| FTBL KENTUCKY REVIEW: Perception Isn't Always Reality.

[TerryP]

Kentucky Review: Perception Isn’t Always Reality.

“Perception is reality.”

I’m sure everyone reading this has heard the phrase, the majority here have probably used it on more than one occasion.

I’m sure there are a lot here that don’t believe what is perceived is reality. But, “perception is a reality, in the sense that it’s something we have to deal with. But perception isn’t reality itself. In fact, perception is often demonstrably false.” “Perception is reality” is usually

It's just a clumsy but short way of saying that people do not react to reality, they react to their perception of it.

Let’s consider…

Read the rest of the review in the featured section of the RollTideBama Blog

 

[bamatommy]

Right on.

 

[RollTideinGA]

Nailed it!

We knew Kentucky would come out and “stack the box” with 7 and 8 men against the run. A Kentucky team that stopped the vaunted Alabama rushing attack leads one to perceive they did well against the Alabama running attack. The reality that Alabama still accumulated 282 yards running the football tells you they failed to contain the Alabama attack.

And in that last drive where Bama ate up the clock and got the FG everyone in the world knew #38 would get the ball. And they didnt stop him. Sure I would have liked 6, and a defensive stop to end it.

Something many have perceived is this is a team that needs a break. Very true. After playing six games this season at a very, very high intensity level the Alabama squad is emotionally, mentally and physically tired. This off week couldn’t come at a better time.

This team has played way above any expectations. There are alot of young players on this team. The Tide needs the bye week to regroup emotionally and physically. CFN predicted Bama at 4-2 at this point, but I'll take 6-0. They beat two top-10 teams they were not supposed to win.

They may lose a game or two this year, but the ride has been fun, and aggrivating at the same point.

And it didnt take long for the JPW haters to come back out. I've alwyas said when he's on he's on ('07 Ark, '07 UT, 08 Clem, 08 UGA), but when he's off it gets ugly.

I love how the media warned of an upset, but it didnt happen so now the ridicule Bama for the game. Geez! :roll:

Still drinking the kool-aid at 6-0. And I'll enjoy the bye week too. ROLL TIDE!

 

[SnakeFan]

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2008/Internet/conf stats/2008000000911TD.HTML

After sleeping on it and seeing Coach's presser, one thing to remember: we beat a very good defense. Kentucky is going to shake up some guys in the SEC

 

[Guest]

Another thing you didn't hear about is special teams. I think we approved exponentially in kickoff coverage.

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

Kentucky may very well upset a few in the East. Vanderbilt is still in the lead! This year is awesome so far! 6-0 3-0 and leading the west? That is the reality folks!

 

[bamafan4ever]

The penalty of “ineligible receiver” on Nick Walker wasn’t questionable, it wasn’t a case of perception versus reality, it was a case of a seriously blown call that resulted in yet another drive being stiffled.

I believe this was the drive that Coffee reeled of his long TD run so the drive wasn't stifled.

I did the same as you Terry and didn't even bother looking yesterday at what others had to say (not to mention, it was my daughter's 13th birthday). I did listen to what Coach Saban had to say once the game was over but that was it. I had heard enough negativity out of Danielson to last me for one Saturday anyway. You seem to emulate many of the points Saban made such as: this team IS 6-0 and has exceeded many expectations, including my own. This team is probably tired an needs the week to rest.

The bottom line is and if people would just look at the big picture, BAMA enters the second half of the season undefeated, relatively injury free and the biggest point that continually gets overlooked...just knocked off another undefeated team in Kentucky. I know that UK has played a weak schedule but they have played and beaten the teams on their schedule until they played Alabama.

The first half of this season has been more fun than any 1st half since 2005. The only difference, in 2005, we never had much faith that things were going to get better. In 2008, we know it will.

 

[TerryP]

Greg.

"Stifled" doesn't equal "killed." :wink:

It was the very next play that Coffee ran the ball 78 yards for a TD after the ineligible receiver. Stifled.

Julio's penalty for PI was on 3rd down and left us with 3rd and 22. That drive, killed.

"Emulating" what the coach says in his press conferences is relative to the process in terms of finishing a week. :lol:

As to penalities...

On one series we had both Andre and Drew called for holding. After Andre's, we got another first down. After Drew's, we were left with 1 and 20 and eventually punted. The other hold call on Drew (1st half) really didn't have any consequence because it was so close to the end of the half.

Looking over the other penalities they were numerous, but really didn't have an effect on the offense. We were called for illegal formation on second and long which lead to second and longer...but, Ingram ran one for 35+ yards after that flag.

Effect from a penalty on the defense?

Ya know, one of the PI penalties in tne 2nd half was called on Rashad. Good call in my opinion. The very next play they went right after Rashad again on that pattern across the middle for a first down. The next play, same type pattern from the left for a TD.

Do you think they "got in his head" a bit with the penalty?

 

[TerryP]

Another thing you didn't hear about is special teams. I think we approved exponentially in kickoff coverage.

Good point BC!

That was one of the points Porter was making last week when talking about special teams and kick coverage.

The stat of 6 returns for 232 yards leading in to the game was a bit deceiving.

 

[Guest]

Great article, Terry. Always enjoy reading your stuff.

 

[Tideboy]

Nice article Terry. ;tr

 

[TerryP]

And in that last drive where Bama ate up the clock and got the FG everyone in the world knew #38 would get the ball. And they didnt stop him. Sure I would have liked 6, and a defensive stop to end it.

Very Stallingsesque. In a lot of ways, very much like those years.

 

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Unfortunately, I was only able to watch portions of your game on Saturday (Carolina and Ole Miss started at 2pm so I was tuned there most of the time). However, with us having Kentucky this weekend I'm curious as to your impressions on UK. Did they play that well, or was it more that Alabama didn't play as well as they have against Georgia and Clemson?

I know Kentucky has really stepped it up these past few years, but in thinking about getting these guys this weekend I'm curious as to your impressions having seen them most recently. From what I saw, points were hard to come by with both Alabama's and Kentucky's defenses ruling the day.

It goes without saying, but congrats on a hard fought win!

 

[waterboy]

i think UK played very well . i Think we Played well too. I mean if you have 280 rushing yards and they had like 50 maybe. Then that is playing well i think. I will say this i like our chances with 250 yards rushing and holding the other team to 50 yards.
i think the kentucky vs SC will be a great game. That Could go either way. UK is a good team.

 

[Guest]

We played hard, just had some breakdowns. Kentucky's D is actually pretty good. Their nose tackle is tough. Overall, they are the best defense we've played this season. Still, our mistakes kept them in the game.

 

[TerryP]

i think UK played very well . i Think we Played well too. I mean if you have 280 rushing yards and they had like 50 maybe. Then that is playing well i think. I will say this i like our chances with 250 yards rushing and holding the other team to 50 yards.
i think the kentucky vs SC will be a great game. That Could go either way. UK is a good team.

Briefly, it's all on Smelley in this game. I don't believe that Davis can gain enough rushing to make your attack balanced.

 

[Mecklenburg Cock]

i think UK played very well . i Think we Played well too. I mean if you have 280 rushing yards and they had like 50 maybe. Then that is playing well i think. I will say this i like our chances with 250 yards rushing and holding the other team to 50 yards.
i think the kentucky vs SC will be a great game. That Could go either way. UK is a good team.

Briefly, it's all on Smelley in this game. I don't believe that Davis can gain enough rushing to make your attack balanced.

That's a good point. Smelley played a pretty good game this past weekend. He had 327 yards, 3TDs and 1INT and may have found an excellent complimentary WR to Kenny McKinley in Jason Barnes. After the game folks were comparing Barnes to Sidney Rice given his performance so.....maybe Barnes is coming into his own. However, I was suprised our defense kind of checked out for the first half. Fortunately for us, we buckled down in the 2nd half and held Ole Miss to only 3 points.

Nevertheless, Kentucky's offense really seems to have really struggled so far this year. Defensively, they're pretty stout, but if Smelley is on then I think we have a good chance against them.

From what I've read you all roughed Kentucky up a good bit. They apparently have a few key guys that might not be able to go this weekend due to injury.

 

[TerryP]

They were a little banged up when they got here...worse for wear when they left.

It's been that way in every game we've played this year...