Match-Up Deep Dive: Alabama vs Texas
Sep 10, 2022 1:16 pm
Coach ,
It’s a match-up of familiar foes as Alabama takes on Texas in Austin. This is a big early season game with Bama looking to win back the crown this season, and Texas looking to reestablish its football prominence.
Let’s take a look at each team as well as the coaching point we can pick up from their staff members.
Texas Longhorns
For the Longhorns this is a measuring stick to see how much they have progressed in the program. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and OC/OL Coach Kyle Flood were with Alabama the last time the Tide won a National Championship.
Texas returns some serious talent on the offensive side of the ball. Texas has running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy, a pair that can claim to be the best in college football at their respective positions, and tight end ’Tavion Sanders is a big-time talent who led receivers with 85 yards in week 1, but the Longhorns will have to step up on defense to show they are a top 25 team. Keondre Coburn is a 336-pound all-star on the nose and will have to be a force in the middle to slow down the Tide running game.
Coach Sark has put together a tremendous coaching staff and brings the culture to Texas behind the mantra All Gas No Brakes. He explains what that looks like for the Longhorns here (click on image for videos):
Defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach Terry Joseph believes in putting together a solid plan through their weekly process and the Longhorns will have to bring their “A” game against Bryce Young and his talented corps of receivers.
They surely will have some “alerts” and Coach Joseph shares how they develop their weekly “Alerts” in this video: (click image for video):
Offensive Coordinator and OL Coach Kyle Flood came over with Coach Sarkisian after winning a National Championship with Alabama.
The Longhorns will need to establish the run and for Coach Flood that begins with establishing the inside zone play. The fundamentals developed in camp will have to carry over to the game field at Darrel K Royal Stadium this Saturday.
Coach Flood gives you an easy, simple drill, “Fit and Walk” his offensive line uses for
- Getting defensive lineman off the ball
- First step fundamentals
- Moving up to the second level
(click on image for video)
Texas has a talented group of receivers and continues to develop under the guidance of Brennan Marion who made a name for himself at the FCS level running his Go-go offense. He certainly adds some expertise to the offensive staff room.
Of course, the third phase can be the difference in a big game, and Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Banks. In week one cornerback D’Shawn Jamison blocked a punt which was recovered for the Longhorns' first score of the season. Coach Banks will look to create more big plays against Bama.
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban looks to return the Tide to the top in 2022. Despite the frequent changes he sees in his staff, he finds a way to bring continuity to the program to maintain its standard of excellence.
It all starts at the top and any Q&A that Coach Saban does is full of gold nuggets that you can learn from.
Here he talks about “and players” and “but players.” This is a great one to share with your team or position group. (click on image for video):
Here is a video from the Alabama Football Coaches Association that went viral this past clinic season about being ready for the opportunity. It’s another that every player on your team needs to see (click on image for video):
Video: Prepare for the Opportunity
Drew Svoboda is now the Sr. Special Assistant to the Head Coach. He’s served in a number of roles in college football.
In this clinic from when he served as special teams coordinator for Rice he talks about the terminology they used. Being able to name and categorize all aspects of any unit helps to better teach and create understanding for your players. His examples show how important this is (click on image for video):
He also served as the running backs coach at Rice. His ability as a teacher in being able to break things down into a teachable framework is evident in the following video. He explains the post play call progression he used for his running backs (click on image for video):
A place where Alabama will look for big plays this Saturday is from the receivers. The receivers for Alabama are some of the most talented and physically gifted in the country. WR Coach Holmon Wiggins harnesses that talent and gives them the technique and fundamentals they need to be the best in the country. He makes a huge impact on that in developing their football intelligence.
That starts with teaching a mindset that will win in all situations. He uses the acronym EDGE to give those players keys to a winning mindset (click on image for video):
Video: Play with an edge
Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien is in his second year with the Crimson Tide. He brings a wealth of experience from the college and NFL levels. He has plenty of talent to distribute the ball to and will utilize all tools in the playbook.
Here he is explaining the screen game with empty protections (click image for video).
Week 1 provided a ton of excitement and we all look forward to a big Saturday kicked off at noon Eastern with this big game.
Enjoy the games and look for opportunities to learn from them.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Check out our other Coaches Clinic matchups
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