Alabama Survives, but Takes Strong Dose of Reality from Tennessee

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last week, I sat in front of my keyboard and wrote an article questioning the legitimacy of Alabama's rivalries with Tennessee and Auburn, in favor of the blossoming rivalries with LSU and Florida.  I used the term "relevance" to make my case, arguing that the games with LSU and Florida had surpassed the games with Auburn and Tennessee in importance.

After Saturday, I can say with 100 percent certainty, that I could not have been more wrong.

As it turns out, national relevance can not hold a candle to an age-old rivalry. 

Though the Alabama-Tennessee matchup was broadcast nationally on CBS, the game was not much more than an afterthought on a national scale.  Alabama came in as a two-touchdown favorite, on the heels of two dominating performances against Tennessee, games that featured a total score of Alabama 70, Tennessee 26.

The slug-fest that took place in Tuscaloosa on Saturday proved that cliched statements like "you can throw out the record book when these two get together" are a lot more accurate than the eye-rolling responses they usually garner.

For the fourth consecutive week, Alabama's performance declined.  Save the heroic performances of Terrence Cody and Leigh Tiffin, Alabama was outgained, outcoached, and outplayed.

Now that the game is safely in the books, and Alabama's perfect season is still intact, one can look at what was learned from this throwback-style battle.

1. Point spreads, team records, rankings, and statistics mean absolutely nothing in the SEC.

Here is my tip for all of you point-spread players.  If it is your choice to gamble on the point spread of an SEC game, the following is your best chance to pick a winner.  Reach into your pocket and grab a quarter, dime, or anything else that has two sides.  Assign heads to one team and tails to another.  Toss it into the air, catch it, and slap it on top of your hand.  There is your winner.

Analysis and trends don't mean a thing.  Alabama escaped Tennessee on the strength of two blocked field goals, and didn't score a touchdown.  Florida entered the fourth quarter leading Mississippi State 16-13, and rode an inexplicable non-reversal of a fumble resulting in a touchdown to win by 10. 

LSU completely manhandled Auburn and won by 21 in a game that wasn't even that close. 

Whatever you think you know about teams in the SEC, you can effectively throw out of the window.  Each game holds the possibility of an upset.  It doesn't matter if it's Mississippi State or Vanderbilt.  No one is immune.

2. Alabama must find some offensive consistency, or the National Title dreams will end on Nov. 7.

For the second consecutive game, Alabama will face an opponent that is coming off of their best performance of the season.  LSU used a crumbling Auburn team to find its offense, and also its confidence, and will come to Tuscaloosa riding high. 

If Alabama can not figure something out offensively, I don't expect them to escape again.  LSU's defense is every bit as good as Tennessee's, if not better.  LSU held Auburn to nearly 300 yards below their season average, forced turnovers, and finally figured out how to get to the quarterback.

None of this bodes well for an Alabama team that has seen its offense slow to a crawl in the last three weeks. 

3. Finally, the bye week finds Alabama at the perfect time.

For what seems like the past several years, Alabama has come into the biggest games with the bye-week falling somewhere else.  This is not the case this year, as Alabama will finally get a chance to rest and heal before the biggest game of the season.

While LSU's game against Tulane may end up being a de-facto bye week for them, they still have to suit up and play it, while Alabama has an extra week to try and nurse an offense that has become anemic. 

4. Any talk of a 13th National Title should come to an abrupt end.

I'm guilty, you're guilty, anyone that is a Tide supporter and claims not to be is probably not being very honest.  We were all sucked into the old Alabama mentality of expecting victories, and looking ahead to rematch with Florida and a chance to play for another ring.

As I see it, the Tennessee game was a much needed reality check, that nothing is predetermined. 

After the game was over, I didn't feel exhilarated.  I felt relieved.  It was a feeling that I can only describe as nauseating.  I couldn't shake it and hate myself for feeling that way.  I don't want to feel relieved when Alabama beats Tennessee. 

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