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?