Alabama Football: Can Anyone Stop the Tide's Roll to the 2010 BCS Title?
As the defending national champion, you have a target on your back that you will not shake until you're no longer the man.
Alabama's been dealing with that early on in this college football season and the Crimson Tide are 3-0 after a 62-16 thrashing of Duke. Alabama has nine more games to go and I break down each one, tell you why the Crimson Tide could fall and why they could run away with each one.
If you think a team has a chance to beat Alabama, let me know in the comments.
Arkansas
1 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
I'm not sure a top-10 team will exactly be overlooked by Alabama but if the Crimson Tide discount Ryan Mallett's ability to make plays in their secondary, they're going to get slapped around. Arkansas is third in the nation in passing and can get the ball down the field, especially against an Alabama defense that's still finding its stride.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
Georgia was able to run the ball with some success against Arkansas this past weekend, getting nearly four yards a carry against the Razorbacks and they weren't facing Mark Ingram in the backfield. I think Alabama will be able to impose its will against the Arkansas defense and set up the playaction and the rest of the passing game.
Prediction
Alabama 34, Arkansas 24
Florida
2 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Florida has slowly been putting it together since Tim Tebow left for the NFL and this could be the first week the Gators put it all together. The Gators have been trying to replace a lot of major talent on the roster and sometimes it takes time to gel. It's the first major test for the new-look Florida roster and maybe they rise to the occasion.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
If last year's Florida roster couldn't get it done against Alabama last year, what hope does a young, inexperienced roster have against the Crimson Tide? Not only that, but they have to go into Alabama in order to walk away with a victory. That's just too much to ask too soon from this year's Gators team. The veteran leadership on Alabama will shine through in this game.
Prediction
Alabama 38, Florida 17
South Carolina
3 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
South Carolina hasn't exactly blown anyone away a la an Oregon, who has just obliterated everyone in its path, but it's done enough to get by and they'll be playing host to Alabama and it should be a tough environment to play in for the Crimson Tide. Alabama should be favored, but it won't be the easiest place to play. The Crimson Tide need to be on watch for Marcus Lattimore out of the backfield as well.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
South Carolina hasn't really been tested other than a game against Georgia that was kind of an ugly game. Other than that, it was two cupcakes and now they'll have to play Auburn and Alabama in back-to-back weeks. I just don't think the Gamecocks will win either of those games, but if they do beat the Tigers, I'm not so sure they'll be ready to turn around and take on the defending champs. That's just too much to ask of one team, even in the SEC.
Prediction
Alabama 27, South Carolina 10
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Mississippi
4 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Mississippi has been pretty bad this year and is at 1-2 with only a win over Tulane being the Rebels' only victory. If Alabama overlooks Ole Miss, we've seen this year that any team can beat anyone given the opportunity. The Crimson Tide will just have to come out and snuff out any hope the Rebels may have early.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
The Rebels have lost to Vanderbilt and Jacksonville State. I'm not sure any team that loses to Jacksonville State in a shootout is well-equipped to stop the Alabama offense. I just think the Crimson Tide will run up and down the field on the Rebels until they're good and satisfied. Mississippi just does not look good at all.
Prediction
Alabama 41, Mississippi 14
Tennessee
5 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Tennessee is recovering from going through two coaches the past two years and it's showed as the Volunteers were housed by Oregon and beaten by Florida pretty handily. However, the Vols showed they can hang around with teams like they did with Oregon and if Alabama lets them hang around enough, they might start to believe and sneak away with a win.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
Oregon was able to run up and down the field on Tennessee and I see no reason why Alabama cannot do the same. The Crimson Tide's rushing attack is the best in the nation and the Vols just don't have the pieces on defense to stop that type of firepower. Tennessee has come a long way since its time of national prominence and it will take some time before it gets back. This will just be one of those lumps the program has to take.
Prediction
Alabama 48, Tennessee 20
LSU
6 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
A game against a ranked team is hard to overlook, especially in the SEC, but LSU did look vulnerable in its only big test this year against North Carolina, a game I feel the Tigers should have lost. If LSU comes into this game having lost to Auburn, it is possible to overlook the Tigers a bit. If Alabama does, LSU can beat them, even if they're coached by Les Miles.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
LSU will have played Auburn the week before and that's a lot to ask of a team (South Carolina will have to do the same thing) and I'm not sure the Tigers are up to the chance. LSU is a good team, but not a great team and only great teams can run through gauntlets like that. I think Alabama will be able to take advantage of a defense that will be a little bruised from the week before.
Prediction
Alabama 24, LSU 17
Mississippi State
7 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Mississippi State has already lost two straight games to ranked teams in Auburn and LSU, although the loss to the Tigers was a three point game. I haven't exactly gotten a read on the Bulldogs yet and while I know they're not a great team, I'm not sure if they're not just the type of team that could give a good team a run for their money. Mississippi State could have one of those days and make a run at the Crimson Tide.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
The Crimson Tide play host to the Bulldogs and plenty of teams way more talented than Mississippi State have gone in there and crumbled under the weight of the atmosphere. I think it's just too much for the Bulldogs, not to mention the type of firepower that Alabama can hit you with on offense. The Bulldogs are just not good enough to play with Alabama on a big stage.
Prediction
Alabama 38, Mississippi State 10
Georgia State
8 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Other than the whole "any given Sunday" thing, I won't lie. I've got nothing. Absolutely nothing. This is Georgia State we're talking about.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
Because it's Georgia State traveling to take on Alabama. The Crimson Tide are just better than the Panthers in every single sense of the word. Expect Alabama to impose its will on Georgia State all game long before calling the dogs off.
Prediction
Alabama 55, Georgia State 3
Auburn
9 of 9
Why This Could Be A Trap Game
Auburn has been tested and will be tested more by the time they play Alabama. Last week, the Tigers fought off Clemson for a tough overtime win. Going through the SEC schedule makes every team a tough opponent every week and it should be a great matchup between the two squads.
Why This Will Be A Blowout
This is the only thing standing between Alabama and an appearance in the SEC Title game in all likelyhood and I don't think that Nick Saban will have his team fail to show up for such a big game, especially in their house. There's just too much at stake for Alabama not to show up for that game.
Prediction
Alabama 27, Auburn 23
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
