Les Miles: Establishing Run, Quick Passes Ways To Beat Alabama Defense
Former LSU head coach Les Miles says that establishing the running game and making quick passes is the way Washington could be successful against Alabama’s defense.
Former LSU head coach Les Miles says that establishing the running game and making quick passes is the way Washington could be successful against Alabama’s defense.
Les Miles faced Alabama and Nick Saban 10 times during his time as the head coach at LSU, so not many people are more familiar with the Crimson Tide than him. Going 3-7 in that time, Miles also knows what Washington must do in the Peach Bowl to have a chance to beat the heavily-favored defending national champions.
“You best be able to handle the front three that will knock you back, because pass rush starts from there,” Miles said on The Dan Patrick Show.
That front three includes defensive end Jonathan Allen, who won both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award, each given to whom the respective committee deems the nation’s best defensive player.
Miles maintained that the Huskies must find success running the ball in order to have any chance of putting points on the board against the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense.
“That pass rush is gonna come, so they had best be able to move the ball on the ground and short throws. They need to not hold the ball for a long time, and work hard for first downs. If you work hard for first downs you can stay on the field with a very quality Alabama team.”
Relying solely on quarterback Jake Browning and the aerial attack, Miles said, would prove disastrous for the Huskies.
“If you make it a one-dimensional game, if Washington has to step back and throw the football [it could be difficult].”
