West Virginia vs. Alabama: Game Grades, Analysis for Mountaineers and Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide opened the 2014 season with a decent 33-23 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Neither squad looked overly impressive, and the grades reflect performances well below team standards.
| Pass Offense | B | B- |
| Run Offense | C+ | D+ |
| Pass Defense | C | C- |
| Run Defense | B- | D- |
| Special Teams | A | A- |
| Coaching | A- | B+ |
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Pass Offense
Clint Trickett completed 29-of-45 attempts, and at least 38 throws hit West Virginia receivers in the hands. The senior was not the problem in the passing game.
With nine catches for 143 yards and a touchdown, Kevin White showed marked improvement over an already decent 2013 campaign.
Run Offense
After a couple early, successful possessions on the ground, the Mountaineers' backs hardly found running room. Granted, West Virginia soon turning to a strong reliance on Trickett's arm factored into the decreased touches.
Pass Defense
Amari Cooper is a top-shelf NFL prospect for a reason, and the Mountaineers failed to contain the junior receiver. Twelve catches, nine first downs and 130 yards later, Cooper had a career day at the expense of WVU.
Junior safety Karl Joseph tallied 18 tackles, a testament to the effectiveness of 'Bama's ground game. Daryl Worley, who also made 11 stops, made a great read to intercept a floating pass.
Run Defense
There isn't a team in the nation that can easily stop T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry, and West Virginia was simply the first of many victims. Alabama pounded the Mountaineers for 5.9 yards per attempt en route to 288 total.
Special Teams
Just when it appeared the Crimson Tide might start to pull away, Mario Alford returned a kickoff 100 yards to pay dirt. Josh Lambert converted on three field goals, but his 49-yard miss could have tied the score in the third frame.
Coaching
The West Virginia coaching staff was absolutely prepared for Alabama, sticking with the Tide for the entire game. Player execution was the Mountaineers' biggest problem, and they were the kind of mistakes Dana Holgorsen and Co. could do little about.
| Pass Offense | B | B+ |
| Run Offense | B+ | A |
| Pass Defense | C- | C |
| Run Defense | B- | B+ |
| Special Teams | B | A- |
| Coaching | C+ | B |
Pass Offense
Though Blake Sims and Jacob Coker were expected to share duties, Sims grabbed the reins and never let go. The senior consistently utilized Amari Cooper, who notched a career-best 12 catches for 130 yards.
Run Offense
Alabama may have the best running back tandem in the nation, and it showed. Yeldon and Henry smashed and dashed their way through and around West Virginia, tallying 239 yards and three scores.
Pass Defense
If there was a glaring first-game weakness, it was the Tide's pass defense. Trickett certainly completed some lucky rainbows, but most of the Mountaineers' drops came when the receivers were open.
West Virginia would have been in superb position to steal the game had it not been for those mistakes, and Alabama cannot afford to be let down by its defense.
Run Defense
The defensive line was pushed back early, so much so that Nick Saban called his team "soft" at halftime. However, the Crimson Tide shut down the Mountaineers rushing attack during the second half.
Special Teams
Adam Griffith connected on all four field-goal attempts, burying kicks from 47, 41, 27 and 45 yards. True freshman JK Scott absolutely blasted a 62-yarder that pinned WVU inside its own 10.
Coaching
Saturday was a rare occurrence where Saban and Kirby Smart did not dictate the game. Though the run defense improved, West Virginia's pass offense was effective throughout the day.
Unsurprisingly, Lane Kiffin was more comfortable operating the hurry-up offense than relaying plays to the huddle. The tempo balance is definitely worth watching next week when 'Bama hosts Florida Atlantic.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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