This season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in years for Alabama fans and players alike. After a slugfest which ended in a loss to the LSU Tigers, Alabama’s BCS title hopes seemed dashed. That changed after the past weekend’s amazing turn of events, in which every team with a legitimate BCS title argument lost.
Now in the driver’s seat again, Alabama travels to the most famous cow college in the United States for the Iron Bowl next week, with a win sending them to the BCS title game. The last remaining obstacle prior to the in-state showdown was FCS foe Georgia Southern, boasting an offense as efficient at running the option as any in all of college football.
With Tide defensive tackle Josh Chapman sitting this game out to rest a nagging knee injury, the news of Nick Gentry’s suspension prior to kickoff was a big blow to the Tide defense. Jesse Williams, Alabama’s standout defensive end was also a game-time decision as he came down with food poisoning the night before the game.
With three starting players on the defensive line out, all the pieces were in place for a potential upset for the visiting Eagles. Alabama had trouble all day long stopping the GSU rushing attack, though they adjusted and performed better after halftime. The Tide offense didn’t have too much trouble with the overmatched Eagles defense. Let’s take a look at what worked and what didn’t against the Eagles.
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LOWS
Kicking Game. Alabama still doesn’t have a shot at winning a game with a kick longer than thirty yards. No further explanation should be required here.
Run Defense. For the first time since last year’s Auburn game, Alabama’s run defense was just bad. I didn’t think those words would ever be used to describe this defense, but the option attack gave them fits all day. A lot of the problems can be attributed to losing three starters on the defensive line, but giving up over 300 yards on the ground is ridiculous.
Suspensions. Two Alabama players were suspended prior to the game, and players breaking team rules isn’t a characteristic of this Tide squad. Senior defensive tackle Nick Gentry and freshman receiver DeAndrew White were suspended for violating an unspecified team rule. Gentry is a senior leader for Alabama and to be suspended on senior day doesn’t send a good message to the rest of the team. White is a freshman receiver that will be fighting for a starting spot next year after Maze, Hanks and Gibson graduate, and being in Saban’s doghouse will make that much tougher.
Special Teams. After Brad Smelly’s first touchdown catch in the third quarter, Alabama took the lead 31-14. The following kickoff was turned into six points when the Tide coverage broke down, giving up a 95-yard touchdown return. Alabama kick coverage was stellar the first half of the season, but in recent weeks the play has been inconsistent.
HIGHS
Trent Richardson. Richardson rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on the day. He became the Crimson Tide’s all-time leader in single-season rushing touchdowns, eclipsing Shaun Alexander’s mark of nineteen. He has propelled himself to the top of the Heisman race and is considered the favorite to win by many of the Heisman voters. Richardson isn’t Alabama’s entire offense, but he was the most dominant player on the field once again.
Brad Smelley. Smelley only caught four passes, but two of those were for touchdowns, with one of those coming on a great one-handed catch. Smelley steps up every time his number is called and has been a bright spot on this year’s Tide receiving core. The one-time high school quarterback needs to be utilized more in the offense in the next couple of games if Alabama expects to win another title.
Special Teams. Special teams made some really good plays and some really bad plays in this game. Donta Hightower’s field goal block was one of the really good ones, and it got better when Dre Kirkpatrick scooped the ball up and ran it in for six points. It’s been a while since the Tide has made a field goal block followed by score and it was undoubtedly one of the highlights on the day.
Youngsters. I’m always looking to the future of the program and trying to figure out what’s next. With the end of the year quickly approaching and the Tide celebrating the seniors on the team, the reality of just how many players we will lose this year is setting in. Sophomore receiver Kevin Norwood has been given a few more opportunities in the last couple of games and has delivered. Sophomore running back Jalston Fowler had mop-up duty once again and eased the worry of losing Richardson to the NFL early. He had runs that left anyone watching feel bad for opposing tacklers. Fowler is a bull of a running back with surprising speed and the “never go down” running style that has become a trademark of recent Tide backs.
This weekend will be remembered as one of the better weekends in Tide history, not for what the Tide did on the field, but for how other teams around the country opened the door for a title shot.
The Iron Bowl is almost here and “hate week” is in full swing. Alabama will need to get healthy and go down to the Plains focused and ready for redemption after last year’s painful outing. “Never Again” has been the theme on the year for the Alabama football team and the Auburn Tigers are to thank for that.
Trent Richardson is in as good a position as he has been all year in his Heisman campaign and a huge game against the Tigers could put him over the top with voters. Alabama likely won’t have the luxury of a conference title game, so Trent needs to be dominant in the Iron Bowl. The intensity this Tide defense plays with, the toughness Alabama running backs display and the trash talking by all the barners have done all year long should make for a classic Alabama beat down.