Week 8 - Tennessee

Tide Fans –

Can you hear it? I can still hear it. I heard it all last night, and in my sleep. The sweet sound of the “thud” heard round the world. That “thud” being Terrance Cody’s hand blocking a last minute game winning field goal for Tennessee. From absolute agony to pure elation, every Tide fan in the stadium, and all around the country let out a roar when victory was secured by the slap of a paw from Mount Cody! How sweet it was Bama fans…how sweet it is! The Alabama Crimson Tide is still undefeated, and the drive for 13 is still in full force!

Standing at my seat pacing wildly back and forth, I could not believe what I was watching. We had all but secured the victory until something that never happens happened…Mark Ingram fumbled the ball. When the replay confirmed the fumble I knew we were in trouble. I knew UT would score and attempt the onside kick. I didn’t think they would get the onside kick, but of course they did. I don’t know why I thought we would actually recover the onside kick and run the clock out…that would be too easy on us Tide fans. We like to make it as painful as possible to win games. If I had had a piece of coal with me, it would have ended up as a diamond before this one was over. I have witnessed many nail biting close games for Alabama, but this one had so much riding on it. With one snap, place, and kick our dreams for a chance at another championship could have been crushed. I have to hand it to Tennessee…they played a hell of a game. I would like to give a shout out to Jerry, my “polar opposite” – a Vol fan who is Tennessee’s version of me. I know that had to suck…but you know what they say – nothing “sucks” like a big orange! Sorry Jerry… had to get that in!

Anyone who thought this game would be a blowout, has obviously never watched many Alabama-Tennessee games. Yes, there are a few that get out of control, but seldom do you not see a very hard fought close game. This is a huge rivalry, and even when one team is not having a great season – it is always brutal. These teams always play hard, and Saturday was a classic! The kicking game has been the decision maker countless times, and once again it proved to be the difference on Saturday night. Huge shout out to Leigh Tiffin – what a game! Tiffin doesn’t hit that last 50 yard field goal and we lose. I must say, Tiffin has not received a lot of love from me this season, but he has played very solid. I have a feeling he hasn’t won the last game for us this year.

The Alabama offense once again struggled. We did get the ball into Julio’s hands a few times this week, so hooray for that! We only had about 1 or 2 drives where it looked like we actually knew the plays and how they were supposed to be executed. I knew we would have trouble against UT’s defense, but I didn’t think they would keep us from scoring a touchdown. Once again we had our chances, but some “interesting” play calling inside the 10 yard line kept us out of the end zone. I’m sure there was a reason we didn’t run the ball on 2nd and goal and 3rd and goal…but I was really dumbfounded as to why we didn’t. The Wildcat seemed to be working – why didn’t we Wildcat that bitch all the way to pay dirt? Again…I am not a coach, I am just a 35 year old dude who played two years of football in 9th & 10th grade at 130 pounds soaking wet… but I’m just sayin’ – the Wildcat was looking good. It’s going to get better Bama fans – the offense will figure it out, and we will find our balance again. We better find it in about two weeks!

Minus about one play toward the end of the game, the defense delivered as usual. It was great to have Javier back in the lineup, as he made the most solo tackles in the game! I absolutely love when we blitz Javier…he is so fast and always brings the guy down fast. Mark Barron had another great game as well, and had our only interception (as I predicted last week)! All in all the defense did their job, and they deserve this week off more than anyone. They have saved us in several games this year, and are the reason we remain undefeated! Terrance Cody was playing at an entirely different level. Blocking two field goals – that is unbelievable! I love Cody’s quote about lining up against UT’s Cory Sullins before the 2nd blocked field goal – “He’s probably thinking ‘Oh snap! Here we go again…dang that’s a big guy’ Cody said. “He was probably thinking a lot of things…I’d be scared of me too!” I love it! Mount Cody may get his Daniel Moore print after all…I know I would buy it!

Thank God we have a week off! I know the coaches and the team really need it, but all of us need it as well. I am looking forward to a weekend of not having to worry about how we are going to win, and handing over ridiculous amounts of cash to a babysitter who has watched our kids all day. It will be nice to relax and watch other teams play while not having to nervously think about things like…did we leave early enough to avoid traffic backing up on 459, did I bring enough beer, do we have any food, did I forget the tickets, did we bring the Red Bull and Jagermeister? I am going to really enjoy our well deserved time off! What’s good for The Tide is good for their fans also! By the way – we did not leave early enough to avoid traffic on 459 – thank God for the Old Tuscaloosa Highway in McCalla!

Huge game in two weeks folks! LSU comes to town in what will basically be the “Battle for the West”. For some reason I feel really good about this game. I think our defense will man handle LSU’s offense, and the “Mad Hatter” won’t be able to score many points on us. This may be a low scoring game, because if our offense doesn’t get it together their defense will shut us down. How our offense plays will be the key to this game being close. I’m not worried about our D stopping them, but at some point we have to score some points to win. I should be a lot more worried about this game, but I just feel really good. I think the week off comes at a perfect time, and LSU has not shown me much this year. I can’t wait to see their fans come to town with their pimp outfits and crazy Cajun talk – it cracks me up! I just hope we don’t hear a bunch of “Tiger Bait” (pronounced Tiiiiiiiiiiiiigaaaah Bait) cheers after the game. Bring your corn dog smelling, jambalaya cooking asses on up here and let’s have a good time! (Insert strange Cajun yell)

This was a huge win for us Saturday Tide Fans…I know we just squeaked it out, but it was a big rivalry game. We could have lost, our season could have been ruined…but it wasn’t. What a great way to beat a rival – on the last play! As I said before, champions find a way to win and yes – the Alabama Crimson Tide is still undefeated! Sooooo smooth!

See you in a few weeks – Roll Tide!

Jason

Enjoy this video - this is why my ears are still ringing!