Alabama Begins Week 10 Ranked No. 5 in Human Polls, Second Best in State

Make no mistake, Alabama fans: Auburn has a football team that will be a difficult match up for the Crimson Tide. And there is much work to be done before our boys have a chance to prove their mettle against the Plainsmen.

But first things first. Saban has to keep his team focused on the task at hand, and that is on the Tigers from Baton Rouge. There are just four days left to prepare for a road game in the Pelican State.

The Bengal Tigers have had their share of scares in 2010 but they still sit at 7-1, just like the Tide and everything remaining that is good hinges on the outcome of this gridiron match next Saturday, November, 6th.

The winner will still have a chance to compete for the West Division championship. And to the victor, a shot at the SEC title. The SEC champion, if from the West Division, will likely play for the national title.

How do you prepare for a game like this? What can Alabama expect from LSU?

Despite rotating quarterbacks, Les Miles has put together an offense that can still score points. Jarrett Lee is still erratic and Jordan Jefferson unreliable, but Stevan Ridley has 723 yards on 152 carries and six touchdowns on the season. Jefferson is second in rushing for the Tigers with 78 carries, 281 yards and five touchdowns.

The Bengal Tiger receivers are just as dangerous, and Russell Shepard is a dual threat, rushing and receiving. Terrence Tolliver, Rueben Randall and Russell Shepard each have 25 receptions and have combined for 817 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

In addition to the 311 yards and one TD Shep brings to the table, he also has contributed 180 yards and two rushing TD's, on 27 carries. He is averaging 6.7 yards per carry rushing and 6.5 yards per reception. He helps LSU move the chains and score points.

The Bengal Tigers are averaging 25.5 points per game while allowing an average of only 15.6 to the opponent. In their lone defeat, a loss to the fiercest Tiger in the west, LSU gave up 526 yards of total offense and allowed Auburn to score 24 points on the day. Cameron Newton accounted for 227 yards rushing and passed for 86 yards.

Alabama needs to do what it has done all year: Control the ball, score on drives that eat up time of possession and force three-and-outs. Stay focused on fundamentals, that is the preparation they need.

Alabama started slow against Tennessee but gathered their strength and rolled on to victory. It was a career-high for Julio Jones and a great confidence booster for Greg McElroy. In the second half, the Alabama defense was very stingy, not allowing the Vols to score.

Yet the UT offense still had 177 yards of total offense in the second half. Four of their second half drives went for seven or more plays. Those four drives averaged 40 yards per drive, the longest drive in the second half was for nine plays and went for 53 yards. They cannot allow for LSU to have the same success in the second half.

There is no big mystery to what Saban wants to achieve with this group of men. He wants them to play their best and to walk away satisfied. Satisfaction can only come with a victory in each of the next four games. One loss and they simply fall short of their preseason goals.

Every player must compete for the entire time they are on the field. Alabama has the depth and skill to wear each of their upcoming opponents down by the fourth quarter if each player does their job well. Every play maker must make the most of each opportunity to score. Penalties must be kept to a minimum and the turnover ratio must favor the Tide. In each instance, they must seize the day.

As fans, we have yet to see what this team can do for 60 minutes. But in three of the next four games, they will have to bring their complete game package, or dreams will be crushed if the clock runs out and they are behind in the score. A loss will end all hope for any kind of championship trophy in 2010.

This Alabama team is second best in the state at this point in time. Auburn has proven their toughness and grit, showing an ability to throw a knock out punch early and late. The Auburn Tigers compete for 60 minutes. They impose their will and have done so effectively for nine weeks. They are undefeated. They will likely arrive to the Iron Bowl, undefeated and No. 1 in the country.

For the Crimson Tide, there can be no more slow starts. Finishing well, competing for every play and giving 100 percent effort will vault them to the top in the state and give them a chance to finish out as the top program in the country.

It is no longer an option, it is what they must do to achieve their goals. Hard work, poise, heart, and a desire to be a champion will get them there, in the end. But there are no second chances from here and out.

Thomas Paine once stated: "These are the times that try men's souls." Hardships have come for this Alabama team. We as fans can only hope they have responded with the kind of maturity it takes to be a champion. No better time to forge your identity than undergoing a test in Death Valley.