Week 6 - South Carolina

Tide Fans –

Something didn’t feel right when I woke up Saturday morning. Besides the massive head cold I had acquired the day before, something just didn’t feel right. I was actually looking forward to a nice day at home watching football without interruption from gymnastics meets or other distractions. I was looking forward to kicking back, watching gameday, and getting mentally prepared for our game against South Carolina. It was a beautiful day in Birmingham, Alabama, and then all of a sudden as I fixed a cup of coffee preparing to watch ESPN, our power went out. Yes – no storms, nothing but blue skies, and our power goes out…fantastic. This got me really concerned, not only because I was missing gameday, but it just seemed like a bad omen. All morning I had this feeling of unpreparedness – like I had not done something to get ready for this game. It was a bad start to a day that would only get worse. Our beloved Crimson Tide loses to the Gamecocks of South Carolina…I was crushed.

Words cannot describe how I felt at about 5:30pm on Saturday. Actually, there are several words that were blurted out of my mouth within earshot of my kids, which described exactly how I felt. I can only pray that these words are not ever repeated by them. I know most of you feel the same way, and are just as down as I am right now. It is a feeling we have not had to deal with in a long time, and it totally sucks. At the beginning of the season I predicted that we would lose a game…I just hoped it never would actually happen. We are now facing the reality of a loss, and how we respond to it will tell a lot about us as Tide fans, and our team. The one thing I ask of all of you is to stay positive – there is a lot of football to be played, and the Aubs want nothing more than to see us get all irritated when asked about the loss. Let them talk all they want…their day is coming, and I personally cannot wait to play them.

We knew it would be tough to get through this gauntlet of games undefeated. I think our team was mentally tired, and that is what got us beat. We were not ready for this game and it showed. There were way too many errors creating costly penalties, and busted plays. Our team did not look like themselves on the field, and quite honestly I thought they looked very slow – there was no hustle. They looked hung over…and that is what I was afraid of last week. At one point I swear I saw Donta Hightower walk over to try and make a tackle. Our heads were simply not in this game, and in the SEC if you don’t come ready to play every week, you lose. I have to give some credit to South Carolina – they played a great game – probably the best they ever have, but they are not a better team than us. I wish them the best of luck, because I want to play them again. I want to play them again so bad! You may have shut down our run, and completed some ridiculous passes this time…but you will not do it again…you will not do it again!

This is a tough one to swallow Tide Fans…a very tough one. As hard as it is, we must press on and get ready for the next game. There is no time to sit around and sulk all week, because if we do Ole Miss may come in and shock us. We have to get our mind right, and go on to fight for the rest of the season. We control our destiny, and while our championship dreams took a hit – they are far from over. I believe our coaches and our team, are going to be stronger after this and I believe we will go undefeated for the remainder of the season. There a several huge games ahead, but I know we have the team to do it. Our players like McElroy, Ingram, Dareus, Hightower, and Julio are going to step it up a notch, and demand more from their fellow teammates. The Tide is going to play with fire and passion for the rest of the season, and whoever lies ahead better watch out – a big ‘ol pissed off Crimson giant is heading your way, and it wants to crush you.

Heads up Tide fans, we have a lot of football to play, and we are still the defending National Champions…we are still The Alabama Crimson Tide! Have faith in your team, and think positive. Just before I started typing, I looked out my window and saw the sun shining on my Bama flag flying in the wind, and it made me smile. Good things are ahead…the season is far from over.

Until next week…Roll Tide!

Jason