The Season As I See It...
This is my humble opinion and breakdown of how each game might shape up. I'd love to pick us 11-0, but I want to be as realistic as possible with this projection. Some will call this a sunshine projection, and I agree - maybe "I'm just too full of Bama." This projection is contingent on STAYING HEALTHY...I'd love to get other opinions on this...
September 3
Alabama (0-0) vs. MTSU
Tuscaloosa
MTSU returns 10 starters on defense and 8 on offense. They throw the ball, and threw it pretty well last year, when they finished 15th in the country in passing offense (leading the Sun Belt Conference).
This game seems to be a case of their strength playing into our strength (pass offense vs. pass defense). The defense will be under their third coordinator in as many years, but the do return 6 players who saw playing time last year.
Brodie Croyle leads an efficient and explosive passing attack, throwing for over 200 yards in 3 quarters of play. Ken Darby rushes for over 100 yards before being relieved by one or more of our freshmen RB's. The defense stifles the Blue Raiders, picking off 3 passes, returning one for a TD.
Score: Alabama 37 MTSU 13
September 10
Alabama (1-0) vs. Southern Miss
Tuscaloosa
Senior QB Dustin Almond leads the Golden Eagle offense, which was spotty at times last year. USM replaces both their offensive and defensive coordinators, so a new system will be in place on both sides of the ball. Coach Bower has said that this team will not have the depth they've had in the past.
Defense is where USM wins games, and their defensive backs are all pretty good. DB John Eubanks is a stud - he can hurt you on defense AND on returning kicks and punts. DB Trevis Coley is also a good player, but may move to weakside LB.
The USM defense will test Alabama early, and the questions about the Alabama OL will be answered, whether it's a positive or negative response is the question. Expect the Bama OL to be good enough to protect Croyle and open some holes for Ken Darby.
Score: Alabama 28 USM 18
September 17
Alabama (2-0) vs. South Carolina
Columbia, SC
The 2-0 Tide takes on Steve Spurrier and the USC Gamecocks in Bama's first road game. Spurrier will be searching for a reliable QB, and most of the focus in Columbia will be on the offense. But, the defense was top notch last year, and will likely be strong again.
DB Ko Simpson will lead a strong USC pass defense against Croyle and the explosive Alabama passing game. Croyle's protection will be tested, but RB Ken Darby will save the day for the Tide.
Score: Alabama 24 USC 20
September 24
Alabama (3-0) vs. Arkansas
Tuscaloosa
Payback for the 2003 debacle and 2004 defeat will be sweet against the Hogs. While Houston Nutt will have them ready to play, the Arkansas offense will simply not be able to keep up with the Bama air show.
Croyle explodes for over 300 yards in a surprising rout.
Score: Alabama 35 Arkansas 14
October 1
Alabama (4-0) vs. Florida
Tuscaloosa
Highly touted (understatement of the year) Coach Urban Meyer leads his spread offense into Tuscaloosa. The Bama D gets tested hard for the first time this season.
The Alabama offense can't outscore the Gators, and Bama drops a tough one in Tuscaloosa.
Score: Florida 28 Alabama 23
October 15
Alabama (4-1) vs. Ole Miss
Tuscaloosa
New coach Ed Orgeron is exposed as being more talk than walk in this game in Tuscaloosa. The offense sputters, and the defense struggles against the balanced Alabama attack.
QB Ethan Flatt spends a lot of time on his back.
Score: Alabama 31 Ole Miss 10
October 22
Alabama (5-1) vs. Tennessee
Tuscaloosa
Showdown. RB Gerald Riggs leads the Tennessee offense into this showdown with the Tide. The QB position has been unsettled for the Vols - Danny Ainge and Rick Clausen have been rotating the starter role. The Alabama defense plays a subpar game, but Croyle rips the Vol defense and wins SEC Offensive Player of the Week. WR's Prothro and Knight have breakout games in this instant classic.
Roy Upchurch makes a big play in the third quarter to change the momentum of this game.
Score: Alabama 40 Tennessee 35
October 29
Alabama (6-1) vs. Utah State
Tuscaloosa
USU runs a spread option attack, but Alabama's speed on defense will keep the Aggie offense smothered.
The Alabama offense moves the ball at will against the overmatched Aggie defense. Darby is the star of the game, rushing for 3 TD's before being relieved by Upchurch and Coffee.
Score: Alabama 41 Utah State 7
November 5
Alabama (7-1) vs. Mississippi State
Starkville, MS
MSU Head Coach Sly Croom continues his rebuilding project in Starkville, and the Bulldogs are showing a lot of improvement heading into this game with the Crimson Tide.
The Alabama offense sputters all game, with pass protection being an issue at times. The running game stalls early, but musters some output in the second half.
RB Jerious Norwood leads an inspired Bulldog upset attempt, but the Bulldogs miss a late FG that allows Alabama to slip out of Starkville with a victory.
Score: Alabama 17 MSU 16
November 12
Alabama (8-1) vs. LSU
Tuscaloosa
Newcomer Les Miles is on the hotseat after losing a few more games than the Bayou Bengal faithful were expecting.
QB Jamarcus Russell has been slow to grasp the mental part of Miles' offense, and has drawn comparisons to Jason Campbell (sans 2004). The LSU running game is potent, with RB Alley Broussard rushing for over 1000 yards.
The Alabama offense has been balanced, and continues on a roll in this game. Darby and Upchurch lead the Tide to victory, with Croyle and company pitching in a few big plays.
Score: Alabama 28 LSU 21
November 19
Alabama (9-1) vs. Auburn
Auburn, AL
The Auburn offense has struggled for much of the year, and Bobby Lowder's knuckles cracking can be heard from Huntsville to Mobile. Vaunted offensive coordinator Al Borges has suffered quite a bit without having Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, but the Auburn defense has been tough all year.
A balanced attack leads Alabama to victory, and Shula and company wrap up the SEC West.
Score: Alabama 31 Auburn 17
December 3
SEC Championship Game
Alabama (10-1) vs. Tennessee
Atlanta, GA
This rematch pits Alabama against hated archrival Tennessee, with a BCS bowl berth on the line.
The Tennessee passing game has improved since their last meeting, and RB Gerald Riggs continues to impress with his combination of speed and power.
Alabama falls behind quickly, and the Crimson Tide rally comes up short.
Score: Tennessee 27 Alabama 21
Citrus Bowl
Alabama (10-2) vs. Michigan
The 2005 ride ends in the Citrus Bowl, and the Bama nation is still smarting from the loss to Tennessee.
Michigan sports a tough defense and a very balanced offense in this rematch of the 1999 Orange Bowl.
Brodie and the seniors go out winners...
Score: Alabama 20 Michigan 16
Alabama ends up 10-2, losing to Florida and Tennessee in the SEC title game rematch.
This is my humble opinion and breakdown of how each game might shape up. I'd love to pick us 11-0, but I want to be as realistic as possible with this projection. Some will call this a sunshine projection, and I agree - maybe "I'm just too full of Bama." This projection is contingent on STAYING HEALTHY...I'd love to get other opinions on this...
September 3
Alabama (0-0) vs. MTSU
Tuscaloosa
MTSU returns 10 starters on defense and 8 on offense. They throw the ball, and threw it pretty well last year, when they finished 15th in the country in passing offense (leading the Sun Belt Conference).
This game seems to be a case of their strength playing into our strength (pass offense vs. pass defense). The defense will be under their third coordinator in as many years, but the do return 6 players who saw playing time last year.
Brodie Croyle leads an efficient and explosive passing attack, throwing for over 200 yards in 3 quarters of play. Ken Darby rushes for over 100 yards before being relieved by one or more of our freshmen RB's. The defense stifles the Blue Raiders, picking off 3 passes, returning one for a TD.
Score: Alabama 37 MTSU 13
September 10
Alabama (1-0) vs. Southern Miss
Tuscaloosa
Senior QB Dustin Almond leads the Golden Eagle offense, which was spotty at times last year. USM replaces both their offensive and defensive coordinators, so a new system will be in place on both sides of the ball. Coach Bower has said that this team will not have the depth they've had in the past.
Defense is where USM wins games, and their defensive backs are all pretty good. DB John Eubanks is a stud - he can hurt you on defense AND on returning kicks and punts. DB Trevis Coley is also a good player, but may move to weakside LB.
The USM defense will test Alabama early, and the questions about the Alabama OL will be answered, whether it's a positive or negative response is the question. Expect the Bama OL to be good enough to protect Croyle and open some holes for Ken Darby.
Score: Alabama 28 USM 18
September 17
Alabama (2-0) vs. South Carolina
Columbia, SC
The 2-0 Tide takes on Steve Spurrier and the USC Gamecocks in Bama's first road game. Spurrier will be searching for a reliable QB, and most of the focus in Columbia will be on the offense. But, the defense was top notch last year, and will likely be strong again.
DB Ko Simpson will lead a strong USC pass defense against Croyle and the explosive Alabama passing game. Croyle's protection will be tested, but RB Ken Darby will save the day for the Tide.
Score: Alabama 24 USC 20
September 24
Alabama (3-0) vs. Arkansas
Tuscaloosa
Payback for the 2003 debacle and 2004 defeat will be sweet against the Hogs. While Houston Nutt will have them ready to play, the Arkansas offense will simply not be able to keep up with the Bama air show.
Croyle explodes for over 300 yards in a surprising rout.
Score: Alabama 35 Arkansas 14
October 1
Alabama (4-0) vs. Florida
Tuscaloosa
Highly touted (understatement of the year) Coach Urban Meyer leads his spread offense into Tuscaloosa. The Bama D gets tested hard for the first time this season.
The Alabama offense can't outscore the Gators, and Bama drops a tough one in Tuscaloosa.
Score: Florida 28 Alabama 23
October 15
Alabama (4-1) vs. Ole Miss
Tuscaloosa
New coach Ed Orgeron is exposed as being more talk than walk in this game in Tuscaloosa. The offense sputters, and the defense struggles against the balanced Alabama attack.
QB Ethan Flatt spends a lot of time on his back.
Score: Alabama 31 Ole Miss 10
October 22
Alabama (5-1) vs. Tennessee
Tuscaloosa
Showdown. RB Gerald Riggs leads the Tennessee offense into this showdown with the Tide. The QB position has been unsettled for the Vols - Danny Ainge and Rick Clausen have been rotating the starter role. The Alabama defense plays a subpar game, but Croyle rips the Vol defense and wins SEC Offensive Player of the Week. WR's Prothro and Knight have breakout games in this instant classic.
Roy Upchurch makes a big play in the third quarter to change the momentum of this game.
Score: Alabama 40 Tennessee 35
October 29
Alabama (6-1) vs. Utah State
Tuscaloosa
USU runs a spread option attack, but Alabama's speed on defense will keep the Aggie offense smothered.
The Alabama offense moves the ball at will against the overmatched Aggie defense. Darby is the star of the game, rushing for 3 TD's before being relieved by Upchurch and Coffee.
Score: Alabama 41 Utah State 7
November 5
Alabama (7-1) vs. Mississippi State
Starkville, MS
MSU Head Coach Sly Croom continues his rebuilding project in Starkville, and the Bulldogs are showing a lot of improvement heading into this game with the Crimson Tide.
The Alabama offense sputters all game, with pass protection being an issue at times. The running game stalls early, but musters some output in the second half.
RB Jerious Norwood leads an inspired Bulldog upset attempt, but the Bulldogs miss a late FG that allows Alabama to slip out of Starkville with a victory.
Score: Alabama 17 MSU 16
November 12
Alabama (8-1) vs. LSU
Tuscaloosa
Newcomer Les Miles is on the hotseat after losing a few more games than the Bayou Bengal faithful were expecting.
QB Jamarcus Russell has been slow to grasp the mental part of Miles' offense, and has drawn comparisons to Jason Campbell (sans 2004). The LSU running game is potent, with RB Alley Broussard rushing for over 1000 yards.
The Alabama offense has been balanced, and continues on a roll in this game. Darby and Upchurch lead the Tide to victory, with Croyle and company pitching in a few big plays.
Score: Alabama 28 LSU 21
November 19
Alabama (9-1) vs. Auburn
Auburn, AL
The Auburn offense has struggled for much of the year, and Bobby Lowder's knuckles cracking can be heard from Huntsville to Mobile. Vaunted offensive coordinator Al Borges has suffered quite a bit without having Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, but the Auburn defense has been tough all year.
A balanced attack leads Alabama to victory, and Shula and company wrap up the SEC West.
Score: Alabama 31 Auburn 17
December 3
SEC Championship Game
Alabama (10-1) vs. Tennessee
Atlanta, GA
This rematch pits Alabama against hated archrival Tennessee, with a BCS bowl berth on the line.
The Tennessee passing game has improved since their last meeting, and RB Gerald Riggs continues to impress with his combination of speed and power.
Alabama falls behind quickly, and the Crimson Tide rally comes up short.
Score: Tennessee 27 Alabama 21
Citrus Bowl
Alabama (10-2) vs. Michigan
The 2005 ride ends in the Citrus Bowl, and the Bama nation is still smarting from the loss to Tennessee.
Michigan sports a tough defense and a very balanced offense in this rematch of the 1999 Orange Bowl.
Brodie and the seniors go out winners...
Score: Alabama 20 Michigan 16
Alabama ends up 10-2, losing to Florida and Tennessee in the SEC title game rematch.
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