Bama 2-Point Underdog Vs 'Dogs
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Though the Crimson Tide enters tomorrow's clash with the Georgia Bulldogs a 2-point underdog, realistically the main reason is probably it's a home game for the Bulldogs. If the game were being played in Tuscaloosa, the line would be reversed and possibly higher than the current one. Chances of Bama losing another game in Tuscaloosa are practically non-existent.
This game will probably be more of a running attack than passing attack. Weather there is supposed to be rainy...very. Not to say that passes won't be thrown, but this should probably be the running contest so many Bama (Twitter) fans have been yelling for. Sloppy conditions could cause problems either way, however.
Bama's defensive line is arguably the best in the nation. Whether pass or run they have shown to be superior. But if they know the run is coming, Bama has been dominant. Georgia has no spread offense and hasn't been an uptempo team. However, none of the Tide's previous opponents have had Nick Chubb. Chubb has gained a minimum of 100 yards in each of his last 12 games. In fact, Chubb could be on track for an unbelievable 2,000-yard season.
A lot is on the line tomorrow. Another SEC loss would more than likely take Bama out of both the SEC championship and national championship races. So, this could be considered an elimination game for Bama, or at least one with elimination undertones.
No one knows what's at stake better than the Crimson Tide. They don't have to be told what another loss this season could mean. Expect them to be motivated because of the previous loss, a first-time underdog, and the possibilities of the end of championship hopes for the season.
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Alabama Completes Final Full Practice For Georgia
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
It's now or never. The Crimson Tide completed it's preparation of full practice sessions yesterday afternoon readying for the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday in Athens, Georgia. Bama continued to stress fundamentals such as ball control, blocking, pass rush and pass protection. The Tide practiced in shells with the offense fine-tuning their game-plan, and the defense working on shutting down the potent Georgia offense.
The 13th-ranked Crimson Tide travels to Athens to face their highest-ranked opponent yet in the 8th/6th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Game time is set for television at 2:30 pm CT on CBS, with a 2:39 pm kickoff scheduled at Sanford Stadium. Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce will be providing game coverage.
Alabama owns the series with a 37-25-4 record, including a 14-10 mark when playing in Athens. The last meeting? The 2012 SEC Championship game which the Tide won 32-28. It was the 23rd Southeastern Conference Championship for Alabama before going on to win their 15th National Championship.
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Bama Soccer Falls To Auburn In Double Overtime
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
In a thrilling game last night at the Alabama Soccer Complex, the Alabama soccer team fell in double overtime to the Auburn Tigers 2-1. The loss puts the Tide at 4-7-2 overall, 1-4 SEC.
After the game Bama head coach Wes Hart said, " It's hard to describe how I'm feeling tonight. I'm gutted that we lost the game, but extremely pleased that we found a way to fight back after conceding a goal just minutes into the match. We had the number eight team in the country on their heels tonight."
That first goal by Auburn (11-1-0, 4-1) came at just over one minute into the contest. A little over an hour into the contest Bama was able to tie it up by Alabama freshman Tori Gann, scoring her first career goal.
Hart said, "Tori has been providing a spark off the bench for us all season. I'm very happy that she was finally rewarded for her efforts with a goal, and what a big goal it was."
Auburn's winning score came in the 103rd minute of the contest, the second overtime. Hart said, "Credit to Auburn. They have been finding ways to win close games all season and they did it again tonight. This is the sixth time this season we've lost by just one goal. We have a young team, but I think we have shown that we can compete with anyone in the country."
Up next for the Tide is a trip to College Station, Texas on October 9th for a match up with the 16th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies.
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Saban And Miles Have Moment Of Agreement
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and LSU head coach Les Miles have had their disagreements over the years concerning college football, but it appears they stand in agreement on one thing. That particular thing involves the NFL's three-year rule for allowing college players to enter the league, and whether or not players such as Leonard Fournette who possess the ability and physical attributes to turn pro, should sit out a year of college eligibility to avoid an injury that could possibly weaken their stock in the NFL draft.
Saban and Miles believe the argument is ridiculous, and that continued play on the collegiate level can only lead to strengthening the player's stock.
During the weekly SEC football coaches teleconference Saban said, "I think college players develop while they're here. I think you get better by playing."
The argument concerning Fournette is, of course, one that Miles would weigh in on. He said, "We just want Leonard to go to class, go to football, enjoy a smattering of media opportunities and play ball on Saturdays...have fun with his college.I think the approach we have for him is a quality one."
Then there are those, mostly of the pro-NFL persuasion, who believe potential pro prospects should take into account the possibility of injury if they continue to play college football. ProFootball.com's Mike Florio suggests that sophomore Fournette should be the first college player to sit out a season rather than risk the possibility of injury by playing an additional year. His argument is that the number of years to play NFL football is very limited, especially so the running backs which is usually much shorter due to the punishment received from carrying the ball so often.
Saban commented, "And the notion that I guess you shouldn't play because you might get injured...I don't look at football as a dangerous game...you can get injured playing any game, so that means you should never play? You can actually get injured when you get into the NFL. I think guys that worry about the wrong things rather than focusing on being a good teammate for their team, playing the best that they can play, I think those things always create more value for every individual player."
Saban used former Tide standout receiver Julio Jones as an example. He said, "Julio was a very good player when he came here. He started as a freshman, but he got better and and better every year that he was here. And I think the bigger question is how did playing his junior year in college affect his pro career? He might be arguably the best receiver in the NFL, or one of them at least. So how did that negatively impact him?"
So, the debate continues. Both sides have valid points. And Fournette won't be the last player that may or may not consider either "laying down" one year before eligibility or sitting out all-together. Of course, a player may get injured and never play again...in their first pre-season practice in the NFL. So does that mean that sitting out practice should be a consideration? Or high school...fake an injury the beginning of your senior season when you already have several college offers so as not to get hurt for real that season?
Guess you know where I stand on it.
