alabama’s opening drives at Georgia and Arkansas resulted in touchdowns, with the Tide driving 80 yards in 11 plays in Athens, Ga., and 71 yards in 10 plays in Fayetteville, Ark.
An opening drive to a field goal at Tennessee went 50 yards in 11 plays, while the Tide gained 27 yards in 10 plays (with two penalties) against Clemson.
The average time of possession of Alabama’s opening drive on the road has been close to 5 minutes.
“The offense is running some clock and also moving the ball and then they end up getting points, I think that helps us out because (the opposing) offense comes out and thinks they have to get points,” safety Rashad Johnson said. “It maybe puts pressure on them while we’re relaxed and just doing what we do.
“If we can go and get a three-and-out right there and get our offense the ball back, it definitely starts causing some problems and some people (on the other team) starting to panic.”
The Tide is equally good at stopping its road opponents in the early going. Alabama has given up exactly one touchdown and two field goals in the first half in away-from-home games so far.
“We just accept the challenge wherever we go,” Jackson said. “We try to go in with confidence.
“We know what’s at stake and what we have to do. If we keep them from scoring in the first half, it leaves them with less time to do it in the second half.”
A positive side effect for Alabama in taking early leads on the road has been keeping hostile crowds quiet. The Tide’s dominance from the start has deflated opposing fans, making it easier on the road team.
“I definitely think that’s important, to get a fast start and silence the crowd as soon as we can,” Johnson said. “That can play a factor if the game is closer later on in the half or in the second half.”
Most importantly, Alabama has been able to keep its poise on the road and stay focused on its task. The Tide has been able to maintain the same confidence in opponents’ stadiums that it plays with at home.
“Coaches preach to us as long as we play Alabama football, it doesn’t matter where we’re at or who we’re playing,” Coffee said. “I think that’s a mindset we take every game.”

He threw an interception already..that was cool that he had not thrown one all season on the road...

[Stoney]

Despite his mistakes Alabama is still in good shape. Saban will chew some butts during the half.