Great Game, Alabama: Time For a Break—LSU Looms On the Horizon

It was another slow start by the Crimson Tide. But the persistent body blows slowly wore down the Orange-clad opponent, then yardage and points started to accumulate. 41-10 was the final score for the final game in October for the Crimson Tide.

Tennessee led after the first quarter, 7-3 on the effort of Tauren Poole. A 59-yard run from scrimmage, the longest against the Alabama defense, was enough to secure the first quarter lead. The  Alabama offense took it's time getting started but gained momentum and didn't let up until victory was assured.

The 10 point second quarter for the Tide allowed for a 13-10 halftime lead.

Alabama then hung 21 points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach for the Volunteers. Julio Jones had a career high 221 yards on 12 catches for an 18.4 yard average. Marquis Maze tacked on another 73 yards in the best aerial assault of the year for the Crimson Tide. Five other receivers had catches for positive yards, Mark Ingram had one reception for minus-1 yard.

Richardson and Ingram combined for 207 yards rushing, both rushers had big gains from scrimmage. Richardson's longest was for 65 yards and a score, Ingram scrambled through the UT front seven then scampered 42 yards for his longest run of the night.

While McElroy continues to show a propensity for hanging on to the ball longer than he should, he did pass the ball down field on several appropriate occasions, and ended 21-of-32 on the night. Jones' longest reception on the night was for 47 yards, Maze had a completion for 36 yards.

This is the kind of victory Alabama fans had hoped for going into the bye-week. A decisive victory, void of catastrophic injury.

Tennessee did have success against the Tide defense, accumulating 19 first downs and 313 yards of total offense. There were 10 penalties in the game, five against UT and five against the Tide. Officiating did not affect the game in a negative way for either squad.

Alabama special teams showed improvement as well; the only miscue, a missed field goal inside the red zone. Shelley finished 2-for-3 field goals, and 4-for-4 on extra points. Alabama had no turnovers in the game. Tennessee's starting QB, Matt Simms had one turnover, an interception by Robert Lester on the goal line. Back-up QB Tyler Bray threw one interception, as well.

One other highlight for the Crimson Tide. Backup QB AJ McCarron led Alabama on an 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter, finishing on a five-yard pass to Trent Richardson. If McElroy cannot finish the season due to injury, McCarron is ready to compete with the opposition.

Alabama still has plenty to work on, offensively and defensively, but going into the bye week with momentum helps a great deal. Nick Saban has two weeks to prepare for the Bengal Tigers. The Louisiana University football team will take a few days to lick their wounds from their first loss of the season. They too have a bye-week before taking on the Crimson Tide.

But it's also Alabama's turn for a bye week to rest and prepare for an opponent.

Rest assured, if Alabama does not defeat the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on November 6, it is because they are simply not capable. Nick Saban and the Alabama staff will have them prepared for a championship performance. They will in fact, be playing for the opportunity to claim the West Division title for the third straight year. Alabama cannot afford to lose. 

At this point in the season, Alabama is by all standards the second best team in the state. Following the Tiger Bowl, Auburn has clearly established themselves as the team to beat for the West Division crown.

There can be no stumbling by the pachyderms in route to the Iron Bowl. Auburn will likely enter the game undefeated. Not to say that either team should be relaxed at this point, but as a fan, I simply can't wait for the day after Thanksgiving.

With No. 1 teams dropping like pelican turds, the BCS picture is wide open for a major BCS conference team who wants to stand up and "be a champion." Though only five weeks remain in the regular season, it will be a wild ride to the finish of the regular season.

Ain't it great to be from Alabama? Yes it's great to be from Alabama.