11/3 Arkansas State Game
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dogs and cats, hamsters and gerbils, as I write this blog, the Alabama Crimson Tide is the Number 1 team in the nation. It’s amazing how far this team has come in such a short time. It seems like only yesterday we were being abandoned by Dennis Franchione, who made the brilliant decision to head to Texas A&M. We then made a desperation hire in Mike Price, who turned his tenure at the Capstone into Skank-Fest 2003, which led to another desperation hire in Mike Shula. When Shula got canned for blatant incompetence in late 2006, who would have thought that almost exactly 2 years later, we would be the nation’s top-ranked team? I knew Saban was a brilliant coach, and I was thrilled beyond words when he became our new head coach, but even I didn’t see this coming.
Just for fun, can you remember the last time that we were ranked Number 1 during the season? Believe it or not, it was 1980. We entered the game against Mississippi State ranked Number 1. They upset us that day 6-3 (I believe our QB Don Jacobs fumbled on the goal line and the end of the game), and two weeks later we lost to Notre Dame 7-0. I guarantee you, if someone would have told the Bama nation that the next time we would be ranked Number 1 during the season would be 28 years later, we would have thought that person was crazy. Yet, that’s what happened. In the immortal words of Hotel, “What a long, long, long, long road it’s been.”
Bama entered the Number 1 ranking in style by recording our first shutout since 2005 as we defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 35-0. Yeah, I know that beating Arkansas State is nothing to brag about, but I was really happy to see us dominate a lesser opponent. Under Stallings, we would have won this game 13-6. Under Shula, we would have won 10-9. Under Dubose, we would have lost. But we came out ready to play in this game. Our running game was extremely effective from start to finish, and all three of our running backs ran with good vision and desire. Our true freshman Mark Ingram had the best game of his short career so far, rushing for 113 yards and 2 TDs. Coffee had a first half TD before sitting out the second half with a shoulder injury, and Roy Upchurch scored yet another TD on a beautiful sweep around the left end. Our passing game wasn’t as effective as our running attack, but there were still several nice plays by Julio, Marquis, and company. Also, it looks like true freshman Brad Smelley is becoming more of a threat as a tight end/slot receiver hybrid. Notice that all three of the receivers I just mentioned are freshmen, and I expect to see our offense open up more as they continue to develop.
It almost seems unfair that as soon as we get the Number 1 ranking, we have to go to Death Valley to face the defending national champion LSU Tigers. I really hope that we don’t let our ranking go to our heads, because LSU is an excellent team that will require every bit of focus and determination that we can muster. They have without a doubt the best defense that we’ve seen so far. Their offense is loaded with firepower. Really, their only weakness is their QB, who is talented but inexperienced. If this sounds similar to what I said about Tennessee, it should, because it’s a very similar situation. The differences are that LSU’s defense is better, and their offense is much, much, much better coached than Tennessee’s. LSU’s offensive coordinator is Gary Crowton, who you football aficionados will recognize from BYU’s heyday. They have an excellent running game (watch out for Charles Scott), and they know how to handle a young QB. We absolutely, positively have to stop the run, and we must pressure their QB. Otherwise, we’ll be depending on our offense to keep us alive against one of the nation’s most dangerous defenses. This is the most important game that we’ve played in a long time, and I’m sure that both teams will treat it accordingly. Quite frankly, I feel much better knowing that we have Saban preparing the game plan for this one. I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing. J
That’s it for now. If you’re going to the game, let everyone hear you. If you’re watching it on TV, send all your good vibes to Baton Rouge. This will probably be our toughest game yet, so brace yourselves.
Be sure to check back next week as I review this epic clash. Until then, as always, feel free to send me any questions or comments.
Roll Tide, and We’re Number 1!
Kenny
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