SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP REMACH!  This Game is entitled to a NAME.  The rehash?  Tua and 26 again?  Saban Vs Smart, part II.  None of those are clever enough or worthy so I digress.

Bama did to Auburn what it has done all season.  52-21 sounds close? What?  Yes it does, but consider that Bama was up only 3 points at the break, but turned up the burners in the second half outscoring Auburn 35 -7.  Tua actually uncharacteristically played in 4^th Quarter -  only a few snaps, the last was a TD for his 5^th passing TD of the day.  

As great as all that sounds, to quote Gene Stallings - "We've won every game, and we haven't won anything yet."  Or something like that.  

Many say Bama will get into the playoffs no matter the outcome of this game.  I would hate for Bama to have to rely on the Committee to make that decision.  It would be MUCH better to remove all doubt. 

Georgia has lost only one game this year and has worked its way into the top 4.  Their only loss coming at the hands of the LSU Tigers.  But, giving the Dog its due, they have played like a different team since that WAKE UP loss.

Many thought Bama would score a lot of points on LSU, and they scored 29 - which is a lot, but this year it seems not.  In the next game MS St, Bama managed only 24, but just like LSU, Ms. St never scored.

Since that game Bama's D has given up 38  points in two games. 21 to Auburn and 17 to The Citadel.  Did these teams find something that worked to score on Bama?  Was the concentration lost?  Whatever it is, I don't see Bama lacking focus in this game. 

This is quiet the matchup - as on paper, you can make Bama a heavy favorite.  The Folks in Vegas have Bama a 13.5 favorite.  Many say it won't be that close.  I am very nervous about it.   I know emotion and momentum will have a big effect in this game. 

Bama MUST stop Ga running the ball.  Ga as well must stop Bama running the ball.  Both QB's are rated about as high as can be.  Bama has the advantage on rushing the passer, and I believe that Bama has the advantage of recievers vs Ga secondary.   Ga is a very young team.  Many of the guys who were in that epic game last year are gone.  That could play into this too.

I've rambled enough, I believe when all is said and done, Bama will win.  I believe Ga will keep it closer than most think.

   28           38

Roll Tide !!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait WHAT?  This year when there was a lot of HYPE that Auburn would be good.... At least better than 7-4, but as we roll toward Thanksgiving and The Iron Bowl - those numbers are correct.  In spite of the fact that Gus said so himself.  How about this number - the betting line has Bama a 24 point favorite.  WOW.   But least we forget, Bama got knocked around last year at the Loveliest Village on The Plains.   It still stings, but the ointment that soothes that sting was Bama's National Championship.

This is one of the least HYPED Iron Bowls in recent history that I recall.    CBS 2:30 Kickoff at Bryant Denny Stadium will see the 83^rd tussle between these two.   Bama has the better talent, that is obvious - and the cliché "you can throw out the record books" simply doesn't seem to apply this year.

Auburn showed some moxie with its last minute drive to beat TAMU, enough so to know they do have opened the eyes of other opponents, including Bama.  That is one of the shining moments of this season.  The Tide and Tigers costed against the Citadel - and Auburn vs Liberty.  

Bama did make all fans take a collective breath with a 10 -10 tie at the half.  But Bama woke up and went to work in the 2^nd, scoring 40 points.

Bama has seemed a bit nicked and bruised in the past few games, but reports say other than Damion Harris, everyone should be good to go.   There is a chance Bama could be peaking ahead to the SEC Championship Game - but Nick Saban will likely take care of that.

Auburn has not done well on 3^rd down - has not fared well against the run and its secondary is prone to give up big plays.  If that follows suit, then Bama could win and win BIG!  The biggest margin of victory in this series is 55 - 0, Bama in 1948.  Some think that stat could be in jeopardy!  I am not one of them.  

I do look for Bama to cover - going away late in the game. 

     48         17

ROLL TIDE !!!

*This is the second Iron Bowl that I won't be able to discuss The Iron Bowl with our Son, Justin.   We miss you on Tide Saturdays, and all the other days. Love You!   

ROLL TIDE !!! RIP #JUSTINLIVESON  

Coming off a big win against LSU, Bama is back home against the MSU Bullies.   Bama looked good against LSU on the road.  In a game that many pundits predicted Bama would perhaps show its vulnerabilities, The Tide continued to shine on offense, and the defense seemed to have a "MAD ON" and played what was easily one of their best games of the year in a 29 to 0 shut out.  Bama did at times struggle with motion on offense, but considering the atmosphere in DEATH VALLEY, those kind of things are understandable.  Of course not acceptable by Coach Saban.

Bama has a fair share of nicks and bruises after the bout with the Tigers and some key players are day to day and questionable for Saturdays 2:30 Kick on CBS.   Against LSU the shutout was a result of a relentless defense led by Quinnen Williams.  He looked unblock able against the Tigers who managed only 16 rushing yards. 

Let down vs Ms St?   Remember a few weeks back Coach Saban mentioned a possible let down or as he called it, a trap game.  This game because of where it falls in the schedule, seems to be a possible trap game.   Remember last year Bama struggled and won with a clutch drive in the 4^th Qtr.  A quick look at the Bullies schedule reveals to me - against SEC foes this year, MSU has scored a total of 67 points in 5 games.   The two wins in the SEC are vs Auburn and TAMU.   MSU will certainly have to play the best game of the season to score with Bama.

I believe this game will speak volumes about this Bama team, who many say is among the greatest of all time.  It would be easy to coast into this one and rest on ones laurels.  If that is the case and Bama struggles it will say they have chinks in their armor.  If they take care of MSU with a business like attitude - they may actually deserve those lofty praises.  

I look for Bama to make a statement in this game.  They will score early and often, easily covering the spread of 23.5

  45      17

ROLL TIDE!

And so it goes - The first CFB Playoff poll is out and Bama reigns at #1 - and this weeks opponent is #3 LSU.  Wait what?  Yes... one loss LSU came in at number 3.  Most people me included never expected to see this matchup have so much significance.  LSU has found a way to win in games they were not predicted to win.  They have a very tough defense, and their secondary is touted by most as the best in college football.  HYPE - oh you bet.  Remember 2011 and 2012 GAME OF THE CENTURY?  Well this one is being HYPED as Game of the Century part II. 

Bama is a 14 point favorite according to the guys in Vegas.   LSU's one loss came to the Florida Gators, then the following week they cornered the Ga Dawgs at the time rated #3 in the country.  Looking at this game on paper, you certainly understand why the Vegas odds makers make Bama a favorite.  However, the cliché - "they don't play it on paper."   LSU players have talked a little smack, but not any that would be locker room material.  The most threatening thing said has been said by many, "who has Bama played to get all their stats."  

In years past this game has been a donnybrook for the most part and a defensive, conservative game.  LSU has a former OSU QB Joe Burrow, who has managed games well, but not garnered a lot of offense.  Can LSU keep up with Bama's high scoring offense?  That question will be answered of course on Saturday at 7pm in Death Valley on CBS.   My answer to the question ?   Bama has a different team than I ever remember going into Tiger Stadium.  For that matter this Offense is different than any other Bama team I have ever seen.

LSU will be pumped, make no mistake.  Bama will need to continue their streak of scoring early to take the fans out of the game.  If Bama does that, they will prosper.  If LSU hangs around it may be close.  Nick Saban on Thursday night's radio show was asked " If Bama wins the coin toss, will they choose to  kick or receive."  - "Coach Saban replied - "I hope they choose to kick ASS!"

      41          27

ROLL TIDE