Well, if you wanted to see the difference between a championship team and a good team, you got the Cliff's Notes version Saturday. What is funny is when you go to your favorite sites, you will see the jealousy masked in comments about Tebow and Meyer. Bottom line, those two are big time player/coach and all the griping about the Spread not winning and all that has to die now. They won. Period.
The Good...
3rd Quarter
I really liked the mentality coming out of the half. They reset and went back to their basic offense- north south running and play action short passing, and they attacked on defense. They kept Florida off the field and chewed up massive amounts of clock while they shut out Florida 10-0 in the 3rd. By the end of the 3rd, the momentum and game were in Bama's court. It just went away at the start of the 4th...
Individual efforts
Justin Woodall, Hightower, McClain, Fanney, Greenwood, Coffee, and Julio Jones all played championship level ball Saturday. I thought the option played well into Fanney's strength (run defense) and they went at him for a bit only to find out he's solid on the corner. Really, I thought the line/LB's played well overall, they didn't get ran over, but you can't beat a 5 man front as good as UF's with 4 guys. I thought Woodall understood the Spread Option well and was in position for most of the night. He didn't shy away from hitting Tebow either, speaking of which, RJ probably would like to not hit Tebow anytime soon, he got rung when the big boy lowered his shoulder to him.
The Julio Jones Celebrity Hour
It was another night of Wilson high right passing. Against Florida's safeties, that means you are going to get popped and it's gonna hurt. Jones likes contact, there ain't much doubting that, but he went after several passes that were just off. Jones makes Wilson look better than he is really, but all good WR do, and he's going to make McElroy better because he goes over the middle and QB's like to throw down the pipe and put it up to where the WR climbs the ladder and gets it. The nice thing is that he's just a freshman and he already plays at a 3rd or 4th year player level.
Gritty effort
Some folks had Florida winning in OU fashion. Some said that Bama couldn't play with Florida. Bama proved it deserved to be there and put their best effort on it, there wasn't a player that didn't give his effort to the game, but sometimes, there are just better teams out there across from you. Florida was that team.
The Bad...
First series on both sides of the ball
If you read the Random Thoughts, you know I thought that Bama had to keep the ball and then get 3 and outs where they can. The first drives of the game weren't that by a long shot. I guess the thing that I didn't like was that when Florida got the ball, Bama looked confused as to what was coming. It was pretty obvious after about the 3rd or 4th play that they weren't going to stop them on that drive. The best thing that could have happened was to get off the field, regroup and start over.
4th quarter
It is rare that Bama doesn't own or pull even in the 4th on teams, even when the Shula teams sucked, but on Saturday when the last round was ready, Florida answered the bell, Bama didn't. 1 yard total offense vs. 14 points tells a story in itself.
CBS ejaculating over Tebow-mania
I don't have a problem with Tebow (more on him later), but I do have a problem with how Tebow is done by CBS. That's where my complaint over Tebow would be is in the constant drum beat by Verne and Gary each and every play. Yes, Tim Tebow is a phenomenal player and he is one of the best leaders I've ever seen, but when he's not on the field, I don't need to be reminded about him.
Javier Arenas
I don't call out players much, at least not directly, but this one has to be. You could see it in his body language, his head wasn't in the game or the team, it was about him showing off against Florida, mission failed. I've mentioned several times that he's the kinda guy that can win a game for you, and he can lose it for you. Saturday, he made about 4 key errors that played into the loss. At some point the staff will lose its patience with Arenas because it is all about the big play and ESPN moment with him and not making the right play every time. Arenas is extremely talented, and he's been big at times, but as we all knew going in, the special teams needed to be solid in all phases, and Arenas' play definitely was a factor.
Tight play calling
Florida's defense is good, I wouldn't call it the best Bama's seen this year, but it is good. I thought Bama's play calling contributed to them looking better than they were though. There were times where it felt like the game's decisions were being vetted 3 or 4 times before it happened like they were trying to out smart Florida and Strong. Why? You beat teams with your game, not the game that you think will win. I liked a lot of what they did during the game, but there were times where it just left a lot to be desired. For example, Bama gets the short field on a punt and penalty, Bama motors down to the red zone and then just stalls out because they call plays that ran straight into Florida's strengths. Of course Ingram cut the wrong way on one, but that was one play in 3 that didn't work.
The Ugly...
Special Teams blunders
Did you ever feel like you were in Groundhog's Day? I bet Saban has felt that for 10 out of 13 weeks where there have been gaffes in the special teams that have changed the momentum and progress of the game. While it wasn't the coach's call to fake the kick, why would it be an option with your punter and kicker? A backup QB or a WR, I could see, but that duo wouldn't get 10 yards on a high school team. My hope is that they will take a lot of time to review where the special teams are going and decide how they want to address it because it is old now.
Random Thoughts
Is Tim Tebow the greatest player ever? For starts, that is a subjective question that an answer is based on your emotion and concept of what makes one great. I'll say this, he's one damn good player and probably the best in the modern BCS cable generation of players. I think the underlying thought that comes in Tebow Hating for Bama fans is the recruiting process. He jilted Bama and the fans hold that against them because they read from "experts" that he was coming to Bama, but he didn't. All Bama got was a linebacker that couldn't play for Troy. So yeah, they have a gripe, but don't let that fool you. He's a really solid player and doesn't have a lot of flaws in his game. Some try to make faults about his passing capacities, nope. He hit 4 or 5 passes that were spot on and he makes reads at a level that only a few can (most were named Manning). He is physical and leads by example. It took guts for him to stand up to the media and say we mailed it in against Ole Miss but it won't happen again. It didn't. He wants to win and he wants Florida to win, that's unique in this era of football where 3 years and out is more likely than 5 years of participation.
I think if someone wanted to make an unbiased opinion, the list of bests at each position would surprise many. I don't think I could because I have my opinions and biases that would weigh into it, but perhaps taking a statistics major who hates football and asking him to develop a method to answer the age old question. Doubt that happens. Regardless, Tebow deserves to be in the discussion because he's gifted and wins. He rubs us all wrong because he has an air about him, but damn, he backs it up.
Buy/Sell/Hold
Andre Smith will stay in school and participate his Senior Year
Sell. With the NFL changing the Rookie salary cap after this year, and the money being less next season, he's more gone than Tubberville. Also gone are Moreno (he's quit going to classes), Stafford, and several USCal players.
Alabama's OL will not lose a beat regardless
Sell. It took this line 3 or 4 years to get it together and its pass protection still leaves something to be desired. I like Fluker, a lot, but a freshman is still a freshman, even Smith had his moments his Fr year. Vlachos will be the Center if Cardwell's injury issues don't improve and that doesn't give me warm fuzzy feelings given he is not that tall. In the SEC, the DTs seem to be ranging 6-5ish more these days. 5 inches is a lot to give up. We'll see, but there will be growing pains next season, there always is with new faces.
Ole Miss and Florida will be the pre-season favorites in the SEC
Buy. Of course there are all sorts of who stays and goes stuff, but just on how they played down the stretch, those two are the top of the list with Bama, LSU, and USCar all in the hunt more than likely. UGA will be in rebuild mode, again, and UT will be deconstructing the issues, as will Auburn.
Florida can't contain OU
Hold. Florida hasn't been pressed by an offense all year. They'll get that test finally. However, I think the bigger issue is can OU stop Florida? I don't think they can. I really think the result will be that OU and the Big 12 and their lack of defense and running games will get caught a lot this bowl season.
Bowl Pick'em
Navy vs Wake Forest
EAGLEBANK BOWL
11:00 AM ET
This is a rematch from earlier this year, and the result will be the same. Wake Forrest wins.
Fresno State vs Colorado State
NEW MEXICO BOWL
2:30 PM ET
Probably the worst game of the season, but I'll watch it because it is football and it beats having to talk to my wife, just kidding honey but not really, FSU wins big.
South Florida vs Memphis
MAGICJACK ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
4:30 PM ET
This game could be the high point winner of the season as defense is what other teams do. I like USF on this one because it is practically in their back yard.
No. 16 Brigham Young at Arizona
PIONEER LAS VEGAS BOWL
8:00 PM ET
It has been 10 years since Zona went bowling and this is the BYU classic it seems. BYU has too much offense for a Zona program turning the corner.
Troy vs Southern Miss
R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL
8:15 PM ET
This one actually will be worth watching because most of us are familiar with both teams. USM continues to be one of those teams that always wins regardless and Troy continues to be that team nobody wants to play OOC. I'd take Troy on this one, USM is gritty, but they aren't playing as well as Troy right now.
No. 9 Boise State at No. 11 TCU
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL
8:00 PM ET
This game is an early big game trial for 2 teams feeling jilted by the bigger bowls. Boise is a known commodity and TCU has always skated just under the radar. It also matches strength on strength. This is a pickem if there ever was one, don't put money on it, but I'd take TCU in the upset here. They've been tested more.
Notre Dame vs Hawaii
SHERATON HAWAII BOWL
8:00 PM ET
The luck of the Irish shines on ND again, you suck and you got to go to Hawaii for the reward. The Irish eyes won't be smiling though, Hawaii will run them off the island.
Central Michigan vs Florida Atlantic
MOTOR CITY BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Dan LeFevour and the CMU get to splash water on FAU's dream season. Take CMU big on this one because they have played teams well (UGA comes to mind) and are battle ready.
North Carolina vs West Virginia
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
1:00 PM ET
This is a game where you will look back in a year or two and say this is where their march started. Both teams are up and coming teams in a way, but take WVU on the game because they are far more talented on offense than what UNC has seen this year.
Florida State vs Wisconsin
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
4:30 PM ET
Once upon a time, this would have been a worthwhile game, this isn't that time, both teams are still hunting their identity and will waller all over each other doing it. FSU because Wisconsin is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
California vs Miami (FL)
EMERALD BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Randy Shannon can't turn water into wine, nor can he make the U defend the run. Cal will take its frustrations of USC's shadow out on Miami.
Louisiana Tech vs Northern Illinois
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
8:15 PM ET
What happens when the SEC and Big 12 can't fill the roster? You get this nugget that could bankrupt the Shreeve....I don't give a damn who wins, but I'd take NIU if you made me.
Rutgers vs North Carolina State
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
3:00 PM ET
Here's a matchup of two teams that rumbled through the 2nd half of their seasons to get there. Birmingham gets its bowl on to a pretty good game, take Rutgers because they have more experience and intangibles at this stage.
No. 21 Missouri at No. 23 Northwestern
VALERO ALAMO BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Missouri was supposed to be in bigger things, and Northwestern was just supposed to lay there and take it this year, neither happened. Missouri wins because the Daniels-Macklin combo will not be stopped by any Big 10 defense.
Nevada vs Maryland
ROADY'S HUMANITARIAN BOWL
4:30 PM ET
Blue field, cold weather, blue balls....that probably has more of a storyline than the game, Nevada wins because Maryland can't decide what it wants to be and them boys ain't known cold like this.....
No. 13 Oklahoma State at No. 17 Oregon
PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL
8:00 PM ET
If USF/Memphis doesn't win the high score total, this one probably does. OSU has come close all year to being the fly in the ointment, but didn't happen, same for Oregon. I like OSU in this one because they've been through the big offenses and Oregon won't throw anything they haven't seen, plus they don't have the talent that Texas and OU have.
Western Michigan vs Rice
TEXAS BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Boy, when you want to just spread the wealth, you really have to dig deep to justify this bowl game. Rice hasn't won a bowl since grandpa was spry. Rice wins because WMU is not much more than a MAC sit in.
Air Force vs Houston
BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL
12:00 PM ET
We'll remember the coaches in this game more than the game probably as both are young and working up the ladder to better things. These two played earlier in the year, AF won, and the Air Force should win again.
No. 20 Pittsburgh vs Oregon State
SUN BOWL
2:00 PM ET
It isn't the Sun Bowl without Ray Perkins is it? Oregon St should win this one because Pitt really isn't that good.
No. 24 Boston College at Vanderbilt
GAYLORD HOTELS MUSIC CITY BOWL
3:30 PM ET
Vandy goes bowling and they get to do it at home, how nice. Gaylord Focker Bowl sucks for the SEC every year, I wonder if the Coaches and ADs will push to see this one go away when the contract is up? BC big in this one.
Minnesota vs Kansas
INSIGHT BOWL
5:30 PM ET
Sota is riding a wave of cheap wins in, Kansas just wishes their coach didn't look like a blueberry. Kansas wins because Sota sucks.
No. 14 Georgia Tech vs LSU
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
7:30 PM ET
Les Miles wishes that this one didn't have to be. Paul Johnson is smiling from ear to ear. Ga Tech will run the offense that can't beat the SEC defenses for yet another victory over an SEC defense. Oops.
Iowa vs South Carolina
OUTBACK BOWL
11:00 AM ET
Can't be New Years without the Ol Ball Coach, and like most New Year's Day games with Spurrier, Iowa will win.
No. 15 Georgia at No. 18 Michigan State
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
1:00 PM ET
This is a bowl of two teams going downward fast. MSU has the power running game, Georgia has hype. I'd take UGA in a close one.
Nebraska vs Clemson
GATOR BOWL
1:00 PM ET
Dabo has the Tigers moving in the right direction and Nebraska is just happy to not see a team from the southwest...Nebraska wins.
No. 5 USC vs No. 8 Penn State
THE ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY CITI
4:30 PM ET
The Trojan Classic feeds the masses with another poor victim. Don't buy into the JoePa hype, they haven't seen talent yet until they see USCal play, USCal big.
No. 12 Cincinnati at No. 19 Virginia Tech
FEDEX ORANGE BOWL
8:30 PM ET
If there was a sorrier BCS game, I'd love to see it on paper. Fox plus this stinker equals lots of beer to stomach this one. Cincy wins this one because they're better than you think.
No. 7 Texas Tech vs No. 25 Mississippi
COTTON BOWL
2:00 PM ET
Since when did mean nothing bowls get moved this late? Nice matchup though between 2 programs moving up. Take Ole Miss on this one, that gap tooth line thing won't work against that huge NT they have.
East Carolina vs Kentucky
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
5:00 PM ET
More attention for the SEC on the 2nd, but it won't be what they wanted. ECU wins because Kentucky has limped into the bowl season and ECU is getting healthy again.
No. 4 Alabama vs No. 6 Utah
ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
8:00 PM ET
You really think I'm gonna give it away already?
- January 3, 2009 -
Connecticut vs Buffalo
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
12:00 PM ET
Nothing makes me think college football more than Canada. Maybe the gravy and fries will be good, because the game sucks. The coaches are as good as gone so you know the prep work won't be there. Take UConn.
No. 3 Texas vs No. 10 Ohio State
TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Neither team is happy to be here, both thought they were championship teams in August, Texas has a case and a big win against an overrated OSU team that has no business in the BCS this winter. Then again, have they the last 2?
No. 22 Ball State vs Tulsa
GMAC BOWL
8:00 PM ET
Because someone thought meaningless bowl games mean something after New Year's, ugh. Ball State big.
No. 1 Oklahoma vs No. 2 Florida
FEDEX BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
8:00 PM ET
Interesting matchup and a full month of sitting around having to listen to Tebow mania will be enough motivation for Chokelahoma, but this is Chokelahoma and the Stoops crying marketing campaign comes to an end. Florida has too much speed and defense for OU.
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