Alabama Football: Free Devin White and the rest of us from the nonsense

Alabama football is accustomed to drawing the ire of a college football nation weary from the Crimson Tide’s domination. The Devin White situation fuels the wrath even more.

On the small chance a reader is unfamiliar with the Devin White ‘situation’ we offer a short summary. LSU midseason All-American LB, Devin White will play only one half against Alabama football on Nov. 3. White was ejected for targeting against Mississippi State. The penalty always includes the player sitting out the first half of his next game.

LSU fans have joined hands in a collective hissy-fit of epic proportion. All the rage built up by Nick Saban being the Alabama football coach and the string of Tide wins over LSU going back to 2012 has been channeled into one massive affront.

LSU AD, Joe Alleva, and state of Louisiana politicians have implored the SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey to lift the one-half ban. Mostly lost amidst the furor is Greg Sankey has no authority to make such a decision.

Undaunted by facts and clinging to the preposterous claim Alabama football and the SEC are and have often been in cahoots, lawsuits are threatened. No other SEC fanbase, or for that matter anyone else in CFB, is voicing a counter-argument the Crimson Tide is not the villain.

On any given week the fanbases of several teams hate the NCAA targeting rule. It is a subplot in almost every game.

Though clearly well-intentioned to reduce concussions and other head injuries, it is a difficult call for officials. The automatic video review is necessary for accuracy in assessing the penalty. Many times targeting is clear but often it is not. Opposing fans almost universally have polar opposite opinions on every call.

All of which must be the fault of Nick Saban or as Penn State’s James Franklin once called him, Nicky Satan. Famous LSU fan, James Carville has not accused Saban of being the Devil, but Carville fervently believes the Tide gets special treatment from the SEC. Carville is entitled to his opinion, even one so outrageous.

Other LSU fans have funded a Free Devin White campaign that has placed billboards in Birmingham demanding corrective action by the SEC office housed in the city. SI.com reported the campaign will

"fund as many billboards as possible, with any excess funding going as a donation toward the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, in honor of Devin’s love of horses"

Reportedly Devin owns seven horses. At least some of the money raised will go to a worthwhile cause.

What should Alabama football fans think about the penalty, the suspension and the resulting outpouring of LSU rage? It is not our place to speak for all Alabama football fans but we’re glad to share one opinion.

Even if Devin White was 100 percent guilty of targeting, we wish he was not suspended against the Crimson Tide. The rule must be adhered to without regard to any disagreement it causes. But, the Alabama vs. LSU game is supposed to be the best vs. the best. In that sense, we regret the Tide will not get all of LSU’s best for the full game.

Instead, what we get is a huge distraction before the game. And after the game, we Alabama football fans have to endure more LSU excuses and more outlandish LSU claims following another LSU loss.

Free Devin White! And free Alabama football and its fans from being the most reviled program in college football. Wait, just free Devin. As long as the Crimson Tide is the King of CFB, broad disdain will accompany us. So be it – we would not have it any other way.