Crimson Tide Football and Other Alabama Sports Musings

Last week my analysis showed that the Tide wasn't likely to beat Auburn on the road, or better said, it felt like a toss-up to be decided by a fumble or dropped pass or ill-timed holding call. And that is still a good possibility. The scariest weaknesses were Minkah Fitzpatrick being slowed, the left guard hurt and out, and a huge hole at Mike linebacker. I felt that if Dylan Moses could somehow be ready, if Minkah could heal and if JC Hassenaur would be ready to replace Pierschbacher the Tide could win. Do last Saturday (and I know it was an FCS team), JC was Offensive lineman of the SEC, Dylan had 11 tackles and an INT and was flying all over the place and impacting almost every play, and Minkah has been practicing and claims to be healthy. With those pieces falling into place, I have to believe the Tide is slightly better. I'd say about 6-8 points better on any given day. On the road, drop a couple or three of those points. Final score: Bama 32 - Auburn 27

With Thanksgiving ahead and being in a cabin next week without the Internet, I thought I would combine Mercer and Auburn analysis and post today. I'm sitting across from Bryant Denny stadium right now and as I sit down to write, I realize that my three hours of research are at home in Mississippi.....big oops. So this blog will be shorter and easier to read, without all the details and stats. But I had finished the analysis so I know my predicted outcome. As for Mercer, they are 5-5 with two wins over ranked FCS teams. They were down by only a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Auburn before losing 24-10. For context, Auburn was without Kerryon Johnson and had four fumbles and a pass interception. MErcer has only been back in football for about four years after dropping it during WWII, so they are taking on big names for money and to get their name out onto a national stage. Their QB is decent and they have a good receiver and RB. I do expect them to move the ball a couple o

Alabama vs. Mississippi State November 11, 2017 6 p.m. Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, Mississippi Tide will limp into Starkville, but it will not be an excuse When the Crimson Tide rolls down that short 90-mile drive to Starkville to challenge the 7-2, #16 in CFP Mississippi State Bulldogs, it will be without several key linebackers, so any analysis of this game may as well address that right up front. Bama escaped from the opener against Florida State with a win, but lost key linebackers Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis for the season. Against LSU last weekend, the toll was greater as the Tide lost two more linebackers and two other defensive players were dinged up. Minkah Fitzpatrick played sparingly due to a hamstring injury suffered in the first few plays, though he is said to be practicing after one day off. We'll see if he loses that half a step that has put him perhaps at the top of the heap for the Bama defense. The most costly setback last weekend was the