So I finally rate a byline here, huh? Well, just in time, too. Last weekend was amazing in a lot of ways for all of us. But if a man who truly loves college football could be granted one wish, getting an inside view of the Alabama-LSU would have to be at the top of the list. And that’s just what I got this past weekend.
I arrived at the press elevator with little time to spare, having weaved my way through the largest crowd I’d ever seen at a Bama game. Having to then convince the stadium officials I was legit, it took some effort to get where I was going.
Upon my arrival at the giant skybox, I approached Paul Finebaum and SEC commissioner Mike Slive, who were sitting in the lunch area, chatting quietly, as if plotting something. This was my first introduction to Mr. Slive, and he seemed nice enough, although Paul later told me Slive voiced concerns over me being a member of the press. It might have been because I called Slive an NCAA plant. Only kidding, Mike.
After thanking Finebaum producer Pat Smith for getting my voice on ESPN GameDay, and talking to Montgomery sports talk legend John Longshore, I headed for my seat. Once there, I found myself alongside professional scouts from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens. They had come to the game to look at six or seven LSU players, and left knowing that three or four Tide players will play at the next level as well.
From the opening kickoff, I could see Alabama was going to compete with LSU. Saban had his team focused and playing hard every play. Matt Flynn and crew tried to punch Bama’s lights out in the first quarter, but unlike the last few years, the Tide got back up in the second quarter and punched back. In spite of the efforts of the third-ranked team in the country to physically dominate Alabama, LSU went to the locker room at the half down by three.
The second half came faster than I expected, and I sprinted back to my seat. The scouts had left early, so I struck up a conversation with longtime newspaperman, Bob Martin. His knowledge of football is deep, and it was fun talking tactics and technique with him.
Alabama took control of the game in the third quarter, and I really was beginning to believe they would win. With Bama ahead 27-17 with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter, I was sure the Tide was going to put the nail in the coffin. As I joined Finebaum and Longshore to head to the sidelines for the fourth, I could smell the victory fires burning. But by the time we made it to the grass, Bama’s supposed shut-down corner Simeon Castille had allowed LSU’s Demetrius Byrd to run right past him and burn the Tide for seven easy points.
Gene Stallings preaches that two or three plays win or lose ball games. Simeon’s mistake was the second major error of the game for Alabama. The first was John Parker Wilson’s typical flippant interception, setting Flynn and company up on the twelve yard line and leading to another easy score for the Tigers.
For the next fifteen minutes, I stood on the sidelines with Finebaum, Herb Winches, Tony Barnhardt, Kevin Scarbinsky, Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke and the great Barry Krauss. I observed them as they watched one of the most thrilling quarters of football played in a long time. I don’t think any one of them would deny the stadium that night was the loudest place on earth.
The scene was electric. With LSU about to punt again. I joked to the photographer on my left to get his camera ready, because Les Miles was playing with fire kicking to Javier Arenas. Javier came straight at us, as he ran the punt into the end zone. The sound meter went off the charts when Arenas crossed the goal line.
I had followed Finebaum and his entourage downfield to be closer to the action, expecting to see Wilson lead Alabama to yet another last minute victory. Instead, I witnessed something that occurs far too often with this quarterback. Wilson not only took a sack, he lost the ball inside the ten by carrying it like a loaf of bread. That was the type of play Coach Stallings points to. It was Bama’s third of the game and this time it was fatal.
I stood there stunned, realizing how surreal the whole experience had been. Standing next to me, Weinke was cordial and gave his sympathy on the loss. He mentioned he was looking for a job after being cut by the Panthers in the off-season. Despite my dejection, I wished him luck in his attempt to get on with another team.
I went down to see the recruits near the tunnel, and ran into Mobile Press-Register sports editor Randy Kennedy. He’s one of the state’s best, and was a class act in person. I followed him to the press room and watched the press jump to their seats, breaking out their laptops while trying to hit deadline.
Saban was very animated in his postgame speech. He was as hyped as any coach I’ve ever seen. It was simply beyond thrilling to witness Nick in action, both on the field and in the press conference.
The last stage of my journey came outside the stadium. I had the unique opportunity to watch Fox 6 sports anchor Rick Karle prepare his postgame show for the air. Although I’ve criticized him for his handling of the Rush Propst issue, I developed a newfound respect for Rick after watching the ordeal he goes through to get the finished televised product to appear professional.
Reflecting on one of the best times I’ve had in my life, the only negative was on the scoreboard. It’s the little things that kill, and Saturday was no different. Key upper-class players with huge responsibilities failed to come through when victory was within reach. When Saban tells Alabama fans he needs his own players, he is telling the truth. It is painfully clear that the upper class is short on real size and talent. However, they have to a large extent overacheived.
It’s clear to me Nick Saban is the right guy to bring the Tide back to prominence. He made the trip worth everybody’s time and money. Regardless of the outcome of the game, there is no doubt that the future looks bright for the Crimson Empire.