Championship In December

Repeat? I think not!!! This weekends SEC Championship game marks the seventh time Alabama has made it to the SEC Championship game and funny as it seems, they have always played Florida.

Alabama is 2-5 in those meetings and is hoping to make it 3-5. Last weeks performance turned in a 26-21 victory over Auburn and while it seems like it was a close game, it really wasn't near as close as it seems.

Auburn threw everything but the kitchen sink at Alabama in it's first two drives and then got outscored 26-7 through three plus quarters. Regardless of the score, sorry tiger fans, you got dominated in every portion of the game..... and, while I know this will sound like I am making excuses, that is while the Tide played with no emotion or fire.

Alabama played like it still had a pound and half of turkey still sitting in its gut. At least until the last drive. The players, the fans, even the media, did not seem to be into this game (except the Auburn fans and media). I mean, really, Alabama could have lost this game, gone to Atlanta, played Florida in the SEC title game, won that and still played for a national championship. Can you say "PREPARING FOR FLORIDA?" I think Nick already knew this as did the players.

Florida has not been the same team they were last year, that is not to say that they are not a good team. Last year, the Gators were more solid in every phase of the game. This year, they have shown less explosiveness and less flash.... all while playing an SEC Eastern Division that is, well, down this year.

Alabama on the other hand has had a few games with mental errors and mistakes but, for the most part, has been a more complete team. At times, has even showed signs of brilliance.

Alabama has a ground attck that is like no other. The one-two punch of Ingram and Richardson has been proven to be to much for anyone this season. Whats that you say? What about Auburn stopping Ingram? Well lets look at that for just a minute.

As I said before, 14 of Auburns 21 total points came on the first two drives full of trick plays. the other 7 was on a busted coverage play that went for 72 yards. Like I said during the game, you can't win a game with a hand full of trick plays, it just doesn't work and will only get you to a point where you have to PLAY FOOTBALL!!!

Auburns total yards in the game was 332 (181 passing/151 rushing). The first drive was 3 plays that included a 67-yard run for a touchdown. The total drive was 80 yards. That leaves us with 252 yards. The next drive (after the on-side kick / trick play) was a little longer (time wise) but gave Auburn great field position and momentum. It started at the Auburn 42 and ate up some clock but yet, another 7 points was added and 58 yards leaving us with 194 yards over the next 3 + quarters.

Alabama would take control of the game at this point. Auburn would have 5 more possesions in the first half of the game that would rack up 79 yards of total offense, 4 punts and a fumble for Alabama to recover. All while Alabama stuck to the balanced attack of running and passing and putting 14 points on the board to tie it.

Second half would be more of the same with the exception of a busted coverage play by Mark Barron while Marquis Johnson blitzed to let a 72 yard touchdown pass give Auburn the lead back.

The rest would add up to 82 yards over 6 possesions, 4 punts, 1 interception and a failed hail mary pass. I will give this to Auburn, it used what it had to score points and capitalized on Alabamas few mistakes. In the end, it isn't enough to win a game, especially when alabama doesn't make alot of mistakes.

All-in-all, Auburn truly earned 122 yards of total offense. Alabama earned every inch they got. No trick plays, no busted coverage routes for big gaines, no gimmies. Just solid, punch-you-in-the-mouth football.

So, like I said, you may have stopped the run game from breaking 100 yards, but it did what it was suppose to do, take the focus off all the other talent we have and let us beat you thru the air....... either way, our ground game beat you. LOL!!!!

Florida on the other hand was drilling FSU 24-0 at the half. I thought to myself, OK, Florida has decided to peak now... GREAT!!! But the final score of 37-10 was a little bit of a shocker to me. Either way, it was a rival game, and those are very unpredictable. Florida and Alabama have done what championship teams do, they find ways to win and they have. Now, Florida and Bama are ranked #1 and #2 respectfully and are undefeated.

The collision coarse of the these rivaled championship teams was forseen by many in the sports world and fans alike long before the season started. Alabam has played musical chairs with Texas and Florida between the number 1,2 and 3 spot all season long. Florida has held it's #1 spot for all but one week when Alabama took the lead and lost it the following week against rival Tennessee. Both the Gators and the Tide have shown the nation that the National Championship game is not January 8th. It is December 5th in Atlanta, Georgia. The game in January is just a reminder to the rest of the college football nation which conference really is the best. S-E-C, S-E-C, S-E-C.

Let The Feasting Begin!!!!

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I never thought it would get here. Short work week, running all over the place, feasting..... and that is just the football.

I guess I have been quite the slacker on posts this year but, as I said before, work has been very busy and I am grateful for that.

Anyway, the Tide is 11-0 going into this weeks Iron Bowl and they are looking awesome. After a great performance against LSU coming out of a break and dominating Mississppi State, I am ready to get to the last 3 games and hopefully Bama will be playing in Pasadena in about a month or so.

Julio Jones has come on strong these last few games and I guess the season he has had is to be expected. With a ground game like we have, and the talent that Julio provides, he is a distraction to open up the run game, and just when you thought it was safe not to cover him, he is wide open headed to the end zone, just as MSU found out.

Greg McElroy had a couple of let down games but I think it brought him (as well as the team) back to reality and realized that they had to play every game (and get some rest) or they could loose it all in one swift move. None the less, Greg has really posted some great numbers this year. He is far and away better than J.P. Wilson. McElroy is also showing better numbers, in certain areas, than Tebow.... Oh yes, it is true.... just look.

TEBOW:
Completed 114 passes out of 173 attempts
1531 total passing yards
65.9 completion percentage
8.85 yards passing average
77 yards - longest pass
11 touchdowns
4 interceptions
21 sacks
156.59 rating

MCELROY:
Completed 140 passes out of 236 attempts
1721 total passing yards
59.3 completion percentage
7.29 yards passing average
80 yards - longest pass
11 touchdowns
4 interceptions
9 sacks
132.57 rating
(Stats as of 11/14/2009)

Oh, and did I mention that Greg McElroy is a junior and will probably be back next year? Can I get a ROLL TIDE!!!!

Something I never saw coming...... MARK INGRAM!!!! WOW!!!! Heisman front runner and favorite to many. Did you know that 53.3% of his total yards are after initial contact? Talk about "Gettin' After It". If Ingram is the winner, I will feel priviledged to be apart of another first for Alabama football. I was lucky enough last year to be able to witness Alabama win it's first Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This year, I will hopefully get to see Alabama's first Heisman winner.

I know not many people follow this (Just you Joe, LOL!!!!!) but I am going to give a shout out to all the Seniors that have made the past few years an unbelievable experience for me. I thank you and wish you all the best in your life endeavors.

The Iron Bowl is up this Friday and I will be watching intently. This game has always been a great rivalry and has provided plenty of surprises in the past. While I don't believe this is one of those years, I will still be uneasy until we are up by at least 3 touchdowns.

I will be traveling to see my family (back to my hometown of Thomasville, Ga.)over the thanksgiving holidays and have reconnected with a great friend via Facebook (Thanks Facebook) and he happens to be an Auburn fan. I think we may get together to watch it so it will be fun to talk trash and watch my beloved Tide roll all over the Tigers...... AGAIN!!!!! RTR!!!! Happy Turkey Day.

Week 5 Begins

We are 4-0, about to go to Kentucky, and I have been a total slacker for not posting. In my defense though, work has really picked up and by the time I get home, all I want to do is watch the replay of the game and stay away from a computer.

Lets recap what we have so far. Our Defense is just as punishing as we thought. Virginia Tech seems to be everything Clemson wasn't, and we beat them. Glen Coffee is gone but Upchurch apparently likes to drill people as he is running (even when it is not needed) LOL!!!!!! Tebow is not indestructible and we could quite possibly be back in Atlanta against Florida.... AGAIN!!!!! I think there might be a little different turnout this time.

Lets start with the offense seeing how it was the biggest of all suspects. McElroy - lets face it, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the country (with a number 3 ranking) and showing it every week. Arkansas decided to try and stop the run, and they did slow it down but, Greg just picked them apart through the air. McElroy put up almost 300 yards of passing on the hogs and didn't even blink.

The Offensive line is getting better and better with no sign of a true weekness at this point. It is not quite as good as last year in my opinion but it is darn close. I think they may still be trying to find their identity. I mean, just being good is not enough, you have to have a staple or chat about you..... this isn't happening. While everyone is doing there job and doing it well, they are missing that certain element that you just can't put your finger on..... that usually comes in time, somethiing this line has not had alot of.

The back field - lets face it, we are stacked at the running back position and there are even more waiting in the wings. That is an awesome feeling. Trent Richardson has emerged as a "git'r done" back with all the tools needed.... much like Mark Ingram did last year. Upchurch is playing the roll of the "Bruiser" back and doing a fine job at it. What can you say about Ingram that hasn't already been said..... WOW!!!!

Receivers - Not sure that we have the break away receiver that we were looking for to match Julio Jones but, all the receivers and tight ends are playing well and making the catches they should be making. Maze and Hanks have come to life this year with double coverage abundant on Julio. The tight ends seem to be open all the time which helps to free up the run game when needed. I love this offense that is currently averaging around 490 yards per game.... AWESOME!!!!!

I'll get to the defense in my next post... hopefully after Kentucky!!!

Bama getting ready to roll

Well, here we are, 3 weeks away from Bama's kickoff with Virginia Tech and the excitment is reall starting to build.
I spent last Sunday afternoon roasting in the afternoon sun, not for autographs, but for a faint glimpse at the offensive line and our new quarterback..... Who is looking better and better every day..... not that they ever looked bad.

The O-line is getting more and more praise as fall drills continue. I can kind of sense the same thing as last season began to approach... the quiet confidence that surrounds the team. Even a #5 preseason ranking, while exciting, is still a bit unnerving

The bama defense continues to get more and more praise and it sounds like we will be in good hands with Rolando McClain leading the way. Dre Kirkpatrick continues to impress each day while all but guaranteeing a starting position.

Mount Cody is down to a slimming 355 and looked really impressive at fan day.

Not much of a downside here but the one thing I did notice on the bad side was how poor Star Jackson looked. Inwould tend to believe that if he keeps this up, he would be moved to another position or loose his scholarship.

AJ was every bit the hype that has preseded him. It was quite amazing to see someone come on campus and show the ability in accuracy and precison (possibly more) than our recently departed fifth year senior, JPW.

I will post as more info comes available. The first full pads practice is today so maybe I can post more tomorrow.

Bama Football

Just under two months to go until Saban and company turn loose another team ready for dominance and I can hardly hold a thought in my head that doesn't scream ROLL TIDE!!!!

I am like many Alabama fans who are ready to see what surprises the 2009 season will hold for the Crimson Tide. With only a few returning starters on offense and what is to be a suffocating defense, I can only reflect on last years pre-season predictions of an "at best" 8-4 regular season record only to end up undefeated going into the SEC Championship game. I still get chills thinking about a 36-0 blowout of Auburn..... The overtime win at LSU....... a time ticker against Ole Miss and who can forget the first half shutout of Georgia.

There were so many people who stepped up to Saban's challenge, and many of them were freshman. I also remember thinking "What in the world are we going to do with a running back like Glenn Coffee who can barely keep his hands on the ball".... well, we all know how that turned out. I hope it is not too much to hope for the same thing from Roy Upchurch.... seeing how the feeling at this point is as mutual for him as it was for Coffee this time last year.

With another #1 recruiting class and so much talent returning, I know the mastermind (Coach Saban)and his crew will put together another wonderful season of Alabama football.

Yes, I see things with Crimson glasses sometimes but I did see opportunities for an undefeated season last year. Only they came under pretenses that did not flourish. Instead, Bama turned out to be much better than anyone could foresee.

I also see ways for another 12-0 season this year and our schedule is very favorable. Plenty of home games and we do not see Florida until Atlanta in December.

I also like our chances against Florida better this year..... remember, we were thin on talent and had very little depth. A quarterback who wasn't going to lose the game for you, also wasn't going to win the game either. Only one true wide receiver, and he was a freshman, now a sophomore with more impact receivers coming..... and we were in that game all the way to the end.

I will post more when I can but between work, kids, P90X and and Bama football quickly approaching, I am not sure how much more I can get before the season starts.

Be safe, be blessed and always... RTR!!!!