Red Bama Hat

Christmas

2005-12-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

As everyone is aware, Christmas is just a few days around the corner now. The Cotton Bowl isn't too far off either. As this year winds down, let's spend these holidays with the ones we love, and cherish the good times that we have. There just aren't enough of them. Be sure to keep it locked on TideBlog.com, because coming very soon, some big changes are going to be made. From TideBlog.com, Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

TideBlog

2005-12-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well, the regular season is officially over. We've got the bowl games to watch, and then it'll be another long, dreadful wait until next year's season kicks back off.

Well, you may be asking, what is TideBlog.com going to do during the off-season when there's no football? Are the TideBlog.com bloggers going to sit on their lazy butts and do nothing? Yes. We are going to sit on our lazy butts. But we'll still be posting, and the high quality content you've come to expect from TideBlog.com will still be here. We'll be talking Alabama basketball, Alabama baseball, and yes, those lovely ladies of the Alabama gymnastics team. So be sure to keep clicking TideBlog.com for our thoughts on these and other subjects, all throughout the off-season, until Crimson Tide football returns.

All of us here at TideBlog.com have been working feverishly behind the scenes to bring you a HUGE, yes, HUGE, surprise come January. I'm not at liberty to say just what that surprise is yet, so you'll have to stay tuned into TideBlog.com for updates. I promise, it'll be worth the wait.

Championship

2005-12-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here we are again, time for another SEC championship game. At this time a few weeks ago, we were all wishing and waiting for it to come, because we all thought that ALabama was surely going to be the representative from the SEC West. Well, maybe next year. The game should be a close one, as most all SEC games have been so far this season, except for the first quarter of the Iron Bowl. I think LSU pulls this one off, but barely. 17-14 LSU.

Thanksgiving

2005-11-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

Well, us 'Bama fans have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here's a list of the many things that we have to be thankful for.

1. A 9-2 outing, so far, means that the Tide have shown that our team will no longer have to be ridiculed by the nation. Just by AllBarn fans.
2. slUT will be going to a very famous bowl game. Yes, you heard me right. The StayAtHome.com bowl.
3. Going back to number 2, we can finally stop being ridiculed by slUT fans. In fact, I had a blast over Thanksgiving making fun of Tennessee fans. The only problem was when I reminded them that they weren't even the best team in their state. They had issues with that one.
4. The Crimson Tide basketball team will again be strong this year. Look for the blowout loss to Memphis to be the worst loss all year. From here on, I think we'll see a lot better play by these guys. I look forward to SEC play, and will be attending many out of conference games, so be sure to tune in to TideBlog.com for my insights.
5. A 9-2 season thus far. I mean, come on, if someone asked you before the season if you'd take 9-2, would you have? Of course you would've!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is having no problems getting back to the grind. Be sure to check out the poll on TideBlog.com's forum.

Awful

2005-11-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

The loss to AllBarn was just as my post title suggests, awful. When you come out of the gate down by 21 points, it's hard to resurrect any semblance of a game after that. The usual suspects contributed to the loss, and once again, Alabama was ill-prepared for the game. This is beginning to be a week-after-week routine for the Crimson Tide. Offensive offensive line play, passing the ball on short downs, and bad coaching decisions have become an everyday part of Alabama football. The best thing that can come from this loss is that the coaching errors of Dave Rader and crew are now more than obvious. I know he's your friend, Shula, but it's time to bring in some new (or old) blood. I know of one man, who would be more than qualified for the job, who is hanging around T-town in his retirement. Hire Homer Smith, Mal!

One other point of glad tidings: Tennessee is not going bowling! Go Vandy!

AllBarn

2005-11-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

The big game is upon us once again. Will it turn out like Florida? Will it turn out to be like Tennessee? Will it turn out to be like LSU? We'll all find out this Saturday in AllBarn as the Tide and Tigers clash in another Iron Bowl. While the wondrous things that have been accomplished this season by Alabama will not be lessened by a loss, a win would go a long way toward quieting that sinking feeling in every Tide fan's stomach that came after the loss to LSU. As every Alabama or AllBarn fan knows, you can throw out the records in this one, so the fact that the Tigers lost to lowly Georgia Tech does not factor into my prediction for this week. What does, however, figure in is that AllBarn and Alabama both lost to the Tigers from Baton Rouge. The Tigers played LSU better, and I think that their win over Georgia last week will propel them through a win against Alabama this week, unless Alabama can finally show some offense.

My Prediction: The Tide's offense will be offensive as usual, and the defense will have to score for the Tide. This game will be close, but AllBarn will prevail. Tigers 13 - Tide 10. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Loss...

2005-11-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

Some keys to the Tide's loss...

1. Not changing up the offense to match LSU's defensive scheme. (Do I hear FireDaveRader.com?)
2. Going into overtime. (I hate "FREE FOOTBALL FOR EVERYBODY!")
3. An awful offensive showing during the second half. (Come on Brodie, we know your bones snap like twigs, but quit going down before you ever get hit!)
4. Botched calls by referrees. (We're used to this by now. That pass interference call on Madison was clearly incidental.)
5. Dropped balls by recievers. Same as usual.
6. Our offensive line is just that. Offensive.

The Tide played their collective heart out, and couldn't come up with the win. I feel bad for the seniors, but let's face it, it's been a long time since Crimson Tide fans have been able to be ticked off about not being in the national title picture. Let's regroup and take it to the other Tigers this weekend. Roll Tide!

LSWho?

2005-11-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

It is a match-up between two top five teams. The winner of tomorrow’s game has the inside track to the SEC Championship, and the loser is out of the race. It is the biggest game ever to be played in Bryant-Denny. It doesn’t get much better than this, folks, and if we want it to, we’ll have to play our best Saturday, and hope for some lucky breaks, too.

Now, I know that this has been said time and time again, but I’m going to say it one more time. This game will come down to whoever wants it more. Both teams are very talented, and both teams have everything to lose. In the end, the Crimson Tide have more to lose than LSU, and I think that’s what will give the ’Bama the edge.

I’ve heard AllBarn fans whine that the same thing that happened to them last year will happen to Alabama this year. I just have one thing to say on this topic, which of course will be a moot point if ’Bama doesn’t win out. All you AllBarn fans need to remember what NCAA stands for:

Nobody
Cares
About
Auburn

Now, that’s enough said about that topic.

Now, for my prediction, which I must say counts a little more than the predictions of both my counterparts, as I have pulled ahead in the TideBlog prediction standings for good. I know in my gut that Alabama can win this game. One of my counter-parts has predicted a blowout win for LSU. If our offense doesn’t show, this could very well happen. However, after picking against Alabama during the Florida game, and watching that blowout first-hand, I can’t bring myself to do that again. The Crimson Tide will find a way to win this one, probably on defense. Final Score: Alabama 13 – LSU 3.

Trying for Ten

2005-11-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

The win over the 'Dogs was just that, a win, and yet another ugly offensive performance to boot. Perhaps it's time to start trying some of those second team offensive linemen. With a week to work, I really hope to see some significant improvement from the Crimson Tide. I know that's a lot to ask for, but after hoping and hoping all year to see a change from one week to the next, the only game that I can recall having a positive improvement overall has been the Florida game. With the SEC championship riding on this game, it doesn't get any more important than Saturday's game. Check back Friday for my predictions.

Croom Time

2005-11-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

It's time to take Sylvester Croom out behind the shed. Time to break out the whoopin' stick and put it to those 'Dogs. Of course, the Tide will have a lot of work to do to get ready for LSU, so this game should be some more good practice for the much-maligned offense. Maybe State will like Dave Rader and they'll offer him a job so we can get someone better in as Offensive Coordinator next year. The Tide will roll in this one, 27-3 'Bama.

8-0

2005-11-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

First, let me say that the homecoming concert was better than I expected it to be. The pep rally was fun, although very hard to hear, and only three players got to speak before they left. The band Chinese Dentist is, surprisingly enough, really good. I'm going to purchase their new cd that's coming out next week, and you should too.

The Tide rolled just as expected to in the Utah State game. Alabama has to play better against Mississippi State this weekend, and focus on some areas that need work (the offense and punt return teams). Alabama will need to have a good week to get ready for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State is not a good team at all, but Croom and his boys will be looking for their first SEC win, and stopping the Tide's perfect season is as good as it can get now for the Bulldogs. Can you believe a few years ago Sylvester Croom was looked at as a better decision for the new coach of the Tide than Shula? Take that, Jesse Jackson.

Practice

2005-10-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Homecoming in T-Town. The town has been painted red, and everyone's looking forward to the pep rally, bonfire, and concert tonight. Let me take this time to say that I'm glad UP has finally started to do a better gob in their Homecoming act booking. I realize that they aren't working with that big of a budget, but I would love to see big names come to the University as they have done in the past. Let's get this group some more money, so that they can bring in some acts that we can all remember for a long time. Let's listen to the students, about the UP Homecoming acts, and the 'Rammer Jammer' chant. After all, this University couldn't exist without them.

This week's game should be nothing more than a scrimmage for the Tide. Like my counterpart, I look forward to seeing the offense try to work out some of its kinks. We need to run the ball, and let the offensive line work out some of their problems. I also want to see 'Bama play some younger guys. Let's get these guys some game experience, and try not to let anyone, especially the starters, get hurt.

The Tide will roll easily in this one. 38-7 Bama.

Woot!

2005-10-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Somehow, through everything, the Tide have continued to find a way this season. Let's add it all up.

1. Awful offensive coaching -- I'm sick of passing on third and short, I mean come on, it's OK every now and then, but every single time?
2. A lackluster offensive line -- these guys are just not very talented. However, if Andre Smith comes to the Tide, this will change fast.
3. A return man that scares everyone to death everytime he touches the ball -- I'm speaking of our friend Brandon Brooks. Why he's still on the team escapes me.
4. The loss of Tyrone Prothro -- who was the heart of the Tide, just like Antoine Pettway was in b-ball. Pro was featured on Crimson Tradition's intro video before the game. At the very end of the video, right before the Bear is shown with the tagline "Class", Prothro was shown making his incredible catch during the Southern Miss game with the tagline "Heart". How true.
5. Everything that came before this season, that doesn't need to be mentioned here.

'Bama has somehow managed to overcome all of these things, and this magical season will be one to remember. Regardless of what happens next, it felt awesome to shout "Hey Vols!" I can't think of a better way to end a week. Sending Fat Phil and slUT packing is almost as good as it gets.

slUT, III

2005-10-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the day most of us have been waiting for for a long time. SlUT comes back to T-Town, and 'Bama is ready to take a big win. Like Finebaum said, it's time for Fat Phil to come back behind 'Bama's woodshed and take his beating. Let's hope last week's no-show against the Rebels has brought the Tide back down to Earth. It'll be a close one, but let's get out there and beat those Vols! Hey Vols! Hey Vols!.... 28-21 Bama!

Back to the Grind

2005-10-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back from the beach, and back from watching a pretty dismal outing against the Ole Miss Rebels by the Tide. Let's hope that the Tide use this as a wake-up call, and realize that it does take hard work to get results in the SEC. Every single team that we play from now on will bring their 'A' game. Having a number five ranking will cause every team you play to want to make an example of you. Every team wants to prove that they have what it takes to beat a top-five team and mess up their year. Just ask Florida, they'll agree.

Some things that need to be addressed:
1) Brandon Brooks does not need to be in the game. Just when you think he's been cured of his fumble-itis, he'll prove you wrong. Want to know of a real fast way to lose our undefeated status? Let Brandon Brooks play.
2) Stop the idiotic passing on third and short. It's getting to where every time that 'Bama is in a third and short situation, you know they're going to pass it. This is ridiculous. Give the ball to McLain or Timmy and ride them to the first.
3) I have the utmost respect for Joe Kines as a defensive coordinator. Please, Joe, if the zone D isn't working, play some man. Don't let our boys down.
4) The offensive line needs to realize that although they've had some better games, that doesn't mean they can just pussyfoot around and win ballgames. It doesn't work that way, kids. You have to actually work for the win.

All in all, a win's a win. However, playing like this against slUT will almost certainly result in a loss.

Greetings from the Beach!

2005-10-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

While most of you have been sitting at work this week, I've been enjoying some much deserved R&R down at the beach, which is where I'm typing this latest post from. I hope that everybody had a great week at work, including the Crimson Tide, whom I expect to see destroy the Ole Miss Rebels. 35-7 Bama. RTR!

Ole Miss

2005-10-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone got a good bit of partying in over last week, because the Tide needs to be focused once again. The Rebels of Ole Miss are not a good team, but as everyone who watches Alabama football should know, the underdog is not to be taken lightly. Alabama needs to focus on getting past Ole Miss this weekend before they start to dream of crushing Fat Phil. Let's hope this week is a good one for practice, and let's beat those Rebels! My next post will be from the beach!

The Rout

2005-10-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, sports fans, the Crimson Tide is back among the elite in college football. Mike Shula finally got his "signature win", and got the monkey and Paul Finebaum off his back. The score of Saturday's game did not reflect the blowout loss that the Gators received. If the score was to reflect how the actual game was played, it would be closer to 50-3. The Tide came to play, and we didn't let up for one millisecond.

Offense: A, Excellent play, I was particularly impressed with the offensive line. Yes, they gave up a few sacks here and there, but all in all, a great game. The loss of Tyrone Prothro will hurt, but we do have other receivers, and they will have to step up and help to fill the hole. I'm only going to say this once about whether Prothro should've been on the field or not: if you're going to play scared of your players getting injured on every play, you shouldn't be playing football. I just don't want to see Brandon Brooks out there returning punts again. I want to puke from anxiety every time he takes the field. Here's a thought: Let Anthony Madison return kickoffs and punts, in high school he ran back either the kickoff or the first play of scrimmage for a TD in seven straight games his senior year.

Defense, A+, It doesn't get much better than this. How about that free sack that DeMeco Ryans had? Chris Leak thought that the play had been blown dead. That'll teach Chris Leak to pay better attention.

Special Teams: B+, Yet another touchdown punt return lost because of a penalty. Come on, guys. Get it together.

Alabama Fans: A+, During Prothro's long TD catch from the first play from scrimmage for the Tide, the fans were the loudest I've ever heard them in Bryant-Denny. I've attended 30+ games there over the last five years.

Florida Fans: F-, Only a few Florida fans ruined the Gator Nation's grade here. The Florida fans in the upper deck that were cheering and gator-chomping when Prothro went down are the very epitomes of classless fans.

We've got a week to party. Take advantage of it, Tide fans, we haven't been on this kind of a high in a long, long, time.

Florida

2005-09-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well, Bama fans, the game Saturday may just be the biggest game of the year. While Florida doesn't conjure up the feelings that AllBarn and slUT do, when the 16th ranked Tide take on the 5th ranked Gators, you know it'll be a big game. Even if neither team was ranked, this game has SEC ramifications, and has been called by some a possible preview of the SEC championship game. Does anyone remember the last time that Bama played Florida during the season, and then in the SEC championship game? Two different coaches will make this game different than that one, but the potential is there for a Crimson Tide win. You may be wondering why, if I say this, that I picked the Gators over the Tide in TideBlog's weekly SEC pickoff. When the talent is the same, it all comes down to coaching, and who makes the big play. This one will be Gators 27, Tide 21. Let's hope I'm wrong. I'll see you Saturday.

Easy Win?

2005-09-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Most people seem to think that the Tide will roll tomorrow in T-Town. I tend to agree, but I don't think it'll be anything resembling a blowout. Although, I wouldn't be surprised. Arkansas is not a good team, but they are decent enough to give us a run for our money if the Tide don't show up to play and the Razorbacks do. This one'll be close, but the Tide will prevail. 28-17 Bama.

Grading the Tide III

2005-09-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Cheap Seats told me Friday that 'Bama was going to roll the Gamecocks into the grave. I scoffed at the time, because 'Bama had been playing like more of the same from last year. However, after the Tide's win against the Gamecocks, many will have to rethink their stance on the Crimson Tide. While this win was in no shape or form a "signature" win, it is arguably the biggest win of Mike Shula's young career. By showing that he can change the team from week to week, he has improved his stature in many minds. Now for the grading:

Quarterbacks: A, Great play by both Brodie Croyle and John Parker Wilson would've been greater with less dropped balls.
Running Backs: A+, Nothing more can be said other than 338 rushing yards.
Receivers: B+, All-around good play. Let's try to have less pass dropping next week.
Offensive Line: A, Wow. The change in the game from Southern Miss to South Carolina was incredible. Way to go, guys.
Defense: A-, Another good outing from the Tide D. The Tide is ranked 4rth nationally in total defense with 204 yards per game allowed, and 2nd nationally in rushing defense with 38 yards per game allowed.
Special Teams: A-, Three field goals from Christensen may silence the idiotic cries of "We want Saxby!"

Spurrier himself said the Tide could've won 50-0. A win's a win, but to continue to win in the SEC, weekly improvement has to happen. Let's go make it 4-0.

USC

2005-09-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

This week's game against USC (the South Carolina version) will be a very close one. Look for the Tide to use the pass to open up the run yet again, but hopefully this week we'll show up with an offensive line. You only need to look as far as the Tide's last year to see that pure talent doesn't always win games. Coaching counts in close games more than others. While the Tide have better players than USC, the coaches will win this close game, and until Shula proves otherwise, the obvious choice of the better coach is Spurrier. Look for USC to pull out a close game, 21-17 USC.

Grading the Tide II

2005-09-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

First off: Vandy has a better record than AllBarn. Go Dores! The Tide have Southern Miss to thank for Saturday's win. If not for their stupid mistakes, our stupid mistakes would've cost us the game. Another pathetic outing like this will only help to worsen the record, because the gimme's are over. SEC play starts this weekend against South Carolina, and if you look at TideBlog's prediction page, you can see that I've picked USC to win. That's because I thought that we would improve on our mistakes from the MTSU game, and while in some places we did, in others we worsened. While I won't be surprised if the Tide pull it off, I don't think it will happen. It'll be close, though. 21-17 USC. Now for the grades:

Quarterback: B+, You can't argue with 330 passing yards, but a lot of that was because the rushing game was so shoddy, and there were still some stupid throws attempted.
Running Backs: B-, I think in the second half, Darby finally realized he'd have to quit relying on blocking to help him produce, and just took matters into his own hands. Timmy had two TD's, but that fumble at the end of the game might have cost us some rankings.
Receivers: A, Incredible play by the whole lot, and an insane catch by Prothro. How'd he do that?
Offensive Line: D-, Is it too early to fire the offensive line? I haven't seen play this bad since high school. I realize that these guys are young, but this is the big leagues now, kids. Stop pussy-footing around. J.B. Closner has no excuse for bad snap after bad snap. Get it together, guys.
Defense: B, I credit only one Southern Miss touchdown to the Tide's D. Good coverage, but we still need to wrap up in those tackles.

I've divided the Special Teams category into Prothro and the rest of the team, because Prothro shouldn't be punished for the play of his teammates.
Special Teams (Prothro): A, Great returns all night long, only thing we were missing was a TD.
Special Teams (rest of team): C-, Missed field goals, missed PATs, and bad punts seem to have become a part of the Tide.

Coaching: C+, Way to get the guys motivated in the second half. Why can’t they play that way the entire game? I mean, a win’s a win, but let’s cut that passing on 3rd and one down to a minimum, huh?

Overall Team Grade: C, This kind of play just won't cut it against SEC foes, or most other out of conference teams. Again, we won this game out of the good grace of Southern Miss's mistakes.

Next!

2005-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

It's Southern Mississippi's chance to try to beat UA tomorrow. Not going to happen. 35-14 Bama. Unless we play like we did during the first half of the MTSU game. Then that score may be a little off. Since the Tide is the best team Southern Miss plays all year, they always play us hard, because they think of us as their AllBarn. I remember a few years ago Southern Miss thought that they had the Tide beat, and sent their cheerleaders down the field to wave their flags in front of the Tide faithful. They ran right back when students started throwing cups at them. Here's hoping to see better offensive production, a solidified offensive line, better consistency on special teams, and more incredible defensive play. Roll Tide Roll!

Grading the Tide

2005-09-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well, after an eventful weekend that saw Oklahoma and Texas A&M losing to unranked teams, here is how I'd rank the Tide on an A-F scale. What? AllBarn also lost to an unranked team and UAB almost got the better of the hated Volunteers? That helps very much to put the Tide's miserly performance in the first half of the MTSU game into perspective. Had MTSU somehow gotten the better of the Tide, this would of course be a very different article. I've graded the Tide before the half and after the half, for obvious reasons.

Before the Half:
Quarterbacks: C+, some decent looking passes, two "what was he thinking?" passes, one interception, and one good sustained drive for a touchdown
Running Backs: C-, 34 rushing yards for the team before the half
Recievers: B, good grabs, some drops here and there
O-Line: D+, decent pass blocking, no run blocking, some false starts
Defense: A-, safety, good coverage, except for one botched play by Madison
Special Teams: B-, perhaps Tyrone Prothro has been spending too much time with Brandon Brooks

After the Half:
Quarterbacks: B+, all-around decent play, some great passes, one touchdown
Runningbacks: C+, better play, thanks to better blocking
Receivers: B, a good outing, some drops, Keith Brown almost had a 100 yard game
O-Line: C, more false starts, better run blocking
Defense: A-, lots of sacks and a good bit of stops behind the line
Special Teams: B-, a good return and kick both botched by penalties, field goal

Overall (not an average): B-

The tide will have to have a better showing in order to roll over Southern Mississippi this weekend. This kind of play will in no way provide a win against an upper-echelon SEC team. We need to step it up.

Season's Greetings

2005-09-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here we are, at the start of the college football season. Quite possibly the best time of the year. Everyone is undefeated. Every team, provided your team isn't AllBarn, or in a non-BCS conference, or on the NCAA's blacklist, has a chance to win a national title. Unless, of course, your team isn't on a pre-season poll. Ahh, the joys of NCAA football. Where anyone can win the title. Just ask Miles Brand.

Tune in next week for a review of Saturday's game with the latest directional school! Roll Tide Roll!

the season

2005-08-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

I went and picked up my season tickets today. Yes, this couch potato will be attending each and every home game this year that the Crimson Tide play. Holding these tickets in my hand, I look down a long stretch into the future, the end of conference play and the start of the bowl season. Where will UA be at this point in time? Will we be SEC champs? Will we even be bowl eligible? Tune in next week, for predictions from TideBlog.com.

Again, slUT

2005-08-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Friends, something has come to my attention that needs to be addressed right away. An end has come about to one of the oldest traditions around. I’m speaking of prostitution, a bane to our existence that has been around for ages and ages. These "ladies of the night", these would-be friends to lonely men for a short period of time, for certain amounts of cash, continue to increase STD rates in these United States of America. Police sting operations that manage to net prostitution solicitors have helped to reduce these rates. They’ve even managed to curtail these hookers by paying confidential informants thousands to draw prostitutes in. Our neighbors to the north in the grand state of Tennessee have, however, managed to stem this tide of harlotry. Their efforts have cut prostitution in their state down to a bare minimum of whoredom. How have they achieved this, you ask? Why are there no prostitutes in Tennessee? Because they’re all Volunteers.

Pre-Season Predictions

2005-08-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well, the time is fast approaching. In less than a week, the players start taking classes again. The 'Countdown to Kickoff' on the main TideBlog.com page can give you, down to the second, how much time we have left until 'Bama's season starts. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend a scrimmage yet, though I still hold out hope. If I do, be assured you'll be able to find my thoughts on it here at TideBlog.com. While we still have a little over two weeks left, I'm going to go out on a limb and make a few predictions about what this year holds in store for 'Bama fans.

First off, Brodie Croyle will procure for himself an injury at some point in the year. Maybe this time it won't be a season-ending one, but maybe it will. Yes, this is about as easy a prediction as any, but let's be honest, the kid is just injury prone. Let's hope last year has taught the coaching staff a lesson, and they're better prepared this time around.

Second, the PRP that my fellow co-conspirator, Mindless Ramblings, spoke about will continue to irk the Crimson Nation. It's his gimmick.

Lastly, Mike Shula will finally get his "big" win. I've put "big" in quotes because, well, let's face it, what counts for a "big" win in 'Bama's schedule will only be a "big" win in the eyes of the Tide faithful. The only chance for a BIG win in the eyes of the entire nation will be on the Fourth Saturday In October.

slUT

2005-08-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

One quick thought: who on earth made the decision to put slUT at number two in EA Sport's NCAA 2006? Is Fat Fulmer paying off EA also? Or is it that the lucrative exclusive license EA acquired from the NCAA will only be able to continue if EA agrees to holding up the NCAA's current prejudices? Trying to pacify the Crimson Nation with a higher ranking than AllBarn won't cut it. Get real, EA.

Red Bama Hat

2005-08-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

Less than a month left! Get those LavaButts ready!