Don 't expect Michigan to roll over...

Longest week of the year...

I'm not wearing a face mask for the game

          No doubt the week before the first Alabama game is the longest week of the year in my book. Maybe the week before a national championship game could seem longer to some. Not to me. It's game number one. All the what if's become what really is. Excitement with rise or fall on the basis of one game. If you are an Alabama fan you want your team to win the national championship. Anything else is not good enough. I've been reading a lot of articles from Michigan writers. Many believe that Michigan is step into a meat grinder this weekend. A few brave souls have predicted a Wolverine upset. Bama is ranked # 2 and Michigan is ranked # 8 in most football polls. It really wouldn't be much of an upset for #8 to beat #2 would it?  You have to give both programs kudos for scheduling the game. It will be a jump on other NCAA teams with a win. I know that Auburn and Clemson play the same day. Alabama and Michigan are games between two top tier programs. The Tiger tilt is big, but is more of a regional game.  All eyes will be on the State of Texas this weekend. So who wins, and why? This weekend is M Go Blue and Roll Tide Roll.  Thisd is big time college football. For game one of a season it doesn't get any bigger. When you yell for the Tide this weekend ybetter be loud. Everyone else in the nation will hope Michigan wins. I don't think they will be able to stem the Tide. Here's why.

Robinson is the key for the Wolverines...

     Slice it anyway you wish but Michigan will rise or fall on the arms and legs of a gifted quarterback. Robinson is likely the best player the Tide will play this season. He's not unlike Cam Newton in his ability to turn a game around on talent alone. Unlike Newton, Robinson is an amatuer finishing his college career. He runs at 4.28 forty according to a lot of reports. He is quick, and can find the open field in heartbeat. His passing has improved since his arrival to the Big House. In short, he is small but dangerous. He is a winner whose enthusiasm rubs off on his teammates.  He is over 8000 total yards in passing and rushing. His athletic ability to extend a play makes him a dangerous passer. Whatever defensive scheme the Tide decides to use it all starts with stopping Denard Robinson.

    Bama is like to play him in a similiar manner they used against Jordan "the thug" Jefferson. That is, don't over extend the rush and give him running room. Rush him hard and fast and force him to throw a little faster than he would like. Rumors abound about the status of suspended running back Fitzgerald Touissant. The heralded running back just plead guilty to a DUI. I expect him to play, or will the Blue and Maze decide to take the safe road and not worry about what is called the "Penn State" effect?  This suggests that the Big Ten will play all such issues close to the vest to help restore the tarnished image of the Big 10. One head coach won't do that. Urban Meyer will do whatever he wants to do in an effort win,  the devil be damned. I'd bet that Hoke will suit him up to win the game and take whatever heat he might get from the press about playing Toussiant. Bama will play a lot of great backs this season, but I'm not sure they'll play a team whose QB and RB combo will be any better. In addition, Roy Roundtree, the gifted wide reciever is back from knee surgery and appears to be ready to go according various Wolverine football reports found on the web.



Roundtree returns to the starting line-up

    Alabama is not going to completely shut down Robinson. He's too good for that to happen. The Tide needs to contain him from having a Heisman Trophy type night. There might be some reason to fear a big game from Robinson. Bama has lost several key players on defense. The Tide's corners are a concern. While corners are generally thougth to be pass coverage players, it is their ability to recognize and stop the run that is key. The new version secondary will get the toughest test of the entire season with Robinson. So the key for the Bama defense is to 1). exploit the relatively inexperienced Blue offensive line. 2). contain Robinson from having a career night 3). understand that while reckless abandon is exciting it has to take second place to holding your defensive position. Robinson may not be in your field of view when a play starts but that doesn't mean he won't end up being in the neighborhood.


Michigan goes big...

     Being a long time basketball fan I'm used to seeing a coach "go big" in some cases. I'm not sure I've ever really seen this in football. The Wolverine coaches are chosing to play their largest players across the defensive front. That means some starters get to watch from the sidelines. Alabama is reputed to have one of the best offensive lines in college football - at least in theory. I'll say this - Michigan better be big and quick. Big alone is not nearly enough. The size issue might work in Bama's favor if the Blue finds that their huge defensive lineman can't rush the quarterback. Maybe Michigan is acknowledging the importance of this game for the Big Ten. Michigan players have gone on record saying this is a game that will validate their return to the elite of college football. They will be juiced.

Bama will try to approach the game with a "business as usual" attitude. That has been the method Saban has used in the past. Don't think Alabama will come in flat. These early season blockbuster games have gone a long way to helping the Tide become the best of the elite in college football. A win over Michigan will do the same for this season as well. If you are a Tide fan and happen to be lucky enough be at the game you better bring your A game of cheering. The remainder of the country will be hoping that Michigan wins. The NCAA big wigs will be Wolverines for the night as well. After all, these guys scraped a perfectly good system to choose the national champion. I can't look back at the record of BCS champions and not make a solid case for any particular team being crowned champ.

Heisman Hype...

     Robinson will be taking the field with a lot of Heisman hype and hopes. What happens if Eddie Lacy runs for 200 yards, or AJ has a stellar night as a follow up of his demolishing LSU to help Bama win number 14. Could Saturday night be step one for number 15? I suspect it will be. I think that Bama's offensive line is going to dominate Michigan's new look defense. Though, replacing a lot of great players on crimson defense will not be easy. These new Tide players have more experience than the year after Bama whipped Texas. A similarity is that the secondary is replacing some great players. If you have any sense at all the fact that Michigan has a great quarterback and that the Tide has some inexperience in the secondary will raise a few red flags.

 

Those type of facts have never caused Tide fans to waiver in their expectations. Tide fans have success coded into their DNA. Don't expect a blow out. How about 24-14?

 

 

 

 

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Love Mal, but AD Moore is wrong on this one...

1st Amendment Right upheld...

    I love Mal Moore. He's done more for Alabama than anyone will every know or fully appreciate. The battle with Daniel Moore was not one of his finest moments.    The feud with Daniel Moore was decided by a Federal Appeals Court in favor of the 1st Amendment. Notice I didn't say Daniel Moore. This is a victory for our ever dwindling fundamental constitutional rights. In this case  it was the First Amendment. That Amendment is the cornerstone of what makes America different. Americans have the right to speak their minds. To be more exact, we have the right to write what we wish, dance exotically, espouse anti-American philosophy, and paint about football games. It's ironic that Daniel Moore who is loved by all Alabama fans for his reproductions of monumental events in Alabama sports, may be better remembered in the future as the Moore who prevailed in case The University of Alabama vs. Daniel Moore .  I think the judges got this one right. 


      Alabama is "our" school and under Mal Moore the revenues have accumulated like snow  on a Wyoming winter's day. There comes a point where too much is simply too much. Let me ask each of you a question - if the University of Alabama owns the rights for the events that occur in 'Bama games, then what do the taxpayers of Alabama own?  I doubt seriously that Moore would have stopped painting 'Bama sporting events in any case. How much would they cost the fans after he paid whatever the University of Alabama demanded.  What is wrong with allowing artists to paint or draw the things they have seen I? In fact, I personally feel the same about photographs. If you are a taxpayer in Alabama you should be able to take photos of games that our tax dollars make possible. After all, we foot the bill. It doesn't seem like a lot to ask to allow us the opportunities for a few snapshots or buy a painting of a memorable game. This wasn't a matter of money to Daniel Moore, however. This is about something much more important. The government shouldn't be able to tell us what to say regardless of how we choose to express our message. I think this is something that all Americans, liberal and conservative, will agree. Sorry Coach,  you can charge us for tickets. You can even charge us to give you money to have a chance to buy tickets. But so far, at least, you can't tell us what we can say. 


     Business is business as they say. Maybe everyone who files a State Tax Return should get a rebate off their taxes on profits that Alabama football makes?  Hey, we own the place. 

Tide win over Tennessee the next day...

Big day for some little players...

• Trevor Lacey had a great day. He had 18 points, but more importantly looked like he had regained his confidence. He still isn't shooting like he did at Butler High School, but he is shooting again. That little drive down the baseline in the second half helped spark a Bama run.
• Levi Randolph didn't have his greatest offensive day. But he was a lot more active on offense. He made a three ball, and even though he missed some shots when got open on good moves, he at least took the shots. Yesterday, they all didn't fall but next time they might. If he doesn't take them the Tide doesn't get a couple of big offensive rebounds which we put back for scores.
• Trevor Releford started off slowly. The little man from Kansas City then began to put on a show. The running crossover scoop layup that he made which was waived off with a charge call & was not only a horrible call but took away a Gameday highlight shot. Releford had no assists however. He needs to get ball to some of the outside shooter on some of his inside drives perhaps. Bama has some good inside players, but none better than our smallest player.
• Andrew Steele did a little bit of everything. He had 7 assists and Bama only had 17 baskets. His "thread the needle" pass to big Carl Engstrom was a thing of beauty. His defense was key in causing Tennessee shooters to have a bad day outside the arc, and he shows no fear in taking the rock inside.
• Rodney Cooper didn't have an LSU night. But he nailed 2 three point baskets, and the one late in the second half as the shot clock neared zero was a killer for the Vols. He played pretty good defense, but his ball handling needs work. It is getting better however

The Tide Big Men held their own...

• Carl Engstrom scored 7 points and generally clogged up the middle. He showed good hands on a couple of rebounds and one lightning quick pass from Steele
• Nick Jacobs did not play due to an infection in his gums
• Bama finally played Rodney Cooper down low after Moussa and Carl fouled out. He then went down to the offensive end and nailed a three

• Moussa Gueye played well. He had six blocked shots including one from behind on Jarnell Stokes. This seemed to unnerve the 'Vols. Bama started a big run. Both Gueye and Engstrom got the job done. It may not have been picturesque but they were effective.

Some late season benefits for the Tide 

 

     Tide freshmen and subs haven't gotten some great playing time in the last three games. That time on the floor will pay dividends as the season winds down No one is going to argue that we've lost two games we probably would have won. We might have been 19-7 and about a 5 seed right now. But we aren't. Let's assume that Green and Mitchell return from the land of the dead. Bama might be able to put away Arkansas and then Mississippi State. Those would be 2 key wins, with only Auburn at home and suddenly stinging Ole Miss. What if the Tide won all those games? I think if Bama won 3 of 4 and the a game or 2 in the SEC Tournament not only will they be in the NCAA Tournament but would get a half way decent seed.

 

     If the NCAA is serious about looking at injuries and suspensions in an effort to put the best available teams in the field that would have to include Alabama. A strong finish could make us a six seed. We are probably penciled in right now as a nine or ten seed. This might be a year where the SEC Tournament really means something if the NCAA sticks to their gun and wants the best.

Finally, how about Anthony Grant?  Can this man coach or what?  Tennessee was starting to think about the NCAA with four straight wins including one over Florida. A great win for a diminished roster.

 

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Tide remains in hunt for NCAA berth

Gritty bunch win a key game...
Engstrom and Gueye hold down the middle...
Lacey heats up...
Tide has 15 steals against the Volunteers...  
     
     On Selection Sunday if you hear the name Alabama shouted out to America you probably can go back and thank a group of 'Bama players who knocked off Tennessee today 62-50. If you are a Tennessee Volunteer you have to wonder if you will ever beat the Tide in any sport. Saturday afternoon the Vols had there chance. Not only were Alabama's top 2 scorers and rebound leaders were suspended, but Nick Jacobs the # 3 inside Tide player was suffering from a dental surgery. Trevor Releford took a blow to the head in practice and had to sit out a day until the medical tests said he was fine. And finally, Andrew Steele was a little gimpy on a sore ankle suffered near the end of the Florida game. If the roof collapsed on Coleman Coliseum earlier in the day no one would have been surprised. It's been that kind of week. 


     The Volunteers came into the game with wins in their last four games including a big upset at Florida. You can't blame the 'Vols if they came in cocky. They were playing well, and Alabama was trying to keep their heads above the water. If someone told you on Friday the Tide would win by 12 whispers of "go take your meds" would have been heard. If someone told you that Bama would have been ahead by 17 in the second half you might have been involuntarily committed. Both things happened despite half the key players sitting and watching.


Did you know that Alabama had their lowest number of field goals in a single game making only 17?  That was a small fall off from the 18 made earlier in the week against Florida. 


Tennessee scored only 25 points in each half. A score in the 40's might have happened if the Tide didn't contest a couple of shots down the stretch. 


Alabama won while shooting only 37%. The Tide only took 46 field goals. But Bama made 75% of their free throw attempts 23-30. Releford was 0-2. 


Bama caused 17 turnovers and had 15 steals. 15 is a huge number. 


The Tide won the battle of the boards 37-31, including 14 offensive boards.


Moussa and Carl combined for 9 points and 11 rebounds. Engstrom had 7 boards. Gueye blocked 6 shots including one by Stokes when the Vols were mounting a comeback in the second half.


Mr. Steady, Andrew Steele had 6 assists including a laser ray pass to Engstrom. 


     It was a solid team effort. When Bama needed a basket they always seemed to make one. The defense was so intense that Tennessee started to look shaky just inbounding the ball. Bama got 75% of the loose balls. The Crimson was everywhere on defense. Tennessee looked shocked at the pressure that the Tide threw at them in their full court press. The Vols just couldn't get in their offensive flow. Smokey had been going inside for the last four games. They won all four. The couldn't find any consistency with the Twin Towers European Version on the floor. Both Carl and Moussa have come a long way in the last few games In fact, all the players have improved. If Alabama can get their collective act together off the Court all that playing time will give the Tide improved depth. 
    
     The defense won the game. Here's what Grant had to say - 
“Once again it goes to effort, style of play-wise. We had a tremendous effort on defense, which allowed us to create points off turnovers. We didn’t have a great day shooting but we played well on defense. We created 17 turnovers and 15 of those were steals. We were able to get to the line a lot. You know, Tennessee came in playing well offensively in terms of creating their own shots and making baskets. I think three or four of their players were scoring double-figures the past three games. Their shots didn’t fall and that played well for us on offense and defense.”


So now with an unexpected win which brought the Tide to 17-9 and 6-6. So what's next? Grant hinted a return of Mitchell and Green next week. The Tide has a road game with mecurial Arkansas on Tuesday and then home games with State and Aubie. Can the Tide win three? Maybe. The return of the duo would help on the road and with State. By the way Auburn beat State today. 


Saturday nights is one of those games that a real fan will never forget.


Be sure to look at the article on the revamped selection process and how it helps Bama. It's on the upper right just above the ads.


www.tiderinsider.com
   

15 steals sparks the Tide to 62-50 win over red hot Tennessee...

BAMA'S SMALL LINEUP BEATS THE VOL'S

     This is as bad as it can get. I hope. On top of the all the other problems Nick Jacobs caught elbow and it developed an infection which required dental work. He didn’t play.  As a fan I’d like to suggest to our remaining plays not to take any airplane flights, don’t jaywalk anywhere, and have someone taste your food before eating. I am almost afraid to ask what else can happen. Please let this be the end to all the drama, injuries, and discipline problems this season. No way the Tide could win. No way in the world. The Tide did win 62-50 and for all of you Johnny jump- off the wagon types - Anthony Grant can coach. Wow, how proud can Tide fans be about the defensive minded survivors of the gang that can’t shoot straight? 


      Having to play without your best inside players is not exactly a great  formula to win a game. At the end of the first half Alabama was ahead 29-25. Only a very late run in the last 2 minutes of the half got it that close. The Tide was up by 10 at the 2:28 mark. Engstrom was playing some solid minutes. Gueye did the same for the Tide. The main thing that Alabama did in the first half to play the Vols off their game with rugged man to man defense. Lacey scored 12 points in the first half. The Tide had 7 turnovers but caused 5. The Tide controlled the boards in the first half pulling down 20 to Tennessee’s 12. The Tide also made 10-11 from the line. Alabama shot only 33.% from the field but held the Vols to 36%. If you are a Tide fan surely your heart started wondering if this was going to be a stunning upset, or would Tennessee make adjustments in the locker at halftime like Florida was able to do. Tennessee may not have seen this group of Tide players on the offensive end, but the defense had to look familiar. The Tide’s effort on defense was nothing short of inspiring. The Tide also had 4 steals in the first half to Tennessee’s 2. Tennessee’s best player, Jarnell Stokes only played around 3 minutes due to foul trouble. Eight straight Tennessee offensive possession had led to 4 missed shots, and 4 turnovers. There was going to be a point in this game when one good run would decide the issue. 


       Tennessee made adjustments to start the second half. Tennessee was going to go inside to get Tide big men in foul trouble. With 17 minutes left in the second  both Tide big men had 3 each. They both would ultimately foul out. Alabama had 5 teams fouls at the 16:00 mark and that might end up being big. Tennessee might win this  game but Alabama wasn’t going  to just hand it over. You could almost sense a change in momentum in the Coliseum. Tennessee was starting to play better. The question was whether or not the Tide could pick it up again.  


. The question was whether or not the Tide could pick it up again.    When Trevor Lacey hit a baseline layup with 12:31 the Tide was up by a score of 39-33. The Tide defense was coming up with almost every 50/50 loose ball. When Tennessee took it inside they found a lot of Crimson hands slapping for the ball.  Tennessee was starting to look very much like a team that was worried. 


And then... Bama went on a run. The demon defense that Alabama was playing on the Tennessee end of the court was paying dividends. The run went to 15-2 and a 12 point lead. Bama led 47-35 and then Releford hit one of his unnameable lays ups and the lead had grown to 14. A tremendous steal and a touchdown pass to other end of the floor found a wide open Trevor Lacey. Bama then had a 15 point lead and the run had grown to 18-3 with 7 minutes to play. 


Bama was doing two things on defense. They were contesting every three point shot by anticipating them. The Tide had also cut off the inside to Jarnell Stokes. Tennessee couldn’t make a basket. The Tide was in the face of any Tennessee player who looked like he even thought they might shoot.  A big block by Moussa on Stokes seemed to stun the Vols. When Tennessee called a time out the there was 5:44 and Alabama had a 52-37 lead. Stoke finally scored an inside basket and the lead was 15. Releford nailed 2 freebies and it was again 15 with 4:35. For Bama it was now ball control and run the clock. Tennessee cut the lead to 13 with 3:00 minutes remaining.


     Bama was going to shoot a lot of free throws down the stretch. Since Bama had no big me in the game except for Engstrom the ball handlers were already in the lineup. Bama spread the floor with 2:55 and when Andrew Steele dropped in a runner with  seconds left on the shot clock and the Volunteers were looked like they might be done. To Tennessee’s credit they didn’t quit. They cut the 15 point lead to 10 with 2 minutes left. Now it was just a matter if the Tide could make their free throws. Grant chose to keep the ball in the hands of Trevor Releford. TR made 2 free throws and the lead was 12.Rodney Cooper came in for Engstrom who got foul number 5. He was the closest thing to big man for the Tide. Bingo - he nailed a three and the Tide was up 15 again. The final score was Alabama 62-50. Bama won without their top two scorers and rebounders. Chew on that for a minute.  Full story tomorrow. The Tide moves to 17-9 which sounds a whole lot better than 16-10. 


By the way it was Prostrate Awareness Day. Write them a check. Even if it is just a dollar, less than the cost of a soft drink. Let’s see just how much money the readers of TiderInsider can raise. 

Letter to Coach Saban

This is the body of my recent letter to Coach Saban that you requested to see

Dear Coach Saban,

     I recently posted an article on my blog page that suggested you acted unfairly in the manner in which the recruitment of the Vigor High School student, Darius Philon, ended.  I have included you an Internet link to the site as well as the enclosed color copy of the article itself. Many of your fans suggested that I had treated you very unfairly in characterization of your actions on the time leading up to National Signing date. And let you tell you, you have a lot of fans.

     It was never my intent to demonize you in way. I think the point I was trying to make is very clear, and you can see so yourself if you read the article. I have reviewed the letter and do think that some of what I wrote was over the top. For that tone in article I most certainly offer you an apology, and for any incorrect factual mistakes as well. I now make that apology hoping you will accept it. I am sorry.

     My parents, the late Big Bill and Carolyn Ellis, taught me to say you are wrong when you act improperly. In many ways it seems our parents had a great deal in common. Of course, I never had the pleasure of meeting your parents but they sound like they were wonderful people. My father owned a service station where I spent many hours pumping gas, wiping windshields, giving a lot of directions. We also had a little ice cream shop on the far end of the station. It was nothing fancy, we sold scooped ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and made milk shakes. I grew up in the middle of the Blount County, which sounds a lot like your county. It is the last official county in the Appalachian Mountains so we got a lot of those federal programs which were extended to poor Americans.

     Again, please accept my apology for anything that you consider unfair or incorrect, I look forward to meeting you and extending this apology in person.


With Kindest Regards,


William A. Ellis, III

Who plays tomorrow against a very underrated UT team?

Don't you miss the good old days?
WUOA reports that the suspension remains...

     I certainly do. Those good old days when all I had to do is write about players and matchups. Instead, all anyone can write about is how players will Bama have for the Tennessee. Today, the most important thing is to have a roster to make sure you know exactly who everyone is and and what their game to game status might be. And the answer is still who knows. I did a radio show today in an nearby state. The topics were SEC basketball, the NCAA, and who is going to get in the Big Dance. The real topic was what is going on with Alabama basketball. I miss the days when I could just pick up the phone and call the coach and find out. I am not going into the way that Coach Grant handles his program regarding information. This new excuse of "privacy of the student" is just laughable. I'd rather coaches just say, we don't want anyone know what is going on out of sheer embarrassment or its none of your business. Don't hide behind some mythical law that doesn't exist. How any Coach runs his public relations is his business,  and he gets to make the call. I'm not talking about just Alabama either. A lot of schools do the same thing. 


    Lack of transparency or keeping secrets as it was once called is a pretty dangerous thing to do. Way to much room for speculation. That is just the way people are. You might jaywalk on a Sunday and by next Sunday rumor has it you were run over by a truck. But the most asked question I got was "Will Mitchell and Green play" this weekend. My answer is they better, or Alabama can kiss the season bon voyage. There is a lot of speculation about the pair. A few people who know much about Alabama basketball say that Mitchell is coming back and Green misses one more game. I think these disciplinary stories all go the same way. Player does something wrong, coach suspends the player, coach is praised for taking action, team gets blasted but the coach still knows best, game two arrives and the players still are benched. Now the coach is praised for showing "toughness" as the teams gets pounded at home by 20. Now the fans are restless. Forums start taking about his inability to get the job done, Coach is screwing up the season, etc. Now people are openly questioning not only Coaches disciplinary technique, but his coaching ability, and parents, and why did we hire him. Game three roles around and now the fans are worried about winning the conference or making the NCAA. The forums are have calls to get rid of the coach and hire back the old coach. The truth is that it is hard to have discipline and win when you suspend 60% of your starting lineup. The bottom line is the that most fans don't care about long term results but only in winning today.


     That is what Coach Grant is facing. If Alabama loses tomorrow without Green and Mitchell all hell will break loose. Forums will go ballistic. What if the suspension last long enough for Auburn to come to Coleman and beat Alabama?  That is the state of Alabama basketball. I hope that the damned duo are allowed to play on Saturday for a lot of different reason. The main reason is I'm afraid that Coach Grant is going to lose to much support if they don't play.You look at next season and think that Mitchell and Green will be gone (Mitchell needs to stay) and think that the Tide signed no players this season and it's scary. I'll tell you that Grant has couple of surprises up his sleeve. Maybe they'll be JUCO's and transfers. Maybe one will be a super high school player. I do know that Alabama isn't worried about recruiting. That is a little reassuring. My guess for tomorrow night is that both players will suit up and play. Honestly,  I could be wrong. With Coach Grant it is hard to tell. WUOA and Grant said again today the suspension continues. Does that mean for Friday and Saturday? We'll see. If Bama loses to Tennessee people will not be happy. 


One other little tidbit that I verified today: The NCAA can take into account injuries and supensions of players in selecting teams for the Tournament. 


Final Shot: Tennessee is the talented 13-12 team I've ever seen. Ask Florida. The Al/TN has not been put on the board as of 5:00PM