You are Al Borges: what should our plan be for Bama?

I've suddenly become much more attractive.

I would try to score touchdowns. If that doesn't work, I would try field goals.

I'd use Denard to do some throwback screens and QB oh noes to loosen the LBs. probably some bubble/tunnel screens too. Have to establish the run in some form too, but that might be tough.

Flubber 

decided schematic advantage

Bama will be geared to take away Denard, and we will have to back them off of the LOS and do so by doing what they are not expecting: Denard passing. My general philosophy would be passing to set up the run. I wouldn't be in the I-form at all for at least the 1st Quarter. I would make them pay (or attempt to) by showing that this year's Denard can make a defense pay if they crowd the LOS. I would QB oh no on the first or second play of the game, and stay in the shotgun and spread. Not original thinking, but then again I'm not really Al either. I have hair and less knowledge.

inb4 bubble screens.

If I'm Al Borges, I come in with the mindset of "aw f it."  While I would have a plan of attempting to establish the run and get guys in space to spread them out, I would also have a plan of being extremely aggressive with my playcalling.  This game, while important, will not determine the outcome of our season and this defense will provide an outstanding benchmark for the rest of the season.

Having said all of that, I would not be shocked to see some off-the-wall playcalls (weird formations, reverses, throw back screens, etc.).

If I were Al Borges, my plan would be to kick ass.

I think we've got to play a possession game, and shorten the length of the game overall.  Use the full playclock.  Knowing that bama will be heavy on running the ball, they should use up a lot of clock as well.  If we can get a few key stops and use up some play clock, that will give us a shot. 

Offensively I think we've got to find a way to get Denard loose.  Bama has never seen a Denard like QB, and if we can find ways to get him loose and get them guessing and "thinking" it will really open things up for us.  So to do that, I'm thinking we need screens/draws to slow down their rush, attempt some long passes to keep them from loading the box, and try to get Denard to scramble when the first or second read isn't there.  I'd even consider calling some designed scrambles where we send guys deep to open up some space and Denard delays his run. 

Short to intermediate passes to start and to get Denard comfortable in the pocket. Establish the run game out of the shotgun with some Minor-esque downhill plays before attempting to run out of the power sets. Hopefully take some shots downfield to extend the secondary, especially if they are predominantly playing man coverage.

Inverted veer and play action a-plenty.

Long bombs deep. Not jump balls. Have our recievers get behind their secondary, and take everything else between them and Denard out of the equation. Not the entire game, obviously, as Bama will adjust, but it should be good for a few big plays and maybe some TDs. Denard has a pretty powerful arm. I'd like to see the coaches use it more.

All 3 QB's on the field at once.

I was going to post something about this too.  I watched the BCSNC game last night.  I noticed the Bama offense came out and did the exact opposite of what LSU expected from their previous game.  They threw the ball a lot on first down.

Sometimes I think that you use ideas for your team that have caused you trouble on the other side of the ball.  Bama's defense won't react as well if we can throw something unexpected at them early.  Plus, there are a lot of new players on the Bama defense.  The guys in the BCS game were decisive and quick to attack.  These guys probably won't be so crisp in the first game and they are more likely to make mental errors (like overcommitting, etc.). EVERYONE is expecting Denard to run and run the ball.  (There will be a spy, etc.)

In light of that, I think we need to start out the game passing.  they are coming to shut down Denard on the run.  The Vincent Smith misdirection screen (from ND game) might be a good first play of the second drive.  I think the VERY first play requires an easier pass.  Anyway, I say, throw some misdirection at them early and then open up the regular run game.  We have an experienced offense (QB, OL and some WR).  They can probably execute misdirection/pass plays early in the game better than other teams.  It is a risk.  But, if it doesn't work, then we go to the run and try it again later.  (There is a lot of game time.)  If it works, it will build confidence early and get the young bama guys to spend more time analyzing (or cheating and setting themselves up) and less time being heat-seeking missles.

I think Hoke has the b.a.l.l.s. to call those plays early.  I guess they don't have to be the very first play, but in the first few series.

P.S. - I couldn't get over how bad the LSU offense looked at times.  That could be the Bama D, but LSU looked like they were sluggish regardless of the defense.  They came out running the ball (as expected) and their QB seemed dazed at times (and a worse passer than Denard).

He's the best runner in the country by a fairly large margin, IMO. Run him in whatever creative ways you can; take a look at some RR era plays from UConn/ND or whatever and see what kind of tweaks you can make with a full offseason to adjust for personnel.

Oh, and if Gardner is legit at receiver, prove it on the first series. Same goes with Rawls or whatever back best compliments Denard's skillset.

Bama has seen QB's with dominant running ability before.   CN is pretty much a bigger DR with a better arm though a bit slower.  He does not have the unbelievable quicks.   But he does have that moxy to make people miss in space.  The players may not have any experience but the Bama coaching staff will have some good ideas what a running threat QB brings to the table.

We should not assume that Bama is going to be helpless when DR takes off.  I also agree we will need to pass first to set up the run.  In short we need Borges to make Saban guess and hope we can beat their base if Saban tests them with just a base.   If he has to guess we have a chance to pull a fast one.

Hutchinson + fake beard + Mealer's number.  

Seriousily though if you're confident in the passing game, attack that secondary.  If not, hope Rawls can get you some good rage runs and do what you can in terms of passing.  The only theme I really want to see is that Denard isn't exposed to that many hits on runs.  I'd rather preserve him for the B1G season as opposed to having him kind of float through his senior year with some nagging injuries because we exposed to too many hits too early.  

Single play.

Anexation of Puerto Rico.

Well I'd probably OH JESUS WHERE DID MY FEET GO?!

You have to get Denard some easy passes even if that means gasp "bubble screens"

Make him feel comfortable with passing - that will open up the run

For gods sake watch out for the corner blitz on the I formation!