Capital One Bowl

Tide Fans –

I’m not sure the phrase “total domination” is strong enough to describe what I saw this past Saturday. What an awe inspiring performance by The Alabama Crimson Tide! How nice was it to just sit back and watch us destroy the co Big Ten Champion Spartans from Michigan State? I must admit…I was not expecting this. This may have been the greatest display of defensive domination I have seen since 1992. Our defense was everywhere…and fast! They played with passion, energy, speed and aggressiveness… they played like champions! This was a team that was denied a shot at a repeat National Championship by four points. I believe they took it out on Michigan State, and they looked really good doing it!

Watching the Capital One Bowl was fun, but in a way it was frustrating. Frustrating because you see how well we can play, and that we should be playing in another National Championship game. With a complete dominating performance like we had, I don’t think there is any team that could beat us. Our defense played out of their mind, and offense moved the ball with ease. This is what was supposed to happen all year, but we all know how that worked out. The one good thing is that we get a lot of this team back next year, and I have a really good feeling about the 2011 season! If we somehow manage to keep a few of the juniors who are thinking about the NFL…wow – look out! I mean can you imagine if Julio and Ingram decided to stay?? I know it is a long shot…but wow – I would be walking on air if any of our NFL prospects return for their senior year. I think we will lose some, but I have a feeling that we may get a surprise or two…keep your fingers crossed!

I want to give huge shout outs to our seniors. These guys have played a lot of football, and have helped our team win lots of games… most notably, Greg McElroy. While there were times that some of us (myself included) did not think McElroy was getting the job done…the kid won a lot of games! He put his heart and soul into the team, and even though we have some great talent coming along at QB, I think this may be one of our biggest weaknesses next season. Greg’s leadership as a game manager will be missed, and his leadership off the field as well. McElroy had some of those characteristics that are hard to replace…even with a super talented newcomer. Other seniors we lose are James Carpenter…he will be missed on the O line, Earl Alexander, Luther Davis, Chavis Williams, Brian Motley, Davis Ross, and Rob Ezell – who never really played, but could do a hilarious imitation of Nick Saban! Thank you to all the seniors on this team who have given their time and effort to play for the Crimson Tide!

It is hard to believe that this season is already over. While not the season we wanted, we still end on a very high note! Michigan State was only a few points from possibly playing in the National Championship as well, and that was a good team we dismantled! I think our team will learn a lot about themselves from this season, and what it takes to get back to winning a championship. Our defense was very young this year, but grew up over the season, and I think will be extremely tough next year. Offense will have some changes…most notably at the quarterback position. We have 2 very talented guys who will battle it out, and we may even see the double QB system. Either way, I feel really good about next season! Our schedule is a little less brutal this year, with our SEC road games being at Florida, Ole Miss, Miss. State, and Auburn. Who knows what those teams will look like next season with all the changes of players and coaches. I think Miss. State may be our toughest road game!

Not the season we all wanted Tide Fans, but 10-3 is not bad…especially with the schedule we had this year. Let’s all look forward to next year, and what it may bring. Keep you head up high, and don’t let all this Auburn stuff drag you down…just ignore it – that’s what I do! It irritates them even more than if you try to argue with them. Just let them have their fun for now…they will be in a different world next year.

The future is bright, and The Tide will rise again!

Until next season…Roll Tide!

Jason