This is one of the two games I think ‘Bama will go into flat and have a let down. The other one is the LSU game. Both on the road, both coming off big rival games, both home teams coming off a bye. Just spells ambush for the Tide.

I hate it when I’m right. I thought Bama would win, instead SC played perfect. Bama’s defense looked tired, flat, and lost. The fact that 6 of the Tide’s opponents this year are coming off a bye week doesn’t help. It’s a bitter, tough loss and really gives the rest of the SEC the road map on how to beat ‘Bama. Play loose between the 20′s, ti

What is sick about this? There is a slew of undefeated teams this year and while none of them play the schedule that any SEC team has to face, that doesn’t really matter when it comes to the BCS. That’s right, Boise State, Utah, and TCU – this year is set up for you perfectly. While the rest of the nation plays tough games and knocks each other out of the picture, all you have to do is win the 1 or 2 big games on your schedule. You’ll be healthy since you don’t face NFL prospects every week, nor will you face great coaching every week. Just quit complaining that the system is set up against you. Not this year. It’s set up perfectly for you.

For Alabama (or any other SEC team for that matter) to repeat or at the least defend it’s national title, Oregon and Ohio State are going to have to drop a game. While that COULD happen, there is not one single team on either of their schedules that stands out as a threat except Oregon State. Oregon has to face them at Oregon State.

A few years ago, a 2 loss LSU team proved that it was the best team in the nation. That won’t happen this year. No 2-loss team is going to get that chance. For Alabama, this means they have to run the table with LSU and Auburn still on the schedule. Auburn still has Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama on the docket. LSU has Auburn, Alabama, and Arkansas. ‘Bama, Auburn, and LSU still control their own destiny. Arkansas needs ‘Bama to lose one more AND run the table for them to get in the mix. Are you following all of this?

It’s one crazy mess but the reality is that a 1 loss SEC team could jump the independents but probably can’t jump an undefeated Big Ten or Pac Ten school. And I don’t see any of the SEC teams escaping the season undefeated. If they do, they absolutely will be the best team in the country.

The Broncos showed the nation that after two years of major trades and drastic measures – they still can’t run the ball, score touchdowns, or rush the passer. That is the frustration of it all – they are the same team with the same issues when they fired Shanahan. Sunday was particularly painful when a decent running game puts Denver in the lead and at least gives them a chance to compete.

And are we getting to a point to call Knowshon Moreno a bust? I was excited with the pick two years ago but he has yet to show that flash or power that he had at Georgia. The good news? Orton looks solid which may mean Tebow plays running back later this year.

The number 1 college football team in the nation – your Alabama Crimson Tide! The Tide looked lost the first half against Arkansas. Defensively, this team isn’t near the team that last year’s team was. With 10 new starters on defense, one had to expect some let down. Ryan Mallet exposed their weakness in the first half with relative ease.

But that’s why they play two halves of football and the second half was classic Alabama football. Play pressure defense and when the opposing team makes a mistake – make them pay for it dearly. Oh, and hand the ball to #22 early and often. Any questions as to who the Number 1 back was in Alabama or in the country that matter were answered on Saturday. Mark Ingram is a beast. Any offensive game plan that doesn’t include him getting the ball 30 times a game is a mistake.

I have a lot of friends in Arkansas and the good-natured teasing went back and forth during the game. (Actually it mainly was coming AT me since Alabama was behind the whole game…) But the truth of the matter is that I pull for the Hogs 51 weeks a year except against Alabama. I’ve seen this script before at Arkansas – incredible offense, exciting team for 3 quarters then the wheels fall off in the 4th. And while it makes for great television, I’m convinced that Hog fans have a 7 year shorter life span because of this.

After the game, the analysts were putting most of the loss on Ryan Mallet and his 3 INTs. I’m not sure that is completely fair. Ryan Mallet was the reason the Hogs had a chance to win in the first place. A great QB (which Mallet is) can put your team in a position to win but running the ball and stopping the run is the difference between good teams and championship teams. Arkansas couldn’t put the nail in the coffin and Alabama had enough moxy and horses to pull a win out of disaster on Saturday.

Florida is next up for the Tide in Tuscaloosa.