"CLEAR EYES, BIG HEART, CAN'T LOSE"

ALABAMA'S WIN OVER A&M PROVES A POINT...

EDDIE JOHNSON BREAKS LEG...

TIDE WEARS DOWN THE AGGIES TO BREAK OPEN A TIGHT GAME...

Tide grabs another defensive TD in Key Moment

Call it what you may. Call it what you will. The Tide appeared to be in for the fight of their lives and then the 'Bama defense ordered another Saturday Blue Plate Special. This one was by Jonathon Allen who picked up a loose ball and rumbled past the stunned Aggie offense, and carried it into the end zone. What had been an A&M 14-13 lead was gone. The then systematically eviscerated a great effort by the Texas Aggies and sent them home with their first loss of the season. The final was 33-14 but for two and one half quarters it was much tighter than that. The Tide fans got a scare whether or not they want to admit it. Tip of the hat to Kevin Sumlin and his team for bringing the fight to the Tide. Kudos for Alabama. For the Crimson Tide this one was right out of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Clear eyes, a big heart, can't lose certainly applied to this one. There seems to be something special about this year's Tide team. They won this one by 19 and didn't play anywhere near their best game, but still won the game. For those who scoffed at the 18 spread this one is exhibit A in why Vegas always wins. 

Red Zone Woes...

Tide bogged down in the red zone...

      You have to admire a team which was giving a game away in the red zone, but who eventually figured out how to win. Alabama could have put this one away early. The Aggies stopped the Tide inside the ten three times. Once again the Tide place kicking missed a chip shot. Adam Griffin is just having a bad year. That's two he missed that were easy opportunities. Just for the record he did hit the uprights from 53 yards. A five yard penalty would have made the next one 58 yards. He had enough leg on the first attempt to make one from 58 but 'Bama decided to take it safe near the end of half one. Bama better think about their blocking and play calling inside the red zone. Clearly, Lane Kiffin didn't let Jalen throw to the inside. 

     The  team needs to understand that LSU and now Auburn are big time opponents who think they'll beat 'Bama this morning. Alabama fans are looking at the 'net this morning and saying Auburn did what? The LSU Tigers put away a game but fading Ole Miss Rebel team in Baton Rouge. Final in that one was 38-21.The lesser Tiger beat the Razorbacks 56-3. Alabama is now the only undefeated school in the SEC with an 8-0 record. They would have a tie breaker in their favor should they lose to either of the Tiger teams. Don't look for that to happen. This is an entirely different type of team. I don't see any Tiger running backs popping the Tide defense for 284 yards. Leonard Fournette might be the best player in the SEC, but he won't repeat his performance against 'Bama. 

JACKSON GONE FOR THE SEASON...

     

 I hate it. Jackson was a team leader (which he will continue to be) and a great safety. Eddie left the stadium to a standing ovation and hearing the chant of Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. A sad ending to a great career. Jackson is loved and he will sorely missed. Hootie  Jones will get to try his hand against the State that hates him, Louisiana. He isn't Eddie Jackson but he'll play well. I also believe the Tide staff is going to look at exactly how they want to reshuffle the line up in the next week. Jackson was tackled high and hard. His leg got tangled up in the fall and a great career comes to an startling end. He will be missed, and Bama coaches will make some positions decisions early next week. Hootie Jones a great player but doesn't have the experience of Jackson. He is next in line. 

Howard gets more looks against the Aggies... 

Howard against LSU last season...

    O.J. Howard was Bama's leading receiver with 8 catches. It is the first time number 88 has been the man on receptions since his stunning performance against Clemson in the National Champion Game last season. Howard moved around the entire game by Kiffin, and the movement paid off. Jalen Hurts found him time and time again for some key yards to keep the chains moving. I'd look for him to stay involved for the remainder of the season. Howard's blocking goes largely unnoticed, but he has turned into a great blocker on the edge. He is also the type of player how makes big plays in big games. The more passes he catches will open up the vertical throws to Calvin Ridley and Adarius Stewart downfield. Stewart has been a budding star this season. Ridley has been effected by the limitations that Kiffin places on Hurts. He will strike sooner or later. He's a big time player who loves the big games like LSU and Auburn. 

Final thoughts...

    Jalen Hurts played a great game. Given his competition he had the best game of any Quarterback in the SEC. He made some excellent reads feeding the ball to his running

Jalen Hurts played big time ball in a big game.

backs, and made two exceptional runs against the Aggies late in the game. His 37 yard TD in the fourth quarter was one of the best runs I've seen by a Tide quarterback. He gave up two interceptions but was under a lot of pressure. Once again the Tide offensive line showed great play, but also showed some lapses which cost the Tide in the red zone and contributed to a couple of picks. 

    Damien Harris had another 100 yard game. The quiet kid from Kentucky isn't build like some of the great backs of late at the Capstone. He just finds the hole and runs like his hair is on fire. He can also move the pile with his lower body. Alabama has three great running backs each with a slightly different skill set. 

    I'd give the game ball to the Alabama defense for their uncanny way of finding ways to stop their opponent and score touchdowns. But you can't over look the play of freshman Jalen Hurts either. Give him the offensive game ball once again.