Opinion: It’s Gut Check time for Alabama

Alabama lost on to the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, and while that is a major setback, it’s not a death sentence for the season. It was a one possession loss on the road against an elite team, in what will be by far the Crimson Tide’s toughest game away from Bryant-Denny Stadium in the regular season. It’s time to move on.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to pump sunshine about Alabama’s national championship chances right after a tough loss. There will be a time to talk about how the Tide can get back into the race for a berth in the four-team playoff, but now is not that time. This is about Alabama, specifically, and how they are going to respond to a loss.

None of the players on this year’s team have ever had to deal with a loss this early in the season. Alabama has entered November undefeated in each of its last three seasons. In fact, this is the earliest the Crimson Tide has lost a game since Nick Saban’s first season at Alabama in 2007. In the last seven years, the Crimson Tide has lost a game just twice before the season’s final month. Needless to say, these are uncharted waters for Alabama. That does not mean they can’t be navigated.

In the last seven years, the Crimson Tide has lost a game just twice before the season’s final month. Needless to say, these are uncharted waters for Alabama.

The most discouraging thing about Saturday’s loss might have been the way Alabama melted down and seemingly lost their poise in the fourth quarter. While Ole Miss was calm under pressure and fought back against some tough breaks, the Crimson Tide looked uncharacteristically disoriented and could not punch back when they were punched.

The team still has a lot of talent, a great coaching staff, and a lot to play for. It’s only October. Nothing has been decided yet, and if Alabama can regain their edge and their focus after a tough loss, then nothing is off the table for the 2014 season.

First, and foremost, the Crimson Tide must survive the trap in Fayetteville this weekend. A loss to a dangerous Arkansas team would put Alabama at 4-2 for the season, and effectively end their chances of competing in the SEC west before mid-October.

The Arkansas game is probably the toughest road game left on Alabama’s schedule. The Razorbacks are 3-2, with losses to Auburn, and a heartbreaker against Texas A&M, but don’t let the pedestrian record fool you. This is a good football team, and Alabama can and should expect the Hogs’ best shot in their home stadium. I expect Alabama to come out focus and play with a chip on their shoulder. They have to respond well to adversity and can’t afford to let Ole Miss beat them twice.

College football is a fickle sport filled with many ups and downs. A lot can happen in a season. The Tide can turn from week to week (as Alabama knows better than anybody) As Nick Saban says, there can be no great victories, without adversity. I, for one can’t wait to see how the Crimson Tide responds to adversity on Saturday.