Alabama Football: Even on a Day Off, Alabama Continues to Rise Up The Polls

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) Alabama may have taken the weekend off, but they continued their climb back up the polls none the less. With Missouri and Michigan State both losing, Alabama is sure to move up at least two notches to number five.

As the upsets continued, only Auburn was able to beat the recent trend of the number one team falling. The Tigers dominated an undermanned Ole Miss squad and continued their juggernaut offensive style by beating them 51-31.

Oregon however, had a scare thrown into them on a Halloween weekend as it escaped the upset by USC 53-32 in a game that was actually much closer than the score would indicate. With remaining games against a down but opportunistic Washington, a tough Arizona team and cross-state rival Oregon State, there are still opportunities for Bama fans to optimistic for a little help.

As for other help, Boise State hasn't played a team that now ranks in the top 20 and the only tough game remaining is number 24 Nevada, who recently lost to un-ranked Hawaii. Also, TCU only plays one team in the top 20 all year. That game with Utah is the only real hope for a defeat.

Compare that to Alabama, who will have played seven teams in the top 25 including the nation's number one team, Auburn, and you can see why I say the SEC Champion should jump Boise State and TCU for a spot in the Title game.

With last Saturday's defeat of Michigan State and Missouri, the Tide once again seem to control their own fate once again. The past three Saturdays' upsets have certainly put them in that position and now it's all up to them once again.

Running back Mark Ingram said to me recently, "We just want to be back to the point where it's all in our hands again." Now that has happened.

What Alabama does with this second chance is anybody's guess right now. The remaining schedule of three Top 25 teams, including the nation's number one team, is certainly a daunting task, but at least for the team, it got what it wanted in these past three Saturdays—a little help.