By Shane from Centerpoint
In spite of the over-hyped pomp and pageantry surrounding last Saturday’s match up between Alabama and LSU, the Crimson Tide resolved the contest in its typical business-like manner, using brutal football fundamentals to relentlessly pound the Bengal Tigers into eventual submission.
With Nick Saban football is a four-quarter game, and his squad consistently brings its “A-game†every time the ball snaps.
As the game progressed, with their players being knocked-out by the Tide’s relentless hammer blows, LSU’s offense finally succumbed to the “beast†(Alabama’s defense). For the second year in a row, Coach Les Miles watched his championship hopes burn away in a ring of “crimson†fire.
Alabama’s football team left no doubt that it is better than LSU, but then again, Bama has much better players than anybody that’s been on their schedule so far.
The reason Alabama won this game is brutally simple: the Tide has great playmakers all over the field.
Just like they’ve done to nine other teams this year, the big, red elephants poured the gas on LSU at the end of the third stanza and lit them up in the final chapter.
Alabama was also exceptionally crisp and effective during the last thirty-minutes of the game due to the quality of their second-tier players.
Everybody knows what Ingram, Jones, and Arenas can do, but players like defensive end Marcell Dareus (two critical sacks) and defensive back Robby Green (game–ending interception) are perfect examples of Alabama’s enormous talent pool.
On the other hand, after LSU lost its starting corner, Julio Jones was able to exploit the second-team corner and burn the Tigers for a beautiful seventy-three yard go-ahead touchdown.
Alabama’s entire offense made strides against the Tigers as well – racking up 452 yards against one of the nation’s top-ranked defenses. The passing game was revived with Greg McElroy throwing for 276 yards and two TD’s on 19 of 34 attempts.
Like most of the stop-units that he’s faced, the Tiger defense couldn’t slow Heisman leader Mark Ingram, who ripped the Bayou Bengals for 174 yards on 27 touches.
As highlighted above, Julio Jones returned to form making 4 catches for 102 yards and delivered that brilliant, long touchdown. Just as important was the fact that other receivers had stellar days. Marquis Maze had 6 catches for 88 yards and Darius Hanks caught a clutch 21-yard touchdown pass.
Additionally, several “key†developments occurred in Saturday’s contest that should send waves of concern through the coaching staffs of the Crimson Tide’s next five opponents.
First, this offensive line is proving to be even better than last year’s version. Their pass–blocking is much better, with both running–backs averaging around 6 yards per carry.
Secondly, the defensive backfield completely understands Coach Saban’s elaborate schemes. They ran it to perfection Saturday, holding college football’s best receiving tandem to 8 catches for 74 yards and no touchdowns.
Thirdly, this Alabama team tackles almost as well as an NFL team. In fact most of the guys on this unit are lock-down tacklers.
Also, I’ve watched years of football, and Bama’s defenders hit as hard as any defense I can remember. Just ask LSU’s “stud†tailback, Charles Scott. It was two corner–backs (Arenas and Jackson) that snapped his collarbone when they slammed him to the turf after he broke through the first wall of defenders late in the game.
Finally, Alabama handled the pace of LSU’s (no huddle) “speed†offense well. Actually, it appeared that the Tigers wore themselves down more than they were able to fatigue the Tide defense.
To a large degree, Bama’s defensive coordinator Kirby Smart was able to use Les Miles’ offensive game plan against him, especially in the fourth quarter.
Prior to the show–down, the experts said that LSU would be the best team the Crimson Tide would face this year – in the regular season. If that’s the case, the end result (Bama 24 LSU 15) doesn’t bode well for the last three opponents remaining on their schedule.
Alabama’s remaining foes face a daunting – almost impossible – task indeed, mainly because the Crimson Tide proved against LSU that – beyond any doubt – they are the best in the SEC West.
My prediction last August – that Alabama would win the 2009 national championship – is looking stronger with each passing week. We’ll see?
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
I live in alabama, have for about 10 years. I grew up in Mississippi and have always supported Ole Miss. But growing up I was always fond of Alabama and its tradition. Since moving to Alabama and finding the Paul Finebaum Network I have lost all respect for Alabama. I thought LSU fans were possibly the worst the SEC had to offer but you Bama fans are on a whole different level. That being said I think everyone knew that Bama was the better team entering the game. There is no denying that. But lets get real your not even the best team in our league. Florida is the dominant program in this league. They have the best coach, player and the championships to prove it. Florida also has the top rated incoming recruiting class. Please gain a little perspective the only thing that is back about Bama is that your actually relevant again in college football. Until you actually beat Florida please assume the position of playing second fiddle.
YO! “Zionhippy2,” you’re always saying, “Saban’s paying the refs.” CAN’T YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING ORIGINAL? Where’s the proof? Just like the crap that was being strewn about “the shady shenanigans” in Gadsden, if something’s TRULY GOING ON, LET’S SEE THE PROOF! As for teams on the rise, I agree with “Aurox” about Arkansas. Give Petrino 2 more solid recruiting classes and the Hogs will be capable of beating anybody. MY FELLOW BAMMER BRETHREN, it is SAD that some in our congregation are OVERLOOKING the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE THESE CRAFTY CANINES PISSED ON OUR PARADES? Too many if you ask me. I have worked with & CURRENTLY work with a MSU grad and a win over Alabama TRULY is “icing on the cake” for them. You have to give Dan Mullen & his staff credit for instilling CONFIDENCE in this squad. FELLOW BAMMERS, DON’T OVERLOOK THEM!!!
YO, “Reality Check,” I’ll call you “RC Cola” for short! “RC Cola,” us BAMMERS are a PASSIONATE BUNCH when it comes to OUR TEAM. YOU say that we are WORSE than LSU fans. I’ve NEVER seen Alabama fans gang up on an opposing team’s bus, shake it while players are in transit to the stadium and hurl insults & profanities at the players & coaches like they were scum of the earth. IF you are judging ALL Alabama fans by some of the CHARACTERS like that “reporter wanna-be” SHANE and “Straight-Jacket Jim” WHO ARE regular callers on Finebaum’s show then you are sadly MISLED, my friend. THERE ARE PLENTY OF US WHO ARE RATIONAL. For awhile I felt like you were just a disgruntled UAB whiner but its good to hear that you support a SEC team.
uat fans are scumbags. 99% of their fan base never finish high school. bammer is a racist school. they have plans to put up a monument at the foster building where wallace stood in the door. these clowns live in a drug invested
town.
I am not concerned with our team overlooking MSU. MSU’s team, coaches, and fans have been crunk all week and will be hyped up until Bama gets off the bus and puts an end to it. Alabama is on a mission and all year long, every player has said the same thing, one at a time. They know the importance of this game and will not let MSU do shit. I like Bama 36-10. I also like UGA to win only because I think they are desperate for a win over a rival, and they aren’t gonna beat GT. RTR
Number 5 wide receiver in the NATION, heading to Auburn, over lswho?, bammer, texas, florida, etc……you get the idea!
Talk to me Shane….those “recruiting” clowns in the limos are doing something right! Talk to me, chief.
Call Shane when he is on Finebaum. Maybe he will talk to you then.
SHANE IS A TYPICAL BAMMER BIG TALK
NO BACKBONE. FINESCUM CAME TO HUNTSVILLE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO SO I CALLED HIS SHOW ONE DAY. I TOLD FINESCUM TO TELL INBRED SHANE TO PLEASE COME UP WITH PAUL BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO BEAT HIS AZZ. HE NEVER SHOW UP. SHANE IS LIKE ALL BAMMERS,COWARDS,NO TEETH,DRUNKERS,JUST LIKE EGGHEAD WHITE WHO SLEEPS WITH IS OWN SISTER. LATER GATOR
Bamaman….man I don’t have time to wait on hold to talk to such a highly esteemed college football “pundit” like Shane. I’ll give him a few days to explain the recruiting success of Auburn, after he soundly wrote it off last summer.
Maybe he will also address in his next column how “Chiz-nik” with the buffoon coaching staff and a “gimmick” offense was able to win more games in his first season than the mighty Saban did in his first. With, according to Shane, a whole lot less to work with, and with a team coming off a far worse 2 year stretch than Saban inherited.
Ahhh, questions, questions, questions.
AUROX, I remember Enrique Davis was the #1 back in the country and Benton is another Hawthorne. When 80% of Auburns recruits are 4 stars, then you can talk shit. Saban will consistantly get top 5 classes, so no worries here. RTR
That was Shane and most bammers that were talking the shit about Auburn before the season. Not me.
I’ve posed the Saban/Chizik first year record question several times throughout the season…..with no answers. I figured such a knowledgable pundit like Shane could explain.
Seriously, good luck to Bama today. MissSt is a team that won’t go away. I would love bama 11-0 coming into the IB! The pressure will be on! I remember the 2004 IB, when Auburn was undefeated and had to go to Tuscaloosa. That was probably the closest game of the entire 6 game winning streak.
Who cares about first season records. What’s that gonna prove. Nothing. Chizik is not a great coach yet. I think he’s the right guy for the job, but it’s gonna take him 3 years to get in the title hunt. Right now, Saban is clearly ahead.RTR
9-0 Alabama goes onto Starkville to face a good7-3 Mississippi State. Soonthe sound of cowbells will silenced by the chant of roll tide in this saturday night matchup.
Miss State running back Anthony Dixion referred to this game as the woodshed, we’ll see..Alabama has been beaten by State twice in the last three years. As we all know consistency is the key for Bama to winn the game.
Bama Nation would love to see their team go undefeated and face off against a undefeated Texas for a winner take all Brawl for the National championship and the Heisman Trophy….RTR
First of all they pick the Heisman Trophy winner before the national championship game…so that will be taken care of. Secondly how can Mark Ingram win when Tim Tebow has more rushing touchdowns than he does?? Third, Florida takes care of business and plays Texas in the National Championship game. Lastly Bama plays TCU in the Sugar Bowl and gets beat by another non BCS team again. RTR down the toilet bowl!
Yea Yea…. They pick the Heisman before the national championship game,,,but like I said. Winner take all… lol…RTR
You just didn’t get it,,,did you…RTR
Yep, I was right. Bama ended States hype real quick and UGA beat Auburn, again. Better rest up this week, because we will too. Bama’s gonna beat Auburn by 3 TDs. RTR