| FTBL Pivotal Contest in Alabama Struggle

[Guest]

Saturday's game against Ole Miss is more than just getting to 7 & 0, it is about statement. This game is more of a statement game than any game Coach Saban has coached since he has been here.

Alabama must come out and fight hard and establish clock control. The offensive line will win or lose the game.

It is essential to Alabama to determine just what type of team they are. Can they step up and do the job that needs to be done? Or, will they fall short in front of a heartbroken home crowd?

Saturday is a test of the will of this team, their cohesion, their determination. They know, as we all do, that whichever teams hits the hardest for the longest will win.

Will the offensive line turn into the true All-Star cast that they are? A calm and relaxed Wilson who has time to make a pass every once in a while is the key.

Played correctly and Alabama wins this game, on paper, 9 out 10 times.

Luckily, for us, on Saturday we get to see if this Crimson Tide team has turned that corner. Have they overcome that last obstacle? Can they perform just when they happen to or can they decide when to perform?

Game one is coming up.

 

[Guest]

This game is more of a statement game than any game Coach Saban has coached since he has been here.


uh ok :?

 

[Guest]

This game is more of a statement game than any game Coach Saban has coached since he has been here.


uh ok :?

I know you are but what am I?

 

[TerryP]

Statement game, how?

How does it rank above a half a dozen others he's coached?

Sort of lost me here as well Altie.

 

[alagator]

On its face, and at first blush, I agree the statement that this is the most critical statement game in Saban's brief tenure appears to be hyperbole, but it just might be truer than we think.

If the game was on the road I would certainly disagree. But given it is at Bryant-Denny I think it just might be. We have a clear path to the BCS Title game with our destiny in our own hands. We have not played all that well in the last six quarters of play. We have not played well at all really in three home games this year. It will be a chance to make a statement that 'we are who we think we are.' It is a chance to prove that we are truly more than a one-game wonder (like we continually failed to prove post the UF game in 2005 - where we repeatedly underwhelmed after that one-game performance, can we repeat the UGA effort this year or was that our 'UF' aberration this year?).

The last six quarters we have been hit in the mouth by an opponent and have really not responded all that well - not poor, but not good either. We know a Houston Nutt team with a week off to prepare mentally will be physical and play well. Can and will we match the effort by our opponent and hit back harder than they strike a blow?

To borrow two phrases from two of our less popular coaches of the past, this will be an excellent chance for out team to prove it can 'focus' on the task at hand and it will be both a 'challenge and an opportunity' to play to our potential.

 

[Crimsonblood82]

it's only as much of a statement game as any other game they play throughout the season. Nothing more, nothing less.

Simply put: Let's not put all of our eggs in this one basket.

 

[bamanaf]

Every game makes it's own statement. Yes, some games are easier than others. This one will be a true contest.

Its a different team on a different day at a different period in the schedule. This game just happens to lead off the second half of the painstaking road to the NC! :wink:

I agree this game makes a statement in the way of setting the tone for the 2nd half of this remarkable season.

RTR

 

[Guest]

Statement game, how?

How does it rank above a half a dozen others he's coached?

Sort of lost me here as well Altie.

Statement games are not just big time matchups. This statement game is a watershed moment for Alabama.

Can they be good and not allow that to affect their preparation? Will they have the confidence to finish games even if they are behind?

Coming off a bye week, can 'Bama be up for a less than spectacular Ole Miss? Are they finally going to start playing their game and get into a zone and be a truly dangerous team week after week regardless of the opponent?

This game tells 'Bama fans if they can really start having high expectations or was it all in vain? Does 'Bama set the tone and establish once and for all that we deserve to be ranked #2?

Can Coach Saban overcome his less than satisfactory record after being off for a week? Does he motivate his players for this game, does he have them in the right frame of mind?

If we were playing LSU on Saturday, I would not consider it a statement game. Everyone knows 'Bama can play up. Can 'Bama do what hardly another other teams are doing and avoid losing to some smaller program?

Can they finally play consistently? That is one of the last major hurdles 'Bama has to overcome before they can legitimately start to flex their muscles.

The players need to get it together like they all want to and click on Ole Miss and not let up 'till we start putting in 3rd string players.

If 'Bama can come out and put another shocker on a team, a real and verified drubbing, that will send the statement. A statement meant to say that 'Bama will see you soon at the SEC Champ game.

 

[TerryP]

On its face, and at first blush, I agree the statement that this is the most critical statement game in Saban's brief tenure appears to be hyperbole, but it just might be truer than we think.

If the game was on the road I would certainly disagree. But given it is at Bryant-Denny I think it just might be. We have a clear path to the BCS Title game with our destiny in our own hands. We have not played all that well in the last six quarters of play. We have not played well at all really in three home games this year. It will be a chance to make a statement that 'we are who we think we are.' It is a chance to prove that we are truly more than a one-game wonder (like we continually failed to prove post the UF game in 2005 - where we repeatedly underwhelmed after that one-game performance, can we repeat the UGA effort this year or was that our 'UF' aberration this year?).

The last six quarters we have been hit in the mouth by an opponent and have really not responded all that well - not poor, but not good either. We know a Houston Nutt team with a week off to prepare mentally will be physical and play well. Can and will we match the effort by our opponent and hit back harder than they strike a blow?

To borrow two phrases from two of our less popular coaches of the past, this will be an excellent chance for out team to prove it can 'focus' on the task at hand and it will be both a 'challenge and an opportunity' to play to our potential.

In that light, I see where the "statement" is coming from.

I thought the train of thought had to do with coming off of an bye week...and in that case, I was thinking about the LSU game last year after the UT win.

 

[AFF]

Saturday is a test of the will of this team, their cohesion, their determination. They know, as we all do, that whichever teams hits the hardest for the longest will win.

I agree. I also think this will not be the last such game we play this year. We need to cement our identity as the team that shows up on Saturday and goes to work to take care of business for four quarters. If we do that, I'd put us up against anyone.

But like someone said earlier we haven't looked consistently overpowering for the past 6 quarters. If we continue that type of play, then it will be tough to get through the season unscathed. I know there will be some games better than others and I am happy to get through our poorly played games undefeated so far. But, unless we get that TCB mentality, we run a high risk of being upset.

If we play well Saturday (42-13 type of game) then I will feel much better. If Nutt and crew keep it within 10 then I will probably have the same angst next week.

 

[TerryP]

Altie, wait for my book to come out with all the answers to your questions. :lol:

I don't see this as that big of a game. I honestly have a very peaceful approach to the weekend.

While this Ole Miss team has been an enigma this year and there is no way for us to tell which team actually shows up Saturday, I still see Bama winning by a big enough margin that Ole Miss will be looking at needing 3 scoring drives to win or tie in the 4th quarter.

We look at the past 3 years and those wins by 3 points each time.

Here's the thing.

So does Ole Miss.

I see a team that thinks, based on the last few years, they'll be able to do the same things they have in the last few years.

BUT, they haven't faced a team this year that is going to be as physical with them as we are going to be.

Personally, when it comes to a mediocre outing, I look at Arkansas State.

 

[Guest]

I dont follow....

In the grand scheme of things I dont think a 7 point win (ugly) or a 35 point blowout will make ANY difference.


Now a loss is certaintly a statement but otherwise I dont understand that line of thinking

 

[Guest]

the game will not be even interesting...Nutts nutts

 

[TerryP]

I dont follow....

In the grand scheme of things I dont think a 7 point win (ugly) or a 35 point blowout will make ANY difference.


Now a loss is certaintly a statement but otherwise I dont understand that line of thinking

In terms of perception of this team...which, goes back to the polls...which, don't really matter right now...

 

[Guest]

At some point we have to take Bryant-Denny back. We have to dominate in our own house. This has been lacking for some time and actually happened vs. Tulane and Kentucky as well.

It seems that most all of our "jinxes" are gone. We never had a jinx in Bryant-Denny, but other than the UF game in '05 we haven't played lights out in Bryant-Denny in a while. It's time to make teams dread coming to Tuscaloosa.

 

[bama4life]

Damn, I just want to win the game.

 

[Guest]

Own it, Terry, own it.

 

[Guest]

I hate to think that any Alabama team would let down against Tennessee, but that game is a bit of a trap game to me. I'm sure the guys know what Florida did to LSU, so knowing Ole Miss best Florida should have pur guys focused on the game. The Vols, on the other hand, have had very little to be happy about all season, but they will have no problem getting ready for us. Their defense is good enough to give them a shot at us unless we bring our A game.

As long as we keep our eye on what is at stake each week we will be fine.

 

[jdpas29]

Guess what she's listening to???

THE BAMA GAME!!!! cool8)

 

[TerryP]

I hate to think that any Alabama team would let down against Tennessee, but that game is a bit of a trap game to me. I'm sure the guys know what Florida did to LSU, so knowing Ole Miss best Florida should have pur guys focused on the game. The Vols, on the other hand, have had very little to be happy about all season, but they will have no problem getting ready for us. Their defense is good enough to give them a shot at us unless we bring our A game.

As long as we keep our eye on what is at stake each week we will be fine.

I look at the UT game and see a team that has scored 14 or less points in 4 games this year. A team that had 1 yard rushing against UGA.

Never can tell with UT, I agree. But, I'd bet a few good shots to the mouth and their fans are filing out early in the 3rd.