The Good, the Bad, and the Obvious of the Iron Bowl....

     It's Monday following a horrible weekend. Like most of you, it pains me to see the Tide lose. This loss was more painful than most. I think we learned some things about this year's team. There are things we'd like to forget but a lot of things to remember.

THE GOOD: 

1. Mac Jones proved to me  he's a winner and a keeper. We all wondered whether Jones could weather the offensive questions surrounding him. One bad pass for pick sick, and another one of those Auburn miracles for another pick six. Sure, those hurt but Jones led Alabama to 34 points. That should have been enough to win the football game or any football game. Overall, I give him an A.  He performed far better than I thought he might. 

2. Is Jaylen Waddle human, or is he some being from another dimension?  Two outstanding touchdown grabs and two additional magnificent returns for touchdowns. And i thought David Palmer was great. I don't know what is beyond great but that's what Waddle is now. 

3. Najee Harris was shredded the "so-called" great AU defensive line. He ran for 146 yards. He literally ran over, around, and through the Auburn Tigers. He was the running back we thought he should be. Harris played to an A+ level in my opinion.

4. Jerry Judy, Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith keep the passing game intact and wide-open. These are the four greatest receivers on one team in college football history. It has been a pleasure and honor to watch them. Judy and Ruggs are sure first round NFL picks. Smith might be. I hope that Smith and Waddle will play on the field together in Tuscaloosa next season. I give them an A.

5. The offensive line played great. It was shame they couldn't play defense as well. The kept the Tiger defensive line on the heels most of the day. A.

THE BAD

1. The penalties killed the Tide. They have all year. Is that coaching, lack  of discipline, or something else. I would have loved to see Waddle get to return one more punt. I didn't understand why the Tide needed to substitute so many players for a punt. It wasn't the first time this season  this happened. F

2. Tackling has been abysmal this season. It didn't seem to get better as the games progressed. Auburn had far too many lanes to run in during the game. Very un-Bama like. Tackling is coaching. Period. Perhaps the Tide needs some new coaches on the defensive side of the ball. What do you think?  C-

3, Whenever we have a placekick or punt there is a feeling of dread wafting through the air. It is horrible. Bulavos improved during the season but missed the big one. our punter (Ty Perine) stabilized a bad situation. B

4. I thought Davis and Jennings had a good game. It was nice to finally see Davis live up to his hype. Barmore is getting better. And Xavier McKinney was stellar as always. I'd give them A

THE OBVIOUS

1. Alabama's need to play far too many freshman on the defensive line  of the ball hurt the Tide and cost any chance to reach the playoffs.

2. You would think a premiere program could have two outstanding kickers. Perhaps Perine will be one and Will Reichard the other. Perhaps. I'd be looking  for some walk-on players to find one. It is the same old same old each year it seems. 

3. Someone to teach tackling. Just plain old tackling. You know just a fundamental part of the football. How did this happen

4. And it is clear that Auburn has to use trick plays and manipulate the rules to win. It is the only way to compete with the Tide and they know it.  Here's a little treat.The AU win will save Gus Malzhan's job. I love that.

Post season game: word on the street is Bama vs. Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Some writers think it could be Bama at  Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. I understand that Bama does not want to be part of the Hurts vs.Bama hype. That match up would be unfair to both Jalen and Alabama. It would be fun to see two teams score over a hundred each.

FINAL THOUGHT - Alabama  football is well. This was a season where injuries and early departures hurt the Tide. All is well. 

 TUA IS INJURED AND HIS SEASON IS OVER... 

      Excuse me if words come hard today.  Tua is likely through at Alabama forever. We may never see his smiling face in a Tide uniform again. Alabama is a lesser team today. I’m not talking football skills, but rather about a young man whose heart exceeds his game. Tua was much more than a football player. In an age where anger seems to prevail, his personality made you feel good. Tua also made you want to be a better person. He will never be forgotten. He will always be admired and love. Tua will serve a guide to how all people should behave in a bitter world.

College football word hates ‘Bama…

    Let’s get straight to the obvious part.  The college football world hates the University of Alabama. It really isn’t ‘Bama fatigue. It is pure and unadulterated hatred. If you listened to LSU fans you probably get my drift. They were not just fanatical. They were more like a gumbo Klan rally. How can you blame the LSU fans for being happy. The Tigers played a good game. But the hatred spewed by their head coach was surprising. Orgeron's post game comments exemplify my belief. What can you expect from your fan base when your head coach spews such non-sense? Those poorly chosen words says a lot about the Orgeron. It also says a lot about Nick Saban.  Saban would never stoop to such lack of character. It seems as if we now live in a country where the people who we should respect give us no reason to respect them. Of course, having that type of reaction shows just how successful Alabama has become under Nick Saban. LSU isn't Alabama. Ed Orgeron and LSU will never be more than the antagonist in this gridiron drama. We all know that, and deep inside the LSU fans know that as well.  The Tigers deserve their jubilation. Let's give that to them with class. Who knows? Alabama might play them again this season. 

   There are not four teams better than Alabama this year. If Alabama wins their remaining games they deserve to be in the CFP. They lost to the #1 team in the NCAA by five points. It took an almost perfect night from LSU and a horrible night game by Alabama to see the Tigers win. No excuses for our Defense. They are full of outstanding young men but collectively they just aren't there yet.  I doubt they will be this season. The Selection Committee won't forget that, but they also can't forget the performance of the Tide offense can they? Or will they? Will the Selection Committee select the best four teams or will politics rear its ugly head. I'm picking the latter and not the former. There will be a lot of pressure to pick a West Coast team. Utah and Oregon will  make a strong case even if the entire world knows they are not one of best four. Baylor might go undefeated. Oklahoma will only probably only have one loss at the end of the season. I'd crown either the champion of enhanced flag football immediately.

   Alabama needs to score as many points as they can. The defense needs  to improve at least some. The Committee would notice that. So what do Tide fans hope for?

1. LSU needs to win the SEC Championship which would ...

2. Give Georgia its second loss.

3. If Oregon and Utah lose that would be Crimson Crazy,

4  but if they meet in the PAC 12 championship game a loss either is inevitable. 

5. Baylor is going to lose to Oklahoma or someone else...

6 And that leaves Minnesota who will lose at least  two more games. 

Alabama's main problem would be if the winner of the PAC 12 Conference only has one loss. I think there is going to be a lot of pressure on the Selection Committee to pick the winner. Is Alabama better than a one loss Oregon or Utah. Yeah, about three touchdowns better.

ALABAMA WILL BE ONLY AS GOOD AS TUA'S HEALTH   

Hindsight is always 20/20 according to the old saying In reading the comments on the TiderInsider board, it seems there are dozens of reasons Alabama lost to LSU. Here’s my take. Alabama lost their composure early on and dug a hole so deep they couldn’t climb out. It is easy to say Tua’s fumble on the first drive shook Alabama. That might be true. Or perhaps it was another failure in the kicking game. This time, the punter dropped a snap. Or Tua's interception late in the first half. What the heck was that about?  Alabama’s defense has been shaky all season long and it finally beat them. You can only sustain so many early departures to the NFL and injuries. I think the Tide missed on a couple of recruits that might have helped them. Those three things are so significant this season that even Nick Saban can't fix them. A lot of fans will blame the defensive coordinator. That might be convenient, but it’s missing the real point. Alabama’s defensive collapses are not brand new. This is becoming a trend, and the reason for that is not simple. It is a combination of things. It is also becoming a trend all over college football, and it' isn't unique to Alabama. LSU's defense collapsed also. 


The Tide didn't quit

      Despite everything that LSU brought, the Tide didn’t quit. The only way you beat Alabama is to have a quarterback who has a great day. LSU had Joe Burrow, and he had a career-defining day. You have to admire the gritty performance of Tua. He passed for over 400 yards and kept Alabama’s hope to win alive. He did this on one leg and twenty days after having surgery. Yesterday, Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and Tua once again lost it because of an injury. Alabama lost to LSU because the defense is average at best and Tua was hurt. It’s that simple.

Has trickery replaced manhood in college football?

    Another thought crossed my mind in watching the game. The SEC is looking more like the Big 12 every game. The sophisticated passing offense has changed college football. Players leaving early to play in the NFL has changed college football. The fans will still attend the games and schools will make millions of dollars. But, the fundamental nature of the sport is gone. Has trickery replaced manhood? Rules allow offensive linemen to hold the defense on every play. Holding must rise to the level of an outright tackle to draw a flag. I’m sorry but Mike Leach got the last laugh on college football after all.


Tua did all he could do

      I couldn’t help but wonder if everything Tua endured to play yesterday was worth it. The young man was limping much worse than when initially hurt three weeks ago. Tua deserves a red badge of courage for his performance yesterday, and that is my 20/20 hindsight regarding the game. If Tua had been healthy I believe Alabama would have beaten LSU by two touchdowns or more even with our current defensive problems.  Tua wasn’t healthy and Joe Burrow was, and that made all the difference.  Alabama will be only as good as Tua is healthy.

   

• Najee Harris showed that he can be Heisman Candidate next season
• Jerry Jeudy is a first-round pick and a First Team All-America
• Devonta Smith has emerged as a home run hitter. 
• Jalon Waddle had the greatest punt return I've seen. Move over Billy Cannon
• Deonte Brown seems to have made the Tide's O-line much better

SEC OPINIONS PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tua Tagovailoa

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: BAMA CAN STILL WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IF A FEW THINGS FALL INTO PLACE. 

1. Tua needs to stay well

2. Some defensive improvement would be appreciated

3. LSU must remain undefeated

4. Is Bama the best one lost team remaining?

   

   

THE GAME IS NOT JUST ABOUT TUA...

  Granted, whether Tua plays or is even effective should he compete are vital questions. They might even be the most important questions which keep Alabama from winning. There are other areas which are important as well. There are other areas of the game which could keep either team from winning. Let's consider a few of those:

1. The kicking game: Joseph Bulovos is going to get the nod due to Reichard's lingering injury. Bulovas is pretty dependable, but he has problems which were a reason why he lost his starting position  The kicker cannot afford any misses on extra points or short field goals. It's hard to blame anyone for missing a long one though. I won't do that. Remember the Kick Six? Adam made as good a kick as anyone could possibly hit.  He just couldn't kick it that far. 

One area where the Tide might win the game is kick-returning. Jaylan Waddle is the man on punts. He is the best in the SEC and probably the nation. Ruggs can bust one on kickoffs. I'd bet LSU holds its breath when they punt to Waddle. The Tigers should. Henry Ruggs is a death threat on kick-off returns. Ty Perine, a walk-on is averaging 47 yards a kick which is 14th best in the nation. This is a tremendous improvement. Alabama was 129th before Perine took the field.

2. The secondary:  Alabama has a great secondary. They might be the best in the SEC. Offenses have been given so much of an advantage over the defense in rules and officiating it really isn't fair at times. What is pass interference calls has gotten out of hand.  The NCAA needs to make amends but that's another story. If Alabama can put some real pressure on Burrow the secondary will make some plays. Note, I said will make some plays,  and not could make some plays. Play as hard as they are allowed to play, and Hope the refs are fair.

3. Penalties: Alabama is a good football team, but great football teams eliminate mental errors. The Tide has been penalized far too much for his season. They must minimize mistakes.  No doubt, some penalties are hard to avoid, but lining up in the neutral zone and illegal procedure penalties are mental mistakes for the most part. 'Bama's man on man defense with the corners can bring some pass interference calls. At times pass interference might the last resort in keeping someone from scoring. Again, this is an age where a sneeze can draw a flag.

4. Run Defense: You will be mad but our run defense is bad. Period. The two young linebackers have improved (I guess, frankly I cannot really tell) but the Alabama defensive line hasn't played well. It isn't like any singular player on the line is bad. They just don't play well as a unit. Jennings has played well, and with Terrell Lewis coming on the line is better. Davis has been a disappointment. Dale has his moments in the sun, but overall we just aren't there. This worries me and it should worry you as well. I have these nightmares about LSU tailbacks ripping off huge gains. The depth is not where we'd like it. Can Alabama's porous run defense shine for the big game. I have my doubts but I see some hope as well. 

Part two tomorrow.

SABAN HAS A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY NOW...

       Alabama has some problems. They have had them since before game one this season. I suspect they had them before Dylan Moses went down with an injury. The defense has been fair to middling as we like to say in this state. Flame me if you like, but it’s true. Now, our defense has a job to do. The newly baptized have had to improve. The experienced could lead the way, and the coaches can find ways to manipulate the x’s and o’s to win each game.

     The offense, was as one-legged, as is Tua is now, from the start of the season. The running game wasn’t up to Alabama standards. Average opposing defenses far too often knocked Tide backs down for losses behind the line of scrimmages. Penalties rained down on the Alabama team like summer rain. And still, the Alabama Crimson Tide was undefeated and ranked # 1 in the nation. I never thought we were that good, it was a kind of lifetime achievement award for Nick Saban, and perhaps the belief he would cure all the faults that glared like headlights on a dark night.

    The competition has been poor. It will be poor again this weekend. After this game, the competition will be tough. It will tough enough to make each and every weakness this team has. Some of those weaknesses are too apparent to hide or cover even with a stunning quarterback who will not be a 100%. But Nick Saban has an opportunity here. He can continue to prove that he is the greatest coach in the history of American football. Saban can prove all the nay-sayers and talking heads wrong. If Saban wins a 7^th national championship he will have done his greatest coaching job. Even without the injury to Tua winning the national championship would have been his greatest job in my opinion.

   This team is far from perfect. They are getting better. The defense seems more like an Alabama defense of older days.  The running game is starting to come around. Can Mack be Tua? Of course not. But he can be good enough if every other player plays his best. Make no doubt that after today the Tide will be the underdog to beat LSU and Auburn. The Bama haters will celebrate, and other coaches will say Saban is through. Bama or Saban isn’t through. I believe this team of young men, who at times seems confused, can become better than perhaps they have believed themselves. Get ready, the ride is going to bumpy, but the championship at the end will be even sweeter.

SABAN CAN COACH FOR ANOTHER DECADE…

       Opposing coaches are starting to tell recruits that Nick Saban is nearing the end of his coaching career. I’m sorry, I don’t see it that way. Given Saban’s current health and vitality, there is no reason why the NCAA’s best college football coach cannot coach for another decade. I have recently talked with two potential recruits who told me that an opposing recruiter said that Saban can’t coach forever. No one can coach forever. Saban can set records that might never be broken. That's a kind of forever.

      Saban is only 67 years old and seems to be in perfect health. Despite his love for Little Miss Debbie’s, he takes care of himself. He is in good shape, shows absolutely no sign of diminished mental sharpness, and I’d strongly suspect he has some goals to reach before he retires. A lot of fans say he wants to win another national championship. I bet he wants to win several more. I see no reason why he can’t. Why do I say that?

1. Head coaches are the CEO of big businesses. While Saban still likes to have a hands-on approach with players, he has the knack of finding great assistant coaches who can teach the game. In fact, keeping assistant coaches may be the toughest problem these days for Coach Saban.

2. Players flock to Alabama because Nick Saban and the University of Alabama is the gold standard of college football. If you say that Alabama is a football factory that would be as slight to what Saban and his Alabama head coaches have built. Alabama is head and shoulders above any football program in the history of college football. There are some constants in life - death, taxes, and Alabama football.

3. Sixty-seven years of age is the new fifty-seven years of age. You can rest assured that all Alabama coaches get the best medical attention that money can buy, and Alabama has a lot of money. Not only do people live longer, but the retention of vitality is greater now than a generation ago.

4. Nick Saban sends more young men into the ranks of financial success than any other coach in the NCAA. Gary Daniel’s CBS analyst said that Alabama has seven players projected to be drafted in the 1st round in the NFL this season. That’s just the first round. NFL coaches know that if a player comes from Alabama they are ready to play in the league.

5. Alabama pays its strength coach $500,000 annually. Let that sink in. Saban knows and understands the value of service. When Tide players hold up four fingers at the start of the final-quarter they know they have earned the right to do that. Saban has a method to win. But his method is unlike anything seen before. Today, coaches all over the nation try to emulate Nick Saban. Some are more successful than others. The remarkable career of Nick Saban was the marriage of his coaching style and Alabama. It has been a perfect fit. The fans argue about whether Coach Bryant or Coach Saban is the greatest coach in Alabama history. Both are the greatest. They merely coached in different eras. Some of us are lucky to have seen both coaches.

6. Saban has so defined his method of leadership he has named it the process. It is actually a cognitive thinking pattern. Rather than focus on one big goal, Saban has chosen to prepare his team by having dozens of smaller goals. Each player has certain things they need to do better. The Coach constantly talks about the decisions his players make and how each decision determines the success or failure of a player. The more players that buy into the process making good decisions will make each man a better player. The more players making good decisions will lead to success for the team. The process is not just giving players instructions to reach a specific plateau. The player is given an individual goal and then understands that thinking properly will lead to the fulfillment of each individual goal. Do what you need to do each day. Do the drills correctly and understand that even seemingly trivial decisions can affect the larger team goal. Saban motivates his players by acknowledging that staying in the process is the only goal a player needs to make. Keeping players in the process also reduces stress and tension on the coaching staff, and the players. All Saban asks his players to do is reach an attainable goal that differs for each player.

      All of these things point to a man who will continue coaching as long as his health and motivation are intact. Success breeds success. I’m betting he coaches until he has had enough. Only Saban can determine when that will be. I bet he is nowhere near the end of his career. 

TIDE PASSES CLEMSON AND JUMPS TO #1 IN AP POLL...

   The Alabama Crimson Tide's impressive offensive performance convinced the majority of AP Poll voters to move them to #1 in the latest Top Twenty-Five.  Clemson was lucky to have beaten unranked North Carolina 21-20. The Tar Heels bid for a major upset was denied when the Tigers stopped their two-point conversion. Tua Tagavailoa threw five touchdown passes to Devonta Smith in a trouncing of Ole Miss. Those five touchdown passes caught by Smith was an Alabama record. Stay tuned. The season is still young. Who knows? Perhaps someone will catch six in the near future. Don't be surprised. 

TAKEAWAYS FROM THE WEEKEND:

1.  Clemson looked pretty ordinary this past weekend. Stopping a two-point conversion to beat the not so mighty Tarheels.  Consider this - it is entirely possible that the Tigers might not even play a single ranked team in the regular season. The Tigers have only Wake Forest who is ranked tonight. 

2. Bama's defense had a bad day but the offense seems capable of covering a lot of defensive sins.  If Bama can get its defense in order no one can beat them it appears. The defense doesn't have to dominate but they need to shore up some problems. 

3. Auburn is a very good football team. Mississippi State is not very good but take nothing away from 'Bama's arch-rival. The Tiger defense is stout. I don' think Aubie can get by both Alabama, LSU, Florida, and Georgia however. I smell a couple of losses. The Tigers will not win the SEC but they could have a big say-so into who will win. 

4. LSU has a potent offense. It is unlike anything I've seen from Bayouville.  But the Tigers gave up 38 points to Vandy. Hmm... You can't fail to think about that, can you? Still, the Tigers are better than last season.  The game of the year will be in T-Town and that's a good thing.

5. Georgia is undefeated but hasn't played anyone who could cause them in any trouble save Notre Dame. The Dawgs play in the weak Eastern Division. Only Auburn appears ready to beat them. Florida might give them a run. Missouri is not ready for prime time in the SEC this season. 

6. Ohio State is now the #4 team in America as the Midwestern lobbying begins in earnest.  I will believe the Buckeyes if and when they beat Wisconsin. OSU is a good team in a very weak league.

7. SMU is the program that proved that the death penalty in college football could ruin a program. It is been a long time since the Mustangs have been able to hold their heads high. Way to go, boys.

8. How good Florida might really be is beyond my ability to ferret out some truth. Dan Mullins is one heck of a coach. He has all the talent in the world to recruit by just walking out the front door. Time will tell in a few weeks. Can the Gators beat Georgia, LSU, and Auburn to run the table? That seems doubtful to me

9. Texas A&M is facing a monster home game with Alabama in two weeks. Is Jimbo Fisher the coach who won a national championship or the coach who oversaw the FSU program crash and burn.

9. Oklahoma keeps winning behind superb play by Jalen Hurts. Did Jalen have to transfer to Okieland to win the Heisman?  He's a class act, but Tua is better in my opinion. It appears that one of two best quarterbacks in the NCAA will win the award.

10. Wisconsin gets my nod for the best uniforms in the throwback mode. Those red jerseys and khaki pants was the bomb of the week. Move over Oregon. You've got competition. 

Player of the Week: Tua Tugavaila and Devonta Smith (just can't separate  them)

 TIDE WINS BIG, BUT...

        Light your torches. I fully expect many of you to flame me again. After five games it is clear that Alabama has some serious defensive problems. The only real question Tide fans need to concern themselves with is whether Tua and company can outscore every team on the schedule.

        Hats off to offense once again. Tua Tagovailoa had another afternoon that showed the nation what a great quarterback plays for Alabama. Despite the fact, that Devonta Smith, one of the Four Amigos, setting receiving records for touchdown passes in a game, an uneasiness won’t about this team won’t go away. The defense isn’t even average.  The defense is simply bad.

       It isn’t just the linebackers who are young and lost.  The defensive line isn’t playing well. Anferee Jennings had an outstanding day. Finally, Raekwon Davis looked better. Despite those two having 17 tackles between them, the Ole Miss Rebels ran the ball for 276 yards. The Rebels had 476 total yards for the day including 25 first downs.  Alabama gave up 88 offensive plays. I don’t care how much Crimson Kool-Ade you drink, those are unacceptable for a team who wants to win another National Championship.

      I thought the defensive backs played well. The Rebels outfought Tide defenders for a couple of jump ball passes but any team will lose some of those. The defense gave up far too many yards to a   freshman quarterback who merely kept the ball and attacked the edges of the Tide defense. Alabama is now 5-0 on the season. Luckily, the Tide has an open date next week to see if some of the problems can be addressed. Perhaps all college defenses are a dying breed. The offenses have been given too many advantages by the rules committee. Or perhaps, Alabama doesn’t have a defense that can stop anyone. Let’s be honest. The Tide has played five bad football teams. The good teams are coming up. LSU and Auburn are coming up. Texas A&M is on the road, and Kellen Mond is a dual-threat quarterback. I don’t even know if Alabama will make it to the SEC Championship game unless the defense steps it up. I think the defense can get better. I hope the offensive line improves. 

     Still, it seems to me that the best hope for Bama is that offense just keeps it up. So, I'll continue to worry about the defense. I'll continue to marvel about the Tua and his wide-out buddies. Let's just hope that no opposing offense comes up with a scheme. to stop the Tide. Let's hope the defense can find some true grit.

Life in Mississippi... 

    

      I lived in Mississippi when I was young. Each time Alabama plays Ole Miss in football or basketball in brings back memories. I love basketball. It isn’t easy being a round ball man in an oblong ball land. Don’t get me wrong. I like Alabama football, but my heart beats a little stronger when the Tide takes to the hardwood. Loving basketball isn’t the standard bill of fare in the Deep South. Down here, football is king. There is no doubt about which sport rules the unique area we call home.

    Basketball has always been my favorite game.  I learned to play hoops in Jackson, Mississippi. My family wasn’t rich. We weren’t poor, but there wasn’t a lot of money to spend on extra things.  Back then, your mother opened the back door to let you out to play with your friends after breakfast. She said don’t home before lunch.  The difference in me and the kids on my block was I had a basketball tucked under my arm and not a football.   All the white kids played football. I played basketball. We lived a block or so from the black neighborhood. It was literally across the railroad tracks. Most of my friends were black because of basketball.  We played basketball on asphalt courts. The rims had no nets.

    When I was eight,  a couple of older black kids said I shouldn't play with them because I was white. They told me it was better to play with the white kids. I told them it didn't matter.  Eventually, I was just another kid who wanted to play basketball. The white kids called me names, said some things I  will not write here. My mother and father explained this was the way the world was. But our family treated everyone the same and told Mississippians what we believed.    It was a good lesson to learn in 1955. It wasn’t a popular one, however. That was 64 years ago. The world hasn’t changed as much as it could have.  People still hate. Ignorance abounds, but hope lives on. Basketball taught me a lot more than making baskets.  I’m still that little kid that goes outside with a basketball under his arm. You can’t see that basketball, but it’s there.  I still hear my parents telling me that everyone is my brother and sister.  I still know most of my black buddies from that asphalt court. We talk from time to time, mostly at funerals now.  They still call me “little cracker”.  Back in 1955, I learned to shoot from downtown, dribble behind my back, and throw a no look pass. It was a magical year in more ways than one. 

CAN THE TIDE OFFENSE CARRY A SHAKY DEFENSE?

It’s an honest question. ‘Bama may start four freshmen this weekend. What do you say about that? Let’s be glad we aren’t in College Station on Saturday. Every team gets its share of injuries. The Dylan Moses injury is a major loss. The fact that the Tide lost a fifth-year senior as well tells me a lot about Alabama recruiting. The Tide must have missed on some big-time recruits in the past to find itself in this position. No doubt that Shane Lee and Christian Harris will be great players, but right now they are being introduced to big-time football and a steep learning curve. Will they get better? Sure, will it be in time to help win a national championship?  I don't know. 

The DL is hurting as well. A freshman nose guard is never a good sign, is it? Now, Alabama will start a freshman defensive end as well. Sorry, but even the staunchest Crimson fan has to worry. So, here’s the deal - ‘Bama has two games to get the defensive side of the ball “fixed”. I’m not sure anything was really broken in a sense. If Alabama got a couple of players to stick around for one more year the Tide would have been odds on favorites to win the National Championship. The Tide finds itself in a precarious situation right now.

Alabama is one injury away from becoming a pretty average football team. If Tua got hurt? We can’t run the ball right now. The best “run” from scrimmage was a lateral to Henry Ruggs that was called a forward pass to being with. Smashmouth football may not a be the way ‘Bama chooses to run their offense, but it would be nice to see someone pick up three solid yards on third down when needed.  Granted, neither Harris or Brian Robinson is Derrick Henry.  Obviously, someone needs to step forward and be the man.  If the line can open some running lanes then Keilen Robinson seems to have the skill to make some big runs.  That all starts with if the line can open some holes.  No one can run without blocking.  

My bet is that all these problems will get better with time.  Chaucer wrote in the prologue of The Clerks Tale that time and tide wait for no man. He was right in the middle ages and it still applies now. 'Bama is likely to take some hard knocks down the road.  They might even lose a game. Tide fans may not be able to stand that thought, but it's a legitimate one.  Our climate is falling apart, the United States Navy says it has film of three UFO's, and the Middle East may explode.  Those are all secondary to Alabama fans it seems.  Birth - Alabama football - Death?

MIXED DAY FOR THE TIDE

Tide rolls over the Gamecocks 47-23...

    The Alabama fanbase loves to yell Roll Tide Roll.  We might want to add "and thank heaven for Tua." On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, the Crimson Tide slowly beat down the game South Carolina Gamecocks. Once again the Tide showed tremendous promise and glaring problems. That is the dichotomy of Tide football. The promise is built around a gifted QB and the best four wideouts who have ever played together. Whether the problems with the offensive and defensive lines can be fixed remains the question. 

    Going into the  Carolina game it was thought that Alabama might have found some answers on the defensive side. After giving up 86 offensive plays to Carolina it seems that there are more answers to be found.  If you give an offense 86 chances to score you can bet your bottom dollar your opponent is going to score. USC scored 23. That is far more than Tide fans wanted to see, but keep in mind that one of those touchdowns came at games end against non-starters. But we also have to keep in mind that the vast majority of those 86 plays came against first-team defenders. Nick Saban even replaced one of his two freshman linebackers. A freshman quarterback riddled the Tide's defense for 

     Defensive coaches seemed unable to make changes to help their players. The defense was on the heels most of the game but only gave up one touchdown when it mattered. On the other hand, Carolina made 6 trips inside the Tide 30-yard line. USC had 459 yards in total offense and made 31 first downs. It wasn't senior that racked up that yardage for the Gamecocks. It was a freshman Quarterback riddled the Tide secondary and linebackers for all that yardage. It might very well be the case that the best Tide defense is the Tide offense.

    In all honesty, even though no one wants to hear this, the Tide defense seemed confused. The Tide has two games to find some answer to the defensive problems. Southern Miss is next. Then comes Ole Miss. Alabama should win those games, and then we find out whether the Tide is ready for prime time when they travel to College Station. Two games to find some winners on the offensive and defensive lines. I know that many like to say the Tide's running game is a part of a short pass game. I don't buy that. I believe that Saban wants a line that can open some holes for the running backs. The linebacker problem is real and is likely to come more apparent in the future. Southern Miss likes to throw the rock, and the young 'backer corp needs to step it up. 

    Winning by the pass will work until it doesn't Somewhere down the schedule a coach is going to figure out a way to slow down Tua. They may not stop the lefty but to reduce his effectiveness will make the Tide run game important. I have faith that our coaches will make these problems better. Can they up the offensive and defensive line to national championship standards. I don't know.  When you beat an SEC foe on the road by 24 points it says a lot of positive things about your offense.  My bet is that there are going to be some tense weekends for Tide fans. LSU, Auburn, and Texas A&M are teams that can play. Mississippi State isn't a pushover. I believe that four of the best 5 teams in the Southeastern Conference play in the Western Division. The Tide might very well win the West but I don't think they can dominate. And the kicking game had its problems as well. All teams have problems. Having problems isn't unique. Injuries take a toll on a team, changing coaches hurts, have so many juniors leave early is bound to hurt some season. 

THE GOOD: Tua and the wideouts, McKinney and Diggs in the secondary.

THE BAD: The running game was missing in action. The Tide linebackers.

THE UGLY: One Alabama punt traveled 14 yards. 14 yards? Seriously? A missed extra point.

    My friends tell me that Tua will play again for the Tide next season. I hope they are correct. Roll Tide and Thank Heaven for Tua.

     

Tide fans can't take the criticism...

    One of the sad things about Alabama football fans is the complete ability to hear criticism about the football program. That makes no sense. There will come a day when Nick Saban is no longer our coach. I hope the day is years away but one day he will retire. He is a great coach. I'll leave it up to the readers to argue the Bear Bryant vs. Nick Saban question. I'll say this - I'd take either because there isn't even another choice in the argument.

    When you post online you can be anyone you'd like to be. You can say anything you like behind the anonymity of fake identification. You want to be ugly to another poster just go right ahead. There is no real penalty for doing so. I'm used to the negativity. When you write a blog it goes with the territory. What I cannot get used to is the absolute stupidity of some of the posts and the hatred.  The hatred is appalling and it is not necessary. Stupidity is merely a function of lack of intelligence.

    Perhaps it is time to consider a different manner of how forums operate.  Perhaps the real name of the poster should be required.  I wonder if we owe that to one another. Or do we will allow grown men (and women) to continue posting whatever they choose in any manner they desire. Today, I chose to write a short article expressing my concern that the football team has some obvious problems. Read the replies and see if those comments even talk about the problems I wrote. Or do they address something much sadder and more threatening about our individual characters?  You can send me an email at Midcourt@aol.com. Flame me all you wish. I have a couple of days off. LOL

 'Bama has some serious problems... 


Let’s have a moment of crimson clarity. Alabama isn’t going to win the National Championship. We have an offensive line that can’t run block or pass block the Three Stooges. We have some glaring problems on defense due to injuries, and despite the best efforts of coaches to bring two freshmen linebackers up to speed, they can’t teach experience. We've won two games by lopsided scores and looked horrible in doing so so. We can all hope that turns things around, but… that likely will be a process and not a singular event.

     What Alabama does have is a quarterback that defies description and four wide-outs who are world-beaters. What happens if Tua gets a season-ending injury? I’ll give you a logical answer - ‘Bama becomes a middle of the pack team for the remainder of the season. We saw what happened last season when his injuries kept him from being the magician he has become. None of this makes me happy to suggest or speculate about the Crimson Tide not being a national player. But this writer viewed a lot of things that will keep the Tide from winning meaningful games until the answers are found and the solution applied.

      On offense, the Tide is a one-trick pony. The running game is just not very good. The Tides breaks some long runs to make the stats look better, but how many long-distance runs do we expect against tough SEC opponents? I’m not holding my breath. Of course, Harris and Robinson seem to have nowhere to run on most plays. Seriously, the offensive line isn’t ready for prime time. Oh yeah, and their pass blocking isn’t very good. That makes Tua hurry his throws, and more seriously, he has to dodge injuries. Can the Tide coaching staff fix this? Will the line better when D. Brown returns? Let’s not joke ourselves. This team has some real problems. 

Alabama starts the season with some unanswered questions...

     This writer has great faith in Alabama coaching. I don't have great faith in a pair of freshman linebackers who will receive chapter 1 of a baptism under fire. Still, Alabama will beat Duke. David Cutcliff is one heck of a quarterback coach. He took a program which no one could ever find a way to win and started to win. I can envision the Duke coach in his office picking out plays that will expose the lack of experience 'Bama has at middle linebacker. Beating Duke is one thing. Beating LSU  or Texas A&M is an altogether matter. 

Shane Lee and Christian Harris 

       Shane Lee and Christian Harris will begin their college careers at the school that is the gold standard for college football. That is a big deal. The coaches will have the pair as ready as possible. I'd bet the pair will have eyes as wide as the football field where the game will be played. I'd bet the pair will play as well as they can. It won't be as well  as they will play in the future.  How big is the loss of Moses?  Imagine Tua  going down and how that would effect the offense. Moses was the quarterback of the defense. You can't coach experience. You have to play long enough to become experienced. Both players are doing something that Dylan Moses couldn't do. The freshmen won't  be perfect, but they will have their moments. 

The Offense

       If the defense has its problems, it seems the offense seems ready to roll. The offense  can give the defense some breathing room. Can Alabama outscore every team they play? My bet is they sure can. The first and second team running backs are in Saban purgatory and will miss the first half of the game.  Jerome Ford is likely going to get the nod to start. Reports from practices have been very positive. The Tide offensive line has been experimenting to find the best five. I'd call it fine tuning. If Alabama gets some good play at tight end, the offensive line might be a memorable unit in Tide history. I personal belief is Alabama can score early, often, and late to put up 50 points. Saban might not want to embarrass his rival coach.  That might be the best defense that Duke brings to the field. 

A glamour game?

     No, not really. But is their a method to Saban's madness is scheduling the contest. I think Saban would love to build up an ACC team to give Clemson a tough weekend in the future. No detail is to small for Bama's head coach to address. This isn't a stellar match up for Alabama. It is for Duke, and I'd expect the Blue Devils to come fired up and ready to play. 

SEC IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

     The Southeastern Conference is best. It is the gold standard in college football. I don't think you could get any rational argument from anyone else regarding the truth of that statement. In large part that is because of contributions of the University of Alabama. How did that happen? How did the SEC become so dominant, how did Alabama contribute to that dominance? 

           Let's go back to the year 1922. To put the date into some modern perspective think about this - The American Civil War ended in 1865. That was only 57 years before Alabama took on the highly ranked Penn Quakers.  John Heisman coached the Penn team. Yes, that John Heisman. Xen Scott coached Alabama. In today's world that meant the game would have been played in 1962.  The Cuban Missle Crisis was front-page news. John Glenn went into Space for America, Seattle built the Space Needle, and Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry version of 'Happy Birthday' to President Kennedy.

            In 1922, the Civil War was not just history it was a personal recollection to millions of Americans who were still alive during the war.  Football wise the Ivy League was the big dog, but on November 4, 1922, the lightly regarded Alabama Crimson Tide went to Philadelphia and beat Penn 9-7. The game was played on brand new Franklin Field.  The game brought some pride and even dignity to the Deep South. It also gave birth to what eventually became the Deep South's statement of their superiority in college football. When Alabama dominated the Rose Bowl against PAC teams for almost two-decades it became clear the South was superior. In fact, the Rose Bowl Committee forged an agreement between the PAC10 and the BIG10 to take their league champions. The PAC 10 was simply tired of having Alabama beat them senseless. In 1946 Alabama beat USC 34-14. Alabama would never be invited to the Rose Bowl again. The West Coast writers called Tide players, "swamp rabbits". However, the Tide did play for the National Championship in Rose Bowl Stadium when they beat Texas. It was not the Rose Bowl. The 1925 Alabama team beat Washington in what was called an upset. The problem for National Sportswriters was that it clearly wasn't an upset. The Alabama win was later called the "football game that changed the South". Note, the game changed the South, not just Southern football. The South now had something to celebrate, and something to reintegrate themselves with rest of the nation for the first time in 60 years. Those two wins were about a lot more than football.

          Alabama has won 17 National Championships. Other programs contributed as well, but it was the University of Alabama that did the heavy lifting. It was Alabama that started the domination and still Alabama that continues the trend. Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul Bryant, Gene Stallings, and Nick Saban have all won National Championships.  The first championship was in 1925 and the latest was in 2017. Alabama caused other teams to compete at a higher level. To be successful means different things to schools and fans. But only Alabama has been a decades-long dynasty in the Deep South. You can love or hate Alabama. But, you can't disregard the Tide. To claim you are the best means you have to beat the best, and it means you have to beat a program that shows no signs of slowing down.  It was Alabama that started the domination and Alabama that continues the trend. Death, taxes, and Alabama are three certain things in life. 

        

An exception to the general rule...

     Players transfer constantly. If they can't win a starting position they don't try the next season. They essentially quit. Sometimes transferring is justified. My belief is that more often than not there is no reason.  Lace 'em up next season and try to win a starting position. Loyalty is a word I don't anticipate modern players to know. I'm sure  I am just a product of my generation. When I was a junior in high school I had three offers to leave my high school and play at other places.  It might have been better for my 'career', but I couldn't walk out on my teammates. My senior season we had a decent season. Two of the other schools played the state tournament. My choice was whether I would honor the commitment I'd made to my friends. It was a good choice. Playing in a state tournament was a brief affair, but keeping my buddies was a lifetime deal. Many of them are now deceased. In my memory, I remember them as young, strong, and seemingly immortal.

       Jalen Hurts showed people a better way to transfer. He left a hero and a role model for thousands of young people. He grew in so many ways. Fate smiled on him and let him have the greatest game in his career. He never complained. He waited for his time against Georgia this season. He walked on that field as a player and left as a legend. He enrolled at Alabama as a  kid and left as a man. He taught us all a lesson about trust and persevering. When Jalen announced he was going to Oklahoma I smiled. He was going back to the SouthWest where he grew up. He is going to make Sooner fans proud. He made all us proud here in Alabama. He suffered a lot of negative thoughts from immature people who can post behind the secrecy of a screen name. He suffered,  but in the end, he shined like the star he was all along. Thanks,  Jalen.

'Bama got destroyed...

I thought Alabama would win. But it didn't surprise me they lost. How they lost was a little surprising. The warps and fractures of the Alabama defense came back to roost in the poorest defensive effort we've seen in the Saban era. 

The Tide secondary was horrible and frankly, they seemed ill-prepared. Only Sabana could address them with any clarity. I'd like to think that several Tide players who were likely to leave for the NFL would stick around one more season. Clemson had several who did that and it seemed to make a lot of difference. No hard feelings on my part if they leave.  Money is money. Some families need money the players will earn.

The bigger question is how was Alabama so flat, and how could they execute so poorly.  Here is
how: They just weren't ready to play. They were stunned and didn't have what it took to come back. That happens. It happened to Alabama. It doesn't happen often to the Tide but it seemed worse on the biggest stage in college football. Despite the loss, the Tide had a remarkable season. But remarkable isn't the Alabama standard. The standard was one game better. Gloom has descended on Alabama. It will pass. The sun came up as always. A lesson learned.

MY PICK FOR THE WINNER AND WHY

    Round four of the Clemson versus Alabama is teeing up tonight. You're nervous. You need some reassurance from someone who believes Alabama will win. I have just finished reading my 100th prediction. Bama is picked by 92 of those prognosticators. That doesn't count the betting houses who pick  Bama to win. Not all of them say it will be a nip and tuck game either. I saw a 52-21 prediction. Granted, most are close. Either 'Bama wins the game, or a lot of "experts" will have to eat crow. I'm picking Alabama to win 35-28. Why?

1. Alabama has the best quarterback in the nation, regardless of the Heistman Trophy rip off; yes,  I said Heist.

2. This isn't the greatest Alabama defense since Saban came to Tuscaloosa. But it is good enough to get a few three and outs and let the offense do their magic. Christian Miller will be missed, but his backups are good players.

3. Alabama has played defenses better than Clemson. Namely, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn, and Georgia.  All the SEC games featured good defenses. 

4. The Clemson offense hasn't had to beat a really good defense in my opinion. I suppose Notre Dame's defense was the best they played. No disrespect to the Irish but I believe Alabama might have scored 50. I don't believe Notre Dame should have been selected for the playoffs.

5. Clemson has a great running back. I'll buy into the hype when he runs against Alabama's defense. He is good, however.

6. The Clemson quarterback has a potential upside. Sure he does but he hasn't had to operate against a defensive line as good as Alabama. My take is Bama will control the line of scrimmage with their front four. If that happens it will be a tough game for the Tigers.

7. Nick Saban is a great coach. He has been preparing for Clemson since the latter part of the season I bet.

8. I think Alabama has the best offensive coordinator.  He has some games under his belt to prove that already. 

9. Are the wideouts and tight end the best group of receivers in the nation? I think so.

10. Alabama's secondary has had some bad games and some great games. They concern me, but they are better than Clemson's DBs.

11. I understand the "greatness" of the Tiger's defensive line. They are really good, but I think Alabama's offensive line is the best they have faced. In all fairness, they have lost the bell cow of the group. 

SANTA CLARITA IS A POOR CHOICE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME...

     Round four of the ongoing Alabama and Clemson saga is on Monday night.  Ticket sales are slumping. The prices are dropping to watch the game. It's no big deal. The national media, tired of watching Alabama and Clemson in general, play for a national champion, and Alabama in particular, are happy to sling some mud on the game. The truth and this is the truth, is that Alabama and Clemson fans only have so much money to spend on trips. Whether it is from South Carolina or Alabama, the flight to San Jose or San Francisco is expensive. 

    The bigger truth is that the NCAA had no business in selecting Santa Clara, California. College football is not popular in the Bay area.  Only one college with any football renown is Stanford. Cal-Berkley is further north in Oakland. Those two schools don't get the blood flowing as far a football is concerned.  So why did the NCAA pick, Santa Clara? God only knows, but here is my take.

1. The palatial PAC 12 headquarters is in San Fransico. Only an hour to the Levi Stadium. 

2. The 49's football franchise is losing money hand over fist with Levi Stadium. They offered the NCAA so many discounts and incentives to host the game. It is kinda like buying a  new car 50% off sticker. 

3. If you have ever been there you'll never want to go back. It has no atmosphere which is one thing college football loves. 

4. One side of the stadium looks like a modern glass covered building. The luxury suites dominate the Stadium. The heat bounces off the glass like a mirror. It also soaks up the sound. Welcome to the world's largest microwave.

5. There is no local support for the game. Bay area people think Southerners are red-neck hicks. But they love selling you $18.50 hamburgers. The atmosphere outside the stadium is kinda like going to the hospital to visit a sick friend.


    I find this selection so repugnant to all that college football makes famous. This is not an anti-Cali sentiment. I love California. I've lived in California. If the NCAA was so anxious to award the game to the West Coast they should have chosen LA. The Coliseum would have been a festive locale. That stadium has the history and the grandeur to make an expensive trip to the West Coast worthwhile  But by all means, go to Santa Clara. Enjoy the Vegan restaurants. The bean sprouts are popular. And you can experience all four seasons in one day. 

CLEMSON CAN BEAT ALABAMA...


    And don't think for one minute they can't. Clemson is the only other NCAA team who has a chance to beat 'Bama. There is only one number that matters. The opening line is indicative of what some very smart people believe is who can win, and by how much they should win.  One point is enough to make 'Bama fans happy.  

        Oklahoma's porous defense allowed 'Bama's defense to make a few mistakes. That might not be the case against Clemson. Alabama's cornerbacks need to have a more than solid game. In fact, they need to make some plays that deny Clemson from making explosive gains. It is remarkable how much the Tide secondary has progressed from game one of the season. That is what happens when you put four and five-star recruits on the field. Talent isn't the same thing as experience. It's natural that new players have some breakdowns. Bama can't afford that against the Tigers.

       Overall, this hasn't been a great defensive team at Alabama. The last few games concern me a great deal. The question is: Is the defense good enough? I think they might be, but they are likely to take some licks. The defense can't get those stupid penalties in this game. Bama needs to control their emotions and play their best game. The offense can't bog down due to needless mistakes to kill touchdown drives. The Tide needs to clean up their act and play the best game of the season. If Bama can't do that the Tigers can win. Coaching is important.  Nick Saban is the greatest coach in the NCAA. Dabo Sweeny is the coach will be the greatest after Saban. 

     Will Tua and his set of gifted receivers beat Clemson? If Alabama's offensive line gives him time to throw they will. I think Alabama will win.  I wouldn't be shocked if they lose. To win they need to make the Clemson quarterback uncomfortable. That will help the Tide defense to make some plays in the secondary. Once again it is Alabama and Clemson.  Tired of the Tide and Tigers?  Get ready because these two teams will play next season for the same Trophy.
     

     

TEXAS COACH EMBARRASSES HIS UNIVERSITY...

    Paul Bryant once said that after touchdowns players should "act like you been there before." I have always remembered that and used it at times when fortune gave an unexpected benefit. Texas Coach Tom Hermon acted like a fool when he announced: "Texas is back". The Longhorns played a great game in beating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.  Take nothing away from the Texas players.  I laughed when he said that. I bet the AD winched. First, Georgia was beaten by the University of Alabama once again.  When Georgia lost a chance to beat Alabama in the SECCG, their season was over. And even if Alabama wasn't present on the Sugar Bowl gridiron, the Tide killed Georgia against Texas.

    Texas beat a demoralized and unmotivated team. Georgia had prepared themselves to compete for a national championship. It appeared that the Dawgs would beat Alabama when Tua went down with an injury. Instead, a second-team quarterback led Alabama to a stunning win every bit as surprising as the season before. I'm not sure how a team that lost their purpose can motivate themselves for a meaningless game. The New Year's bowl games are becoming insignificant in the scheme of modern football. Texas had something to prove. Georgia didn't. The truth is that neither Georgia or Texas are there yet. At least not there like Alabama is today. The truth is that Georgia hasn't won a significant game under Kirby Smart quite yet.

   Hermon's behavior on the sidelines left something to be desired from my perspective. Saying you are great and actually being great are two separate things. Texas might be on a track to be better than Georgia to some. Alabama? Sorry, but you aren't even close. Perhaps the best way to look at what happened in the bowl season is that some teams identified themselves as candidates for a step up in national opinion. Texas lost four games. Georgia lost three games. Alabama and Clemson are a class above everyone else in the nation. Those elite programs are in of championship caliber. Everyone else is just trying to win the First Flight.