Bama Schedule: Stakes Rise as Tide "Turns" Stumbling Blocks into Building Blocks

By Terry Pellman

It’s always been fun to look back at things in our past and see different ways they relate to our future.

I’m sure at first blush you are thinking back to past years when Alabama was sitting undefeated in the month of November.  Today, that’s not what I’m referring to.  I’m not talking about past games. I’m not talking about past championships.  I’m talking about something much simpler.

Quite frankly, when a lot of Bama fans looked at the 2008 schedule, it was done with trepidation.  It was a fear, or dread, based on the way the games lined up for a very young and unproven Alabama squad. 

It started with a game, on the road though considered a neutral site game, against Clemson.  It was followed by seeing games in Fayetteville, then Athens, followed by Knoxville and of course this weeks trip southwest to Baton Rouge. 

Those worries also made a lot of sense because most of the games that were considered to be the “toughest on the Bama schedule” where not going to be played in the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

That made perfect sense at face value.  After all, playing on the road isn’t easy but playing your most difficult opponents on the road makes a team’s schedule look daunting.  The 2008 schedule fit that bill perfectly.

I’ve been thinking back the last few weeks and I seem to start at the same place every time when considering all of those conversations.

When the Alabama team was in the middle of their summer Strength and Conditioning drills the coaching staff found themselves fulfilling one of the minor aspects of their responsibilities; dealing with the summertime meetings of our Alumni and friends of the University. 

During one of those meetings something struck me when I heard it come from Coach Lance Thompson.  It really didn’t register until it was said a second time from a different coach, Bobby Williams, on the same night.

Both coaches were emphatic when they talked about this team and what was possible for the ‘08 season.  Both thought along the lines of “If this team comes out and wins against Clemson there is no telling what this team can accomplish. 

The confidence they’ll have with a win won’t make the visit to Athens as difficult as it seems today on paper.  But a loss to Clemson can have the opposite effect…”

The win versus Clemson certainly did set the Tide up for their current run through the 2008 season.  But, that game isn’t the only game that has had an effect on one of Alabama’s future opponents. 

In fact, you can look at the schedule from the first game through yesterday’s game and see how one game has prepared the Tide for another on its schedule; especially in the SEC games.

The trip to Arkansas didn’t look like a game Alabama would lose although it did look like a game where the team, specifically the defense, would be challenged.  Petrino, known for his offensive play calling, was going to put the ball in the air a lot and it was going to be a challenge for the Tide’s linebackers and secondary players. 

He is known for his “dunk and dink” style of game planning with the passing game and the way he and his brother have always used their running backs at the most opportune moments.

Alabama faced a good passing attack that game from Casey Dick and Michael Smith put his name on the map with a good game running the ball as well.  But, even with their limited success, the defense for Alabama handled both in a decided fashion.

Ironically, laying in wait for the Tide after their 49-14 win on the road against Arkansas was another away game. 

This time, it was traveling to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs who featured a QB who is considered to be a sure first round draft choice and a running back who has been, and still may be, considered the best running back in the SEC.

How on earth would a young, untested Alabama defense be able to stop Knowshon Moreno?

Ah, but wait.  While the term “young” was applicable, could anyone use the term “untested” accurately?  No, because they had faced the duo of James Davis and CJ Spiller and held that tandem to a total of zero net yards rushing the football.

All eyes that weekend were on one Matthew Stafford and his ability to run the Georgia offense.  How would an Alabama defense handle such a passing attack?

Easily considering they had faced one of the best offensive coaching minds in the business the week prior in the Petrino brothers, and by no means is that forgetting or dismissing another quarterback said to be a high round NFL draft choice in Clemson’s Cullen Harper.

A team can practice for quarterbacks and running backs with these kinds of talent, but is there any better preparation than actually facing teams with the same, in game situations?

No, there isn’t.

The testimonial to that lies in the form of a 41-30 road win for Alabama against Georgia.

At that point Alabama had begun to make its mark on the SEC with a powerful offense.  One whose “bread and butter” was found on an offensive line and a very sound running game.

The questions were bound to surface if that offense was “for real”. 

After all, they had faced a defensive line with Clemson some had high hopes for but hadn’t panned out.  This was a Bama offensive line that had not faced any competition “in the trenches” until going up against a top five ranked Georgia Bulldog defense.

After the Bulldog defense held the Tide to less than three yards per carry, brought speculation as to how they would perform against the highly ranked Kentucky defense; would Alabama struggle?

Would the Alabama offense have to rely heavily on their passing attack because of the possible inability to run the ball effectively?  

While the final score of Bama winning 17-14 didn’t reflect a team that could handle such a defense to a degree, gave the “trap game” phrase a little credence but that game affirmed one thing. 

This Alabama team could run, and do so very successfully against one the best defensive lines in the SEC.

The testimonial to that fact was found in Glen Coffee rushing for 218 of the 282 yards Alabama gained with their running game that Saturday afternoon.

Ole Miss, the next SEC game on the schedule also featured a good defense.  But, with the experience and battles won against UGA and UK, the Rebels didn’t appear to present to be as big a foe. 

However, the Tide would have to defend the renowned “Wild Rebel” formation that Houston Nutt’s teams were bringing to the playing field.

As it turned out, the only success the Rebels had in their attack was using a running threat lined up in the Quarterback position in an empty backfield.  But, the defense stood up and handled yet another previously unfaced challenge victoriously.

The next challenge came by way of a stout Tennessee defense and the Volunteers offensive threat in Eric Berry.  Berry, was the featured play-maker and although respected, he was not feared by any means. 

Again, with the experience of having faced a similar attack in the previous game, the Tide defense answered the challenge.

Looking at the Homecoming victory over Arkansas State yesterday, the Red Wolves presented the threat of a running Quarterback to the mix.  Again, even though the Tide hadn’t faced a threat of that nature, the call was answered when their quarterback was held to negative net rushing yards (-19) on 13 attempts.

Looking ahead…

Auburn’s offense features a running quarterback out of both a spread and traditional Power-I attack.

LSU’s offense features one of the best running backs in the South in Charles Scott.  They feature a speed threat, much like CJ Spiller, in one Keiland Williams.  The Tigers also feature some outstanding play-makers in their Wide Receiver corps much like the Bulldogs did in Massaquoi and AJ Green.

Florida, features a strong running back, speed at their receiving corps, a mobile Quarterback and a strong defense.

Mississippi State brings a head coach that thrives on victories over Alabama much like another coach faced in the state of Mississippi.

Ah, but there is a trip to Death Valley!

What is different today as compared to August of this year?

Everyone of these threats have been prepared for in practice and handled in games.

Kodi Burns is a legitimate threat running the ball but isn’t the same caliber player in his total game (IE: passing) as the recently defeated team led by Corey Leonard.  He’s a wild card, at best, very seldom equaling success.

Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, a great hand to play.  Yet, the “flop” reveals three of a kind in Knowshon Moreno, James Davis and CJ Spiller while the game beside the “river” saw Arian Foster wasn’t enough to take home the winning hand.

LSU’s LaFell and Byrd are a nice pair matched by UGA’s Massaquoi and Green.  The “turn” on this hand is the Tigers Quarterback, Lee, is the low card versus the Bulldog’s Stafford.

Death Valley?  Ok, good hold card.  But, against Sanford Stadium at night?  Push.

In the end, there isn’t a thing a team can bring to the table that this Alabama team hasn’t faced and won head to head.

Will the surprising undefeated record hold firm through the remainder of the fall?

One thing is for sure.  This Alabama doesn’t know how to fold.  In fact, they’ve played every hand that might be dealt in the coming weeks.

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Follow our game commentary and conversations for the LSU contest here this week.