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.

 

 

 

 

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.