The stage is set and the upcoming match up will be the most anticipated wars in recent college football history. Actually the SEC championship was of no great surprise even for the casual NCAA follower. In fact after the Alabama win over LSU you could already hear the soft singing of repeated destiny. Everyone knew that there was no turning away from the path to another SEC Alabama and Florida collision.

The real question is, if defense wins championships, what happens when two of the best defensive teams in college football meet? This of course is just one of the many factors to consider in this game. Yet it is the defense that will be a top factor in determining the outcome.

The most points given up by the crimson tide came in the first game-September 5-still only allowing 24 points. As for the Gators, all of their challengers were held to a mere 20 points or less the entire season. This is really to close to call so one would have to look at the other side of the ball.

On the offensive side, the Gators are scoring an average of 34 points per game or 33.9 for you technical buffs. The Crimson tide averages about 31 points per game or 30.9 for…well you get the picture. Very close, but could easily be swayed in either direction by the ever so emerging factors that keep the outside analyst guessing and college football fans watching.

The Tim Tebow story will be played up like a summer blockbuster James Cameron movie. Born in the Philippines to missionary parents, from home schooled to Heisman, and two time ESPY male athlete winner Tebow is a walking sports movie. Believe me the marketing media are licking their chops waiting to get this guy to smile in their commercials. Truth be told, I know if my company had the means and opportunity, I would jump at the chance. You can rest for sure that T2-like always-will leave it all out on the field.

Standing on that very field will be the best defense he has ever had to face. This will be the only major counter balance in the Alabama arsenal. Along with that will be the equally prevailing factor of revenge. A revenge that has surly been simmering in the deep psyche of every single Crimson Tide player.

All in all this will be the one to watch. After personally reviewing this match up I came to a definite conclusion. For every possible known result, there are about 2 or three unknowns. One thing is for sure, this will not be the same match up that occurred last season. That song ended with the crimson tide letting their dreams float away in lost lyrics. This second verse will not be…. the same as the first.

Carl Henegan You can find Carl Henegan at http://www.betonmysportsteam.com were he owns and operates IGB.

 

The Unstoppable Force, meets the Immovable Object

I really hate to sound cliché here but for lack of a better analogy, I try to spin this one towards a tangible angel. LSU come to Alabama to begin a battle that promises to be the classic unstoppable force meets the immovable object.

When you really crunch the numbers the two teams are not that far apart as the 8 point spread indicates. Still it is no secrete that Alabama-in this analogy anyway-represents the unstoppable force averaging a little over 28 points per game. In the mean time the immovable object-LSU defense-is only allowing a little over 10 points per game. That is the surface view of this clash in waiting.

If we take a closer look, there are a couple of games that tend to stand out and set off alarms. On the Alabama side we only have to reach back to their most recent game. The Tennessee volunteers tested Alabama to the point where it took a stroke of luck to pull it off. As for LSU, although they lost, in mid October LSU defense held the Florida Gators to just 13 points.

This will end up being more of a defensive battle, a chess game of field position waiting for the opposing team to make a mistake. I am anticipating that the LSU defense have studied the Alabama and Tennessee game tapes till even the commercials were memorized. They will be ready.

Look for low scoring and for both teams to leave it all out on the field. The unstoppable force is at home and with the no surprise exception of Arkansas and North Texas, have not really blown out teams. The immovable force as been consistently solid and will offer Alabama a strong wall to penetrate. If you love defense this is your game, it will be close, and look for Alabama to pull this one off but only by a small margin.

When you look strictly at the stats, it appears to be a no brainer. In every statistic #2 Alabama out performs the 3-3 Tennessee Volunteers. Still-like in all situations-the reality exist just beneath the surface. Tides, by definition are predictable, and you can be sure that Alabama will give the typical top performance at home.

Mark Ingram have thrown his hat in for consideration in the coveted Heisman trophy race. So 900 plus yards so far and averaging 6.7 yards per carry , his ballot has to be recognized. His mission whether intentional or by sheer determination, is only re-enforced by the likes of coach Nick Saban. The tide plans on continuing to rise.

Another factor that can not be ignored is the Alabama defense. Alabama leads the SEC in sacs and 10 interceptions. Interceptions is just what may have been the difference for Tennessee in their lost against #1 Florida in their September 19 lost. You can rest for sure that Tennessee will make the necessary adjustments to counter the well oiled defense of Alabama.

That is the advantage Tennessee has. They know what they will face. Alabama is predictably consistent and good. First year coach Lane Kiffin will pull out all the stops to try to win this one. This game is not expected for him to win. He has everything to gain and nothing to lose. He will have his team ready to fight the tide.

Quarterback Jonathon Crompton and running back Montario Hardesty as a combination can be a yard making machine. Also there is another factor of Alabama having 3 defensive injuries.

Their are a lot of danger signs here but at 3:30 ET today I am sure that the tide will continue to rise. Vegas has Alabama winning by 14 points. I honestly can not see that occurring. I am expecting a good game and for the Volunteers, lets just hope that there wasn’t a full moon in the last couple of days. That tends to be favorable conditions for tides.

Carl Henegan is CEO of International Gaming Brokers. You can find Carl Henegan at www.BetonMySportsteam.com

 

 

 

 

The unranked Crimson Tide opened up their season with a pounding on the ninth ranked Clemson in the Georgia Dome. 34-10. They had a hangover, however, and struggled against Tulane, beating them only 20-6. They played a lousy Western Kentucky, killing them 41-7. They opened up in SEC play against Arkansas, with a 49-14 beatdown. After that, the intensity of the Crimson Tide stepped up. The first true test came against third ranked Georgia, the trembling Alabama fans quickly became comfortable at the end of the first half, with the score of 31-0, Alabama’s lead. The Bulldogs gave the Tide a game in the second half. Georgia scored 30 points, Alabama scored only 10. Although the Tide stumbled a little bit in the second half, they got their message across, winning it 41-30. Once again, the Tide had a hangover. They narrowly escaped Kentucky in a close game, squeaking by 17-14. After that, the Tide faced Ole Miss, destroying them in the first half, the Tide failed to score again, and the Rebels gave them a game. Alabama won, 24-20. Alabama went to Knoxville the next week, and beat the struggling Vols soundly in a 29-9 win. Arkansas State made the trip to Tuscaloosa the next week, and the Tide played their kind of ball, winning this one 35-0. The trip to Baton Rouge put fear into Crimson Tide fans, as Leigh Tiffin had his field goal blocked, forcing them into overtime. Rashad Johnson had a key interception, and John Parker Wilson hooked up with Julio Jones to put Alabama within five yards of the endzone. A quarterback sneak put Alabama on top, 27-21. The next week, Alabama ended their two game losing streak against Mississippi State, in a 32-7 beating. The next week, Alabama got their chance at Auburn, obliterating Tubberville’s team, 36-0. The perfect season was done, all Alabama had to do to get to the BCS National Championship Game was to beat Urban Meyer’s steaming team. The Tide lost a close game, 31-20. Alabama fans were disapointed, but everyone was proud of how Alabama went from unranked to top ranked in NCAA record-breaking time. The Crimson Tide will face Utah in the Sugar Bowl on January Second.

Glen Coffee vs. Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently got word from a reliable source that offensive tackle Andre Smith and running back Glen Coffee would be exploring NFL careers and options. It is safe to say that Glen Coffee’s decision to explore options is the most logical choice. If I had to bet, I would say that Andre Smith would be a no-brainer, he is gone. On the contrary, Glen Coffee would most likely return for the 2009 season. Terrence Cody said that he would return for his senior season, but hey, so did Vince Young after his Texas team won the Rose Bowl. Alabama fans have no reason not to trust Cody, but I would not be too sure of anything until the NFL draft comes around. Take Cody’s injuries into consideration to why he might want to stay to benefit himself in the long run.