SEC OPINIONS - THE BIG ONE

TIDE FACES THE BIG ONE...
Tide faces it's biggest game of the season...    

 Remember Michigan State?

  I'd like to be able to write that the Tide faces another big game.  The one on Saturday is a little more than that isn't it? Saturday, Alabama faces a game which will define what this Crimson Tide team is all about. Will the Tide put their noses to the grindstone and come away with a win which will validate the season?  Or, will the Tide mush it around on offense and look like some sort of used car? I have no idea, but it's going to be one or the other. It's not going to be anything in between in my opinion. This is going to be big boy football. This isn't going to be San Jose State. I feel pretty good about our chances, but it would be a lie to say I'm full of confidence. I really feel like a cat on a hot tin roof. Tomorrow will never come, and my anxiety level is just hit ten.  

The Running backs and Quarterbacks...

Lambert has put us some impressive stats...

      In the SEC you will find a some great match-ups.  You won't find one any better than Derrick Henry vs. Nick Chubb. What two outstanding running backs to see on the field in the same game. I can't say which one is better. It is enough to say they are top shelf backs. Chubb seems to be the heart and soul of the Georgia offense. I don't know exactly what Alabama is going to do on defense, but it starts with trying to stop Chubb. I believe Georgia will do the exact thing with Henry. Both teams will try to get the opposing quarterback to beat them. That's where things get a a little dicey for the Tide. Despite the gaudy numbers put up by Greyson Lambert a lot of people aren't sold on him yet. The 6-5 junior transfer recently set an NCAA record for percentage of completed passes in one game. The competition has been less than stellar.  Don't think for a minute that Jake Coker is lighting up the affection of Tide fans, however. Coker has shown a few good things, a few bad things, and a lot of "what the hell" was he doing type things. He is, for better or worse, the Tide quarterback. If Coker can find a little Blake Sims magic this team could be a great one. Otherwise, it's like living paycheck to paycheck.

   

         

Henry is the Bell Cow of the Tide offense

I'd give the nod in the running back department to Georgia but only begrudgingly. You can't overlook the two backups either. Michael and Drake would start for a lot of teams. That pair is very similar in makeup. I'd give the quarterback edge to the Dawgs as well. Lambert seems more composed and he is playing at home. Coker is the wild card. For the Tide to have any hope of winning it will be if Coker can play well. That is going to be problematical for 'Bama. For whatever reason Coker seems to put so much pressure on himself he is not able to use his considerable ability. Lambert, on the other hand, has less talent but seems to fit in well with his offense, and has confidence. I think that the opposition has allowed Lambert to play well. Whether or not his offensive line is a great one will be answered on Saturday as well. Alabama's inability to find steady play at right tackle has hurt the cohesiveness of the line. In the L.Monroe game it was clear that the defense would stack the box on Bama's left side with an extra defender.  Georgia is going to be a lot better in the box than LM. Size vs. Speed on defense is going to be interesting.

 

     I believe the Tide has the strong edge on the defensive front. Look for Georgia to try to run it outside. Alabama's safeties and corner-backs better be solid.  Georgia is going to pass because of the stout run defense of Bama. I think our linebackers and secondary are on the verge of being very good. The punter JK Scott needs to come out of his slump. This is going to be a field position game,and given the weather forecast the sophomore punter needs to be spot on. It looks like Adam  Griffith seems to be healthy for the first time in a year. We'll need him. So do we win? Can Alabama put together a great offensive game despite what has happened in the past. Numbers wise the Tide has put us some 500 yard games in spite off turnovers, dropped passes, and iffy quarterback play. The weather could dictate a lot of what happens this weekend. Will the Tide be ready? I think so. Will they win? That's a different question. No turnovers will help. Hanging on to passes from Coker will help. Smart play from Coker will be key. I heart says 'Bama while my head says Georgia. I love Alabama.