Alabama vs. Tennessee: Come on Bama, It's Time To Just Let It Rip

For seven weeks now, Bama fans have been watching in anticipation for signs and signals of growth for the 2010 version of the Crimson Tide football team. There have been a few flashes of great play, but no sustained dominance offensively or defensively, in any game, save the Duke rout.

Alabama started the season against a very weak opponent in San Jose State. The Tide defeated the team soundly, as they should have. Boise State played the same team and beat them by a similar margin, in fact, beat them more soundly than the Tide.

Against Penn State, Alabama performed very well and victory was never in question. Yet Penn State was able to move the ball against the defense. Turnovers in the red zone killed drives for the Nittany Lions, repeatedly. While Penn State is having a respectable season, they are not a very good team, far from the greatness of their storied past past.

As the season has moved on, following the Duke game, the offense continues to play timidly. Play calling is not up to the standard of last year and the ground game has begun to lose it's footing.

Despite the setbacks during the Arkansas matchup, ultimately the leadership of Greg McElroy and the maturity of the offensive line led the team to victory. Victory by a very slim margin. A fourth quarter comeback.

Mark Ingram showed what made him great in 2009, bursting into the open field for a 50+ yard score from scrimmage. The defense rose to the occasion and caused turnovers in the end. Some saw it as a self-destruction by Arkansas, time will tell.

Against Florida, everything worked well for Alabama and the margin of victory was as good as any previous contest against this historic SEC opponent. Yet again, the offense was not dominant and the defense did just enough to disrupt the opposition in the red zone, causing turnovers and missed opportunities for the Gators. UF is down this year, not a very good team. They have the athletes, not the mojo.

South Carolina, the first team playing against the Tide following a bye week, brought their best game to the gridiron and soundly defeated the unbeaten Crimson Tide.

But despite career performances by Stephen Garcia and Alshon Jeffery, Alabama was within striking distance of victory after a quick touchdown by Darius Hanks to open the fourth quarter. Behind only 21-28, fans on both sides of the stadium expected Alabama to make a comeback in the final frame.

It was simply not going to happen on that day. Alshon Jeffery had one more great catch up his sleeve and the Gamecocks parlayed the reception into a 45 yard gain setting up first and goal. The rest is history, both for the Crimson Tide and South Carolina programs. For one, the end of a great win streak and the other, the first victory over a number one team in the history of their football program.

Alabama returned to Bryant-Denny to take on a rested, confident Ole Mississippi Rebel team that led the SEC in scoring. The Alabama defense responded well and shut down the production of the newly named Rebel Black Bears, holding them to 10 points on the night.

Offensively, Alabama did enough to outscore the opponent, but once again showed a lack of success scoring touchdowns when in the red zone. The performance resulted in a lackluster 23-10 win for the Crimson Tide.

What does the future hold for the Crimson Tide? Why so timid on offense? Why so tight on defense?

It's time to just let it rip. Air it out and keep opposition defenses from loading the box. Play with a reflexive memory and passion for the game. Pass the ball down the field to receivers covered one-on-one and allow playmakers to make plays. Get into a rhythm offensively and let McElroy throw to his receivers before they break rather than waiting for them to "get open."

At this point Alabama has not played as the wide open offense they should be, it's an offense afraid to make mistakes. More worried about what is being said than about what is being done on the field.

Alabama has the manpower to run the ball effectively if they commit to the run but they've got to commit to it and not line up unbalanced with the opposition defense.

If McElwain wants to commit to the run then get rid of the wideouts and line up with our big tight ends on both sides and blow the defense off the line. Allow Ingram and Company the opportunity to find creases in the middle or take the turn to the outside and hit a higher gear. Run baby, run.

Both Ingram and Richardson have proven to possess breakaway speed. Ingram, Richardson and Lacy have the capacity to punish defenses with the power-run game, but the offense must be committed. This should be the most productive offense in the history of Alabama football, but it is not. This team continues to show flashes of greatness but has not put together a quality win on both sides of the ball.

If they want to be known as a passing team, then by-god pass the ball down-field. Quit dumping the ball to the running back for a three yard gain. The wideouts for Alabama are some of the best athletes that have ever donned a Crimson uniform. These kids were three to five star athletes coming out of high school, highly touted and fiercely contested gains for the Alabama program in each of the last three recruiting classes.

The problem is, there is no real chemistry. McElroy and Jones talked about working together to get on the same page and having their timing down but it does not show at game time. Maze, Hanks, Alexander, Norwood, Bell and Bowman would be reeling in 10 to 12 receptions in the Arkansas offense every game. Plug them into any pass oriented offense and they would put up 40-plus points per game.

There are five games left in the regular season. McElroy has the opportunity to finish as one of the best and most successful quarterbacks in the history of Alabama football. Hopefully he has gotten the message. Finish well! The great ones finish well. Be great, but the problem is, he is thinking about it too much. Play with instinct and forget about the rest. Roll Tide, G-Mac, just roll.

Mark Ingram has already established his place in the history books of Alabama and added the Heisman Trophy to the great Alabama tradition. MI needs to finish the 2010 season well or he'll be around for 2011. It's past time to show the NFL what you can do as an impact player. It's time to get the job done for the team. He says all the right things, but the job is unfinished.

The defense has had time to mature. They have been tested by the best passers in the SEC and grade out as an average defense against the pass. But the testing has produced growth. There has been improvement from week to week, setbacks, and improvement once again. for the remainder of the season, average against the pass will be good enough.

The jury is still out but the remaining regular season opponents are not prolific passing offenses. This should no longer be a major concern for the coaching staff. It's time to play and have fun on the field.

The linebackers have been shuffled like a deck of cards. It's time to deal and go with what is dealt or know when to fold them. The depth at the linebacker position is as good as any in the country. Just go out and make plays. Hit hard and line up for the next play.

I'm tired of statistics, tired of predictions and tired of hearing that Greg McElroy hasn't lost a game since the eighth grade. That is no longer is an issue, praise the Lord. It's time for the Alabama football team to hit the field and just have fun.

Throw out the conservative offense and light up the field with the firepower that this team possesses but has refused to release, for whatever reason. Refuse to lose, but don't refuse to play how you've been taught. Leave it all on the field and the fans will be pleased.

McElwain was more dynamic at Fresno State and his quarterbacks were more productive. For crying out loud, this Tennessee team Alabama is about to face is weak. Sure they almost beat LSU but is that really a big deal? They were trounced by Georgia 41-14 and barely hung on to beat UAB. Florida beat this team easily, 31-17. Oregon put up 35 in the second half on this Volunteer defense.

Offensively, UT has seven receptions for touchdowns and Simms has been intercepted four times on the season. His passer rating is 128, not very good by any real quarterback standards. The UT backfield has accumulated 690 yards and scored eight touchdowns. They are 2-4, 0-3 in the SEC.

UT pretty much sucks as much as any SEC team has in recent history. If they hang with Alabama this weekend, the Crimson Tide's season is over. Done. Sure UT had a bye-week, they are rested, and healthy. So what! They are a little league team playing in a big league conference. Alabama should trounce the Vols, relentlessly.

This is a statement game. Alabama needs to stake a claim for a run in the SEC championship or get out of the way of those who want it more. Hang 50-plus—Oregon just did. Boise opens up a new can of whip-ass every week, TCU, too. It's time to do it, Alabama, just do it!

After this week, you are either in or out, Alabama. It's showtime, baby. Show us what you got!