Alabama has been playing really well since the season kicked off. On Saturday, they downed an overmatched Ole Miss team to get the victory, 22-3. Later that night, Tim Tebow came back after suffering a concussion against Kentucky to pull the Florida Gators ahead of an LSU team that has no identity on offense. A turn of events in the polls (AP Poll) have the Crimson Tide No. 2 behind Florida; and rightfully so, they have looked far better than Texas.
There is no denying that ‘Bama has the best defense in the SEC from the games I watched. They are ranked 2nd nationally in total defense, allowing on average 220.50 yards per game. The national leader in total defense is Florida, but Alabama’s wins over Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ole Miss is far more impressive than Florida’s resume at this point in the season.
The Gators have wins over Charleston Southern (total offense ranks 34th in the FCS), Troy (total offense ranks 50th), Tennessee (total offense ranks 48th), Kentucky (ranks 89th), and LSU (total offense ranks 109th). Alabama sports a top 10 rushing defense that only allows on average 65.67 yards per game; Florida’s defense allows twenty yards more on the ground.
With a stellar running game spearheaded by Mark Ingram and his understudy Trent Richardson, the Crimson Tide are ranked 11th in the nation in rushing with an average of 223.50 yards per game. Ingram is averaging a whopping 5.9 yards per carry and Richardson is, right up there with him, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Junior quarterback Greg McElroy has been a surprise to everyone, except the Alabama coaching staff. In a recent interview, Nick Saban mentioned that he knew what McElroy had to offer by watching him in practice. McElroy shows he has the arm to make all the throws and you can see that he is highly competitive. He has to try to make better decisions and realize that he needs to spread the ball around to all his available weapons.
At times, he tries to get the ball to Julio Jones (their playmaker at wide receiver) in double coverage or triple coverage and that is very dangerous. ‘Bama has had trouble in the red zone because of trying to find the jump ball for Jones, but there are other options that are open: Tight end Colin Peek, who is a big target (6’6, 255 pounds), play-action is an option as well, and screen passes to the running backs. McElroy is completing 61% of his passes so far and has passed for 1233 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception.
Alabama sits at No. 2 in the AP Poll while the USA Today coaches ‘poll has them at No. 3. I really feel like Florida and Alabama will meet again in the SEC Championship game; and who knows, there might be a different outcome this season. Florida’s receiving corps has suffered a rash of injuries, and they do not have that X-Factor at wide receiver like they had in previous years with Percy Harvin. If Alabama continues to win, there is no doubt they will be No. 2 in both polls, and the showdown with Florida will be big or bigger than last year’s meeting.
Texas has not look that impressive and Colt McCoy has not been himself: McCoy gets in the groove in the second half and in the first half he has not been accurate with his throws; you can see him settle into the game when the third quarter rolls around. The Longhorns matchup with Oklahoma in the Red River game next Saturday will be telling. Texas must be careful because they face an Oklahoma team that has two losses and has all to gain if they beat the Longhorns. If Texas beats Oklahoma, it does nothing for them because of Oklahoma’s 20th ranking in the AP and 18th in the USA Today poll.
A loss by Mack Brown’s team will surely kill their national championship hopes. After the Red River game, Texas will face only two top 20 teams, so it is crucial they continue to win and look impressive. One loss by the Longhorns will be detrimental to their cause unless other teams falter at the top; a one loss SEC team will still be in the mix because of the strength of the conference.
Nick Saban will have his boys ready to play every Saturday, but they are only kids and they have a lot on their plate. And there is even more pressures for these players to balance everything going on in their lives, especially at a strong football program like the University of Alabama. But this season sets up nicely for Alabama to be the most consistent team in college football. All that lies ahead is that caped crusader named Tebow.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Alabama pulls ahead in the AP Poll to No. 2
Alabama has been playing really well since the season kicked off. On Saturday, they downed an overmatched Ole Miss team to get the victory, 22-3. Later that night, Tim Tebow came back after suffering a concussion against Kentucky to pull the Florida Gators ahead of an LSU team that has no identity on offense. A turn of events in the polls (AP Poll) have the Crimson Tide No. 2 behind Florida; and rightfully so, they have looked far better than Texas.
There is no denying that ‘Bama has the best defense in the SEC from the games I watched. They are ranked 2nd nationally in total defense, allowing on average 220.50 yards per game. The national leader in total defense is Florida, but Alabama’s wins over Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ole Miss is far more impressive than Florida’s resume at this point in the season.
The Gators have wins over Charleston Southern (total offense ranks 34th in the FCS), Troy (total offense ranks 50th), Tennessee (total offense ranks 48th), Kentucky (ranks 89th), and LSU (total offense ranks 109th). Alabama sports a top 10 rushing defense that only allows on average 65.67 yards per game; Florida’s defense allows twenty yards more on the ground.
With a stellar running game spearheaded by Mark Ingram and his understudy Trent Richardson, the Crimson Tide are ranked 11th in the nation in rushing with an average of 223.50 yards per game. Ingram is averaging a whopping 5.9 yards per carry and Richardson is, right up there with him, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Junior quarterback Greg McElroy has been a surprise to everyone, except the Alabama coaching staff. In a recent interview, Nick Saban mentioned that he knew what McElroy had to offer by watching him in practice. McElroy shows he has the arm to make all the throws and you can see that he is highly competitive. He has to try to make better decisions and realize that he needs to spread the ball around to all his available weapons.
At times, he tries to get the ball to Julio Jones (their playmaker at wide receiver) in double coverage or triple coverage and that is very dangerous. ‘Bama has had trouble in the red zone because of trying to find the jump ball for Jones, but there are other options that are open: Tight end Colin Peek, who is a big target (6’6, 255 pounds), play-action is an option as well, and screen passes to the running backs. McElroy is completing 61% of his passes so far and has passed for 1233 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception.
Alabama sits at No. 2 in the AP Poll while the USA Today coaches ‘poll has them at No. 3. I really feel like Florida and Alabama will meet again in the SEC Championship game; and who knows, there might be a different outcome this season. Florida’s receiving corps has suffered a rash of injuries, and they do not have that X-Factor at wide receiver like they had in previous years with Percy Harvin. If Alabama continues to win, there is no doubt they will be No. 2 in both polls, and the showdown with Florida will be big or bigger than last year’s meeting.
Texas has not look that impressive and Colt McCoy has not been himself: McCoy gets in the groove in the second half and in the first half he has not been accurate with his throws; you can see him settle into the game when the third quarter rolls around. The Longhorns matchup with Oklahoma in the Red River game next Saturday will be telling. Texas must be careful because they face an Oklahoma team that has two losses and has all to gain if they beat the Longhorns. If Texas beats Oklahoma, it does nothing for them because of Oklahoma’s 20th ranking in the AP and 18th in the USA Today poll.
A loss by Mack Brown’s team will surely kill their national championship hopes. After the Red River game, Texas will face only two top 20 teams, so it is crucial they continue to win and look impressive. One loss by the Longhorns will be detrimental to their cause unless other teams falter at the top; a one loss SEC team will still be in the mix because of the strength of the conference.
Nick Saban will have his boys ready to play every Saturday, but they are only kids and they have a lot on their plate. And there is even more pressures for these players to balance everything going on in their lives, especially at a strong football program like the University of Alabama. But this season sets up nicely for Alabama to be the most consistent team in college football. All that lies ahead is that caped crusader named Tebow.
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