Well, there you have it.
The majority of the question marks I commented on recently seem to have been ironed out. We knew that many answers would be found after the Alabama/Georgia game, but I don't know how prepared we all were to receive answers to questions we didn't even ask (right, Florida?).
Let's go ahead and get the showdown in Athens out of the way.
What did we want to know?
We were curious as to the actual identities and capabilities of both teams, each of whom are important pieces to their respective divisions and the SEC Championship game.
I don't think we realized just how much they would affect the National Championship picture in this game, though.
Alabama dominated the first half. They got the 120-150 yards I predicted they would need in order to have a shot. John Parker Wilson did exactly what he needed to: played efficiently and threw accurately, and managed the game admirably.
The defense was able to take Knowshon Moreno out of the game early because of their quick accumulation of points. Though Matthew Stafford was forced to pass for the majority of the game, he still eluded the 300-yard mark in passing yards (he threw for 275 yards in the game).
Georgia's offensive line was pretty well smacked around the entire game. The Tide typically rushed four or five of their defensive front and were able to flush Stafford consistently.
This will be excellent tape for Georgia's upcoming opponents; knowing they can rush less than half their players and still create disruption to help their secondaries against Big D's Big Arm.
Their defense did prove to be a tough one, and they certainly tested Alabama. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Tide had a perfect game plan and executed it flawlessly. I know Alabama scored seemingly at will, but Georgia's lack of discipline cost them touchdowns and tons of momentum.
Let's not forget that Georgia showed extreme character and pride in the second half by not giving up and posting 30 points. It's easy to say that the score doesn't reflect how the game really went, but in this case, maybe it actually does.
Sure, Alabama went into halftime up 31-0, but they lost focus and allowed a somehow inspired Georgia squad to have a chance, albeit a small one.
Nick Saban has showed his displeasure in the team's second-half performance, and rightfully so. Alabama needs to constantly be reminded of how to finish games, how to get the blowouts, to not play down to the competition or circumstances of the game.
In truth, they need to be more like Oklahoma always is. It's true that Oklahoma loses in the spotlight, but they know how to get to that same spotlight, which is almost as important.
Their blowouts of every single opponent rightfully warrants their No. 1 ranking. Thus, Alabama is going to have to play with a higher level of consistency to achieve greatness this season. That's no small task for a team full of upstart youngsters.
The State of the SEC West
Alabama probably deserves to be ranked ahead of LSU for the simple fact that the Bayou Bengals have beaten Auburn and Mississippi State rather unimpressively... and those two schools have been very unimpressive.
4 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tiger in Europe 9 months ago
I have about 10 witnessess that I said Vandy and Kentucky would be undefeated at this point and a track of emails to prove it, plus a office pool type game card.
I'll send you a private message with my account info so you can deposit the money. Don't worry about those college loans either, I have a little piece of property just South of New Orleans that I can sell you cheap, but you can turn a big dime on and make your losses back in a minute. :-)
Okay, okay, you got me -- nice write up.
Although, it is true that every year I pull for Vandy (as a second of course, and never against the Tigers)
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nick old 9 months ago
Fair enough. It is hard not to pull for Vandy. So notch one for the smart kids.
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Joshua Joffrion 9 months ago
GEAUX TIGERS!
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Dale Weaver 9 months ago
Enjoyable read...
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