Game On: Alabama Hosts LSU

Bring your Mardi Gras beads, your body paint and pack your RV for the ride to Tuscaloosa, Bengal Tiger fan. Get you picnic basket stuffed, your flask filled and don't forget your shaker.

It's time to get your freak on for the biggest game of the regular season.

This game is for all the marbles in the West. Who ever leaves this showdown with the win will be in the drivers seat on their way to the SEC championship game.

The warm up schedule has given you a chance to gain a little confidence, but don't be over-confident. Just be ready. Washington, Vandy, Laffy-Ette, and Tulane; maybe just a little too easy.

Georgia, Mississippi State and Auburn; good warm ups. UGA and MSU almost slip-ups. Florida came into your house and tested your mettle. Showed you how good you gotta be in this league if you want to take the crown.

You've been there, shouldn't have to be told, anyway.

You're gonna be on the road in the SEC, Tigah. No real disadvantage looking at previous encounters in this rivalry. And that goes both ways. 'Bama walked away with a victory last year by capitalizing on critical mistakes.

But you've proven you can win on the road, especially when the defense is in a groove. Looks like your defense has finally gotten back it's swagger. Kinda hard to tell for sure when it is Tulane, but 42-0 is impressive.

Alabama is prepared.

Over the past few years, 'Bama has been on the losing end of too many games like this to be unprepared. Last year was a foretaste of what Saban can do with talent. This Alabama team is more talented and more prepared.

In past years, it's been the opponent strutting in after a bye week to bring their best game. In the past, Bama's been worn down by the mid-season and depth was an issue in games of this magnitude. It's not an issue now.

The past is behind us, we are focused on the here and now. There are no excuses; not on defense, not on offense.

So far so good, Tigahs. Only one loss and it was to No. 1. Are you ready to bring your best game. Alabama sits at 8-0. Both teams have done their part to make this 2009 matchup an epic battle.

It's time, baby! less than 36 hours and counting down. How bad do you want it? It doesn't get any better than this. To the winner go the spoils. Bring your smash-mouth game.

Take us apart, and the crown for the west is yours. Sounds easy, doesn't it? It won't be, Tigah man. It's gonna be a war. 'Bama has not been poised like this for quite some time. Like years past, the path to the championship passes through Alabama.

This is vintage Alabama Football.