Posts Tagged ‘college football’
Alabama 2010 Prediction
It feels like football in Topeka and that is a great thing. Nothing better than wearing shorts and Keens in 60 degree weather. Can’t wait for the first frost!!
And so my annual prediction of the season for the Crimson Tide. This year’s schedule looks brutal and while I think they can repeat as national champions, I doubt they will be undefeated. To the schedule…
09/04/10 vs. San Jose State
I guess they needed the huge payout or ‘Bama wanted a scrimmage. Should roll here.
09/11/10 vs. Penn State
It’s a home game so that is a huge advantage for the Tide. The Tide is more talented than Penn State but … it’s Penn State. They have a habit of playing down and up to the level of their competitor.
This is also the National Championship of All-Time College Uniforms. Both of these looks are awesome and any athlete would be proud to wear either one of these unis.
Pick: Tide
09/18/10 at Duke
Thank God it’s not basketball. Another W.
09/25/10 at Arkansas
And here is where the road gets rocky. It’s AT Arkansas, then Florida, then AT SC. Not an easy 3 game stretch. Alabama always seems to get the upper hand on the Hogs since Saban has been around. Mallet will be better but he doesn’t play defense.
The Tide in another nail-biter.
10/02/10 vs. Florida
Tide could lose this game — but I’m betting no because they’ll be at home and all hyped up. Another close game but no Tebow. He’s wearing another shade of orange and blue.
10/09/10 at South Carolina
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’m picking the Tide to win this one…not as confident going into Death Valley.
10/16/10 vs. Mississippi
Ole Miss could be in for a long year – injuries, NCAA issues, and the always present Houston Nutt discovering another way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Tide wins.
10/23/10 at Tennessee
Another win. Knoxville is one of the coolest stadiums in the world though.
11/06/10 at LSU
In Red Stick, LA. This is an ambush game and you wouldn’t think so with Saban having coached there but it is. No one (except LSU fans) expects much out of the Bayou Tigers and that’s when they are so dangerous. My head says it’s a loss, my heart thinks it’s a loss.
11/13/10 vs. Mississippi State
Rack ‘em up. It’s a win.
11/18/10 vs. Georgia State
This is Georgia State’s first year to play football and this game could get ugly quick. Why is it on the schedule? Bill Curry, former Alabama coach is starting up this program and needs cash to get some stuff done. “Bama said — come on over. We’ll give you a big fat check along with a big fat punch in the mouth.
11/26/10 vs. Auburn
The other team in Alabama is deeper this year (24 seniors return to this squad) and they’ll be plenty motivated as they pushed Alabama to the 4th quarter last year. It’s on the plains so anything could happen. I’m going with the Tide.
Overall — an 11-1 season and a birth in the SEC championship game. A W there and it’s National Championship game all over again.
To much to hope for?
Is it 13 or 8? Is Saban Ever Happy? Will ‘Bama repeat?
Roll Tide, this one was a long time coming. I remember the ’92 championship. I watched ‘Bama roll up on the U in my in-laws house in Plano, Texas. But that’s not important right now. What is important is answering these ever important questions…
Is it 13 National Championships or 8?
Alabama claims these years as national championships – 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, and of course 2009. Interesting controversy given that if we had a playoff, we wouldn’t be even talking like this. Alas, we don’t so college presidents can take some of the blame for creating a culture where this kind of debate can take place.
For a LONG explanation – read here. It fleshes it all out in glorious detail.
Here’s the short version: The Official NCAA record book recognizes Alabama with seven “consensus” national championships — the six by Bryant (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, and 1979) and Gene Stalling’s in 1992. Plus last nights, that gets you to 8. (That was for all my Auburn audience out there that has a hard time adding.) The official count of National Championships for the NCAA starts with the year 1950.
In the same record book, the NCAA looks back and lists how past football seasons would have played out using the current/past bowl system. For the 1925 and 1926 seasons, they list Alabama as the national champions. “Not official” but listed in the same book…just like college football. Take something simple, make it ridiculously complicated, don’t talk plainly about it, make money off of it, and call it wonderful.
Another independent source – the College Football Data Warehouse – adds the ’30 and ’34 season to the Alabama stash of championships.
So what about the 1941 championship? Hardest one to defend really. Alabama went 8-2, losing to eventual SEC champion Mississippi State and finished #20 in the AP poll. I have no idea how that year is a national championship. Nothing I can find really explains it. Just like I have no idea how Alabama DID NOT get the National Championship in 1966 after going undefeated for the 3rd year in a row and the pox of creation Notre Dame won it. Or the ’77 season as well. But I’m not bitter.
Good thing we have the BCS now to eliminate all future confusion and potential of that happening again, right Boise State?
Is Saban Ever Happy?
If I were the two students who donked the Gatorade bucket on Saban last night, I wouldn’t expect a lot of playing time next year. Even after the game, Saban looked like the losing coach. In the press conference, he laughed a bit when asked about the Gatorade but just a bit…and those players are still running the stairs at the Rose Bowl.
I’m guessing he is happy but more relieved. But who would know. Maybe Saban is like the Grumpy dwarf. Maybe he’s so protective of himself in the media, we’re never going to know. After the beating he took in the media after the Dolphin/Bama dance, who could blame him for basically giving the media nothing. Mack Brown on the other hand – can see why he is such a huge hit on the recruiting trail.
Will ‘Bama repeat?
Jeez, can we just enjoy this one for a bit? Sure we can. Roll Tide. Hey Texas, Hey Texas…Rammer Jammer…
But let’s just get this straight right now – McElroy did not WIN that game last night. The Alabama defense and two monster, not of this planet running backs won that game last night. The Gilbert kid from Texas played better than McElroy.
Ok, that’s not entirely true. The turnovers were bad but they weren’t all his fault. If Texas had another WR other than Jordan Shipley that could catch…be a completely different game. Well, not completely different. Bama D did what it did all year long – keep game close, punish opposing teams when they make a mistake, then ask the offense to not screw the thing up.
They can repeat if QB play improves. If it doesn’t…not sure. Arkansas – if Ryan Mallett returns – will be stacked. LSU & Auburn will be greatly improved as well as Tennessee if Kiffin can keep his players out of jail. I’d like to think yes…but that’s why they play the games.
In the meantime — Roll Tide and another dominant showing by the SEC in the BCS Championship game.
Alabama, Texas and the BCS Championship Game
I’ve waited long enough. I can’t keep my mouth shut anymore. Alabama with ROLLLLLL tonight against Texas…hopefully.
There probably hasn’t been a closer match-up in the title game since the last time Texas was here against USC. In that game, Texas was considered an underdog, the pundits underestimated the impact the Texas QB would have. I think there are a lot of parallels in this game as well.
As a Tide fan – nothing was more satisfying than the dominant performance over the Gators in the SEC Championship game. Alabama dominated in every phase of the game, played their most complete game ever. It was a welcome site after eeking out a win against Auburn, needing 3 block kicks against Tennessee, and a Herculean effort from Ingram to beat South Carolina. In other words, Alabama has played close, tight games this season and their defense, special teams and Ingram has bailed them out.
Texas had a great season then laid an egg in the national spotlight against Nebraska in the Big 12 game. What was forgotten was the way they had dominated every one else the rest of the year. While Nebraska’s offense was hideous that night (and for most of the season as well) part of the reason was because of Texas’ defense.
So what to expect tonight? Expect to see Alabama’s defense do what they’ve done all year – roll up on 1st and 2nd down, putting the offense in 3rd and long so they can unleash the Frankenstein of Saban. 3rd and long is never fun for an offense but Alabama’s defense takes it to an art form. They were #3 in the nation in forcing 3 and outs. It’s just about impossible to convert 3rd down against Alabama.
Having said that if any team is equipped to battle this it is Texas. Colt McCoy may not have the urban legendness of Tebow but he is every bit as good as him. A fact I’m sure Saban has hammered into his defense. If Texas can’t get the rushing game going, it will be a long night for them.
On offense – Texas will stack the box and put the game in McElroy’s hand. Can the 1st year QB handle it? Will he perform ala Auburn/Florida game or South Carolina/Tennessee game? I’m guessing Texas will man to man in the secondary. Alabama’s WR Maze and Jones should be able to take advantage of this and they should have plenty of open looks and opportunities. The question is can McElroy get them the ball accurately, on time before getting hit?
Interesting Tidbit of Game #1 – take a look at how many Mac’s are in this game? McElroy, McCoy, McElwain, Mack Brown, McClain. What does it mean? Not sure…
Interesting Tidbit of Game #2 – I made this comment in passing, was about to blog on it, decided to google it first – found out someone had beat me to the punch. The Curse of the White Helmet. The article is worth reading but here is the short version…
Teams that have wore the white helmets this post-season have by and large gotten their clocks cleaned. Florida Gators rocked the white helmet in the SEC championship game – blown out. Oregon wore white vs. Ohio State, making OSU look dominant. Arizona changed to a white helmet for their bowl game against Nebraska. Result: Nebraska looked like Florida. Florida went back to orange helmets while Cincy rocked out new white helmets. Result: Florida beat Cincy worse than they got beat when they last wore white helmets.
Other notable white helmets:
Auburn wore white helmets and escaped with a W somehow against Northwestern.
Penn State needed a monsoon and game winning field goal to beat LSU.
Roll Tide.
Tech, Sooners, and the BCS Mess
The game was terrible. The commentating was terrible. Tech was Terrible with a capital T.
Hearing Boomer Sooner all night long was terrible that was only made worse when the TV cut to Brian Bosworth which was made worse by hearing the Big 12 Apologists as commentators which was made worse by… oh wait, Oklahoma scored again.
I hate the Sooners. I hate their song. It’s worse than Rocky Top. I hate the stupid wagon thing that got penalized on national TV. Their logo ought to be changed from the OU to UZI. I think they have the ugliest cheerleaders in the nation.
Okay, that was a cheap shot. The wagon is actually pretty cool.
What the Sooners did wasn’t a huge surprise. Tech hadn’t played a defense that talented or physical all season. And neither has Oklahoma but I digress, Tech just got manhandled in the trenches on both sides of ball.
Who should win the Big 12 South? Texas. It’s a no brainer. They beat Oklahoma. Beat them badly on a neutral field. They are one dropped interception from being undefeated. And they are not Oklahoma.
But watch the BCS screw this up and rank Oklahoma ahead of Texas. Getting lost in all of this is the Big 12 Championship game. You gotta believe that Missouri is just watching and listening and stewing over being forgotten. Here’s hoping they take advantage of their chance to make life miserable for the BCS.
In the SEC, it’s simple. Last Gladiator standing goes to BCS Championship game. Florida/Alabama in the championship is going to be AWESOME. That defense against that offense…it will be great. By the way – every time Alabama has gone to the SEC Championship game, they’ve faced Florida.
27-20, 10-0, #1
Roll Tide.
The LSU game loomed on the calendar all season long. Death Valley is a nightmare place to play – over 94,000 in attendance this past weekend – and we all know how much Saban is loved and welcomed back.
First, neither team played to the best of their ability. Turnovers and penalties made it crystal clear that neither team was firing on all cylinders. Having said that, Alabama won. Which may be good enough to get through the rest of the season…but it won’t get them past Florida.
What isn’t good enough? Special Teams. Fumbles and missed field goals made this a much closer game that it needed to be. Alabama left 13 points on the field in this category. (Giving 7 on the fumble, 2 missed field goals). Try that against Texas Tech or whoever the Big 12 sends to the championship game and it will be over quick.
Speaking of Texas Tech, should they be the Number 1 team in the nation? I wish they were. I’d be just fine with Alabama at #2. There’s a decent argument for it – they beat Texas, beat Oklahoma State. Just like Bama, they have a couple of more big games left on the ticket – namely Oklahoma and Missouri. Their work isn’t done yet.
Texas Tech’s offense is staggering. They have a ton of weapons. On the other hand, they haven’t played a SEC defense. The Big 12 puts their best athletes on offense and they’ve got the quarterbacks and receivers to prove it. SEC puts theirs on defense. They’ve got the lineman and linebackers to prove that. Can’t wait to see that match up.
35-0, 9-0, #1
Arkansas State was not the real threat. The real threat is believing the press clippings.
Alabama is Number 1 in the polls for the first time since 1980. We’ll see if Alabama can stay focused. With LSU this weekend, Auburn two weeks after that, then more than likely Florida in the SEC Championship – the road is far for done.
Texas Tech played lights out and jumped over Penn State in the rankings. I don’t have a problem with that. Penn State is a good team that really has only played one other good team – Ohio State. Yes, they have Michigan State left but is anyone really going to compare them to Florida, LSU, Oklahoma State or Oklahoma? I don’t think so.
In other sweetness – USC wins a blowout shutout and falls two spots. There is justice in college football after all.
The bottom line for Tide fans is this – IT ISN’T OVER YET!!!! Yes, they are starting to play their best football of the year right now – which is awesome. But one loss sends this thing into mass chaos.
There is a part of me that wishes it would send it all into chaos. They way the FBS picks a national champion is ridiculous and it’s the only division that does this. Can you imagine Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Florida, and Oklahoma State all finishing with one loss? Then trying to pick which team is the best out of that mix? Any one of those teams would destroy Penn State or USC.
But for now…time to focus on Tigers.
Get Your Tortillas Ready
I have a love-hate relationship with Lubbock, Texas. My college roommate/best friend is from there. Would go stay and hang. Loved the vibe of Red Raiders games, throwing tortillas and ‘gettin’ your guns up.’
So I was pulling for them to upset the nasty Longhorns. And they did.
Here’s what I think:
Texas is more balanced but Tech was more passionate. Passion won. Don’t get me wrong, the Tech offense is stinkin’ scary. They can score from any part of the field and they have a coach that cares more about winning than not losing. That’s huge. And it showed Saturday night.
When Graham lined up with 8 seconds left, Aim and I were both going – “Are you nuts? Kick the field goal.” Then he threw that prayer of a pass, Crabtree yanks it down – TOUCHDOWN. If he misses the pass, they’ve got 2 seconds. That’s how well they know their offense. That’s scary.
Of course, Alabama will probably be number 1 after this weekend but Tech could jump all the way up to 3 or 4. I can’t see them jumping over Penn State right now but if they finish out their season and win the Big 12 Championship – they’ll be in the hunt.
But for last night it was awesome to cheer for the Red Raiders and see Tech get some national love.
Tide Stays At 2
Cooper and I were talking about what would happen this weekend after Texas beat Oklahoma. (We had to talk about something other than his Auburn Kitty Cats getting it handed to them by the Hogs.) We both thought if LSU took care of business, they would leap-frog Alabama in the polls.
Then Florida went out and demolished LSU. Coop thought Alabama would get the 1. I didn’t. Nor did I want them to.
First of all, whatever the rankings are now – it doesn’t matter. Texas has to play Missouri (potentially twice) and Texas Tech. Alabama has to play LSU, Auburn, and either Florida or Georgia (again).
The winners in all of this – Penn State and USC. Both have much easier conference schedules. Neither will face the gauntlet that awaits Texas and Alabama over the next few weeks. Neither will play in a conference championship game and even if they had one, it would be against a much weaker opponent. They wouldn’t have to play a team that could have played for the national championship as Texas and Alabama will surely face (if they make it that far).
So I’m reluctantly pulling for Texas because I’d be sick at my stomach to see PSU and USC sneak back into one of those top two spots.
Although it would be awesome to see Penn State and Alabama play each other again for the national championship. Two of the best uni’s in college sports.
Pork…The Other White Meat
Alabama is 3-0, sitting pretty for a great SEC run that starts this weekend with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
I have a large number of Razorback readers. So I will try to be gentle. First step to recovery is acceptance. Let’s look at some facts…
Arkansas 28, Western Illinois 24 – at home. Last minute heroics against a team that they shouldn’t have needed last minute heroics on.
Arkansas 28, Louisiana-Monroe 27 (Little Rock). The theme repeats itself.
This is just not a very good team, with limited offensive weapons. They play hard but they will be outgunned in every SEC match-up this year save the Ole Miss game.
Alabama is a team on the rise, finding itself, figuring out how to finish games. Arkansas is a team trying to figure out how to play for the most despised coach in recent history. (By the way, Alabama fans across the world want to say thank you to Bobby Petrino for taking the attention away from Nick Saban.)
Alabama is looking like a team that given the right bounce or break, could upset LSU or Georgia. Arkansas given the right bounce or break, beat Louisiana-Monroe.
The Piggies have two things going for them. Alabama doesn’t hate Arkansas like they do Tennessee, Auburn, and LSU. So there is a chance that the Tide is overlooking the Hogs. But not likely seeing how pork is the best way to serve BBQ.
Second, the game is in Fayetteville – one of the loudest places in the SEC to play a game. Fans are great, tailgating is awesome and you’ll find plenty of people willing to share their spreads. Traditionally, Alabama field goals and extra points are allergic to the uprights in that stadium. I can’t remember a straight kick from the Tide.
Alabama is a young team and could be prone to lose focus. That was the theme last year. Having said all of that, I think it will be a blow-out. I think the gap between Arkansas and Alabama has widened with the loss of McFadden, Jones, the other transfers and a new coaching staff. I think Petrino’s introduction into SEC football is a harsh one.
Let the smack talk fly…
The Tide Will Roll Again
This weekend will kick off the 2008 College Football season and once again my beloved Tide will take the field to attempt recapturing the glory of a storied football tradition. Last year they started like gangbusters then folded up like a cheap tent.
The LSU game last year ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it twice.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
8/30 at Clemson
So much for a cupcake opener. Clemson has quietly but surely built an SEC style team in the ACC. It’s fast. It can punch you in the mouth. They score points in bunches – defense, special teams, broken plays. And they are at home.
I hate this game. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. It’s not that I think Clemson is that much better than Alabama. It’s that it’s the season opener (‘Bama has traditionally played like junk the first game of the year) and it’s in the other Death Valley – a gruesome place to play.
I’m praying for an upset. It’s a winnable game if the youngsters can keep their cool but the edge has to go to Clemson.
(0-1)
9/6 vs. Tulane
Don’t set the DVR for this one. After the Clemson game, look for the Tide to blow this one open.
(1-1)
9/13 vs. Western Kentucky
Another sleeper game – right before the Arkansas game. Tide will win, won’t show much in the game.
(2-1)
9/20 at Arkansas
Close game – they always are – but ‘Bama wins this one. Hogs don’t have the McFadden/Jones connection this year and don’t even ask me why those two weren’t on the field in the final minutes against ‘Bama. The only thing that stopped McFadden on that day was Houston Nutt.
(3-1)
9/27 at Georgia
Call the medics…this one will be ugly. As ugly as UGA. Traditionally these two teams play close. Let’s hope the Tide learned from last year’s game but Georgia is focused on a National Championship this year. They won’t overlook Alabama.
(3-2)
10/4 vs. Kentucky
Kentucky has improved their football program considerably these past few years. It still sucks. Alabama will completely destroy this team.
(4-2)
10/18 vs. Mississippi
Ole Miss will now get to experience what Fayetteville had for many years. A pleasant, fun, motivating coach in Houston Nutt who forgets how to coach in the 4th quarter. Now he’s got a team with even less talent than he had when he started at Arkansas.
(5-2)
10/25 at Tennessee
There are not enough words to communicate the hate for this team. (Most of them had already been used for Auburn…but I digress.) I will never pick Tennessee over Alabama. Ever.
(6-2)
11/1 vs. Arkansas State
We interrupt meaningful football to bring you this game. They do have cool looking uniforms though. Someone needs to remind the team to be sure and eat at Dreamland BBQ while they are here.
(7-2)
11/8 at LSU
How we feel about Tennessee is how LSU feels about us. The Circle of Hate in the SEC. We hate Tennessee, they hate LSU, who hates Auburn, who hates us. Everyone hates Florida.
Back to the game at hand. If LSU rolls into this game undefeated, it will be a blow-out of mythical proportions. That would mean they would have beaten Auburn, Florida, and Georgia – two of them on the road. (Then they’ll go and lose to Arkansas…)
I don’t think that happens. I don’t think Alabama wins either. Death Valley might just be the toughest place to win in the nation.
(7-3)
11/15 vs. Mississippi State
Not going to happen twice in the same century.
(8-3)
11/29 vs. Auburn
The season. Right here. Auburn has owned us 6 years in a row. If they put up 7…I’m going to have to move to Canada, change my name, and put Cooper up for adoption.
Here are the cold facts: Auburn is deeper. Auburn is faster. Auburn will have title hopes on the line. All of that to say that Auburn sucks anyway and Alabama is going to beat the holy hockey sticks out of them. Forever and ever, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Time for an Auburn joke:
Q. What is the difference between an Auburn Fan and a puppy?
A. Puppies eventually stop whining.
Rammer, Jammer, Yellow Hammer – you know the rest….
(9-3)
Overall, a respectable season, should get a good Bowl game, one more great recruiting class then push for an SEC championship in 2009.