College Football: Can Anyone Beat Alabama? - jmik58's Blog

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College Football: Can Anyone Beat Alabama? Stuck

Posted on September 26, 2012 at 12:51 PM.

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Alabama football should consider changing its mascot.

Crimson Tide doesn't adequately capture the destruction their football program has caused to the rest of the college football landscape. Crimson Tsunami perhaps, or at least Crimson Tidal-Wave might be more appropriate. Everything and everyone in the path -- whether stationary or in motion -- has been flattened by 'Bama in recent years and thus far in the 2012 season.

Michigan was first to absorb the unstoppable force despite having arguably the most electrifying quarterback in college football, Denard Robinson. The Wolverines -- a top-15 team -- may be 2-2 on the season but only lost to #11 Notre Dame by a touchdown. Sure they lost to Alabama, but who wouldn't?

Western Kentucky (3-1) has beaten the likes of Southern Miss and SEC bottom-feeder Kentucky. Their fate against Alabama? A humiliating 35-point shoutout performance. Likewise, Arkansas (an early season SEC dark-horse and #10 to start the year) was throttled by the Crimson Tide 52-0.

Forget the SEC's dominance, the more appropriate question may be: Can anyone or any thing stop the Crimson Tide?

At this point it looks as if the week of October 6th may present the most challenging competition for Alabama. But they won't be hosting any teams in Tuscaloosa or traveling to an SEC rival. Instead, they'll be resting at home during a week of practice. Practice against a depth chart that fields as much athleticism, speed, and football know-how as many squads can boast in their starting lineups.

After that, the most troubling games will likely come in the way of road trips against Missouri, Tennessee, and #3 LSU. Troubling, however, is a relative term in regards to Alabama this year as the impact of a conference road game may not show in if the Crimson Tide win, but instead by how wide a margin.

The Tigers of LSU will no doubt present the most-hyped matchup, but the vulnerability of their offense (as exposed by the Auburn Tigers in a 12-10 victory for LSU) has raised serious questions as to how they might compare to Alabama. After that, it's a waiting game until the SEC championship game where either South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida awaits.

But the problem for any of those teams (and any squad in FBS) is that Alabama plays lights-out in neutral venues and in big games. If you want to beat the Crimson Tide you've got to catch them in your own house and play perfect football. The likes of Oregon or Florida State may present respectable matchups for 'Bama, but neither will have home-field advantage if they are to meet for the national championship.

But "perfect" football against Alabama isn't enough. The Crimson Tide must also beat themselves, but don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. They have thrown exactly zero interceptions on the year and fumbled as many times. We're not talking fumbles lost -- 'Bama hasn't even fumbled, period.

They have the 13th ranked scoring offense (42 ppg), second-ranked scoring defense (5.3 ppg), and own the flow of every game they are a part of; averaging 208 rushing yards per outing (38th in the nation).

A monumental shift must take place to slow down the momentum of Alabama if the rest of the college football nation wants to prevent a third title in four years by the boys in Tuscaloosa. But it's going to take a super-human effort to get it done -- the type of force that shifts the changing tides of the sea.

If only the moon could intervene. If only Alabama football would make a mistake once in a while. If only we would accept that the Crimson Tide would likely flatten anyone in their path regardless.

Sound Off: Will Alabama lose a game this year?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 mac8204 @ Sep 26

As a completely biased LSU fan, I would say that Bama's game against us will be the only chance for them to lose this year. LSU will have a lot to prove going into the game, as well as a need to get rid of the memories from last January. I don't think that LSU will come out as flat as they did in the NC, especially since it will be a night game at home.

# 2 faceman1209 @ Sep 26

As a lifelong Bama fan and graduate, I'm not quite ready to crown them the champions just yet. I think going to Missouri and to Tennessee in back to back weeks will provide more of a challenge than people think. Obviously the talent levels aren't close, but on the road in the SEC is far from a slam dunk. Just look at LSU @ Auburn. If they can make it through that stretch and survive a nighttime prime time game in Death Valley, I think it would be fair to start talking about crowning them then.

# 3 bobtrain @ Sep 27

Some say a great offense is going to challenge Alabama. I actually think it's going to take an equally good defense (Florida State, maybe) to grind it out with Alabama. I don't know, but Florida State might be just good enough to upset the Tide.

# 4 snidey @ Sep 28

I think your overreacting a little to the LSU offense in the Auburn game. There were plenty of things to consider going into that game. First you have LSU who is bringing in a starting qb who has only started 3 games prior to the Auburn game much less making his first start on the road night game in pretty hostile environment. Not counting the freshmen Cornerbacks we have starting for us.Any where in the SEC is tough to win on the road. Second LSU offensive line is pretty banged up right now but part of it as well as might have lost our number 1 running back for the year but were about 3 deep there so. We would not be talking about this if they dont muff the ball on the 2 with the back up center in bc starting center just got hurt a few plays before that and as well as the other turnover that happen which lead to a Auburn touchdown. I think LSU matches up with Bama good I do think there offense is ahead of LSU without a doubt and better coaching without a doubt. But talent wise I dont think anybody else in the country is on the same playing field with these two teams. I would say more but i have work to do just my opinion on somethings real quick.