Bama/A&M

[Eric]

Texas A&M looked like they were in control of the game, but as it so often happens, two possessions does not a game make. Alabama has come all the way back and they seem to be in a groove against A&M's average defense. Johnny Manziel made one of the best plays I've ever seen in college football, but he ruined the drive by overthrowing a fade route to the opposite endzone. That was dumb when they were having as much success on the ground as they were having. A read option probably would have been seven points.

For the record, I hate fade routes. I can't back this up with statistical evidence, but I feel like it is a lower-percentage play than even a crossing route up the middle. I would rather keep it on the ground for sure in that situation.

[Spence]

No one is going to have control of the game against Alabama. You have to play 60 minutes and they are going to keep coming right to the end. Sometimes early success can be bad.

[Cane from the Bend]

Anyone else see Jonny's face on the sideline after Bama score 42 . . ?

He seems to have a look that says, "It's not my fault if we lose. It's on our defense. I'm getting my highlights".

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[Cane from the Bend]

A&M's last two touchdowns came from Bama's D being outta place . . . Saban is gonna need some throat spray for all the shouting he's gonna do at the game review meeting.

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[Swamp Daddy]

Well, both teams looked good to me. I was surprised how easy Alabama ran the ball on Texas A&M. Johnny football was his usual smirky self; however, I have to admit he can play the game. Even including a couple of hail-mary passes which A&M receivers did miracles to catch, he can play the game.

Brett Favre at Southern Miss. did those hail-marys several times against UL in the old days. LOL.

Swamp Daddy

[Spence]

Well, both teams looked good to me. I was surprised how easy Alabama ran the ball on Texas A&M. Johnny football was his usual smirky self; however, I have to admit he can play the game. Even including a couple of hail-mary passes which A&M receivers did miracles to catch, he can play the game.

Brett Favre at Southern Miss. did those hail-marys several times against UL in the old days. LOL.

Swamp Daddy

He is a great football player. He just seems to be less than great a human being.

[Eric]

I hate to admit being a sucker for paying attention to certain athletes, mainly because ESPN pushes a lot of them to unhealthy degrees, but Yasiel Puig for the Dodgers and Johnny Manziel are two guys I can't help but watch when they play. They are too entertaining. That busted-scramble-hail-mary that he had today was one of the craziest plays I have seen in the last decade and for it to occur on that stage made it all the more impressive.

It should be noted that both of those guys have very obnoxious personalities, but the raw way they play the game makes it interesting for sure. I can't really cheer against them the same way I cheer against A-Rod, the Yankees, the Lakers, the Jets, the Cowboys, Tiger Woods, Sidney Crosby, Notre Dame, Ohio State, etc.

[Spence]

I know what you mean. At least you can't help but give them credit for being great at what they do. You also have to think Manziel is going to clock cleaned at the next level if he doesn't take a more professional attitude with him to the NFL.

[billybud]

I like the goofy kid...he is the anti-athlete.

He doesn't look like a big time QB jock. Doesn't have an appropriate "gravitas" like a NFL QB. He acts like what he is. A college boy having the time of his life.

He laughs at his luck when he runs around and throws up a Hail Mary that his receiver goes up and gets it....

Go johnny go!

[Spence]

I think he will win his second Heisman. He just does too much on the field not to win.

[Eric]

I think his off-field antics though may work against him. And the two-time Heisman thing. I think the Heisman "fraternity"/voters thought his general buffoonery was an embarrassment to the status of Heisman winners. We'll see at the end of the year.

I think part of the problem for A&M is that they only have one major game left on the slate: LSU. Ole Miss, you could argue, is also a game to circle on the slate. But they don't get Florida, South Carolina, or Georgia and they almost certainly won't play in the SEC title game after this loss. Of course Arkansas and Auburn could be competitive down the stretch. Whether or not that provides "Heisman moment" material is yet to be seen.

I think Winston's schedule sets up the best with Miami, Clemson, Florida, and possibly an ACC championship game. But we haven't seen him against a good secondary yet. Miller needs to get on the field and he has an easy slate. Bridgewater has the easiest slate out of any contender. Gardner I don't think is ready to step into this echelon although he may have the potential to next year. Mariota will have his opportunities. I don't see any running backs or receivers who can contend this season outside of De'Anthony Thomas. I guess I have to mention AJ McCarron who could get it as a "lifetime achievement award" sort of thing.

I could see Mettenberger playing his way into this conversation. If you told me this last year, I would laugh hysterically. But whatever Les Miles and Cam Cameron have done with him, it's nothing short of miraculous. He is on point with all of this throws. I saw him with Landry and Beckham against TCU's secondary and they shredded it. Those two receivers are filthy even in tight coverage. They can get so much separation in what seems like a tight window at the moment of the throw. If they can beat A&M and Alabama and he plays well, he could sneak into the picture.