BATTLE OF THE QUARTERBACKS...      

    

This year's Iron Bowl might very well end up being a  Mac Jones versus Bo Nix type thing. I don't know if Mac Jones will win the Heisman Trophy this season. I know Bo Nix won't. Alabama fans, at least some Alabama fans, ushered in the season, believing that Bryce Young would be the starter after a couple of games. Meanwhile, down on the Farm, Auburn fans were adamant about Nix winning the Heisman. Nix is a good quarterback.  Mac is a great quarterback. If you had half a brain and remembered how well Jones played after Tua was hurt, you had to believe he'd be the Alabama quarterback.   For Nix, it was more like a coronation. The King has arrived. The New York Athletic Club in New York awaits. All the other quarterbacks left. Some in disgust over what they thought was unfair competition. Whether those rumors are true or not, Nix got the job. Good, bad, or indifferent, Nix had the job.

    Mac just kept his mouth shut and worked his tail off to get to where get us today. People like to point out that Jones has the benefit of some great players around him. That's true. But I'd like to point out those players are lucky to have Jones as their quarterback. Alabama has a steady hand behind the center, and he will likely rise to the occasion today.  Nix has had a plethora of problems on the road this year. He's not at home. All of his poor games have been on the road. All of his interceptions have come on the road. He hasn't been a road warrior, but he is good enough to beat Alabama if the defense doesn't play a good game. If the Tide defense plays a great game, Alabama will beat Nix and the Tigers. 

       Here's what strikes me odd about the pair. Nix has started more games than Jones. The high school phenom from Pinson High School currently has a QB rating of 71.7.  Mac Jones, a good high school prospect, was not heralded, to say the least. His current QB rating is 95.7, and that is a huge difference. Nix and Malzhan will use trickery. They will have to do that to be competitive.  I'm not sure what Sarkazian might try on offense. My best hunch is that the Tide will stick to their tried and true. 

     In the long run, Nix will have to beat Alabama. I'm assuming all questionable players will be on the field. Auburn is a good team. Alabama is a great team. Nix is a good quarterback. Jones is a great one. I'm picking Jones to carry the Tide.

TIDE READIES ITSELF FOR AUBURN...

   

 When Alabama takes the field this Saturday, Nick Saban will not be present; however, I'm not sure anyone can ever avoid the presence of Coach Saban even in his absence.  I suspect Auburn will learn that this weekend. With or without Saban prowling and growling the sidelines, the Crimson Tide has too much firepower for the Tigers to win this game. 

     The Ironbowl, which is no longer about Birmingham's iron and steel laden history, has become a killing field for fans. I'm not sure which college rivalry is the greatest. But, the AU vs. UA game is the most bitterly contested. The winner gloats for a year, and the loser cries. Luckily,  the players contest the game with the utmost respect. Should the fans follow their lead? We should, but I doubt we will. We are all too heavily invested in our support. It is tribal, It is almost primal. We no longer want to just win. It is evisceration we covet. 

    So what happens on Saturday? The Tide will rely on talent. Auburn seems to have the corner on good luck. How many times will Alabama fans have to watch reruns of a pick-six, field goal attempts which go awry, some even returned for touchdowns, and blocked punts. Each of these banalities requires some talent, I'll grant Auburn that, but to Alabama fans, it's as if some god from the underworld arises to allow Auburn to win. Indeed, this season has seen referees (and I use that term lightly) give Auburn two wins they did not earn. In Alabama fans' eyes, the Tigers record should be 3-4 and not 5-2. It hasn't been the best year for officiating, whether it's a fumble called an incomplete pass or an offensive pass interference call so incompetent it has gone viral. When the teams take the field this weekend, the Auburn fans will understand they will likely lose, but Tide fans fear something akin to the Red Sea parting to somehow deliver another fortuitous win for the Tigers.  Be still my beating heart.

I like the Tide by 24.

Saban's best coaching job?

    That is a subjective statement. Considering the pre-season injuries and loss of Tua the Tide was still an elite team. The disrespect of Alabama was palpable and was ultimately proven to be incorrect. Pollsters were eager to dismiss the Tide. I predict another national championship for Alabama next season. Why do I say that?

1. Alabama is loaded with talent.

2. The Tide will just fine at Quarterback

3. Alabama's offensive line will be outstanding; and,

4. Running backs will be both pounding and explosive.

5. The Defensive line will be much better.

6. Dylan Moses will be back and the Tide defense will improve

7. Smith and Waddle keeps the Tide receivers at the top of the SEC.

    But the primary reason the Tide will win the national championship is that Nick Saban is the greatest coach in the nation. He was shown a lot of hatred by the national media. Saban is at his best when he is has been treated with irreverence. Saban has been written off by the media. Alabama has been treated like a yard-dog. I suspect that a lot of crows will be eaten by sportswriters next fall. 

The Good, the Bad, and the Obvious of the Iron Bowl....

     It's Monday following a horrible weekend. Like most of you, it pains me to see the Tide lose. This loss was more painful than most. I think we learned some things about this year's team. There are things we'd like to forget but a lot of things to remember.

THE GOOD: 

1. Mac Jones proved to me  he's a winner and a keeper. We all wondered whether Jones could weather the offensive questions surrounding him. One bad pass for pick sick, and another one of those Auburn miracles for another pick six. Sure, those hurt but Jones led Alabama to 34 points. That should have been enough to win the football game or any football game. Overall, I give him an A.  He performed far better than I thought he might. 

2. Is Jaylen Waddle human, or is he some being from another dimension?  Two outstanding touchdown grabs and two additional magnificent returns for touchdowns. And i thought David Palmer was great. I don't know what is beyond great but that's what Waddle is now. 

3. Najee Harris was shredded the "so-called" great AU defensive line. He ran for 146 yards. He literally ran over, around, and through the Auburn Tigers. He was the running back we thought he should be. Harris played to an A+ level in my opinion.

4. Jerry Judy, Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith keep the passing game intact and wide-open. These are the four greatest receivers on one team in college football history. It has been a pleasure and honor to watch them. Judy and Ruggs are sure first round NFL picks. Smith might be. I hope that Smith and Waddle will play on the field together in Tuscaloosa next season. I give them an A.

5. The offensive line played great. It was shame they couldn't play defense as well. The kept the Tiger defensive line on the heels most of the day. A.

THE BAD

1. The penalties killed the Tide. They have all year. Is that coaching, lack  of discipline, or something else. I would have loved to see Waddle get to return one more punt. I didn't understand why the Tide needed to substitute so many players for a punt. It wasn't the first time this season  this happened. F

2. Tackling has been abysmal this season. It didn't seem to get better as the games progressed. Auburn had far too many lanes to run in during the game. Very un-Bama like. Tackling is coaching. Period. Perhaps the Tide needs some new coaches on the defensive side of the ball. What do you think?  C-

3, Whenever we have a placekick or punt there is a feeling of dread wafting through the air. It is horrible. Bulavos improved during the season but missed the big one. our punter (Ty Perine) stabilized a bad situation. B

4. I thought Davis and Jennings had a good game. It was nice to finally see Davis live up to his hype. Barmore is getting better. And Xavier McKinney was stellar as always. I'd give them A

THE OBVIOUS

1. Alabama's need to play far too many freshman on the defensive line  of the ball hurt the Tide and cost any chance to reach the playoffs.

2. You would think a premiere program could have two outstanding kickers. Perhaps Perine will be one and Will Reichard the other. Perhaps. I'd be looking  for some walk-on players to find one. It is the same old same old each year it seems. 

3. Someone to teach tackling. Just plain old tackling. You know just a fundamental part of the football. How did this happen

4. And it is clear that Auburn has to use trick plays and manipulate the rules to win. It is the only way to compete with the Tide and they know it.  Here's a little treat.The AU win will save Gus Malzhan's job. I love that.

Post season game: word on the street is Bama vs. Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Some writers think it could be Bama at  Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. I understand that Bama does not want to be part of the Hurts vs.Bama hype. That match up would be unfair to both Jalen and Alabama. It would be fun to see two teams score over a hundred each.

FINAL THOUGHT - Alabama  football is well. This was a season where injuries and early departures hurt the Tide. All is well. 

 TUA IS INJURED AND HIS SEASON IS OVER... 

      Excuse me if words come hard today.  Tua is likely through at Alabama forever. We may never see his smiling face in a Tide uniform again. Alabama is a lesser team today. I’m not talking football skills, but rather about a young man whose heart exceeds his game. Tua was much more than a football player. In an age where anger seems to prevail, his personality made you feel good. Tua also made you want to be a better person. He will never be forgotten. He will always be admired and love. Tua will serve a guide to how all people should behave in a bitter world.

College football word hates ‘Bama…

    Let’s get straight to the obvious part.  The college football world hates the University of Alabama. It really isn’t ‘Bama fatigue. It is pure and unadulterated hatred. If you listened to LSU fans you probably get my drift. They were not just fanatical. They were more like a gumbo Klan rally. How can you blame the LSU fans for being happy. The Tigers played a good game. But the hatred spewed by their head coach was surprising. Orgeron's post game comments exemplify my belief. What can you expect from your fan base when your head coach spews such non-sense? Those poorly chosen words says a lot about the Orgeron. It also says a lot about Nick Saban.  Saban would never stoop to such lack of character. It seems as if we now live in a country where the people who we should respect give us no reason to respect them. Of course, having that type of reaction shows just how successful Alabama has become under Nick Saban. LSU isn't Alabama. Ed Orgeron and LSU will never be more than the antagonist in this gridiron drama. We all know that, and deep inside the LSU fans know that as well.  The Tigers deserve their jubilation. Let's give that to them with class. Who knows? Alabama might play them again this season. 

   There are not four teams better than Alabama this year. If Alabama wins their remaining games they deserve to be in the CFP. They lost to the #1 team in the NCAA by five points. It took an almost perfect night from LSU and a horrible night game by Alabama to see the Tigers win. No excuses for our Defense. They are full of outstanding young men but collectively they just aren't there yet.  I doubt they will be this season. The Selection Committee won't forget that, but they also can't forget the performance of the Tide offense can they? Or will they? Will the Selection Committee select the best four teams or will politics rear its ugly head. I'm picking the latter and not the former. There will be a lot of pressure to pick a West Coast team. Utah and Oregon will  make a strong case even if the entire world knows they are not one of best four. Baylor might go undefeated. Oklahoma will only probably only have one loss at the end of the season. I'd crown either the champion of enhanced flag football immediately.

   Alabama needs to score as many points as they can. The defense needs  to improve at least some. The Committee would notice that. So what do Tide fans hope for?

1. LSU needs to win the SEC Championship which would ...

2. Give Georgia its second loss.

3. If Oregon and Utah lose that would be Crimson Crazy,

4  but if they meet in the PAC 12 championship game a loss either is inevitable. 

5. Baylor is going to lose to Oklahoma or someone else...

6 And that leaves Minnesota who will lose at least  two more games. 

Alabama's main problem would be if the winner of the PAC 12 Conference only has one loss. I think there is going to be a lot of pressure on the Selection Committee to pick the winner. Is Alabama better than a one loss Oregon or Utah. Yeah, about three touchdowns better.

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?