Learn from this Featured Match-Up: #16 Alabama at #15 LSU
Nov 05, 2022 1:19 pm
Coach ,
There’s a lot on the line this week in the SEC. Of course, everyone will be watching #1 Georgia (3rd in CFB Playoff) vs. #2 Tennessee (1st in CFB Playoff).
The game other game of significance is critical for Alabama in reaching the SEC championship and having a shot at another college football playoff spot as they head to Baton Rouge to take on a team that has been improving all season in the #15 LSU Tigers.
As always, there’s plenty to learn from the coaches in this match-up.
#16 LSU Tigers
The Tigers were not in the pre season top 25, but they have shown the improvement that is typically seen when Brian Kelly takes over a program.
It starts with building a strong culture, and that is something that Coach Kelly and Associate Head Coach Brian Polian studied extensively.
Connection is so important for the health of team culture. As Coach Polian points out,
“Relationships lead to winning!”
It took Coach Polian 20 years to really figure that out and he explains the importance of relationships here (click on image for video):
Video: Relationships are the reward
LSU special teams unit will need to step up to limit the explosive return units of the Tide. Alabama is #4 in Punt Returns with 19.27 yards per return.
Coach Polian harps on perfection and execution for his units. In this drill, the coverage team looks to stack the return team, striking the chest, then ripping through to the bag.
“Long stride, short stride, gather it up.”
It’s that simple to be perfect on coverage. (click image for video):
On the offensive side, the Tiger offense (450 yards per game/35.1 points per game) will need to find ways to move the ball against a stingy Bama defense which is holding opponents to 295.6yards per game and 16.62 points per game.
The RPO is a big part of that attack, and OC Mike Denbrock likes using the tight ends in the RPO game.
One play he likes is the inside zone with the two outside receivers blocking, the tight end running flat behind the line of scrimmage and the QB reading the end and either throwing to the TE or keeping it in the alley.
Here’s a diagram of it:
Coach Denbrock shows the play with practice film here (click on image for video):
The Tigers will have to move the ball in the air as well, and that is something LSU WR Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Cortez Hankton knows how to do well. He was on the Georgia staff in the same position for the Bulldogs National Championship.
Coach Cortez Hankton believes in building pass concepts around the strutures which they use to run the ball. As an example, he coaches up the Double Halt concept that here (Click image to watch clip)
On the defensive side, Matt House has the tall task of stopping the explosive Bama offense. A key will be making them one-dimensional as much as possible by limiting the run. Bama averages 210.8 yards per game on the ground.
For the Tigers’ DC it all starts with being able to build a wall. He explains and thenillustrates that concept here on game film (click on image for video):
#6) Alabama
This is a must win for Alabama, but expect them to be calm cool and collected in doing what they do.
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):
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.
Here he is explaining the screen game with empty protections (click image for video).
This should be a fun one to watch as LSU looks to establish their place in the SEC in the new Brian Kelly era while Nick Saban and crew work to stay on top.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Here are some other CoachesClinic.com match-ups to watch and learn from:
#2 Ohio St DC at Northwestern HC OC DC STC OL RB WR DB DL LB
#4 Michigan ST at Rutgers HC LB
#5 Clemson OC DC at Notre Dame ST ST
#20 Wake Forest HC RB DL DB at #21 NC State HC DB
West Virginia DB at Iowa State HC QB/PGC LB
Oklahoma State TE at Kansas OC OC QB GM
FIU TE ST at North Texas HC HC
Florida State DC OL at Miami OC OL
South Carolina DB at Vanderbilt ST OL