Kentucky Game Thoughts

There are a few things we can take away from 2nd ranked Alabama's 17-14 win over Kentucky yesterday. First of all, the majority of Alabama fans I have spoke with need to relax and enjoy another SEC win. Kentucky came into the game undefeated, on the verge of being in the Top 25 and, in my opinion, better than most of America thinks they are. I predict the Wildcats finish higher than both South Carolina and Tennessee in the SEC East.

This said I am not trying to make excuses for Alabama. Did we play well? No. Were there times during the game where we looked bad? Yes. Are we the second best team in the country? I don't know, but it really does not matter. Halfway through the regular season Alabama is in the national title game conversation rather you think they should be or not. As for the rankings whether we are ranked 1st, 5th or anywhere in between it really does not matter because of the remaining schedule.

#1 Oklahoma, #3 Missouri, and #5 Texas of the BIG XII will begin to knock each other out in the next few weeks. Texas still has to play Oklahoma, so somebody is losing. Texas has to play Missouri, so somebody is losing. If Missouri beats Texas and everybody else they will have to play the BIG XII South winner(Texas or Oklahoma) in the Big XII Title game. Bottom line: One team comes out of the BIG XII.

#2 Alabama and #4 LSU have a date in Baton Rogue in November that will settle that debate if both teams are still unbeaten. LSU also has top-15 Florida and Georgia left on their schedule before they meet the Crimson Tide. Alabama has Auburn, Tennessee, and multiple other trap games left on their schedule. If we are sitting 12-0 or with 1 loss they then would have to go to the SEC Title Game against the East champ ( I hope its Vandy). Bottom line: One (or none) team gets out of the SEC undefeated.

I give you that mini schedule to prove the point that the rankings do not matter in week 6, so just enjoy it. Alabama has been down for so long why are we nervous/anxious about being ranked #2 in America? As fans we just need to enjoy it and our players just need to forget it and win one game at a time...that is all they can control.

Also, think about what a difference a year or two makes. A Mike Shula Alabama team losses that game yesterday (No offense Mike). With Kentucky having the momentum and our offense in a coma in the 2nd half we drove the ball downfield, ate the clock, kicked a FG and iced the game. A drive like that against a good SEC defense in that situation has not happened for us in years. Have we gotten such big heads we can not enjoy a nice SEC win? Sure we played bad but I cannot remember any undefeated team without close games along the way, but those teams find a way to win the games and move on, we did that. We have played 6 games and won 6 games, I am not a math major but you cannot do much more than that.

General point Tide fans.....Let's just enjoy our great season and being extremely relevant on the national stage and in the SEC Title race again.

p.s. I went 3-1 in my picks last week. Maybe Wall Street needs me to bail them out.