Before FOOTBALL --Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to be part of my 9th Bama Homecoming Parade!  This year was a very large crowd!  Every year this is a special event for me and my family.  My wife, Michele and I were saddened this year with the absence of our late son, Justin.  He was normally a part of this annual event and words can't describe how much we both missed him.   As we made our way through the maze of people, I couldn't help but smile back at the smiles and wave back at the waving hands.  I thought to myself, the many gathered likely don't have much in common...perhaps religious views differ, politics differ, etc... but for that period of time they all have Alabama Football, and the love of a Parade in common.  

It was and always is a touching moment.  This year, I add healing to that list.   

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The 3^rd Saturday in October - Smoke em' if you got em'

I remember as a kid - John Forney describing Neyland Stadium as the leaves begin to change, the river reflecting the sun, in what was once "one of the biggest rivalry's in Football".  My My, how things change.   This one is being played at Bryant Denny, where Bama just disposed of Arkansas 41 - 9 last week for Homecoming.   Bama comes into this game as a 34 point favorite.  Think about that 34 points?  WOW..... things have changed.

Tennessee's overall stats are really abysmal - allowing one to understand why the spread is so big.   On the one hand - Bama looks like a lock to cover.  However, I am certain people were saying the same thing about Clemson last week.  Yet The Orangemen thought differently and Clemson has their first loss of the year.

Saban is preaching about becoming complacent and why not, winning the way Bama has won could breed such.  But I think Coach will keep them playing at a different level and Bama will head to another victory against the Vols.   The last time UT won against Bama was 2006, I think 2017 will be #11.

No doubt UT will be UP - but Bama has too many great players and is too deep.

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Alabama vs. Tennessee since 1985

Homecoming – my favorite game of the year.  Why?  I get to dust off the Tide Rides for their annual trek to Tuscaloosa for the HC Parade.  Truly a highlight each year for me and hopefully others.  

Bama heavily favored over TAMU looked to lose a bit of focus.  Coach Saban addressed it as not finishing.   The Tide had a 21 point lead and the game ended a 9 point win.   A win is a win, and credit has to go to TAMU.  Their Defense played well, and Bama struggled to convert at times.   And let’s face it, Bama has spoiled us.

On to Saturday – at Bryant Denny.  The HOGS of Arkansas come to town and find themselves a huge underhog – (sorry I had to go there).   Bama finds themselves on ESPN for the 2^nd consecutive week – in prime time.   Arkansas comes to T-Town with their tails tucked after a 42-24 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.   Bama is favored by 29 in this one,  and I think they will cover that.

As Coach Bryant was fond of saying after Bama’s game with TAMU – they should “Have their dauber up”.  Bama should Roll….

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WOW – what happens when you have obligations that keep you from posting on your Bama Blog for a few weeks?

Readers Digest version – Bama Clobbers Colorado State 41 - 23 – Bama Hammers Vandy 55-0 then steps on Ole Miss to the tune of 66-3.

The narrative after the Colorado State game was “Bama needs work…they allowed Colorado State to move up and down the field, and score 23 points.”   That led to a rant by the Coach about focus.

I suppose his rant was heard by the team because then Alabama has scored 121 points to their opponents 3…..OUCH!   Bama was a heavy favorite against Ole Miss, but I am not sure many folks predicted the final score of 66-3.

Saturday at 6:15 on ESPN, Bama takes on the TAMU Aggies in College Station.    The Aggies bring a 4-1 record with a loss to UCLA, in a game where the Aggies obviously lost focus and collapsed in the second half.  

A couple of things to think about.  TAMU has arguably the 2^nd best Offense in the SEC (by the numbers) and have moved the ball.   They hit on a lot of BIG PLAYS… which Bama has struggled with at times.   At least by Saban standards.    Bama held Ole Miss to – ahem… 0 of 15 on 3^rd and 4^th downs.   Yes, read that again…. WOW.

Is this a TRAP GAME?   I think it could be.  TAMU is a underdog of 26 or more, so they really have nothing to lose and everything to gain with an upset – or even a close game.

Bama is riding high.   Off the arm and legs of Hurts the offense is moving the ball very well.  Defense for the past two weeks, has played GREAT.  This is a road game, but that road takes Hurts to his home state of Texas.  

Look for the Aggies to be pumped and come out early and go fast.  But Bama will catch up to the speed and pace quickly and soon control on Defense and offense.

Bama will Roll

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