Thanks for keeping those of us who don't twitter or tweet
or titter or whatever it is up to date with what the new-fangled are having to
say about this weekend's game, Commissioner. It is interesting that
there may be new methods of delivering the messages, but the messages have been
the same over the last few years. Alabama beat Tennessee like they
stole something.
We agree with not awarding a plus for the
offense. It sounds a little counterintuitive, but frankly the score
should have been worse. There just has to be some cure for this
continued fumbling inside the five business. It almost cost us a
game in College Station, and maybe kept what now looks like a close one from
being a comfortable two or three touchdown margin. It might yet cost
us one this year if we aren't careful.
Last week we worried about this team acting too big for its
collective britches and perhaps overlooking an opponent at some
point. Based on post-game comments you mentioned, it sounds as if
Coach Jones, brick by brick, helped build some genuine animosity for his crew
on the part of the Crimson Tide. I'd like to think that is a step
you'd not want to take. Perhaps Lester Miles will get their
attention the next couple of weeks, though he is just as likely to take to the
microphone to explain the importance of All Saints Day. Besides, it
should not take comments from this particular opposing coach to draw the
attention of the Tide players to what is at stake.
The last few games there has been a temptation to temper any
congratulations with "but the opponent was just not all that good"
sort of commentary. In cases that was warranted. No
amount of lipstick is going pretty up the pig that is 2013 Kentucky
football. Tennessee, however, has some genuine talent on its squad. Neal
is a quality running back. More importantly, he runs behind what is
likely the best offensive line in the SEC. At least two of their
linemen will be top draft picks. There is some speculation that all five
of their starters might be on NFL squads late next
summer. They did not seem to make that big a dent in the
Alabama defense, even with the starting nose guard out with some
mysterious-sounding ailment.
Tennessee's defensive line is not at the lofty heights of
its offense, but is also a quality group. The Alabama offensive
line, with Kelly back at center, did a more than creditable
job. We were impressed. It is also worth mentioning
that Tennessee was fresh off an overtime loss to Georgia (a game lost in one of
the more freakish ways imaginable) and a victory over South Carolina -- two of
the three teams in the thick of the race to represent the East in
Atlanta. Tennessee has a chance to turn that race into a real fire
in a coal mine when they take on Missouri next weekend.
The best news is that this team seems to be getting better
with each succeeding weekend. That arc of improvement needs to
continue. The team is tired and a little banged up. The
off week comes at an appropriate time to get ready to push through the end of
the season.
As you correctly note, this was yet another poor effort for
the officials. The phantom pass interference call on Cooper was just
terrible. It looks like a film study clip that would be included in
an officials' educational video for what sort of activity should not be
considered pass interference. Of course, that presumes the SEC is
doing any sort of on-going training for its officiating crews. Silly
us.
Take a week off to relax. Maybe tune into the Georgia
Florida game, which should probably be sponsored by Blue Cross Blue
Shield. After that, the traveling Mardi Gras party is coming to town
from Baton Rouge. In case you wonder about motivation, check out the
video and press clippings from the last time these guys were in
town. I'm getting older, but I recall it like
yesterday. You can bet Coach Saban is reminding the team.
The Correspondent From The Tire Store
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