TIDE TO PLAY FSU IN BEST OPENING GAME EVER...

   ALABAMA WILL NEED ITS A GAME AGAINST THE 'NOLES...

#1 Tide takes on #3 Florida State in Atlanta

Time: September 2 @ 7:30 PM

Place: Mercedeze-Benz Stadium

Line: Tide is six point favorite

  We have begun the countdown to football. The Tide takes on the Florida State Seminoles in the season opener. One again, Nick Saban is going after a big fish in game one. The inclination of poll voters to pick Alabama is always likely. Knock off FSU and the Tide gets some real juice in the race for the national championship. Florida State has no downside in this matchup. If they lose it is because they were supposed to lose. If they win, then FSU just beat the number one team in the nation. Regardless, who wins this is one of the biggest games ever scheduled for an opening game. Perhaps it is the biggest ever played.

     Alabama has won five straight opening games. Here is a list of the victims:  USC, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Michigan. Each of those wins solidified ‘Bama’s early season rankings and gave notice to the rest of the NCAA that Bama was ready for another Championship run. The first AP Poll has the Tide at #1 and FSU at #3. I wonder if the Seminoles can slip up a spot to #2 by kickoff?  Alabama got that #1 ranking with a lopsided vote. Heavy is the head that wears the crown but picking ‘Bama #1 seems to be a pretty safe bet to start the season. The Tide is a six-point favorite right now.

  

   This might be the first time an Alabama team has taken the field and not have the best defensive line. Florida State’s defensive line is talented and tough. This game isn’t likely to be a 17-10 affair. I believe the winner will have to put up at least 30 to win. Bama’s offensive line is going to be dominant. The quarterback is experienced, and he will prove he can pass. The Tide’s running backs, almost a six-pack, are

simply incomparable. Of note, is the fact that Atlanta is now a home game for the Tide. FSU has no glaring weaknesses, and they gave a great quarterback. I’m willing to bet that Hurt or Francois will be touted for the Heisman Trophy by the fourth quarter. Sportswriters will be ready to declare the Tide dynasty dead by halftime, but in the end it will be Bama 31 – FSU 24. The Dynasty lives!

CHANGING NUMBERS ...

WHEN THE LAWS OF COMMON SENSE DON'T APPLY

     It just makes sense.  Sooner or later  the Nick Saban coached Crimson Tide is going to have an off year.  Of course, off is a relative term. That might mean the Tide could lose two games, and dare we gasp, even three games?  All programs have ups and downs. We are accustomed to that. That is what makes Nick Saban amazing. He seems to defy the laws of familiarity. 

    The Tide has suffered major losses in their defense. Anyone with half a brain would believe that when a defense which losses that caliber and number of players should expect some bad moments this season. So why am I not believing will happen?  Here’s why.  The Tide faithful have had the should beat out of them.  Anytime something bad should happen to Bama, Nick Saban has a way to making sure it doesn’t. Alabama football players simply follow “the process” and beat the laws of inevitability. This is what makes Nick Saban and his football program the best in the NCAA.

    I know that Clemson is on an emotional high after winning the national championship last season. Ohio State and Michigan will always argue they have the best program. For years, Texas and Oklahoma made that boast. Chip in Notre Dame and Southern California to the discussion. All claim or claimed to have been the best. Really?  Do they really believe their respective programs are even in the same category? Alabama always plays for the club championship. Everyone tries to win their flight.  The number 16 comes to mind when arguing about who has the top program. No one else has 16 National Championships. What makes that particular number so unique is that is  temporary. It will become 17, and 17 will become 18, and 18 begat 19. Maybe one day the world will end and the number becomes permanent.  That is the only way any number will find perpetual rest in Tuscaloosa. Until that time Alabama will continue to succeed. Records will be broken. Heroes will be made on the field. Coaching legends will be made, and the Tide will keep on winning. That’s how things work here. 

    It just makes sense.  Sooner or later  the Nick Saban coached Crimson Tide is going to have an off year.  Of course, off is a relative term. That might mean the Tide could lose two games, and dare we gasp, even three games?  All programs have ups and downs. We are accustomed to that. That is what makes Nick Saban amazing. He seems to defy the laws of familiarity. 

    The Tide has suffered major losses in their defense. Anyone with half a brain would believe that a defense that lost the caliber and number of players it has should expect some bad moments this season. So why am I not believing i5 will happen?  Here’s why.  The Tide faithful have had the should beat out of them.  Anytime something bad should happen to Bama, Nick Saban has a way to making sure it doesn’t. Alabama football players simply follow “the process” and beat the laws of inevitability. This is what makes Nick Saban and his football program the best in the NCAA.

    I know that Clemson is on an emotional high after winning the national championship last season. Ohio State and Michigan will always argue they have the best program. For years, Texas and Oklahoma made that boast. Chip in Notre Dame and Southern California to the discussion. All claim or claimed to have been the best. Really?  Do they really believe their respective programs are even in the same category? Alabama always plays for the club championship. Everyone tries to win their flight.  The number 16 comes to mind when arguing about who has the top program. No one else has 16 National Championships. What makes that particular number so unique is that is  temporary. It will become 17, and 17 will become 18, and 18 begat 19. Maybe one day the world will end and the number becomes permanent.  That is the only way any number will find perpetual rest in Tuscaloosa. Until that time Alabama will continue to succeed. Records will be broken. Heroes will be made on the field. Coaching legends will be made, and the Tide will keep on winning. That’s how things work here.

FREEZE DIES FROM AN EXTREME BOUT OF SABANITIS...

FREEZE IS THE LASTEST VICTIM OF SABAN SUCCESS...

Another one bites the dust

   Let me say that I do not know Ex-Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze. I met him once and he seemed like a nice man. Freeze is the latest victim of Nick Saban's effect on SEC football. (See also Gene Chizak, Les Miles, and Mark Richt) Freeze was the darling of 

the landed gentry in Mississippi, especially in Groveville. The Rebels, er' the Black Bear faithful, had visions of sugar plumbs dancing in their heads after a unprecented 2013 recruiting class. That was followed by two stunning upsets over the Alabama Crimson Tide. It turns out that Ole Miss was literally the best college team money could buy. Throw in a little dash of unethical behavior for good measure. Okay, not to split hairs, but it was a lot of unethical behavior and it is safe to say that Freeze isn't as good a record keeper as he was a head coach. Those darn telephone records make it hard to hide facts, what with the dates, parties talking, and time of day calls were made. Talk about things that make you go hmm... in the middle of the night. The cover up is always worse than the crime. The violations were cheating. Hiding the fact made Freeze a liar and a cheat.

    Still is isn't hard to feel a little sorry for Freeze. Winning in the SEC  is the only thing that matters to a fan base. When you coach in the Western Division that means having to beat Alabama to reach the pinnacle. To a lesser degree it also means having to beat LSU and Auburn. Texas A&M is no turnover, and then you still have your arch rival to play. That is a tough row to plow as we say in Dixie. If you want your team to be the penultimate team in your division your odds are slim you can actually pull it off. Freeze had two options at hand. One is take your time and build. The second is pay your players and reap the rewards. Sometimes the rewards are losing your job. Freeze chose option two and crossed his fingers. It worked for a while and then it didn't. 
    

'Bama finishes takes out the Gators and sets a new standard in College football...



 
   If you are going to play Alabama in the college football playoffs, here is something that might just scare you off the field. Alabama is undefeated and still hasn't played anywhere near a perfect game. One thing is certain. The college football world has fallen into two categories. Category one is the University of Alabama. Category two is anyone not in category one. Keep in mind that Nick Saban's Alabama teams have done this in an era where reduced player on scholarships was designed to level the playing field. The Tide has succeeded with an otherworldly  defense in an era where scores look more basketball than football.

    Alabama is not perfect, but perfection is not necessary for football.  Execution and hard play will do the trick. But what if Bama's offense played a better game? What if is one of those phrases that stimulate the imaginations of fans. There is no doubt that three other head coaches left standing for a run at the national championship are thinking the same thing. What if Bama's offense plays a great game? It's enough to make Urban Meyer retire a second time. It this rendition of the Crimson Tide the best team in the history of college football?  I honestly don't know the answer, but they have a chance to answer anyone questions about that statement in the very near future.

      The Tide's defense is remarkable. In an era of cheap offense, it has dominated. The defense takes great offenses and reduces them to ordinary.  I know that Michigan likes to brag about its defense. I'm sorry Blue but you have no idea. You play in a league where you conference champion is considered so bad they won't make the playoff most likely. The Tide does what it does with an offense that is like an Italian sports car. It looks good when it runs. But a long period of time passes when they look ordinary. Then suddenly they look extraordinary. Despite the fact that Jalen Hurts is a freshman the Tide always settles down to score. Fumbles and interceptions have been problematic for the offense.  The defense has kept that mistakes from being deadly. So despite slow starts the Tide offense has been afforded the time to find its feet. When the Tide offense finds its balance they look unstoppable.
    What Alabama has done is remarkable. They have gone through the season undefeated. Kudos to Western Michigan but their record doesn't reflect the difficulty of competition. Some talking heads say the SEC is down. I agree. They are down and out because Alabama robs teams of their dreams and expectation. Alabama doesn't have a program. It has a factory. Great players come to Alabama for greatness. Alabama's greatness gives many a ticket to the NFL. Scientists say that perpetual motion machines are impossible. I beg your pardon but have you guys looked at Alabama. All of you can want 'Bama in the playoffs. You really don't. Trust me on that. 

Here's a final four prediction...

 

       Now that the Chattanooga game is over and the Tide won, where does the win leave Alabama in their 17th national title run? Bottom line is that we'll know more next Saturday. 

       Everyone has an opinion. That includes me. In the end, we'll see 1. Bama 2. Ohio State 3. Clemson 4. Washington. That prediction comes gift wrapped by a stunning blowout of wannabe Louisville. The only question I had after watching that debacle unfold was how the Cardinals had lost only one game prior to last night's stomp down.

        'Bama has two games left in its bid for another championship run. (regular season)  Auburn, either the good team or the other one, is going to embarrass themselves on national television just like they did against Georgia. Then the Tide takes on Florida. Kudos to the Gators for beating LSU in Tiger Stadium. The SEC Championship will once again prove to the rest of the SEC that the Western Division is still the best. Alabama will show all concerned that the King still sits on his throne. The Tide seems to defy that bard's belief that "heavy is the head who wears the crown."  It's a process as we have come to understand. I think it's fair to assume 13 other teams in the SEC understand that as well.  I think if Alabama beats Auburn, the Selection Committee would be hard pressed not to include the Tide even if they lose in Atlanta. Look for a 3-0 finish to the "regular" season, and then two more wins after that. The safer bet is for the Tide to beat both Auburn and Florida just to be sure. Should the Tide lose to Aubie and beat Florida for the outright conference title, there would be no doubt the Tide advances. There will be a legitimate claim for the Gators to be included. The have two losses but would be SEC Champs. I don't think Florida can beat Alabama, however.

      Ohio State has been running up scores against the so-called Big Ten Opposition. Their blemish? Penn State knocked off the Buckeyes. The real question is what happens if the Nittany Lions actually win the Big Ten? Ohio State might be a much better team now, but on the one day that mattered Penn State beat them. Given the Selection groups stated desire to give deference to Conference Champs, how can Committee say "but" to the Nittany Lions?  I think in the long run it still seems like Ohio State will be somewhere in the final mix. Here's the interesting question to me. What if Penn State actually is the Conference champ and Ohio State whomps Michigan? Will the Selection group take two Big Ten teams? They could. That would be termed "talking out of both sides of your mouth". That's something the Committee has done in the past.

     Clemson is a perplexing team to me. They have a great quarterback, as all Tide fans can remember. They also have a top shelf running back who seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Either the Tigers have lost their hearts or their defense is just not championship caliber. If you look back some of the wins the Tigers have recorded were suspect. The close win over Troy and Auburn comes to mind. Their best win was over Louisville. Well, that's what I'd argue if I was Dabo. Bottom line is that something about the Clemson Tigers just doesn't pass the sniff test. I don't think that Clemson can beat Ohio State. Still, look for the Tigers to make the final cut.

    So that leaves one team to round out the field. Will it be Penn State or maybe Wisconsin? Will the committee take a two loss conference champion over a very good one-loss team? Or will they opt for something akin to  political correctness? My guess is that Washington will fight their way through the remainder of their games and be the PAC 12 Champion? That matchup in Seattle with Washington State could be a stunner, and surely will be one of the most interesting games on the West Coast that weekend. How did the Huskies lose to Southern Cal? The Tide beat the Trojans by almost fifty points. The Committee can justify almost anything and make some sense in doing what they decide. Whatever their decision it will stink to high hell with equal clarity.

   After watching the Huskies play the Trojans, I think Alabama could beat ring up another 50 plus points on the purple dogs. Is there going to be a one-loss team representative from the Big Ten or a two-loss Big Ten Conference Champ? I'm going to believe the Committee has backed themselves into a proverbial corner with all their impetus on Conference Champions. I thought their goal was to pick the top four teams to play for the Dr. Pepper Trophy? You can almost sense the aroma of hypocrisy brewing around the water cooler right now. We all get to sit on the fifty-yard line to hear their decision. 

"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. 

      

LIGHT 'EM UP BOYS...

TEN YEARS AND COUNTING

'BAMA IS THE YEARLY EMBARRASAMENT FOR 'VOLS

 

No, Bama doesn't take the axe on the field.

   Back in the day, Tennessee and Alabama was the game. When I was younger the Tennessee game was more important than Auburn. That was because the Tigers always got beaten by the Tide. That game days was smooth sailing for Alabama, but stormy weather for Auburn. The Tennessee rivalry was intense but rationale. The Auburn game has brought fans of both schools to the level of Trump vs. Clinton. 

    Coach Bryant would say the the Tennessee game defined your season and your manhood. Things change. Some programs lose ground, while others ascend to heights not yet explained. Arguably, Tennessee took its best team in a decade and lost 49-10. It was a kind and gentle destruction. The Tide left at least 14 points on the turf, or the score would have been outrageous. Now that I think about it the outrageous status fits. The might Tennessee offense was held to a measly 2.6 yards per play. That is brutal defense. The 'Vols, to their credit, had no turnovers, and played as well as they could. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough and Tennessee's famed Rocky Top is once again invisible because of the cigar smoke emanating from the Tide's locker room. 

    Tennessee will go back to the corner and lick their wounds and realize how far they are from being a great team. 'Bama has a way of doing that to opponents.  The 'Vols are officially the yard dog living in the backyard of the Crimson Tide. Here's how dominate the Tide is in today's game. The best Auburn wins are denominated by terms like Punt 'Bama punt and Pick six. Tennessee likes to recall Peyton Manning leading the band after one 'Vol win. If Alabama could be defined by some catchy little verse it might be We ground you up like hamburger meat and we'll be back next season. That is who the Tide is in today's world of football. That's who they were dating back to the Penn game in early 1900's. The Tide beat so many West Coast teams in the Rose Bowl the selection committee entered into an agreement with Big Ten for an annual showdown between league champions. Alabama would have beaten either of those Champs. We know that, the committee knew that, and the world knew that the Pac10 and Big Ten knew that. 

    Will 'Bama beat Texas A & M? It's highly likely. Will the Tide win the SEC Championship? Who'd bet against them. Will they beat National Champions. I'll not vote against them. It is possible, but not probable, that the Tide will finish the regular season undefeated. The Crimson has yet to play their best game. I suspect we might see it this upcoming weekend. The Tide, under Nick Saban, seems to have a knack for getting better and better as the year goes along. Alabama has dodged the injury reports thus far. That is not good for any opponent remaining on the Tide schedule. As long as Bama can continue its great defense I like them over the Aggies. Keep this in mind - Both Alabama's offense and defense out scored the 'Vols on their own field. There were 104,000 "hillbillies" screaming the heads off, or as freshan QB Jalen Hurts might say - "I didn't notice them." Roll Tide