TIDE WARMS UP FOR IRON BOWL...

TIDE SHOWS NO "LOOK AHEAD" TO THE IRON BOWL...

     

With all due respect to Nick Saban, his tirade about FCS opponents seems a toothless as an aged Tiger right now. Or maybe, his stormy address to the press fired up his team. All I know is that FCS teams have little, if any, reason to play with the big boys on a regular basis. In today's battle of David vs. Goliath, it was the little man who died on the field of battle. Alabama literally could have scored over a 100 points had Nick Saban chosen to do so. Alabama was crisp, collected, and focused on their task at hand. The Tide prevailed in every aspect of a college football game, save one. I'll award the courage award to little Charleston Southern for their effort. Except for a half-million dollar check the South Carolina team had little to gain and a lot to lose playing the Tide. They are in the FCS playoffs this season. A key injury could have killed their chances. I have no idea what such a shellacking does to the psyche of a team. 

   

  With the matter well in hand, Saban played a ton of younger player who had their shining moments. Harris and Scarbrough looked good, and I suspect Bo will be the named heir apparent to Derrick Henry at the end of Spring training. Cooper Bateman showed me that he could win a game if needed. Cyrus Jones just made the defensive Player of the Week, and took a big step toward being named All-American. Jake Coker looked like it was business as usual. He has come a long way since the season started. I wonder if Saban every second guesses his decision to sit Coker in the first half of the Ole Miss game. 

       For Bama, the next objective is clear. Go to Auburn and beat them. I know the Tigers have played better in their last two games, but they also gave up a lot of points to a  very weak Idaho team. Bama can win the SEC West with a win or a loss to Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The end of the season all setting up quite nicely. Sad about Ohio State wasn't it?