Alabama's O-Line secret to success- illegal hands to the face
After reviewing three Alabama games (Michigan 2020, Auburn 2023, Georgia 2023) I was shocked by how frequently I saw Alabama blockers use their hands on other players helmets and face masks to get blocks. It is so frequent and consistent from 2020 to today that it must be an intentional technique that Alabama uses. Seth and Brian, I'd appreciate your opinion on this as you do the Alabama Fi Fie Foe Film and Alabama preview.
Auburn was not able to get any pass rush and I was surprised how little pressure Georgia was able to create. There was also a lot of obvious holds/bearhugs that went uncalled. While this is normal, when your arm is around the back of the defender how can an official miss this?
I hope Michigan sees this on film and makes the officials aware of it before the game and if it's happening during the game. Here are 2 examples from just 1 drive in the Alabama/Georgia game:
December 15th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Hopefully Big 12 officials are more likely to call holding and illegal hands to the face than B1G or SEC officials
December 15th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
It's unfortunate that ACC officials aren't doing the game, if you know what I mean.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
I'm ok with Big 12 officials who may hold a small grudge that the SEC has reduced the prestige of their conference by poaching their schools
December 15th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
Let's hope that's the case.
I'm long accustomed to Michigan getting hosed by the officials in bowl games.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
When did you stop watching regular season games?
December 15th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
Both of your upvotes need to stay right where they are. 41/41
December 15th, 2023 at 5:58 PM ^
Every fan base believes what you believe. I mean Ohio State fans were convinced because of signgate that the officials would call plays against Michigan just to make sure we lose. This was obviously not the case.
It's a subjective subject...calls will go for and against you thus the only answer is to rise above it.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
they saved the ACC refs for the national championship
December 15th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Bama's O-Line is massive.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
And yet their center is their weak point and being massive should lead to them being more susceptible to the stunts and quickness KG, Jenkings, and Graham utilize to get pressure up the middle
December 15th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
Why do you say that their center—senior Seth McLaughlin—is a "weak point?"
December 15th, 2023 at 11:30 AM ^
I think Brian or Seth referenced this on the podcast, but he's been grading out really poorly to PFF this year - like bottom third of the country bad, which is odd because he was decent to good a year ago. may be dealing with a lingering injury or something as you don't usually see senior lineman backslide like this.
Their O line as a whole is quite good, despite early season struggles giving up 5 sacks a game to Texas and USF. They have an all-american right tackle, all-SEC guard, and a talented and learning quickly LT who is a freshman but putting it together later in the season. The other guard is "just a guy" from what I understand.
It's also hard to say how much Milroe's legs have helped them out as a unit as the season progressed, but all said, a decent group. If there's a weakness, it's up the middle.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
per the stats section on ESPN:
In 287 pass attempts, JJ McCarthy has been sacked 18 times, or once every 16 attempts
In 261 pass attempts, Milroe has been sacked 38 times, or once every 7 attempts.
That's a pretty stark disparity.
You'd think a QB as mobile as Milroe would be very hard to sack, but the common explanation I've read is that he has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long.
Or is there an alternative explanation: are the defenses—particularly pass rush—that Alabama has faced just that much better than what Michigan has faced?
Or is this a vulnerability that Michigan can exploit?
December 15th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
Or is there an alternative explanation: are the defenses—particularly pass rush—that Alabama has faced just that much better than what Michigan has faced?
Maybe not? I read somewhere that Georgia actually has a pretty mediocre pass rush (looks like they are #55 in the country in sacks). But they were able to get to Milroe, including 4 sacks, quite frequently.
December 15th, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
From what I've seen, that is exactly correct. When he gets sacked it's usually from behind after holding the ball too long. Confusing Milroe with coverage will be really important, and finding a way to get within arm's reach without inducing a back breaking scramble will also be important.
December 18th, 2023 at 2:23 PM ^
Yes, we're just flat out better than Alabama and I'm sick of pretending that we're not. This -1.5 or whatever they pushed it down too is the best bet since Bitcoin was under $100.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:14 PM ^
All day!
December 15th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
If you watch Alabama's games, the center constantly snaps the ball low. It's shockingly bad, but somehow Milroe grabs the snaps and recovers. Hopefully Michigan can make them pay for it.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
Maybe Milroe likes it low?
December 15th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
Maybe we can make him Drop It Low.
December 15th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Maybe, except R. Karen Day won’t be there to teach him in the pre-game pump up.
December 15th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
I hope we dont launch right by the QB like in years past. Hoping we let 2 yard gains happen if need be to not lose contain.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
It will be interesting to see from which conference the refs come from to ref the Rose Bowl. I sure hope they are not intimidated by Satan.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Big 12 for Rose Bowl, ACC for championship, I think
December 15th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Big 12 for Rose Bowl, ACC for championship, I think
December 15th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
oh
think twice
'cos it's another day with you and me on mgoblog
December 15th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
1984 Holiday Bowl redux.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
I am expecting hands to the face, hold called against our OL than Bama's. That is just the way things play out. We will still beat the odds.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
I see plenty of opportunities for our DL to be flagged for holding
December 15th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Underrated comment.
As an aside, I'm not sure I had even heard of defensive holding (where it wasn't holding a receiver) before the OSU game...
December 15th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
Against Texas in the Rose several years ago one of their DL actually grabbed a M OL and fell back pulling the OL to the ground. One guess who was called for holding. M's history with referees in Pasadena difficult . . . at best.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
Given Michigan's miserable, bad-luck or no luck at all 4-12 history in the Rose Bowl since 1-1-70, I'm somewhat mystified why so many Michigan fans have such reverence for that game. Are the San Gabriels in the late afternoon sun really that awesome?
December 15th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
C'mon, Don. It's the granddaddy of 'em all. Show some respect!
December 15th, 2023 at 12:06 PM ^
I dunno—it's seemed to me on plenty of occasions that Grandaddy is either senile or just hates Michigan.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:14 PM ^
Yes. They are.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
+1000000. On NYD, as a kid realizing the xmas holidays are officially over, and you watch this just beautiful bowl game happening in California between two of the best teams in the nation....even before I was a Michigan fan I thought the Rose Bowl was something amazing
December 15th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
There is something magical about an early evening game at the Rose Bowl on Jan 1, especially with Keith Jackson calling the game.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
Anyone know if he’s doing this game?
December 15th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
He'll be calling it from the skybox.
December 15th, 2023 at 1:18 PM ^
It's called the Upper Skybox.
December 17th, 2023 at 1:27 AM ^
While killing hookers?
December 15th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
Yes, 3 man crew along with Howard Cosell and John Madden.
December 15th, 2023 at 3:48 PM ^
Is there a broadcaster heaven?
If you believe in forever,
Then life is just a short to-do.
If there's a broadcaster heaven,
Well you know they've got a hell of a crew.
December 15th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
Unless I missed something, that Rose Bowl against Texas was sadly many more than "several" years ago.... it sure is good to be back.
December 18th, 2023 at 2:25 PM ^
Was it Higdon who got called for holding on a fake handoff where he got tackled without the ball??
December 15th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
It used to be called a bit on teams that ran a 3-4. Gigantic nose tackle would hold to, hopefully, free up lanes for middle linebackers.
December 15th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
They've been doing this FOR YEARS!!! Saban's teams have been dirty forever!!! Like one Guy said to me @ Jerry's World when Hoke was the coach! You all aren't getting that call!!! We will prevail!
GO BLUE
December 15th, 2023 at 12:45 PM ^
To be fair, Michigan could've gotten every single call to go their way in that game and Alabama still would've beaten them by multiple scores. There was a mismatch in Alabama's favor at nearly every level in that game.
I remember watching the first play from scrimmage in that game when Alabama was on offense, back when guys like Will Campbell, Jake Ryan and Craig Roh were starting on the DL. All decent to very good players, and Alabama's OL just flat out blew them off the LOS. Somehow Michigan stopped Eddie Lacy for little to no gain on the play, but it was at that point where I was fairly certain Michigan was in for a long, long night. It was truly a men amongst boys kind of game.
December 15th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^
Offensive lines and defensive backs that hold constantly are 100% coached to do so. The thinking is "they can't call it every time, so do it until they stop you."