The Lions' Pride

1. Safetys- Both of them. They're going to have to cover, and they don't have the speed to match Maze of Jones.
2. O-Line. Pass blocking was acceptable, but it was vs YSU!! Run blocking was abysmal.
3. Game Plan. We need to let it all hang out if we want any shot. We CAN NOT be conservative, or we lose.
4. Royster was "slow to" but unfortunately slow through too. He's lost a step and his usual decisiveness was absent on Saturday. Redd and Green were far more effective.
I think the D-line will show up better than they did on Saturday. I think they just thought they'd have their way with YSU and were shown up. There's too much talent for them to be that flat again.
I think we'll see a much improved PSU on Saturday. They'll be fired up, ready to go, chance of a lifetime to cause the ULTIMATE upset!! I think it'll be close!!

1. Offensive Line - They will completely dictate our chance in my opinion.
2. Safeties - I think the corners will hold their own. Astorino and Sukay could be in for a long day.
3. Playcalling - Please play to win.

If we are decent in these three categories, everything else comes together and we spring the upset or at least play a tight game.

1. OL: It's obvious, they will determine a lot whether we win or lose this game

2. Defensive front 7: They will have just as large of an impact on the tone of the game. I don't expect Bama to be too aggressive early, so we need them to limit Richardson's effectiveness early. That means sound tackling and getting off the field on 3rd down!!! Enabling a victory in time of possession will be vital. Also, consistent pass rush either from the DE's or LB blitzes is obviously huge.

3. Rob Bolden: He's got to have a big game...not simply a game manager. As I see it, he's currently our best playmaker on offense, so we need him to make plays, while not making mistakes. It's a lot to ask of a true frosh facing a game like this.

4. The Safeties: Not as worried about them as others. They're going to get burnt now and then, but if we play the other facets of the game correctly, they're less of a factor. Saban won't go after them as much as he will try to punish the front 7. Still, they cannot allow Maze/Jones to roam free in the middle of the field or create huge yardage after the catch.

5. Consistency of the ST's: They did it one week, but if we are to win this game, we need a repeat performance from Colin Wagner under a lot more pressure. Also, we need those same big boots from Fera to help with field position. It also wouldn't hurt to have at least one big return from either Smith or Powell like we had last week. That would be HUGE.

It's pretty clear that Joe has turned the offense over to Jay. (If Joe was still running the show McGloin would be the starting QB.) I'm not worried that Jay will "turtle up" in Tuscaloosa.

What did UM finish LY?

I can admit Royster has always had nice rush numbers and he is consistent - but he went down LY and he had his rushing TDs cut in half.... NOT good trends

I hope I am wrong! I just am not very high on him.

By your standard, our 1999 loss to Minnesota wasn't a "Big Game" even though we were undefeated and ranked #2.

By your standard, our 1992 home game with Miami (#7 vs. #2) wasn't a "Big Game" because we went into the tank after the loss.

By your standard, our 1982 game at Alabama (#3 vs. #4) wasn't a "Big Game" because Bama lost four of their next six after beating us.

Let me clarify a bit here...

Beating a UM team is always a TON of fun and something that should be a check mark for any season. so in that sense it is a BIG game. Though to be fair UM was terrible last year...

Royster has seen his numbers dip from that magical 08 season to now...

I hope he does well - I hope he gets 1,500 and 17 TDs. I have my doubts though... But hey i said Zug would suck soo.... I make my mistakes!