BAMA's OFF-WEEK & PICKS

Well, BAMA is 6-0 and has a mid-season bye week. This is the way it's supposed to be, the way I was brought up to enjoy CRIMSON TIDE Football. We're back where we belong (ahead of schedule), everyone's jealous and hatin', and we have a breather before resuming our rise back to the top of the college football world. The posers and pretenders see the writing on the wall and hear the thunder of the mighty crimson herd rumbling ever closer.

This was stated so eloquently on the GUMP for HEISMAN Blog seen here: http://www.gump4heisman.com/my_weblog/2008/10/the-alabama-football-fans-guide-to-following-the-2008-auburn-tigers.html?cid=134236075#comments

**HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!**

(So highly, in fact, that I've added a permanent link over in the right-hand column!)

On a totally un-related note, I am compelled to comment on the sorry state of officiating that has been rampant this season. At first, I thought it was just a conspiracy directed at my beloved Crimson Tide, but as I see more and more games, I realize it is much more than that. Is it incompetence? Is it a visual disability? A failure to properly train the officiating staff on the rules and etiquette of the game? All of the above? Or is it something more sinister...?

I was still agitated about the 'no-calls' on obvious infractions during the Georgia game-- a block in the back AND a tackle of our guys during the Dawgs' return for td, for example -- I couldn't see straight. Then, during the Kentucky game, Julio Jones and the defender are running down-field, jockeying for position. The defender is grabbing Julio's jersey, and then pushes him off! Julio makes a great catch anyway, fights for more yardage, AND IS FLAGGED FOR INTERFERENCE!!! WTF...?!

I was really agitated until I saw the officials helping Missouri against Nebraska later that evening. Then a phantom call gives Michigan another chance to win. I sure hope something is done about this before some coach goes all "Woody Hayes" on a deserving referee...!

Stay tuned....!

Now to this week's picks. Pretty good slate of games on tap, beginning with the Wildcats of Kentucky hosting the South Carolina Gamecocks. Kentucky played tough defense and had a LOT of help from the officials, or ALABAMA would have beaten them by 3 touchdowns last week. (Watch the replays if you don't believe me!)The Cocks finally played like Spurrier intended last week, so this will be a good match-up. Surprisingly, the Wildcats are more talented, maybe too much for the ol' ball coach. KENTUCKY 28, South Carolina 24

Just what the Bulldogs need: GEORGIA 34, tennessee 10

Poor Tony Franklin. He can't take the blame for this one. auburn 17, Arkansas 14

The Bayou Bengals visit the Swamp (which will be a suitable name after two days of rain!) as Florida hosts LSU. The Gators want to prove they're better than they've shown. The Tigas want the same. I think LSU might be a little too strong, and if they get to Tebow a few times this could get out of hand. LSU 38, Florida 28

Nationally, Oklahoma probably holds off Texas, 35-31.

Penn State 28, Wisconson 17

Missouri 38, Oklahoma State 17

The TIDE is ROLLING IN...!

That's right, Georgia. Black makes you look sexy. Assume the position. Accept your fate. Now, go clean yourself up and fix Big Al a drink and some dinner, bitch! The SEC, as well as the rest of the nation, has been served notice.
The following photo was sent to me by Scottie Willis, fellow Tide fan and purveyor of All Fine Things Crimson:

Thank you, Scottie!

After last nights destruction of the Georgia Bulldogs, The University of Alabama Crimson Tide can no longer fly under the radar or be overlooked. After yet another dismantling of a pre-season top-10 team, folks are paying attention. And wondering just what to think.
To upcoming opponents, I offer a word of advice: Take some pain medication. At least a half hour before kickoff. Maybe it will ease the oncoming trauma.
Until, that is, YOU REALIZE 'THE PROCESS' IS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! In other words, get used to it. All the haters and naysayers, please shut your pie-holes. You'll get your turn.
Roll Tide.

COOL BAMA SPORTS ILLUSTRATED ALTERNATE COVERS

Click on the title of this post to see some cool alternate BAMA Sports Illustrated Covers....!

COUNTDOWN!

7 Days 'Til KICKOFF!

ROLL TIDE!

Tide Wins Recruiting War...! Sour Grapes Aplenty!

Man, oh, man!
It's funny how all of these LSU fans and Aubarners are concerned about Alabama and quick to spout off about The Tide's irrelevance. If we're such has-beens, how could we have taken the eventual national champions to the wire this past season, and generate as much or more NATIONAL NEWS COVERAGE than anyone else by signing the TOP RECRUITING CLASS IN THE COUNTRY...?
The LSU fans are STILL bitter about Nick Saban coming back to the SEC, and the tigers/war eagles/plainsmen/wtf can't understand why they get no respect for regularly beating up on a down program in perpetual dis-array.
The link below goes to an LSU fan blog that spends more time dissing Saban and Bama than celebrating their 2-loss National Championship season:
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=7118605

Coach Saban and his staff quietly and methodically amassed arguably one of the most skilled and talented group of sought-after athletes to stroll into Tuscaloosa in my recent memory. The lure of the Tradition at THE University of Alabama as well as a chance to play and contribute early seemed like a pretty good combination. It also helps thst Coach Saban has a history of producing top-round draft picks.

Reauxll Tide ANYWAY!

Well, I didn't get a chance to post my prediction for the Bama-LSU game(which was Bama 31, LSU 27), but it was a goodie anyway! The Tigers took advantage of weak offensive line pass-protection, and capitalized on numerous miscues and call-reversals by the officials. The Tide played 'em tough, though, and lost(barely)by a score of 41-34 after a qb sack/fumble by John Parker Wilson.
Our defense was surprisingly effective with 3 interceptions, but just barely missed on the game-winning LSU td. We matched up pretty well overall and even enjoyed the lead in this competitive contest. The Tigers did a good job of stuffing our rushing game in a very exciting and entertaining 4 hours of football. I don't believe this turned out to be the cake-walk many Tiger fans expected. I feel good about the effort put forth by The Tide, and will only feel better as Coach Saban loads up blue-chip recruits.
The game also displayed the parity that is the SEC. Look around the league. Not a whole lot of separation. Just ask Carolina. Or Arkansas. Or Vandy. But that's another entry.......

POW!! RIGHT in the KISSER...!! SEC Football Tops 'Em ALL!

41-17. BAMA beats Tennessee. Things are starting to get back to normal. The Tide whipped the Vols in the second half like we're supposed to. Coach Saban, shuffling players after suspensions of key personnel under scrutiny of some unfortunate textbook/benefits/possible violations, earned his paycheck again this week.
JP Wilson looked sharp. DJ Hall was again impressive. The newly-shuffled offensive line provided time and protection and opened holes for the shifty and explosive Terry Grant. The defense stepped it up a notch, played tough together and The fat orange got an old-fashioned spankin'.
Unfortunately, I had to work and could only semi-listen to the game live. But I stayed up until 2:00 late Saturday night (After the LSU/Auburn game) watching EVERY minute. Beautiful.
GREAT weekend for SEC football. Florida squeaks by Kentucky. Vanderbilt up-ends Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks. And the LSU/Auburn 'tiger tangle' was as exciting a nail-biter as you'll see.

Good Local High School Football on ESPN2 (And LOU..!)

Wow! Two local (well, regional, since they're in Baldwin County) teams squared off with a national ESPN2 audience last night. I watched most of it, and at first I thought it was going to be 'The JULIO JONES Show'. Which would have been fine with me. This kid makes it look easy. And he played both ways! I sure hope he comes to THE University of ALABAMA.
And we got to see and hear Kenny 'Snake' Stabler at the game. But the announcers talked more about Mobile than either Foley OR Daphne. Weird.
Now, usually, I hate to watch Lou Holtz's halftime rants. This washed-up 'Granny Clampett' look-a-like who sounds like Sylvester (excuse me-- 'thoundth like Thylvethter) is such a homer and Notre Dame apologist that I just can't sit through his insane 'pep talks'. I mean, he literally rambles incoherently and makes such vague references that even I sometimes can't make them remotely relevant.
Last night, however, during the South Carolina-Kentucky game, he did this:

I LOVE the old 'tearing paper' trick.

ANYhow, The Tide should take care of the Houston Cougars handily. It's Homecoming, so maybe they can put on a show for everyone. And win big. Hopefully, the mistakes can be corrected. If so, this game should be just what Bama needs.
PREDICTION: ALABAMA 38, Houston 14

Florida visits LSU in a good night-game matchup that could get ugly if the Gators play like they did against auburn. LSU has typically started their games slowly, but I think they'll come out clawing Saturday night. And what's with Les Miles and that 'trucker hat'...? That thing sits a mile on top of his head! The Bayou Bengals fans will have been drinking all day, so look for some ugly behavior if Florida comes out on top. It'll be a close one.
PREDICTION: LSU 38, Florida 28

Okay, honestly, I don't care about any of the other games, and as evidenced by last week's picks I obviously don't know much about college football, either. ROLL TIDE.