Amari Cooper is going to have his catches. The key is limiting his success on third downs.
My analysis of how Saturday’s SEC Championship game may change as the week plays out, but as I sifted through the stats for both teams, Alabama’s third down conversion rate raised a major red flag with me. We all know Missouri’s chances hinge on the defense being able to slow the Tide’s offense. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.
When I see Alabama is ranked third nationally, moving the first down markers almost 53% of the time, I realize that if Mizzou’s defense finds themselves on the field for drives that last 9-11 plays, even resulting in field goals, they are going to wear down in the second half. Alabama is too big upfront on the offensive line for the Tigers to square off with them for five to six minutes at a time.
Amari Cooper can’t pull in passes and 3rd and long…those back breaking plays where it looks like the Tigers will force a punt only to see a drive extended by the future NFL first rounder could be the downfall.
Shane Bailey of SECSportsRoundTable.com joins me to talk about Missouri’s chances this weekend in Atlanta.
