Tide Tidbits - October 17, 2008

College Football Rankings and Team MVPs at the Halfway Point
So, here we are. At the halfway point of the 2008 college football season a few things have been made clear. Texas is for real. So is Alabama. Texas Tech finally might be. And God only knows what Ohio State is. Here is my top 20, complete with team MVPs for each team in the top 20. Nick Saban really has these boys believing that they're the class of the SEC. Only LSU stands between Bama and a undefeated regular season, and the Tigers didn't look too good last week against the Gators. First Half MVP: RB Glen Coffee. He has been this year's Felix Jones, averaging more than seven yards per carry and scoring five of the Tide's 14 rushing TDs.

Top tackles make sure their QBs stay clean
When Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson drops back to pass, he does it with the comforting knowledge that his blind side is well protected. Ditto for Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead. Two of college football's top left tackles will be on the job Saturday when No. 2 Alabama welcomes Ole Miss. Even if they never share the field, Alabama's Andre Smith and Ole Miss' Michael Oher could well be rivals for awards, NFL Draft position and the unofficial title of best left tackle in the SEC.

Crimson Tide Ready to Face Rebels
The No. 2 University of Alabama football team put the finishing touches on its game plan for the Mississippi Rebels with a 90-minute practice in helmets and shorts Thursday afternoon in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. The Crimson Tide expects a physical football game this week from the Rebels and has hard worked this week preparing for a challenging offense and defense they expect to see on Saturday.

Roll Tide!