A Return to Form

As the lighters flashed and the smoke rose upon the night air in Knoxville, Tuscaloosa and countless other areas, one could finally feel content about the Alabama team that took the field.

It may be hard to feel content about the schedule ahead which features ranked LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. But it is a hell of a lot more content than the feeling following the South Carolina and Ole Miss games.

The high-caliber athletes are in place. The coaching is in place. The prestige and tradition are in place. Finally, it seemed as though the motivation and drive came back into place during the second half of Saturday’s game.

The opponent was browbeaten Tennessee, in which coach Derrick Dooley later likened to the Germany during the Allies attack of Normandy saying:

“Right now we’re like the Germans in World War II,” Dooley said. “Here comes the boats, they’re coming. You have the binoculars, and it’s like, ‘Oh, my God, the invasion is coming.’ ”

However weak or inexperienced Tennessee may be, there were a multitude of positives to gain from this game. Offensively, it was obvious to anyone who had eyes on the game that this was the explosive offense hyped during the preseason and visible during the first few games of the year.

Ingram and Richardson combined for 207 yards and three touchdowns with Ingram garnering most of the touchdowns (2) and Richardson garnering most of the yards (119). Both were finding holes and gaining yards after contact. Ingram’s red zone run that included pushing the pile five to seven yards was extremely reminiscent of his Heisman capability.

A huge component of the revamped running attack is due to a Fluker-less line stepping up to the task and playing as the stereotypical hard-nosed Alabama line. DJ Fluker with his injured groin could have run through the hole that Richardson burst through for his touchdown. Besides the pressure on Greg McElroy first half, there were mostly improvements with the line and few complaints.

Greg McElroy stayed in the spotlight as the one of the offense’s main weapons over the past weeks going 21-32 for 264 yards. Having been criticized for holding the ball too long in the last couple of weeks and straying away from the pocket, he looked calm, cool and collected while dropping in the pocket and delivering quick, catchable balls.

Then, there is Julio Jones.

Did he even have hand surgery? After 12 receptions, 221 yards and a multitude of extraordinary catches, Julio finally seemed to be the Julio he was recruited to be. Of course, everyone knew of his strength and size, but everyone really saw his big play ability through several deep passes and one incredible catch by the goal line.

Defensively, besides the 59-yard touchdown run by Tauren Poole and giving up 117 yards, they played solid. This was the first time that an Alabama defense has surrendered over 100 rushing yards to an opponent since BenJarvus Green-Ellis of Ole Miss ran for 131 in 2007.

DeMarcus Milliner and LSU-transfer Phelon Jones rose to the challenge and played strong in the secondary. Also, the Tide’s patented red zone defense from the first half of the season returned as they were able to supply pressure to Matt Simms, and Robert Lester gained his fifth interception of the year which is tied for the most in the FBS.

Moving forward, this was the best possible scenario for Alabama. The confidence has returned going into the bye-week, and one can only imagine what Nick Saban is preparing for the LSU Tigers that wait on the tail end of it.

Top Five Matchups of This Weekend

5. #1 Auburn (8-0) vs. Ole Miss (3-4)

On the back of Cam Newton, the Auburn Tigers are ranked number one for the first time in BCS history. After playing South Carolina, Arkansas and LSU, the Tigers look prime for a run at both the SEC and National Championships. However, Auburn played all three of these teams at home. Although it is Ole Miss, Jeremiah Masoli rebounded against a poor Arkansas defense last week going 21/36 for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns. With the weaknesses in Auburn’s secondary, expect this game to possibly be a shootout especially on the road. Everyone knows what has happened to number one over the past three weeks, so do not count Ole Miss out.

My Pick: Auburn wins, but the score is within two touchdowns. Auburn-41 Ole Miss-30

4. Kentucky (4-4) vs. #21 Miss. State (6-2)

It is hard to believe what Dan Mullen has done with this Mississippi State program. From the depths of the SEC, he has brought them out and into contention talk in the SEC West. Living and dying off of their revamped defense, Miss. State faces their first true test as a ranked team this Saturday. Kentucky can have an explosive offensive attack, and expect this game to be an exciting contest of the Kentucky offense against the Miss. State defense.

My Pick: Kentucky’s offense overcomes a strong Miss. State defense to win. Kentucky-24 Miss. State-14

3. #14 Nebraska (6-1) vs. #6 Missouri (7-0)

The spread offense led by Junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert proved to be too much for a shaky Oklahoma defense last week. However, the defense was the big standout in the game forcing Landry Jones to throw two key interceptions. This week is a different story. Nebraska, on a run of vengeance after the loss to Texas, has its eyes set on the Big 12 championship. Expect a shootout, but it is hard to win a shootout when facing Taylor Martinez, Roy Helu Jr., and the fifth strongest running attack in the nation.

My Pick: It will be a shootout, but Nebraska’s talent and depth will overcome. Nebraska-54 Missouri-42

2. #5 Michigan State (8-0) vs. #18 Iowa (5-2)

The running back tandem of Baker and Bell for Michigan State have amassed over 1300 rushing yards on the year while quarterback, Kirk Cousins, has delivered an impressive 2000 yards in the air. The problem is that Iowa’s defense is 11th in the country in points allowed only giving up 15.7 points per game. When weighing the team’s weaknesses, Iowa’s offense is much stronger than Michigan State’s defense.

My Pick: Iowa overcomes last week’s lost to Wisconsin and poor clock management by driving down the field and kicking the game winning field goal against Michigan State. Iowa-17 Michigan State-14

1.#2 Oregon (8-0) vs. USC (5-2)

The Coliseum is a hard place for anyone to go and win. Well, the Oregon Ducks have not known hard the whole year. Besides the first half against Stanford, the Ducks have repeatedly and methodically scored and scored and scored. Averaging 55.1 points per game, expect the Ducks to put up numbers. However, the Trojans have only lost two games, and both were within five points to good teams. Matt Barkley has been tearing defenses apart as of late and expect the Trojans to score as well.

My Pick: The Ducks overcome a slow start in a hostile environment to beat the Trojans. Oregon-42 USC-35

Mid-Season Heisman Report

We are at that point in the season where the Heisman race starts to take form, and this may be the most perplexing Heisman race of the last decade. A Terrelle Pryor-esque quarterback in Auburn, a pint-sized track star taking the snaps in Michigan, and an explosive running back in Eugene, Oregon, have been receiving most of the media attention. They have actually managed to overshadow the returning Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, and Terrelle Pryor himself.
Here are my top five candidates for Heisman:

1. Cam Newton QB/Auburn (Passing: 1278 YDS, 13 TDs, 5 INT; Rushing: 860 YDS, 12 TDS)

With the schedule that presents itself, it is Cam Newton’s Heisman race to lose. Looking ahead at games against LSU, Alabama, and possibly an SEC Championship game, it is either make or break for Newton. So far, it has only been make as Newton continues to be the one component that compels Auburn to victory. Defenses cannot figure out the Terrelle Pryor quarterback that delivers better than Terrelle Pryor. In the 65-43 win against Arkansas, Newton rushed for three touchdowns and threw for one.

2. LaMichael James RB/Oregon (Rushing: 848 YDS, 9TDS)

James is the number one rusher in the nation averaging more than 169 yards per game. His balance of power, speed, and vision has been the X-factor in an explosive Ducks offense. He single-handedly carried Oregon on his back in the win against highly ranked Stanford and looks to do the same against Pac-10 foe UCLA this week.

3. Kellen Moore QB/Boise State (Passing: 1567 YDS, 16TDS, 1 INT)

Kellen Moore may be the most talented player on the board, but it will not get him far considering conference play in the WAC. Of course, the Heisman is meant for the ‘best player in college football,’ but as of late, especially with Mark Ingram and Tim Tebow, schedule strength and the motivational factor play a huge role in the voting process. Expect to see Kellen Moore in New York come presentation time but expect to see him in the middle of the pack. Moore threw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 48-0 thumping of San Jose State.

4. Alshon Jeffery WR/South Carolina (Receiving: 40 REC, 690 YDS, 5 TDS)

My dark horse in the competition, Alshon Jeffery is the key to the South Carolina offense. That is if Garcia can get him the ball. Two 100-plus yard performances against Alabama and Auburn have shown his athleticism and sure hands. Expect him to put up dominant numbers in prime time against a weak Arkansas secondary and a downtrodden Florida squad. In a close loss to Kentucky, Jeffery had 6 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. If the Gamecocks play for the SEC championship, expect Jeffery to be in the Heisman talk.

5. Denard Robinson QB/Michigan (Passing: 1319 YDS, 9 TDS, 5 INT; Rushing: 1096 YDS, 9 TDS)

The last two weeks have not been the best for Denard Robinson as Michigan played against stouter defenses in Michigan State and Iowa. Despite rushing for over 100 yards against the Hawkeyes, Robinson could not keep his team in the game. Still, no single player in the country can bask in the numbers that Robinson owns, and a strong second half of the season could boost him to the top again. The only two obstacles that stand in his way: his re-occurring injuries and the Michigan defense.

The Iron Bowl's Return to Greatness

As 'Poise' flashed on the Jumbotron during the pre-game Traditions video in Bryant-Denny Stadium, I took a deep breath before bursting into cheer as Van Tiffin nailed a 52-yard field goal to overcome Auburn 25-23. Looking around the half-filled monument to football that is Bryant-Denny, I could not help but realize that most of the crowd, students trying to avoid the dreaded upper deck, including myself had never experienced firsthand the joy that was felt by Bama nation on that day. Still, the excitement displayed by the students from that play and others such as 'Wrong Way Bo' uncovered what I should have already known.

The Iron Bowl is the greatest rivalry in college football.

Forget Texas/Oklahoma, Ohio State/Michigan, and Notre Dame/USC. They are all historic in their own right. Forget Florida/Florida State, USC/UCLA, and Ole Miss/Miss. State. They are all territorial in their own right. The perfect rivalry game contains history, location, and pure, old-fashioned hate for the other team. The Iron Bowl encompasses all of these aspects.

History has proven that the Iron Bowl deserves to be among the talk in top rivalry games. I need not preach to the Alabama campus about the many memorable players, coaches, and games that have benefitted both teams over the years. I also need not preach about how deep this rivalry runs.

I may be biased in my opinion, but I grew up with Alabama and Auburn fans. There are Auburn fans in my extended family. I know Alabama/Auburn marriages disputes, sibling disputes, and, most frequently, childhood disputes. I remember not wanting to go to school and faking sick after Auburn victories just so I would not have to listen to the 'dumb' Auburn fans.

This rivalry is in our bloodline and our future. This is not so much the case for Ohio State/Michigan. At the same time, this rivalry provides history and prestige, unlike Ole Miss/Miss State. This year also adds a little more spice.

Considering Alabama and Auburn both win out, which is a daunting task in itself, the game would feature two national title contenders most likely both ranked inside the top five. Add a little college gameday, CBS primetime coverage, a new Bryant-Denny stadium, a chance at the SEC championship, a national title berth, and, wait, a Heisman race.

That is why this game will have the added dimension. We were all witnesses to the devastation Cam Newton delivered to the Arkansas defense. We were all witnesses to the devastation that Mark Ingram dealt last year. Although, he may not have the exact numbers as last year, everyone knows he has the 246-yard South Carolina game in him every time he steps on the field.

The Iron Bowl needed a facelift after the last ten seasons of one stellar team facing off against a mediocre adversary. Through Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, a revamped Auburn team, and a vengeful Alabama team, this year should propel the Iron Bowl back to its glory days. Hopefully, the Bama faithful will see a ‘Wrong Way Cam’ or, may the football gods forbid, another ‘Punt Bama Punt.’

BCS for Dummies

I know the into may sound familiar, but keep reading.

The BCS-it is three harmless consonants that, when put together, become the most feared acronym in the college football universe. It is a combination of computer code, a calculus exam, and a beauty pageant. Teams are thrown into a mixture of logarithms and equations while having to please voters in multiple polls by 'looking their best' every week. The BCS has her favorites, and they are from the so-called BCS conferences. Still, the BCS likes to flirt with those outside her normal boundaries.

Let's take a look at the top ten teams in the BCS poll:

1.Oklahoma
2.Oregon
3.Boise State
4.Auburn
5.TCU
6.LSU
7.Michigan State
8.Alabama
9.Utah
10.Ohio State

So, why does this poll differ so much from the AP Top 25 or the USA Today Top 25?

NOTE: THIS IS THE BORING DEFINITION

First of all, the BCS rankings have three factors that determine a team's positioning. The Harris Poll (which replaces the AP Poll), The Coaches Poll, and the Computer Rankings all have one-thirds say in each team's ranking.

Through the Harris and Coaches, or USA Today, polls teams are ranked by the voting members from 1-25. Inversely, teams that are ranked 25th get one point, 24th gets two points, and so on. In the end, the team's scheduled points are divided by the overall possible points they could have received which is 2,580 points in the Harris Poll and 1,475 points in the Coaches Poll. Therefore, if a team is voted number one by all voters in the Harris Poll, there tally would be 2,580/2,580 which equals 1.000.

The computer ranking is trickier because it adds multiple aspects. Strength of schedule, quality of wins, and win/loss goes into calculating six categories of rankings. Say a team has a ranking of 1,2,2,2,2,5 in the respective categories. The computer rankings drops the highest and lowest rankings (1,5) and averages the rest to rank the team as the 2nd best in the nation. To determine the ranking, just divide 24 (the points the team would have received) by 25 (the maximum possibility of alotted points).

Now enter in the simple equation (Harris+Coaches+Computer/3). If the team was number one in the Harris and Coaches with all of the number one votes and number two in the computer rankings, the team would have an average of .987.

NOTE: THIS IS THE REAL DEFINITION

If you happen to still be reading after that definition, let me put a more accepted spin on the BCS.

The BCS is a woman. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. It is a woman who is looking for love. She may not be the most committed woman, as she needs a new flame each year, but, nevertheless, she has her own needs. She has the class of the Bachelorette with the re-run capability of Tila Tequila, and the fight for her love has never been more dramatic.

The BCS places more value on 'her' conferences. The six conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, Pac-10, SEC) are automatically admitted to her treasured 'galas'...or bowls. They are the stronger, more attractive teams that have to endure many trials and obstacles to obtain her love. The endurance and passion that they show for her sake entice her to value them more.

Then, there are the Cinderellas (Boise St., TCU, Utah). They are those nice, charming guys who are subject to the BCS's flirtation and have high hopes year-after-year to only be diminished into the friend zone. They are those guys that all of her friends like, but do not hold the value and prestige as the older, socially acceptable guys. As much as these Cinderellas feel cheated and betrayed, make no mistake. The BCS is hurting from their hurt and is close to a transition.

She is now caught between history, temptation, and reputation. The love affair with the SEC is becoming steady. The 'friend' is turning into the flame. Countless other upstanding 'men' are proving that they deserve her love in the Big 10, Big 12, and Pac-10. Will the love affair continue? Will she become committed to one man (Alabama) for longer than a year? Will the sweet, charming friend overcome the strong, attractive men? Or, will this just be Armageddon?

There are many questions to be answered, but one thing is for certain. It is sure to make great television.

A Much Needed Loss

Sitting in the South Carolina student section amid the reverberations of sandstorm and the many unnecessary cock references, I experienced a long lost feeling. It was that odd feeling in the pit of my stomach that is the midway point between anger, depression, and disgust. It was a feeling that I had known to mask during the Dubose, Franchione, and Shula eras as well as Saban’s first year.

As the fans swarmed the hedges, booing the announcements to not storm the field while chanting ‘You can’t stop us’, I soaked in the unthinkable Alabama loss. I had not experienced that feeling since the ’08 SEC Championship game, and I had forgotten how bad it hurt. I believe the players had as well.

If the saying ‘what does not kill you only makes you stronger’ is true, the Crimson Tide national championship hopes are far from dead. In fact, I believe that a loss betters our championship chances. Actually, it gives Alabama the opportunity to grow into the championship team it can be. South Carolina uncovered the flaws that lost Alabama the game, commitment and complacency. Alabama, as Nick Saban pressed after the game, needs to be committed to this program and no longer be complacent as the seemingly dominant Alabama team.

From the stands, one could tell that the Alabama team, and even the fans, possessed no real sense of urgency. It was as though everyone believed the football gods would come down from the heavens to right what was wrong. Instead, Garcia received the blessings by playing uncharacteristically good and utilizing two of the best skill players in the conference in Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery while the Gamecock defense rebounded after allowing Cam Newton 400 plus yards to holding the best running back tandem in the country, Ingram and Richardson, to 64 yards.

Dissecting Alabama’s schedule at the beginning of the year, the loss seemed inevitable. Alabama played the toughest three week stretch of any team in the nation that included two top twenty teams, one top ten team, and two games on the road. Only Lou Holtz’s 1990 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have fought through a similar scenario without a blemish.

They will go on to play five SEC schools with bye weeks after South Carolina, including two that will possibly remain in the top ten. Disturbingly, one saw what Spurrier could do with an added week’s time so any of those games look more dangerous.
To make it through this schedule, the team needed a wake-up call. Say what you want about the SEC. It is not as weak as I, and many others, had thought. This week showed that this is the SEC of the early 2000s that would beat each other out of the national championship game.

The public is not used to that evenly matched SEC. They are accustomed to the perennial powerhouse conference that would always end with two teams battling in Atlanta for the bid to greater glory. Alabama is hands down more talented and better coached than any other team in the conference, but passion, desire, and execution trump complacency any day of the week.

McElroy made a vow after the game that he will not allow this team to lose another game. As much as I hate to say it, his statements sounded Tebow-esque in reference to his vow after the Ole Miss loss, only without the tears. The situations are similar as well. Both teams were favorites. Both teams were outplayed. Florida went on to win the national championship. May Alabama do the same. Of course, the football gods will need to do some work to the top six, but Alabama is far from out of the race. One thing is certain. I would hate to be the Ole Miss team that comes into Bryant-Denny stadium on Saturday.