Alabama vs. Southern Miss Preview

 

 

 

ALABAMA vs. SOUTHERN MISS

by Cole Thompson

 

Tuscaloosa– While this is called a “warm-up” game for the Alabama, the Crimson Tide are still preparing for this game like it was against any other team they’ve faced this season. The no 3 Crimson Tide will take on the Golden Eagles this weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium and just as the Tide will prepare like its any other team; one could bet the fans will be out there just like it’s an SEC team to watch.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off a lighting 41-0 victory over Florida Atlantic, (No really, the game was called in the 4th quarter due to lightning). While the Tide has faced less-then-star programs so far, Coach Saban is still wanting his players to go full out and play every game as hard as they possibly can.

The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles have been less then stellar the past two seasons with their only two wins coming against the UAB Blazers and a nail biter against FCS Alcorn State. Still, Coach Todd Monken believes that his team can put up numbers against one of the top teams on the country.

While this could be just another blow off game for the Tide, Coach Saban believes that this is a week for improvement in every player on the field.

“We need to get better one thing at a time, one day at a time, one play at a time,” Saban said. “If each individual improves, then we have a chance to improve collectively as a team.”

While Alabama comes in as a heavy favorite, and rightfully so, hey; crazier things have happened in the past. Let’s take a look on what both teams have to do in order to win this game.

 

THINGS TO KNOW

Date: Saturday, September 13^th, 2014

Time:  6:00 EST, (5:00 CST)

Place: Bryant-Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network,

Vegas Line- 49 ½ favored towards Alabama

 

KEYS TO ALABAMA’S WIN

• PASS TO COOPER EARLY

So, it recent weeks it seems you can’t spell First down or even Biletnikoff without mention Amari Cooper’s name. In just two games this season, Cooper has 25 receptions for 319 yards with just a touchdown. It seems like that’s hard to believe that after all those receptions, Cooper only has only a single touchdown. While the Golden Eagles are probably preparing for Blake Sims screens, Alabama’s receiving core is probably working on blocking more then receiving. Cooper has begun entering Heisman talk after last week’s performance, If he wants to remain in contention both Sims and Jake Coker need to feed him the ball. Whether a screen from Sims or a deep ball from Coker, if Alabama wants to end this game fast; give Cooper the ball.

• KEEP THE COMPOSURE

Last week, Alabama never punted and it might look that way again. Both Coach Saban and Lane Kiffin seem to have an answer for small schools like this. With the Quarterback battle as hot as ever, what’s the risk of trying again of fourth down. The issue is last time Alabama tried it always succeeded. If the Tide decide to run it again this week and it fails, the biggest issue to keep calm. The Tide are favored by enough to where they can risk running plays like this. If it happens, Saban and Kiffin need to take a deep breath and not lose their cool. If Alabama can get out to an early lead, that’s a plus in their favor, if they can keep their cool on mistakes, even a better plus in their favor.

 

SOUTHERN MISS KEYS TO VICTORY 

• PLAY FAST AND UPBEAT     

Southern Miss’s offense has been described to that of Texas A&M. Basically one could expect to see the spread offense run most of the game. Now, comparing the Eagles receiving core  to that of A&M is like comparing Apples to fish…basically it isn’t fair for one side. However, Alabama has struggled in the past against the spread and might have that issue on Saturday. With all the issues at the cornerback position, The Eagles might be able to get a few passes off and put them in scoring position more then once.

 

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FIRST DOWNS

Florida Atlantic was able to convert only 9 first downs the entire game. Another fun stat is the Owls were only able to get one set of back to back first downs on one drive. Southern Miss might not be able to score a lot in this game, but if they can get  first down; THEY MUST CONVERGE. In the end, Alabama’s defense will probably hold multiple series, but the Eagles need to make the right play class if they don’t want to be blown out like Florida Atlantic.

 

KEY PLAYERS TO  WATCH; ALABAMA

 

• JAKE COKER

As much as this is a warm-up game for Alabama, this is a final dress rehearsal for both Blake Sims and Jake Coker. The difference is that Sims has proven that he can handle Alabama’s offense while Coker still hasn’t won over the crowd or the offense. At the beginning of the season, everyone believed that Coker was the starting quarterback, now.. .not so much. Coker played exceptionally well against Florida Atlantic with over 200 yards and a touchdown pass. He will have to play spot on every play when he gets a chance to enter the field. While Saban has stated that no quarterback decision has been made; If Sims screws up and Coker is spot on, the Tide might have a new quarterback in against the Gators for the first SEC game of the year.

• AMARI COOPER

As mentioned before, Amari Cooper has put up stellar numbers since the start of the season and doesn’t look like slowing down now. One of the few plays the Owls couldn’t stop at all was the screen to Cooper who put up close to 100 yards just off that play. While the video game numbers have been a huge highlight in these past games, Cooper has started enter talks of the Fred Biletnikoff and the Heisman trophy. Since Cooper might not get the chance to start running all over teams once SEC play starts; watch out this week for alot more screens and alot more yards added to his overall stats this season.

 

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: SOUTHERN MISS   

• JACORIUS COTTON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X-FACTOR PLAYER; SOUTHERN MISS

• NICK MULLENS

Sometimes a team needs to rely on their quarterback to get them the win; well Southern Miss is that team this week. Nick Mullens will probably have to play the biggest game of his life on Saturday if the Eagles want to pull off the upset of the year. The Alabama-native hasn’t preformed up to speed in his first two games with only having two touchdowns and 420 passing yards. The Sophomore will basically have to match that passing yards and triple that touchdowns thrown if he wants to lead his team to victory. Still, with Alabama’s struggle in the defensive backfield, (especially against the spread) Mullens might have a chance to make history. His options aren’t high; but hey, there’s still a chance

Prediction; Alabama 52, Southern Miss-3

Cole Thompson is The Alabama Beat Reporter at WVUA-FM. Follow him on twitter at @ColeThompson32