Tide Tidbits - November 15, 2008

Tide concentrating on Croom's crew
For the past two years, Alabama has entered its game with Mississippi State as a prohibitive favorite, only to find itself whipped physically at the point of attack. "We know they beat us the past two years," said Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson, who has had an interception returned for a touchdown in each of the past two games. "It makes us mad, OK?" "It was an embarrassment, an embarrassment to us, to our program," said Alabama defensive end Lorenzo Washington. "They're still a good program, but you just don't ever want to lose to someone that you're technically not supposed to.

Is Alabama just getting started?; and the Guilbeau Poll
Alabama coach Nick Saban tried to downplay the critical win over his former school, but the man who hired him did not. "I appreciate it more than you know," Alabama athletic director Mal Moore said after the Crimson Tide clinched its first SEC West title since 1999 with a 27-21 win over LSU in overtime Saturday. "He won't say anything, but we know how he feels," Alabama guard Mike Johnson said. "We know it meant a lot to coach Saban after a win like that."

Tide on guard against MSU
Obviously, Brad from Tuscaloosa had no idea. He innocently used the phrase "on paper" to describe the perceived discrepancy in tonight's game between No. 1 Alabama and struggling Mississippi State, pointing out the Crimson Tide is due for a letdown after last week's hard-fought win at LSU. "'On paper this should be an easy game,'" Saban said in reply. "Well, that's what gets your (expletive) beat faster than anything else, pardon my language."

Roll Tide!