Saban trying not to be “normal”
Maybe a better word would be not to be average. I see what he’s saying on the field. A couple of his players, a recruit and a player on the team, aren’t too normal off the field, and that isn’t what you want from your players off the field, but I know he wants them to commit to excellence on the field. Thus, not to be “normal.” Tomorrow night, the Tide plays host to Ole Miss and they need to keep playing well with a stretch coming up that includes, after a off week, at Missouri, at Tennessee, home versus Miss. State and on the road at Baton Rouge, Nov. 3. It’s a gauntlet for a lot of teams, but if this team can stay healthy, particularly at quarterback, it should be in pretty good shape going forward. Ole Miss is very young under first year coach Hugh Freeze. I went to the game two years ago in Tuscaloosa with the exact same start time on a Saturday Night and the Tide looked sluggish winning only 23-10. They need to keep the momentum going this week. I think this could be the best team S has had providing A.J. doesn’t get hurt. They just need to play their game tomorrow night and they’ll be fine.
This week’s picks:
Last week: 15-0; Overall: 44-13 (77%)
Ole Miss @ No.1 Alabama
Time: 8:15 CT
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Network: ESPN
‘Bama just needs to keep playing well and improving. That’s what this game is about. If they execute properly tomorrow night, they’ll take care of business. I expect kind of an uglier game though.
Alabama 31, Ole Miss 7
Tennessee @ No.5 Georgia
Time: 2:30 PM CT
Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga.
Network: CBS
‘Dawgs playing really well after thrashing Vandy last week, 48-3. Aaron Murray playing lights out and the two running backs, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, are dynamite. The defense should be getting back safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree from suspensions. They’re already pretty stellar and these two guys will make them even better. Georgia starting to look like the best team in the East. This is a rivalry game for sure, but I like the Dawgs to handle the Vols pretty easily. May be a pretty good first half or even three quarters, but the ‘Dawgs should take over later in the game. UT just not good enough on defense. Georgia takes care of business tomorrow afternoon setting up a colossal tilt @ South Carolina next Saturday @ 6 PM CT on ESPN.
‘Dawgs 42, UT 24
Tulsa @UAB
Time: 2 PM CT
Where: Legion Field
Network: None
Blazers pretty banged up after consecutive weeks at South Carolina and the Ohio State. Wide receivers really banged up. A couple of their starters are very questionable to play and they are the best players on the team. Quarterback is unsettled with neither Jonathan Perry nor Austin Brown taking charge though Brown played most of the game last week. The Blazers are scrappy though and gave Ohio State a pretty good game last week. The defense is playing hard and the offense is starting to show signs of improvment. Tulsa lost to Iowa State, 38-23, in their first game, and just barely got by Fresno State, 27-26, last Saturday, so they’re beatable. Maybe the Blazers can pull it off. I think it’ll be close, but these injuries may prevent the Blazers from getting over the top.
Tulsa 31, UAB 28
Other games:
Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 35
Michigan State 24, Ohio State 21
South Carolina 35, Kentucky 14
West Virginia 45, Baylor 42
Missouri 31, Central Florida 27
Texas 35, Oklahoma State 31
Ryder Cup:
Should be a classic. Tiger, Phil, Furyk and Stricker will have to provide leadership for the younger guys. Brandt Snedeker best putter in the world. Matt Kuchar an excellent putter. Stricker an excellent putter. Think their putting could be the difference though I really like Europe’s captain, Jose Maria Olazabal. He’s an iron man who won a lot of Cup matches with Seve, so he’ll be tough to beat. Think he might be a stronger captain than Davis Love. But I’m going for the U.S. on the home turf at Medinah. Should be riveting all weekend.