Tide Tidbits - October 12, 2008

Tide's surge result of mental toughness
On the surface, Alabama has made this game so simple. It has been all about hitting first, blocking, tackling and avoiding mistakes better than the other team. These obvious and easily understood tenets have produced one of the most surprising starts in college football this season. The second-ranked Crimson Tide has gotten there despite a lack of flair, content to run the football and bruise opponents, not trailing for one second during any of its first six contests.

Tide at work in off week
It’s not any single factor, but a variety of things that propelled Alabama to its stunning start. First-quarter dominance. Being able to run the ball and stop the run. Third-down improvement. Staying healthy. Combined, these factors turned a team facing serious challenges seven weeks ago into a Southeastern Conference and national championship contender. Midway through the regular season, the Crimson Tide is the only team in the country with victories over two Top 10 teams. Nick Saban’s 6-0 team is ranked second in the nation and was open, but not idle, this week.

CECIL HURT: Poll-watching’s fun, but it’s still the primaries
The last time a fifth-ranked team went to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, upset the No. 1 team and leapfrogged over Alabama in the polls as a result, it really meant something. That was the scenario in the bowl games that came at the end of the 1977 season. On that New Year’s Day, No. 5 Notre Dame drubbed No. 1 Texas and ultimately wound up atop The Associated Press poll ahead of Alabama, which had trounced Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide won the no-consolation prize, a frustrating No. 2 finish with one of the most talented teams in Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s tenure.


Roll Tide!