Tide Tidbits - October 1, 2008

LSU Tigers stand in way of former coach Nick Saban, Alabama
As LSU was pretty much having its way with Mississippi State this past Saturday night, although not by as large a margin as the home crowd expected, there was one score you realized would not be announced as a public service. Of course, fans sitting at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, with images from the No. 3 Georgia-No. 8 Alabama tussle on their hand-held devices, didn't need any reminders.

Kentucky-Alabama Preview
Despite its early dominating play, Alabama coach Nick Saban isn't ready to look any further than his team's next contest. Saban's No. 2 Crimson Tide play with their highest ranking in 15 years when they host undefeated Kentucky in an SEC matchup Saturday afternoon. Though the Wildcats (4-0) head into their conference opener armed with the nation's top scoring defense that allows 5.5 points per contest, they won't have history on their side. Alabama leads the series with Kentucky 33-2-1 and is 8-0 in Tuscaloosa.

After manhandling Georgia, Alabama makes appearance in title game
Out goes USC, in comes Alabama. The Crimson Tide are a unanimous pick to play for the BCS title game against a Big 12 team -- Missouri or Oklahoma. (Thanks BW for the link!)

Can't Look Ahead
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Alabama –16.5 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game. Current public betting information shows that 46% of bets for this game have been placed on Alabama –16.5.

John Parker Wilson getting his due
What do Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Brodie Croyle, Andrew Zow and Jay Barker have in common? They’re all behind John Parker Wilson in the Alabama record books. In fact, every Crimson Tide quarterback is looking up at the senior from Hoover. “I saw something today that John Parker Wilson now holds every meaningful record in Alabama history at the quarterback position,” Kentucky coach Rich Brooks noted at his press conference Monday. “He is a senior and is very experienced. He had an unbelievable game last week. He didn’t have to throw it much, but when he did, they were big plays.”