Almost a month ago Alabama put together a Great game in the SEC Championship game and dismantled a very talented Florida team 32 - 13. 

This was a great game, a game Bama had obviously circled on it's Calendar for over a year.  Now 13 wins into the season Bama is headed to Pasadena to play Texas in the BCS Championship Game.  

Heisman Trophy Contender (McCoy) VS Current Heisman Trophy Winner (Ingram)

Points Scored per game                        Texas  41    Alabama 32
Points Allower Per Game                                  13                 13

Giveaway Takeaway ratio                               +12               +16
TURNOVERS                                                   35                 26

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When Bama lines up against the Long Horns - Michele and I will be in the stands.   I have a hard time imagining that I will "REALLY" be there, but our flight leaves in the morning and the good lord willing ... we will be in tomorrow afternoon.

PINCH ME -----

I was in the Stands in 92 when the Tide manhandled the Mighty Hurricane's - for the Last National Title Bama posted.  This one is however different.   The game has changed so much, from the perspective of fandamonium and from the perspective of $$$.. all that said, I shall never forget that feeling as the 92 Team Circled the feild donning flags with the Bama Logo and Fingers raised to the sky proclaiming number 1.  I made myself a promise that day that the next time Bama played for a National Title - I would be in the stands. 
Although we are leaving tomorrow it has yet set in, that I will actually be in "THE ROSE BOWL STADIUM" .... never in my wildest dreams as a child and growing up as a Bama Fan... did I think I would get the oppty to see Alabama play in the Stadium, much less for a National Title.  The Rose was where Alabama gained prominence as a national power, establishing itself and the south as football powers.   But there I will be and I will likely be like the proverbial kid in the candy story.

FINAL PREDITION OF THE YEAR

Predicting Bama Wins this year have been easy.  Predicting the Score, well I have been close on all but two.

This one to me is tricky.   

CONS - Heisman jinx - one month Lay off. - Being Favored (Bama by 4 1/2 ) in most predictions.

PROS - Bama's D will be the best Texas has faced - Turnovers - Texas has turned the ball over and seems to have a tendency to do so.  McElroy is playing fantastic Football - 

FEARLESS PREDICTION-  Texas will be very "motivated" being the Underdog.... and I believe will play with a great deal of emotion...perhaps surprising Bama with an early score or two.  Bama will however settle into its control gameand prevail in the 4th Qtr, marking it's 13th National Championship.

Too all who have followed me any throughout the year, thanks for your loyalty and Roll Tide.


ALABAMA 34 -  TEXAS  26

NOTE - FB friends - I will be posting live on FB from Rose Bowl :)

Wow...reminiscent of the Tide in 1979 a last quarter......lengthy drive.... "see Daniel Moore All on the Line " Bama EEEKED by the motivated and scrappy Tigers, to win the game 26 - 21.

Giving the Devil it's due, the Tigers played very well and turned in some very big plays, going up on Bama 14 - 0, then when the Tide evened the score at 14 the Tigers hit a long pass to go up 21 - 14. Leigh Tiffin connected on 2 of 3 FG's go pull the Tide within 1, at 21 - 20. 

Ingram has a non-Heisman day ...with Auburn stopping Bama's potent running attack, and with the game hanging in the balance, Greg McElroy and Julio Jones, rose to the occasion.  Methodically Bama drove 79 yards completed 7 of 8 passes (4 to Jones) before connecting on a short 3rd down pass to Roy Upchurch for a TD.  The try for 2 failed. 

Auburn out gained the Tide, but Bama showed championship qualities on that last drive... and as the saying goes, Found a way to win.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY -

With Fla in Bama's sights and visa versa, Bama has a very daunting task ahead.  To topple #1 Ranked Fla from its perch.

Last year the tables were turned and Bama was the higher ranked team...and Fla did the honors of knocking them from the perch and dashed any hopes of a National Title.

GAME NOTE : Fla lost a key player who was arrested for DUI. Carlos Dunlap - (Defensive End)MVP of Fla's Bowl Game last year will not play against Bama, as he was suspended.

The line on the game 5 -6.

My final prediction of 2009 :)    I feel good about this game.

Florida leads the SEC in total defense (233.08 ypg) and scoring defense (9.83 ppg)

Alabama is second in total defense (233.92 ypg) and second in scoring defense (10.83 ppg)

Close huh?  I can't put a finger on it, but I feel more confident about this game than the Auburn Game... I really think Bama has had this game circled since last year, when the Gators did what Bama did to Auburn...a last qtr long drive to take over the game, after Bama had led for most of the time.

I think McElroy may start slow, but have a great game... and that Bama will not only find a way to win but pull away.

People may think me crazy :

Bama 31  Fla 21

Bama moved past the Mocs and got their first shutout of the year...holding them to less than 100 yards of total offense.  Almost all players saw action with very few starters playing in the 2nd half.

Now with less than 51 hours till Kick off of the Famed Iron Bowl... I must admit... this one is a bit scary....

1 - Bama favored by 10

2 - Auburn is at Home

3 - Auburn has had a week off

4 - Bama coming off short week

5 - Bama SEC championship game only one week away.

6 - Ingram on the cover of SI

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Bama will need to play it's game, run the ball control the clock and keep Auburn from getting off to a quick start.

Auburn will be fired up and rightfully so.  After a 36 - 0 Thrashing last year... and will all the hype Bama is getting for national title and for ingram.

The Tigers would like nothing more than to UPSET the Tide and topple their chances of a National Title.

But...I think Bama is too strong...too consistent and too focused.

Bama leads the series 39-33-1

Look for the series to go to 40-33-1  in this the 74th meeting of these two teams.

Bama 31  Tigers 13

On what could very well have been a "TRAP" game - Bama came away with a convincing victory over Miss State.  I was one of those who was very weary of this game, but Bama did handle it in a very business like fashion and hung 31 points on the Bullies, and only gave up 3. 

Bama started this one as if it were not quiet in gear, but then seemed to find it's rythm offensively and defensively and began a methodical whipping of the Dawgs.

Bamas offense rolled up over 440 yards holding State to just over 200.  Basically in the second half Bama dominate in every phase of the game... except the Kicking game.  Here the Tide allowed two very long returns that left the defense with it's back against the wall.  They rose to the occasion and only surrendered a field goal.

The Tide's secondary played lights out.  2 interceptions... and several unbeliveable broken up passes.. 2 in the end-zone.

Offensively, Mark Ingram had over 140 including a career long 72 yard run for a TD.  McElroy had good numbers too, including a 50 yard pass to a wide, and I mean WIDE OPEN Juilo Jones.   Mayes had a couple of key thrid down catches in what was, in my opinion, one of Alabamas most complete games this year.

Mississippi State doned Black jerseys for the first time, trying to motivate the bullies and the emotion seemed to work at first as State was moving the ball pretty well, but Bama made adjustments and State struggled mightily there after...and soon the black jerseys became a non-story.

Bama now 10 and 0 continues it's quest of a perfect season.... This Saturday the Tide should have a fairly easy time of disposing UCT Moc's ... who has a 6-4 record.  My pick last week was my worst this year, but when my missing has to do with Margin of Difference on the winning side, I don't mind at all.

This week I see Bama getting to cruise in this one. 45 - 6  Roll Tide.

Being a Bama fan for over 40 years.. I can tell you the LSU Tigers give Bama Fits ... and have many times (especially of late) been a thorn in the side of the Crimson Tide.

Bama played very well last Saturday both on Defense and Offense.  They were a bit slow... starting but in the 2nd half unleashed a flurry of offensive plays that were very offensive to the Tigers. Bama looked like the better team especially as they got into the 4th qtr.  

Controversy was abundant in this game... as were key plays, one of those came on a 5 yard toss to Juilo from McElroy .... and Julio scampered 70 or so for a TD. 

Bama won 24 -15.  

After the victory Bama moved back to 2nd in BCS so they control their own destiny.

Up now Miss State.  This game as been a concern of mine since early in the season.  State holds a paltry 4-5 record, but played lights out against Fla earlier in the year.  In Dixion they have the 2nd leading RB in the SEC.  This game has upset written all over it, because ..State had a week off, and Bama is libel to be a bit lethargic after the Big Win over LSU.

I hope I am wrong, but I think it will be close.  Ingram rushed for a buck twenty five.. and is among frontrunners for the heisman.



I say Bama 27 - State 16
Roll Tide