Alabama vs. Tennessee: Why Crimson Tide Really Haven't Proven Anything Yet

Alabama is the No. 1 team in the country, and its win against Tennessee Saturday solidified the Tide’s position at the top. Even with a big win in Knoxville, the Tide still haven't proven anything yet.

This year has been a parity-filled season where a number of top teams have fallen expectedly. Alabama has been the only convincing winner throughout the first few weeks of the season, but it hasn't been challenged.

Even though Alabama hasn’t been challenged, it has closed down teams before they could mount a challenge. Tennessee tried Saturday night, but Alabama pulled away with the game near halftime and never looked back. 

A season-opening win against then-No. 8 Michigan looked like a challenge, but it wasn’t—and now the Wolverines are limping to a 5-2 record and no Top 25 ranking.

After the Michigan game, the Tide faced a few SEC foes but also throttled mid-major Western Kentucky. The toughest game this season came against a mediocre Ole Miss team, which the Tide won by 19 at home.

To the Tide’s credit, the offense has been hitting on all cylinders and the defense is ranked No. 1 in every major statistical category. Alabama has earned those rankings even if the competition has been less than star-studded.

Still, accomplishments are good if earned, but what did it take to earn them? For Alabama, the accomplishments have come against untested teams and are not that impressive just yet.

The good news is the schedule is getting ready to heat up for the Tide in the coming weeks.

No. 12 Mississippi State travels to Tuscaloosa next Saturday and No. 6 LSU waits in Baton Rouge the following week. After 'Bama heads to LSU, it returns to face a tough No. 19 Texas A&M team.

If Alabama makes it through the next three weeks unscathed and still as efficient on both sides of the ball as when it entered the run, the Tide will have proved that they are the undisputed No. 1 team in the country.

Right now Alabama is a product of good football and a great schedule. Scheduling is a big part of winning national titles. This year is set up for a run by the Crimson Tide.

With seven wins now in the bag, the Tide still haven’t proven anything yet. The next three games will prove something. If Alabama controls the next three weeks with ease, it will undoubtedly be on top of the college football stage for 2012. 

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