Game Prediction For Alabama at Ole Miss.
Well, my prediction wasn’t that off. I predicted that Alabama would win 66-9 and they won 62-7. Anyway, not that bad. Jerry Jeudy caught 3 passes for 136-yards and 2 touchdowns. Alabama’s defense allowed a touchdown only 11 seconds into the game but never let Ole Miss score again.
Ok, if you read my articles about the Crimson Tide on the Sports Debate, you will learn that I always give my opinion on Jalen Hurts and it’s also always a favorable opinion. However, despite the fact that he played well, Hurts also gave everyone an example of why you NEVER throw into a tight double-coverage. Jalen Hurts threw his first interception since last year against Texas A&M because he threw into a very planned double-coverage. Hurts’ was throwing to Jerry Jeudy who had a defender behind him and one in front of him. Jalen threw ahead of Jeudy and the defender in front, C.J. Moore, caught the interception. The thing that’s weird is that Hurts doesn’t usually make such horrible decisions. He’s usually good at that type of thing. Anyway, he played well. Jalen Hurts finished with 2 touchdowns. One of the touchdowns was a perfect throw to Jerry Jeudy and the other was a short pass to Henry Ruggs III who walked the ball into the endzone.
5 Things to Know About Jalen Hurts’ Perfect Throw to Jerry Jeudy.
I know you probably saw the play, but I’m going to analyze the play.
I. The Lineup
Jalen Hurts was standing in the backfield on third and 2 on the 22-yard line in Ole Miss territory with Running Back Najee Harris to his left. To the far left was Wide Receiver Devonta Smith who caught the game winning touchdown in the CFP Championship. To Hurts’ right was Tight End Irv Smith Jr., Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy in the slot, and Wide Receiver Henry Ruggs III to the far right.
II. The Play
Devonta Smith ran a short drag to the right staying around the 1st down line. Irv Smith Jr. ran about 8-yards and to the left. Jerry Jeudy ran straight to the endzone while Henry Ruggs III also ran straight but stopped running at about the 13-yard line.
III. Why You Don’t Give Hurts Time to Throw
I might be one of the few sports writers who thinks that Jalen Hurts can throw, but whether anybody wants to believe it or not, he can. Hurts is one of greatest passers in football history and not only that, he’s also one of the few great passers that can lead a team to championships. Baker Mayfield couldn’t lead Oklahoma to the CFP Championship. Josh Allen never got much of anywhere with Wyoming. Archie Manning didn’t even make the playoffs when he was with the Saints. Andy Dalton doesn’t do anything with the Bengals. Jalen Hurts is the most underestimated player ever and I hope that throw proved something.
IV. How the Line Held
There were 5 offensive linemen for Alabama and 4 defensive linemen for Ole Miss that play. Right when the play started, one of the linebackers went to blitz Hurts, making the matchup 5 Alabama linemen vs 4 Ole Miss linemen and a linebacker. Alabama managed to open a lane for Jalen to run, but by that time he had already decided to throw.
V. The Perfect Throw
Jerry Jeudy was running for the endzone with only 1 person covering him, making him a great target. However, the person guarding him guarded him very closely. The defender was to Jeudy’s left, so Hurts threw to the defender’s right. The ball landed smack on his chest, giving the defender no chance to deflect it.
Alabama plays Texas A&M at home next week. Check The Sports Debate later for The JK Top 25 rankings.
Here’s what Saban had to say about Jalen Hurts after the game.
Nick Saban said during his on-field interview that he would liked to play Hurts more but they had to put other guys in and that “we don’t play Jalen unless he’s playing with our good players.”.
“I think Jalen has certainly improved in the pocket, there’s no about that.” Nick Saban said in his post-game press conference “There’s never been any question about his arm talent, it’s always been making decisions, choices, second reads, that type of thing which I think he’s made a lot of improvement on and I think when he’s done those things he’s had really good success and I think consistency and continuing to do those things is the key to him in the future.”
Top 10 Players for Week 3
1. WR Jerry Jeudy Alabama
2. QB Kyle Murray Oklahoma
3. QB Tua Tagovailoa Alabama
4. RB Squally Canada BYU
5. QB Nick Fitzgerald Mississippi State
6. SS Xavier McKinney Alabama
7. K Cole Tracey LSU
8. QB Trace McSorley Penn State
9. RB Darwin Thompson
10. RB J.K. Dobbins
Photo by: Phillip Hendon
