If the UF vs. Bama and the SC vs. Bama situations were reversed....meaning that Bama played at UF after getting the Gamecocks at home then I would say UF had a real shot to be the one that derailed the Tide train. As it is....UF has no chance on the road on Oct 2nd.....but they can contribute greatly to what lies in store I think for the Tide in Columbia. It all depends on how hard Bama has to work in the next two games. If they cruise and don't break a sweat in either of the next two games then maybe only Auburn or LSU have any chance at upsetting Alabama. I think the Hogs will make em sweat this Sat. and I can only hope the Gators will be inspired enough to make a game out of it. My problem with UF is that unless the defense plays out of their frigging minds vs. Bama they will fall behind 24-0 by halftime because of the slow starting first half offense resplendant with lots of sputtering, bumbling and stumbling that seems to be unrepairable. FUN FACT: Florida has been outscored 13-0 in the first quarter this season cumulatively by a trio of Mia of Oh, USF and Tenn. and the second quarter hasn't been much better. And you were scoffing I'll bet at my 24-0 suggestion.... :wink:
This upcoming 3 game stretch for the Tide (Ark, Fla, SC) looks like a real challenge. They could win all 3 or lose all 3, but I think 2-1 or 1-2 are the most likely. The secondary was an area of concern for a lot of people, and all 3 QB's can do some damage. There's no question what Mallet can do for the Hogs; despite some rough going, Fla is still unbeaten and loaded with talent, and SC has those big tall receivers that are tough to defend. Having Dareus and Ingram back (since last week) is big for Bama. Should be exciting! RTR
That is as formidable a 3 game stretch of SEC games as I can remember any SEC playing in a while. Ranked AP teams #9, #10 and #12. Two of the three are on the road and the last team in the stretch has two weeks to prepare and a coach who has been brilliant at developing successful schemes for big games in the past. In fact....I believe the Alabama game will define Spurrier's career at South Carolina. He is either going to further his SEC reputation as a Ball Coach or he will be fading into the sunset...the victim of Nick Saban's brand of ball coaching.
Texas plays resurgent UCLA at home, then #8 Oklahoma in Dallas and then goes to Lincoln for #6 Neb, and from what I hear the whole state of Neb is drooling for some Longhorn steak! That's about as tough as it gets.
Is that three in a row Terry? Pretty tough if so....but does Nebraska have two weeks to prepare? I think Bama's is slightly tougher.
Dave, I believe in the strength of Alabama. It will not take a blocked field goal this year to beat Tennessee. I find it comical though that all through the off season, all we heard was how strong the Gators would be. Then after the first game, it was going to be a looooooooooong season for the Gators. Now after beating a young, inexperienced Tennessee team, you are including the Gators as being part of the toughest 3 games for the Tide. I dont think an Intel Duo Core processor can switch as fast as your opinion of the Gators. :wink:
I also stated Tom that unless the UF defense plays out of their friggin minds that the halftime score would be 24-0. I have also stated that I do not think any part of UF's collective ass will be left unkicked after the game is over. That said....I hope that UF will at least get their attention and make em work hard enough to keep em from thinking too much about SouCar the next week. In other words....I doubt Saban will be working on his gameplan for the Gamecocks the week of the Florida game but in the same week Spurrier has nothing else to focus on other than Bama. Preparing edge to Spurrier. :wink: "all we heard was how strong the Gators would be" Really.......you have extrapolated that from what I have been saying??? All I have been sayin this past summer is what a big game it would be and I do think CBS has it slated for primetime 8 pm. I think the Bama fans will be salivating at the chance to kick our ass and will think it is a big game. However.....due to the Gator's obvious offensive ineptitudes I do stand corrected because the game has paled somewhat in national importance and I did not expect that to happen if both teams went in unbeaten.
If it will be 24 - 0 at halftie, then that does not seem like such a big three game string with the Gator game being the filling of the sandwich.
Just hoping for a little better in the second half Tom.....and maybe a respectable score like 17-31 with Bama working hard to seal the deal. I actually think the best UF can hope for this year is to catch Bama napping in Atlanta and that won't be possible if they play the Tide straight up on the 2nd or even upset the Tide. They just look like a much better team than Florida this year.
Another Gator FUN FACT: "Florida dropped another spot in the coaches’ poll after scoring more points in Knoxville than any Gator team since 1996".... Hmmmm......that is pretty interesting. I think the disrespect illustrated by that statement has a lot to do with Tenn unfortunately as well as the amateurish way in which the Gator offense goes about it's business.
Well Mich State was a favorite at home vs ND last weekend, had to go to OT and win on a trick play....so they were voted into the top 25! Of course!
How dare you discount the Jackrabbits like that... :lol: I'll absolutely **** if the upset of all time happens....