Alabama starts the season with some unanswered questions...

     This writer has great faith in Alabama coaching. I don't have great faith in a pair of freshman linebackers who will receive chapter 1 of a baptism under fire. Still, Alabama will beat Duke. David Cutcliff is one heck of a quarterback coach. He took a program which no one could ever find a way to win and started to win. I can envision the Duke coach in his office picking out plays that will expose the lack of experience 'Bama has at middle linebacker. Beating Duke is one thing. Beating LSU  or Texas A&M is an altogether matter. 

Shane Lee and Christian Harris 

       Shane Lee and Christian Harris will begin their college careers at the school that is the gold standard for college football. That is a big deal. The coaches will have the pair as ready as possible. I'd bet the pair will have eyes as wide as the football field where the game will be played. I'd bet the pair will play as well as they can. It won't be as well  as they will play in the future.  How big is the loss of Moses?  Imagine Tua  going down and how that would effect the offense. Moses was the quarterback of the defense. You can't coach experience. You have to play long enough to become experienced. Both players are doing something that Dylan Moses couldn't do. The freshmen won't  be perfect, but they will have their moments. 

The Offense

       If the defense has its problems, it seems the offense seems ready to roll. The offense  can give the defense some breathing room. Can Alabama outscore every team they play? My bet is they sure can. The first and second team running backs are in Saban purgatory and will miss the first half of the game.  Jerome Ford is likely going to get the nod to start. Reports from practices have been very positive. The Tide offensive line has been experimenting to find the best five. I'd call it fine tuning. If Alabama gets some good play at tight end, the offensive line might be a memorable unit in Tide history. I personal belief is Alabama can score early, often, and late to put up 50 points. Saban might not want to embarrass his rival coach.  That might be the best defense that Duke brings to the field. 

A glamour game?

     No, not really. But is their a method to Saban's madness is scheduling the contest. I think Saban would love to build up an ACC team to give Clemson a tough weekend in the future. No detail is to small for Bama's head coach to address. This isn't a stellar match up for Alabama. It is for Duke, and I'd expect the Blue Devils to come fired up and ready to play. 

SEC IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

     The Southeastern Conference is best. It is the gold standard in college football. I don't think you could get any rational argument from anyone else regarding the truth of that statement. In large part that is because of contributions of the University of Alabama. How did that happen? How did the SEC become so dominant, how did Alabama contribute to that dominance? 

           Let's go back to the year 1922. To put the date into some modern perspective think about this - The American Civil War ended in 1865. That was only 57 years before Alabama took on the highly ranked Penn Quakers.  John Heisman coached the Penn team. Yes, that John Heisman. Xen Scott coached Alabama. In today's world that meant the game would have been played in 1962.  The Cuban Missle Crisis was front-page news. John Glenn went into Space for America, Seattle built the Space Needle, and Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry version of 'Happy Birthday' to President Kennedy.

            In 1922, the Civil War was not just history it was a personal recollection to millions of Americans who were still alive during the war.  Football wise the Ivy League was the big dog, but on November 4, 1922, the lightly regarded Alabama Crimson Tide went to Philadelphia and beat Penn 9-7. The game was played on brand new Franklin Field.  The game brought some pride and even dignity to the Deep South. It also gave birth to what eventually became the Deep South's statement of their superiority in college football. When Alabama dominated the Rose Bowl against PAC teams for almost two-decades it became clear the South was superior. In fact, the Rose Bowl Committee forged an agreement between the PAC10 and the BIG10 to take their league champions. The PAC 10 was simply tired of having Alabama beat them senseless. In 1946 Alabama beat USC 34-14. Alabama would never be invited to the Rose Bowl again. The West Coast writers called Tide players, "swamp rabbits". However, the Tide did play for the National Championship in Rose Bowl Stadium when they beat Texas. It was not the Rose Bowl. The 1925 Alabama team beat Washington in what was called an upset. The problem for National Sportswriters was that it clearly wasn't an upset. The Alabama win was later called the "football game that changed the South". Note, the game changed the South, not just Southern football. The South now had something to celebrate, and something to reintegrate themselves with rest of the nation for the first time in 60 years. Those two wins were about a lot more than football.

          Alabama has won 17 National Championships. Other programs contributed as well, but it was the University of Alabama that did the heavy lifting. It was Alabama that started the domination and still Alabama that continues the trend. Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul Bryant, Gene Stallings, and Nick Saban have all won National Championships.  The first championship was in 1925 and the latest was in 2017. Alabama caused other teams to compete at a higher level. To be successful means different things to schools and fans. But only Alabama has been a decades-long dynasty in the Deep South. You can love or hate Alabama. But, you can't disregard the Tide. To claim you are the best means you have to beat the best, and it means you have to beat a program that shows no signs of slowing down.  It was Alabama that started the domination and Alabama that continues the trend. Death, taxes, and Alabama are three certain things in life. 

        

An exception to the general rule...

     Players transfer constantly. If they can't win a starting position they don't try the next season. They essentially quit. Sometimes transferring is justified. My belief is that more often than not there is no reason.  Lace 'em up next season and try to win a starting position. Loyalty is a word I don't anticipate modern players to know. I'm sure  I am just a product of my generation. When I was a junior in high school I had three offers to leave my high school and play at other places.  It might have been better for my 'career', but I couldn't walk out on my teammates. My senior season we had a decent season. Two of the other schools played the state tournament. My choice was whether I would honor the commitment I'd made to my friends. It was a good choice. Playing in a state tournament was a brief affair, but keeping my buddies was a lifetime deal. Many of them are now deceased. In my memory, I remember them as young, strong, and seemingly immortal.

       Jalen Hurts showed people a better way to transfer. He left a hero and a role model for thousands of young people. He grew in so many ways. Fate smiled on him and let him have the greatest game in his career. He never complained. He waited for his time against Georgia this season. He walked on that field as a player and left as a legend. He enrolled at Alabama as a  kid and left as a man. He taught us all a lesson about trust and persevering. When Jalen announced he was going to Oklahoma I smiled. He was going back to the SouthWest where he grew up. He is going to make Sooner fans proud. He made all us proud here in Alabama. He suffered a lot of negative thoughts from immature people who can post behind the secrecy of a screen name. He suffered,  but in the end, he shined like the star he was all along. Thanks,  Jalen.

'Bama got destroyed...

I thought Alabama would win. But it didn't surprise me they lost. How they lost was a little surprising. The warps and fractures of the Alabama defense came back to roost in the poorest defensive effort we've seen in the Saban era. 

The Tide secondary was horrible and frankly, they seemed ill-prepared. Only Sabana could address them with any clarity. I'd like to think that several Tide players who were likely to leave for the NFL would stick around one more season. Clemson had several who did that and it seemed to make a lot of difference. No hard feelings on my part if they leave.  Money is money. Some families need money the players will earn.

The bigger question is how was Alabama so flat, and how could they execute so poorly.  Here is
how: They just weren't ready to play. They were stunned and didn't have what it took to come back. That happens. It happened to Alabama. It doesn't happen often to the Tide but it seemed worse on the biggest stage in college football. Despite the loss, the Tide had a remarkable season. But remarkable isn't the Alabama standard. The standard was one game better. Gloom has descended on Alabama. It will pass. The sun came up as always. A lesson learned.

MY PICK FOR THE WINNER AND WHY

    Round four of the Clemson versus Alabama is teeing up tonight. You're nervous. You need some reassurance from someone who believes Alabama will win. I have just finished reading my 100th prediction. Bama is picked by 92 of those prognosticators. That doesn't count the betting houses who pick  Bama to win. Not all of them say it will be a nip and tuck game either. I saw a 52-21 prediction. Granted, most are close. Either 'Bama wins the game, or a lot of "experts" will have to eat crow. I'm picking Alabama to win 35-28. Why?

1. Alabama has the best quarterback in the nation, regardless of the Heistman Trophy rip off; yes,  I said Heist.

2. This isn't the greatest Alabama defense since Saban came to Tuscaloosa. But it is good enough to get a few three and outs and let the offense do their magic. Christian Miller will be missed, but his backups are good players.

3. Alabama has played defenses better than Clemson. Namely, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn, and Georgia.  All the SEC games featured good defenses. 

4. The Clemson offense hasn't had to beat a really good defense in my opinion. I suppose Notre Dame's defense was the best they played. No disrespect to the Irish but I believe Alabama might have scored 50. I don't believe Notre Dame should have been selected for the playoffs.

5. Clemson has a great running back. I'll buy into the hype when he runs against Alabama's defense. He is good, however.

6. The Clemson quarterback has a potential upside. Sure he does but he hasn't had to operate against a defensive line as good as Alabama. My take is Bama will control the line of scrimmage with their front four. If that happens it will be a tough game for the Tigers.

7. Nick Saban is a great coach. He has been preparing for Clemson since the latter part of the season I bet.

8. I think Alabama has the best offensive coordinator.  He has some games under his belt to prove that already. 

9. Are the wideouts and tight end the best group of receivers in the nation? I think so.

10. Alabama's secondary has had some bad games and some great games. They concern me, but they are better than Clemson's DBs.

11. I understand the "greatness" of the Tiger's defensive line. They are really good, but I think Alabama's offensive line is the best they have faced. In all fairness, they have lost the bell cow of the group. 

SANTA CLARITA IS A POOR CHOICE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME...

     Round four of the ongoing Alabama and Clemson saga is on Monday night.  Ticket sales are slumping. The prices are dropping to watch the game. It's no big deal. The national media, tired of watching Alabama and Clemson in general, play for a national champion, and Alabama in particular, are happy to sling some mud on the game. The truth and this is the truth, is that Alabama and Clemson fans only have so much money to spend on trips. Whether it is from South Carolina or Alabama, the flight to San Jose or San Francisco is expensive. 

    The bigger truth is that the NCAA had no business in selecting Santa Clara, California. College football is not popular in the Bay area.  Only one college with any football renown is Stanford. Cal-Berkley is further north in Oakland. Those two schools don't get the blood flowing as far a football is concerned.  So why did the NCAA pick, Santa Clara? God only knows, but here is my take.

1. The palatial PAC 12 headquarters is in San Fransico. Only an hour to the Levi Stadium. 

2. The 49's football franchise is losing money hand over fist with Levi Stadium. They offered the NCAA so many discounts and incentives to host the game. It is kinda like buying a  new car 50% off sticker. 

3. If you have ever been there you'll never want to go back. It has no atmosphere which is one thing college football loves. 

4. One side of the stadium looks like a modern glass covered building. The luxury suites dominate the Stadium. The heat bounces off the glass like a mirror. It also soaks up the sound. Welcome to the world's largest microwave.

5. There is no local support for the game. Bay area people think Southerners are red-neck hicks. But they love selling you $18.50 hamburgers. The atmosphere outside the stadium is kinda like going to the hospital to visit a sick friend.


    I find this selection so repugnant to all that college football makes famous. This is not an anti-Cali sentiment. I love California. I've lived in California. If the NCAA was so anxious to award the game to the West Coast they should have chosen LA. The Coliseum would have been a festive locale. That stadium has the history and the grandeur to make an expensive trip to the West Coast worthwhile  But by all means, go to Santa Clara. Enjoy the Vegan restaurants. The bean sprouts are popular. And you can experience all four seasons in one day. 

CLEMSON CAN BEAT ALABAMA...


    And don't think for one minute they can't. Clemson is the only other NCAA team who has a chance to beat 'Bama. There is only one number that matters. The opening line is indicative of what some very smart people believe is who can win, and by how much they should win.  One point is enough to make 'Bama fans happy.  

        Oklahoma's porous defense allowed 'Bama's defense to make a few mistakes. That might not be the case against Clemson. Alabama's cornerbacks need to have a more than solid game. In fact, they need to make some plays that deny Clemson from making explosive gains. It is remarkable how much the Tide secondary has progressed from game one of the season. That is what happens when you put four and five-star recruits on the field. Talent isn't the same thing as experience. It's natural that new players have some breakdowns. Bama can't afford that against the Tigers.

       Overall, this hasn't been a great defensive team at Alabama. The last few games concern me a great deal. The question is: Is the defense good enough? I think they might be, but they are likely to take some licks. The defense can't get those stupid penalties in this game. Bama needs to control their emotions and play their best game. The offense can't bog down due to needless mistakes to kill touchdown drives. The Tide needs to clean up their act and play the best game of the season. If Bama can't do that the Tigers can win. Coaching is important.  Nick Saban is the greatest coach in the NCAA. Dabo Sweeny is the coach will be the greatest after Saban. 

     Will Tua and his set of gifted receivers beat Clemson? If Alabama's offensive line gives him time to throw they will. I think Alabama will win.  I wouldn't be shocked if they lose. To win they need to make the Clemson quarterback uncomfortable. That will help the Tide defense to make some plays in the secondary. Once again it is Alabama and Clemson.  Tired of the Tide and Tigers?  Get ready because these two teams will play next season for the same Trophy.