BAMA BLASTS A HAPLESS GEORGIA STATE TEAM

'Bama calls off the dogs in second half...

Christian Jones on the way to the end zone

         The final score was 45-4. The Tide had 38 of those points at the end of the first half.  Honestly, Alabama could have scored 80 if they wanted. Oregon would have run up the score. Alabama didn't, nor did they have pile on the anquish. That's one big difference between SEC football and PAC 12 football.

 

          Georgia State got a big check, got on the bus, and got home before dark. Nothing like fun in Atlanta after you have been dismantled, demolished, and discarded by the Crimson Tide.  Heaven knows none of the Georgia State players had any fun in Alabama. The Panthers played the role of a homecoming patsy to perfection. The State team had a lot of spirit but not enough talent to give Alabama a game. It hurt the Georgia State team when the Tide came out sharp and focused. This was no more than a scrimmage. The Tide moves to 5-0 and remains on track for another SEC Championship.  Georgia State falls to 0-5 and I have no idea why the school even started football.

 

   

      A.J. McCarron was almost perfect in his limited playing time. In less than a half he threw four touchdown passes. That matched his career high. It could have been eight or ten.

       Blake Sims put on an impressive performance in his playing time. He was very accurate  with passing. For the day he finished 14-18 for 130 yards. Coupled with McCarron who was 15-16 for 166 yards it was quite a day for Tide quarterbacks.  Just for those keeping score that is 29-32 for 296 yards. This Sims kid can play.

 

         Backups saw considerable playing time in the second half. I have never seen a better group of running backs. Yeldon, Drake, Tenpenny, Hart, Henry, and Fowler combined for 190 yards. Each bring different styles to the game, but each compliment the Tide passing game. Alabama's offensive line doesn't look overpowering but they seem to be improving. I'm not sure that Georgia State can give you much idea of how much they have improved. Henry rushed for 50 yards in only 5 attempts and showed some of his highly touted high school skills. Dee Hart had a brilliant punt return to remind us he won't be put on a shelf and forgotten. His special team tackle caused a fumble. Who else but Dillon Lee recovered the ball after Hart's hit? 

 

Chris Black looked like he's ready for some playing time...

 

      One player who really stood tall today was wide out Chris Black. Black showed some extraordinary running ability after catching the ball. For the morning matinee Black pulled in 6 receptions which included 1 TD. Kenny Bell was his ususal dangerous self.

 

       DeAndrew  White had a ESPN highlight catch for a TD. He reached behind the defender and pulled in a McCarron pass for a circus catch. All in all a total of 15 players caught at least one catch on passes by the two quarterbacks. Alabama had 296 passing yards. Who didn't catch a pass? Amari Cooper failed to catch one, and his absence from the Tide passing game obvious. The Tide is going to need his homerun ability down the line. He has had some slight injuries but it seems to me that something else is the matter as well. He is a marked man and that accounts for some of his problems but he needs a big game soon.

     

   I'm glad this game is over and the team can get ready for some bigger games. Kentucky is up next. ThenTennessee and Alabama continue their heated rivalry.  Bama travels to Lexington in what should be a pretty easy game. The Tennessee game will draw a lot of national attention because the media will play let's compare the Oregon/Tennessee score. Those things are fun to talk about but rarely mean a thing. There are a lot of games left to be played but a Bama and Oregon game would be something to watch.

 

Grading the Tide:

 

Offense:  A-         Despite the score the offensive line is still troubling to me 

Defense: A-         Gave up a long field goal. That's okay but pass rush is needed

Special tms: A     Tell me that our punter is not the best in the SEC

Coaching: A         Got the team fired up for a nothing game.

 

Next up for Tide:

       At Lexington for the Kentucky Wildcats. The little blue played a pretty good game against South Carolina. The Wildcats scored three fourth quarter TD's to end the game 35-28.  Clowney did not play, a fact that upset Spurrier. Conner Shaw returned after last week's injury and passed for 262 yards.