By Shane from Centerpoint
The Alabama Crimson Tide cruised through Saturday’s dominating victory over Bob Petrino’s Arkansas Razorbacks like a bull elephant, stomping the Hogs with surprising ease. That’s two years in a row that Nick Saban (actually Kirby Smart) has made one of the nation’s best offensive minds look clueless. Petrino entered Bryant-Denny stadium with the nation’s second ranked offense and left with a team that looked shell-shocked after spending sixty-minutes in Saban’s meat grinder.
One thing is certain, Arkansas’s talented young quarterback, Ryan Mallet, received an instructional lesson about the type of defenses he will face if he makes it to the NFL. Smart and Saban confused Mallet from the start with complex alignments. The Tide’s defensive pressure and excellent coverage caused a major meltdown by the Arkansas signal–caller. Mallet completed only 12 of 35 (34%) of his passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception and was sacked twice by star defensive-back Javier Arenas.
Alabama’s defense shut down Arkansas’ only weapon and the Tide offense burned the Razorback defense for three explosive (52, 50 & 80 yd.) touchdowns. Super-back Mark Ingram added two more to deliver the knock–out blow.
Actually, Petrino should’ve just packed the bus and left when he was down 14-0 at the half. The game was over from a physical standpoint, because it was more than evident that both of Alabama’s fronts had forced Arkansas to quit along the line of scrimmage.
I said before the game that Julio Jones and Mark Ingram could’ve gone fishing and the Crimson Tide would still crush the Razorbacks. I was right. Neither plays defense and Javier is always around to light it up. Seriously, the statement about Julio and Mark was made to point out how talented and deep Alabama really is at every position. By the way, Jones and Ingram are “superstars†– they’ll both excel at the next level.
This Alabama team puts on a consistent, high-energy performance every time it takes the field. Saturday was no different. External factors do not seem to affect this team’s focus on the task at hand. The team definitely reflects Nick Saban’s relentless nature and actually appears to get stronger in the second half of games.
The fact that winning seems to be a product of flawless execution bodes well for this football team because it displays a “killer instinct†and desire for precision on almost every play.
However, the best indicator that this team is going to win championships doesn’t originate on the gridiron. I got a clear picture in the post-game press conference of what this Alabama team is all about. Every single Tide player in that media room spoke the same message, almost as if they had one heartbeat.
They all wanted to make it known that they are only about one thing – doing the best job they can to help their team win.
For example: I asked Julio Jones if the double teams he has had to face each week negatively affect him? He answered calmly that as long as those teams choose to give him all the attention, other players would have the opportunity to make big plays. Jones is a class act and a team player.
I also asked senior linebacker Cory Reamer how the injury to Donta Hightower would affect the team. He responded with true concern for his fellow defender, but also said that he and the team would step up and insure that the defense continues to perform with the same excellence.
I watched Greg McElroy, who was surrounded by a horde of reporters, handle the spotlight like a seasoned veteran. His ability to give credit for his production to his fellow players is a sign that he is their leader. This Alabama team feeds off of Greg’s poise and knowledge of the game. Greg also stated that “efficiency†is his number one goal as a quarterback – so far he’s been deadly efficient.
In the SEC most of a team’s success is based on quality play at the quarterback position and its defense. Respectively, the Crimson Tide has two of the best in college football.
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
Look forward to seein you.
Hell, I’d hate to have to put my money on who will win the battle of the defenseless! By playing Ball St. last week the Barn sorta backed into the offensive top 10 spot that was vacated because Arkansas played you know who! In any case Arky showed signs of having at least half a defense which means the Barn may have to live or die by the pass. Whereas the Barn D (as in Barn Door, left open), hasn’t shown much sign of life on either phase. If Mallet has a Georgia day against the Barn, it will be Katy bar the Barn Door! LMAO! As for the Volunqueers, I think their D will do to the Barn O what our D did to Arky’s O. The Volunqueers problem is the poor bastards can’t buy a TD on offense! However, in this game the open Barn Door could conceivably make Crompton look like a Heisman candidate! LOL! Wouldn’t want to put my money on this game either. However, if I were to bet it – it is in Neyland Stadium. RTR!
WOW EG You say were are gonna get on defense what you guys gave ARK on offense…..AND THEN WOULDNT BET ON THE GAME????????? Then SHUT THE FUK UP!!!! Your surely a BETTING MAN if your SO sure that AU is gonna get a defensive ass whippin BET!!! Bet ME!!!>???????
If nobody outside of Alabama cares about Bama football, why is every football show debating whether the Tide is #1, #2, or #3? The Barn is 4-0 and isn’t even ranked.
BAMA GOES 14 0 ENOUGH SAID/////////////
What about the fact that ark’s crappy d-fence held ala scoreless for the first 20 min. of the game, shane didnt talk about that, thats 1/3 of the game. The td run by T. Richardson was a result of poor tackeling by the same crappy d-fence.
FL will beat that a$$ again in the SEC champ. game!
Omnipissant, if I bet on losers, I’d bet a third on each of them and a third on you! ROTFL! I see you failed Barner English 101 again while I was gone! I said IF Mallet has a Georgia day! The truth is I think your both gonna give each other a defensive ass whipping. Something like 49-42 either way. Also I don’t think Erik Berry’s gonna let you score more than 17 against the Volunqueers D. However, that’s not saying you won’t score some points off inteceptions and special teams. But if Crompton lays off the dumb throws, I think your D gives this one away in Neyland!. RTR!
Did you guys see what GMAC told the media about his Heisman hype? He said he was honored to be thought of like that, but Alabama is a team, not an individual and the most important thing is championships. Now compare that to Miami’s asshole, Jacory Harris who said before the VT game: “I can’t wait to get back to Miami. I’m going to buy a pink tux to wear to the Heisman ceremony”. Duh!! Not!! What a dork! Open mouth, insert foot! RTR!
No Nads from Arab, you are the epitomy of a nutless dumbass. Arky didn’t stop shit for 20 minutes. Bama stoped Bama for 20 minutes. GMAC’s first 3 perfectly thrown passes to wide open recievers who never missed another pass the whole game were simply dropped, and that is what stopped Bama in the first quarter. 2 were to Peek and 1 was a 70 yard TD that Maze unexplicably let fall right through his hands. So the score should have been at least 7-0 in the first quarter. That being neither here nor there asshole, don’t you worry about the Arky game, cause your team doesn’t have anything that can stop our O, and you won’t even score on our D. So STFU! RTR!
I’m making a rare appearance to state my opinion about the Auburn vs. Tennessee game. First, I want Auburn to win the game. Yes, it’s more about my hatred for the Vols (my true arch enemy)than anything else. Hey, at least I’m honest.
The game: Tenn. ran the ball on Fla. well. They do have a very physical o-line and Auburn can’t seem to stop the run. The Tigers are 82nd nationally vs. the run. However, Auburn can load the box with 8-9 defenders to stop the run because Crompton couldn’t hit a receiver in stride if someone had a .45 pointed at his head. He is literally an interception waiting to happen. Kiffin will run the ball in order to control the clock (shorten the game) and keep Auburn’s offense off the field. Bryce Brown may burn Auburn 4 or 5 times. That crowd in Knoxville will pump Bryce and the O-line up. Auburn must stop Tenn.’s running game fast to prevent them from starting quick or gaining momentum early.
On the other side of the ball, Kiffin did a fine job of slowing the Gators down. He will have a solid game plan for this game as well. Tenn. has a real good defense – very physical and aggressive. I think the Tigers will be forced to throw the ball. The hostile crowd is going to be a real test for Todd and the offense from a noise standpoint.
Auburn is about to enter into it’s first knock-down, drag-out battle of the year.
Final score: Tennessee 28 / Auburn 17
Shane—Auburn could not stop Noel Devine, but it wasn’t enough. Difference is, WVU had a better QB than TN. Malzahn will have offense finally running 80-85 plays, and the TN defense will be shot by the fourth.
AU 33 TN 24
Shane you are a damn dipstick AU is gona lose to TN – Yeah right and the sky is fallin too – dumb goofball
BALLPLAY,
here i am, I just finished a big ol plate of crow, you were right, and i will even throw this in as much as it pains me.
Auburn is better than i thought they were
Chris Todd is better than i thought he was
Malzahn is a offensive mastermind and Aub will have a hard time holding onto him now, pay him whatever he wants.
That hurt a little, but the jury is still out on the Arky game but i’ll be back if necessary.
A man that will hold his bet with me on your sign in name will definately get the same promise back from me. We have chatted together along time and i believe you to be a good person and you sure know how to piss off us Bammers from time to time. Hope you see this soon, catch you later, you know I don’t post as much as I used to. I even saw someone sign in like “BamaMan” that is not me. Later BI