Published October 22, 2012 - 3:10pm
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Just when you thought Alabama was a ball-controlled, non-sexy offensive team that just wins with a superior defense and a game manager at quarterback, think again. This team is growing as an offense and is identifying new playmakers each and every week, led by the demanding Nick Saban and the aforementioned AJ McCarron, who hasn’t even yielded a turnover yet in seven games and has thrown 16 touchdowns.
Yeah, I realize Tennessee’s defense is wretched, but the Vols’ offensive firepower (averaging 38 points per game) was supposed to test the Tide, right? It didn’t happen. And the biggest takeaway wasn’t that Bama held the Vols 25 points below their scoring average, it was that the offense is peaking at just the right time. Including Saturday night, Alabama has scored over 30 points in all seven games.
Weathered veteran AJ McCarron turned in an impactful game, completing 17 of 22 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. The most impressive part of McCarron is his time in the pocket to throw the football. The Bama maulers up front give him ample time to look over his options and find the open man. Few have that kind of luxury or time. Defensive backs can’t cover wide receivers for more than three or four seconds, and McCarron has a few seconds to spare, because pass rushers aren’t laying a hand on him. He’s becoming a legitimate Heisman contender and leads the country in passing efficiency.
Before the bye week, we said that if there was one aspect that Alabama could improve upon it would be the running game. At the time, the Tide were averaging 185 yards rushing per game on the ground. In the last two weeks, the Tide have rushed for 362 yards and 233 yards in back-to-back weeks. It must get boring from time to time to just utterly dominate your opponents. The bye week, perhaps, could have been the motivating factor for Saban to once again remind his players of their goal – play to Alabama’s standards, not to anyone else’s.
The emergence of wide receiver Amari Cooper will have the biggest impact down the stretch. Cooper’s ability to be McCarron’s go-to receiver on third downs and be a big-play receiver makes the running game more potent. He’s the Tide’s best receiver since Julio Jones. Cooper caught seven passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, and one screen pass he housed was called back due to a penalty. He totals a team-high 28 receptions for 425 yards and five touchdowns. He, too, is peaking at the right time.
The stellar play of the defense, which leads the country in every major statistical category, has allowed the offense to evolve and identify playmakers as the season progresses. And two freshmen – RB TJ Yeldon and Cooper – will be the biggest skill position impact players down the stretch. It’s crucial both stay healthy and get ample touches each week.
Tide BCS Talk
Much has been made about Alabama’s resume, or lack thereof, thus far. Oregon keeps dropping due to the lack of opponents, while Alabama holds true at #1 because they pass the eye test only. Bama has beaten only one currently ranked team in the BCS in #22 Michigan. But Alabama doesn’t care if it drops to #2, 3 or 4 in the rankings. This team is focused on how they finish, not how the rankings look in week nine. To be the best, you have to beat the best. And after Saturday’s performance on the road, no doubt the Tide is the best team in the country, weaker schedule or not.
Remaining Schedule:
Oct. 27: #11 Mississippi State
Nov. 3: #6 LSU
Nov. 10: #20 Texas A&M
Nov. 17: Western Carolina
Nov. 24: Auburn
Just in the next three games, Alabama plays the best team Mississippi State has fielded in several years, a legit national title contender in LSU and arguably the top Heisman candidate heading into last Saturday in Johnny Manziel. With that, Alabama plays three ranked teams back-to-back-to-back, not to mention another top ten SEC team in Atlanta. It will surely silence critics. And before everyone gets all up in arms about the BCS, remember, it’s arguably gotten the best two teams in the national championship every year – except maybe in 2004 when Auburn was left out.
Alabama is the best team in the country, and they are becoming a more complete team altogether.
The Tide will roll. They will finish undefeated. MIss State and LSU are good football teams, but they’re not at the caliber of Alabama at most positions. No disrespect, LSU & Miss State would beat most teams around the country. Just not the Tide.
Wow really goin out there on a limb huh? Anything else to add? how bout a big RTR? So is there a logical explanation for why “The tide will roll” and are unbeatable or is that just how it is? Might as well just go ahead and put #15 in the trophy case huh..or is it 16, or are Bama fans just claiming every title now? sorry I get confused. So should the rest of the teams even play their games? Maybe LSU should just forfeit that night game in baton rouge where they haven’t lost in a 100 years.
You might want to check YOUR facts. Alabama beat LSU in Baton Rouge 27 straight years. (1968-1997 or somewhere in there) we also beat them down there in 2008.
And, yes, some of those were at night. I was there AT NIGHT when they brought the last team to have beaten Bama in BR in 25 years. They had fireworks and a big celebration. We beat them 31-17, at night in baton rouge in 1994.
Haha unbelievable…should have said 10000 years I guess..considering the audience.
That’s an irrelevant stat. That happened a while ago and every team is different every year. I’m not saying Alabama won’t win, I just thought I should point that out.
It’s funny that you don’t seem to even understand the Alabama – LSU game at all. Do you know that since 1964 the game has been played 23 times in Baton Rouge and Bama has won 18 of those contests? That’s 78% of the time we play there we win. That’s a pretty good percentage. I also suppose you haven’t watched many Bama games so far. No one has even come close to playing with us yet. We’re winning by an average of over 30 points per game! Who else is doing that? Georgia surely hasn’t done that, matter of fact the Gamecocks made you guys look like a high school team and then the big bad Gamecocks went and lost two in a row. If I were you I’d be more worried about that butt kicking the Gators are about to give you Saturday. You are in no position to crow my Geirgia friend, The Gamecocks took that crow right out of you and flushed it down the toilet. You’ll be back in the Gator Bowl playing Michigan State in January.
Wow thanks bammers for correcting me …I honestly thought it had really been 100 years…..what was I thinking? Take it easy Updykes…it’s called sarcasm…google it.
Ok so Evidentally my comment was a lil confusing to some so let me dumb it down: this was a sarcastic response to the arrogance displayed above …excuse me if I exaggerated the LSU home winning streak or the amount of titles that bammers claim on a daily basis..but thank you for clarifying that LSU has lost at home in the last 100 years (shocker). Now please go back to reminiscing proudly about “making” Tebow cry, black jerseys, and dead trees.
Congrats JPDawgFan1, you have just proven yourself the smartest person on an SEC football internet forum. Bet you feel really good about yourself. How about we just talk football, and if bama fans want to say RTR then who cares. Roll tide bud
Tigr4ua: I’m all about talking football…and please stand behind and support your team…this was not a attack on all Bama fans but rather a point being made to one whose comments seem to always be the same: Hey, we get it ok…Bama is a great team led by a great coach and are certainly one of the best teams in the nation…BUT they are not football gods…and they are NOT better than everyone else at every position on the field. They have not done anything yet that is more impressive than UF, KSU, Oregon or the rest of the top teams. Bama may very well prove to be the best this year and good for them..but don’t go pissing all over everybody else like they dont have a shot. I mean isn’t that why we play the games?
Lmao JPdawg you always speak the gospel man. I’m sorry that your facetiousness falls upon deaf ears (or eyes) so often around these forums. I think maybe we expect too much bro.
you cant be mad when bama fans immediately reject your hyperbole, seeing as LSUs night game record doesn’t hasn’t seem to affected bama. Everyone understands sarcasm, yours is just invalid. just be glad the dawgs don’t have to play bama this year
Right? not trying to be malicious here just trying to make a point. Didnt know I was gonna have the Bama record book thrown at me from all sides! haha
I am worried about Miss St, we will see Saturday
Alabama has converted 20 turnovers into 112 points this season. That’s nearly a touchdown per turnover (5.6). That is an incredible stat and one of the primary reasons this team is doing great things.
That’s a great stat. Not turning the ball over and capitalizing when the other team does will get you pretty close to championship football.
Look at what Florida did to South Carolina in that regard. Alabama is probably the best team in the SEC but I think Florida will be giving the Tide and Saban a run for their money over the next couple of years.
That is awesome…you hafta admire their efficiency
Well written article, Jon. It’s always refreshing to read the observations of a skilled journalist.
I like the Tide at home or a neutral site against just about anyone…but it would be interesting to see how they would handle a game in the swamp right now and in Death Valley next week. Also…we tend to get shortsighted as SEC fans sometimes and not see the outside threats. I think Oregon, KState, and Oklahoma could all give Bama some trouble. Those teams are also well rounded and hitting on all eight right now.
Florida-Alabama will be a great game. Everytime Alabama has made it to the SEC championship since ’92, they’ve played us. Go Gators.
Still a long time away yet. I’m worried about Miss State right now. I hope we get the chance to play Florida again in Atlanta, it’s a good rivalry. Now go beat some Bulldogs!
I think the tide will finish undefeated but I also think the next few opponents will give us a run for the money. I don’t understand why no one seems to give credit to the teams we have already played. A couple of them were ranked when we played, not now understandably, but some of that drop off is due to injury and a loss of confidence- we’re lookin at you Arkansas. All this being said. I am horrified every week by the ugliness of SEC football fans. Alabama fans included. IT’S A GAME. And one that’s supposed to be fun. Good sportsmanship is learned. SEC football. Love it. Live it.
You’re right…My comments were kinda cynical but to be clear they were not directed at the entire fanbase by any means…I have a great deal of respect for any fan of any team whose comments display some humility and reason rather than just complete & constant arrogance. But my ability to turn the other cheek evades me at times…and there’s no getting it back after you hit “submit” haha
The SEC is the best conference in college football. Having said that we beat up on each other almost every week. But the SEC usually dominates the top 10 every year. Bama looks to be the best of the best and I think we will win another National Championship. Even though i hate Tennesee and Auburn…..I LOVE SEC football ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!