Tide Rises, Foes Fall

The rise of the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban has changed the landscape of college football this year and potentially flipped the order of power in the SEC. 

The ramifications of this unforeseen exceptionally successful season will not only affect the outcome of future games in Tuscaloosa but also in Auburn, Knoxville, and Starkville as well. 

The ripple effect of the Saban splash drowned conference rivals into a panicked reactionary fearful state which left them stirring to keep their heads above water while they gasped for air. 

Coming into Atlanta the Clemson Tigers had received accolades galore.  A top ten ranking, preseason ACC player of the year honors for quarterback Cullen Harper, and talk of Heisman winning potential in James Davis and CJ Spiller. 

It was that night in Atlanta that things quickly fell apart for the Tigers, facing a more physical Tide football team that never relented they eventually fell to a 3-3 record which led to the dismissal of coach Tommy Bowden. 

Is it a stretch to say Nick Saban was the cause of this calamity?  Who knows, although the Tigers should have recovered this loss was devastating to the confidence of a team picked by many to compete for the BCS and win the ACC. 

As the season played on the Crimson Tide jets hit overdrive while then Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and Auburn head man Tommy Tuberville sputtered along at lawn mower speed. 

Mike Hamilton and Bobby Lowder came home to crimson colored highlights on Saturday night while their teams searched for leadership and offensive identity.

The firing of Phillip Fulmer was handled poorly by the Tennessee administration canning him in the middle of the season to appease a bloody mouthed flesh eating fan base. 

To pour salt on Fulmer’s wounds Athletic Director Mike Hamilton goes out and hires a somewhat unproven young buck in Lane Kiffen.  A candidate with bloodlines steeped in coaching royalty Kiffen has a reputation of being a great recruiter. 

While a logical argument could be made to justify the Clemson and Tennessee moves, the departure of Tuberville down on the plains left so many shaking heads it mimics a Williams sisters Wimbledon match on fast-forward.  The administration or a big money booster (insert name above) had it in for Tommy Tubberville and after the jet-gate incident this was all just a matter of time. 

In a cinematic recount of the events Lowder and Jay Jacobs (Auburn Athletic Director) will team up for a blockbuster summer hit release entitled either, Dumb and Dumber part whatever or How to Destroy a Thriving SEC Football Program.  If karmic justice is served Auburn will get what it deserves by wallowing in years of mediocrity or worse. 

A year removed from winning the SEC Coach of the Year a disappointing 4-8 record led to a meeting, which led to a resignation from Mississippi State Bulldog Coach Sylvester Croom.  Showing loyalty to his assistants Croom refused to make any changes and decided to opt out instead. 

Despite the assimilation of an impressive early list of 2009 commitments in its recruiting class, Croom’s hand was forced after whippings from Alabama and in-state rival Ole Miss. 

Although they haven’t completely fallen on their faces and broke their nose, Georgia and LSU had very disappointing years.  Les Miles and Mark Richt are safe but both fan bases are rumbling about overall defensive performance this season and have begun to point fingers at members of the current defensive coaching staffs.

The SEC west survival award goes to the Ole Miss Rebels and first year coach Houston Nutt.  A coach Saban has spoke highly of throughout his career.  The rebels are playing their best football right now which will most likely result in a Cotton bowl invite.

While these programs attempt to sort out their challenges and problems Alabama is sitting at 12-0 and preparing for an SEC championship game against Florida.

Make no mistake about it whatever happens on Saturday there has been a changing of the guard in the SEC West and it only took two years.