PIG'S PICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is again that time for your favorite part of the week....PIG'S PICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you took my advice last week and put down some doll-hairs then I made you rich (or at last got you 3 gallons of gas). Anyway another good slate of games to pick from this week including my favorite game in college football....The Third Saturday in October.

Game 1: Ole Miss @ Arkansas ( Ole Miss by 6 1/2)

Our first game is a tough one to call. Ole Miss has been up and down all season and Bobby Petrino's Hogs started the season looking horrible, but two those losses were against the # 1 and # 2 teams in the country right now in Texas and Alabama. They let one slip away last week blowing a big lead at Kentucky. While I think Ole Miss is the better team in this one I hate the game being in Fayetteville. However, I do like the fact that Goat's boy Houston Nutt is returning to Arkansas for the first time and you know he wants this one against his former employer. Nutt and his Rebels will pull out all the stops in this one and barely cover.

PIG'S PICK: Ole Miss

Game 2: # 5 Florida vs. Kentucky (Florida by 26)


26 point line in the SEC? Ouch, no love for the Cats. I realize the Gators are the better team. I realize the game is in Gainesville. But I believe in the Cats defense (kinda). The problem in this one is I am not sure if Kentucky's offense can score enough on Florida's D to keep this one close. Florida head man Urban Cryer also needs an impressive blowout win to impress the pollsters and up his chance of getting back into the national title game conversation. While I think he leaves his stars in to run the score up, I think the Kentucky coach Rich "Always Grumpy" Brooks and his Wildcat D will help their poor offense cover the spread.

PIGS PICK: Kentucky to cover, Florida to win

Game 3: Vandy vs. Duke ( Vandy by 10 1/2)


Put down the books and get out of the library you geeks, because a Vandy-Duke football game actually has some importance! Both teams are straining trying to get to that magical 6 wins and become bowl eligible for the first time since Jesus was a boy. Vandy has dropped two in a row after a 5-0 start but both of those were on the road in the SEC, so I will give them a little lee-way. Duke comes into the game sitting at 3-3 and has also lost two in a row. This is Vandy's best shot at getting that 6th win and they will take advantage. I like the 'Dores to bounce back at home and beat the Blue Devils with the ugly stick...the same one that was used on Coach K.

PIG'S PICK: Vandy


Game 4: # 9 Georgia @ # 11 LSU ( LSU by 1 1/2)

As an Alabama fan, I will be screaming my guts out for the Dawgs in this one to get LSU that second SEC loss. Unfortunately, I do not see it happening. While I like Georgia's playmakers (Stafford, Moreno, Green) I hate their O-Line. They are young, their best players are hurt and they are just not that good. Bad news considering the strength of LSU's team is their D-line. While I think Georgia is a solid team overall they have played a brutal schedule and been beat up a little bit. It is a long flight to Baton Rogue from Athens and Death Valley is a tough environment for a visiting team, especially in a game this important. LSU's offense is also showing signs of life. It pains me to say this but go with the Tigers.

PIG'S PICKS: LSU

Game 5: Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee St. (Miss St. by 10)


Do you care about this game? Absolutely not. But it involves a SEC team and you want to win some money. MTSU is about 25 minutes from my house so I am fairly familiar with their football team and have learned this...they step up against teams they should get crushed by (see Maryland). The opposite can be said for Mississippi State, they seem to lay a lot of eggs. Not sure if the Blue Raiders can win on the road but they will keep it within 10.

PIG'S PICK: MTSU (to cover)


Game 6: # 2 Alabama at Tennessee (Alabama by 4 1/2)



My favorite game of the entire college football season. I know, I know, the Iron Bowl is sweet, but I am old school and enjoy a good state school vs. state school battle. There is no way I can go to work Monday if we lose this game, and luckily for me I do not see that happening. The line for this one started around 7 and has come down a a good bit to 4 1/2. As gambling goes that is a big jump, so a lot of betters out there like the Vols to pull the upset at home. While I think Fat Phil will have his boys ready to go, I think Saint Nick will counter and have the Tide focused in Knoxville.

For whatever reason we have played much better on the road and when we feel threatened by a good team. Plus, I just do not think Tennessee has the playmakers to win. If you go position by position I would not trade any of our guys (with the exception of Vol safety Eric Berry). If Alabama does not turn the ball over, they will win. We need to beat them up on both sides of the ball and build an early lead and COME OUT AND FINISH IN THE SECOND HALF!!!! I think this is the week Alabama does that and I will enjoy that from my great seats in the nose-bleeds of Neyland Stadium. Hopefully I am sitting beside these two...
PIG'S PICK: ALABAMA

Somebody Get Tuberville a Crayola Box

I have to admit before the West Virginia-awwwburn game last night I was fairly torn on what I wanted the outcome to be. Do I go with my instincts and root against the Tigers even if they were playing communist Russia? Or do I root for them because they are representing the SEC and it would potentially help our strength of schedule at the end of the year?

Well, when the game started my hatred of all things awwwburn won out and I was rooting heavily for the Mountaineers. That said this article is not about the game, or how the Tigers blew a 17-3 lead and let WVU rip off 31 straight points, or how they are now 4-4 overall. This article is about head coach Tommy Tuberville's jacket. What is that color? Is he hoping Mack Brown gets hit by a car and is showing the Texas people how good he looks in their burnt orange?

I simply do not understand this. The man makes millions, has an entire football staff at his disposal, and a wife who could pick something out for him! Auburn gives him free clothes to wear that are the right color! FREE CLOTHES! How hard is this? Look at the picture above, Kody Burns is even looking at him like what the heck is that jacket!

And gloves! Is he a 8 year old waiting at the bus stop! Be a man and take off the gloves! Hopefully you can tell by the 938490234 exclimation marks how mad this makes me, so I am going to stop writing. Please somebody get Tuberville a Crayola box so he can figure out this out.

Tide Basketball Team Predicted to Win SEC West

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team is coming off a 5-11 SEC record last season, has missed the NCAA tournament the last two years, lost its best player to the NBA draft and best perimeter shooter to graduation. Sounds like its going to be a bleak year doesn't it?

Well, it wont be according to the SEC media who picked the Crimson Tide to win the SEC West this year. The biggest reasons for the preseason prediction is two fold: Alabama returns 9 players from last years team and returns All-American point guard Ronald Steele, who red shirted last season while recovering from knee problems that have plagued him the last two seasons. According to Steele his knee is finally back to normal.

"I'm just happy to be out there playing with no pain. I'm back to playing the game without thinking, without hesitation. And every day it gets better." Steele recently told the Huntsville Times. Returning with Steele this season is the only other senior Brandon Hollinger, junior Alonzo Gee, Yamene Coleman, Senario Hillman, and all everything 5- star recruit JaMychal Green.

I am not going to tell you losing PF Richard Hendrix to the NBA is not going to hurt, but big time programs have to go through this all the time and if Alabama wants to be a big time program they need to overcome this. Helping with that are that the early reports on Green have been outstanding. While he is still adjusting to the half court college game his athletic ability and size (6-9, 225 lbs.) as a 18 year old have everybody around the program excited.

That said, the bottom line for this team will rest with Steele. If he is truly healthy and his old self we will win a lot of games, if he is not, then we won't. Our non-conference schedule provides some exciting games including Alabama playing in the Maui Invitational opening up with the Oregon Ducks. Depending on the outcome of that game we will either play potential # 1 North Carolina or Chaminade, the UNC game will give us a good early look at our chances. Clemson and Georgia Tech also provide ACC non-conference competition early in the year. Below is the complete preseason poll.

SEC MEDIA PRESEASON BASKETBALL POLL
SEC EAST:
1. Tennessee
2. Florida
3. Kentucky
4. Vanderbilt
5. South Carolina
6. Georgia

SEC WEST
1. ALABAMA
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
4. Miss St.
5. Auburn
6. Arkansas

Vols D-Coordinator John Chavis....A Cross-Dresser?!

In this morning's Tennessean (Nashville's paper) Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis had an interesting response to a question posed by a reporter. The question was, "Are you scared that star safety Eric Berry could be used on offense?" A fair question since WR/QB Gerald Jones could be out for this game and Rocky Top is looking for playmakers on offense.

Chavis' response was a tad peculiar however. Instead of a basic Yes, blah blah blah or No, blah blah blah, Chavis gave us them gem of an answer...

"If I ever get to the point where I'm afraid of anything then I'm going to stay home. I can't wear my wife's dress right now-it's not the right size. But if I ever get afraid, I'm going to stay at home and probably start cross-dressing."

WHATTTTTTTTTT? What kind of an answer is that? Apparently Mr. Chavis just wanted a reason to talk about himself wearing something from Kohl's misses department, by the way stop in this weekend for Bonus Buys and outstanding deals on all your favorite brands. Is it just me or is it hard to see Nick Saban talking about himself cross dressing?

Lucky for you, Inside the Tide has acquired this never before seen photo of John Chavis participating in his favorite leisure activity. Enjoy Tide fans, Enjoy.

Game 9 Scouting Report: Tennessee

2nd ranked Alabama travels north to Knoxville, TN this Saturday night to renew one of the best rivalries in college football...The Third Saturday in October. This year's Volunteers have been a big disappointment thus far and enter the game 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the SEC. Ranked in the top 25 in the preseason, many thought the Vols could challenge Florida and Georgia for the SEC title, but that has not come close to happening. Alabama might be visiting at a bad time however as last week as the Big Orange did play their best game of the year crushing visiting Mississippi State 34-3.

On offense Tennessee is led by new starting QB sophomore Nick Stephens. Stephens has taken over for often criticized Jonathan Crompton and played fairly well in his few starts. Stephens is completing 49.3 % of this attempts for 542 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. That is the biggest difference thus far between Stephens and Crompton, Stephens does not turn it over and put the Vols in awful situations. In multiple games this year (Florida & Auburn) Tennessee had costly fumbles or interceptions around their goal line that led to easy points for the other team. In the Auburn game in particular a botched hand-off attempt in their own end zone resulted in an Auburn touchdown, Tennessee lost that game 14-12.

The best play maker on offense for Tennessee is WR and sometimes QB Gerald Jones. Jones lines up at QB in Tennessee's "G-Gun" formation which is the Vols version of the "Wild Rebel" that we saw last week against Ole Miss. As seen last week Nick Saban has figured this thing out so I doubt Tennessee attempts its much on Saturday night. The Vols might not have the option as Jones left last Saturday's game in the 1st half with a high ankle sprain and did not return. Arguably the Vols best O-Lineman Anthony Parker also left the game with a high ankle sprain. Fulmer said both were questionable this week against the Tide (it would be nice if they missed a week).

On defense, Coach Fulmer's bunch has more success and a decent season so far. The D is led by one of the best safeties in America in former 5 star recruit and sophomore Eric Berry. Berry currently leads the SEC with 5 interceptions and has the ability to score any time he touches the ball. Tennessee enters the game 5th in the SEC in total defense right behind Alabama and give up an average of 16.0 points per game.

While this sounds really strange to say, we faced more individual play makers last week against Ole Miss than we will in Knoxville this weekend. I would take Jevan Sneed, Enrique Davis, Dexter McCluster and Greg Hardy at each of their positions over what Tennessee currently has. That said, Fulmer is usually at his best when his team is backed into a corner and a win over # 2 Alabama knocking them out of the national title game picture and ending their perfect season would make the Vols. That said, I think we are just better than Tennessee and seem to bring a different intensity and focus to road games. For whatever reason we have played much better on the road (Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia) than we have in Bryant-Denny this season.

I see Tennessee playing hard and making it a good game for a while but Alabama has to many play makers for Tennessee to win this game. On a side note, Alabama leads the all time series with a record of 45-38-7.

Getting to Know Phillip Fulmer

Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer is considered "The Dean of SEC coaches" mainly because he has been there since 1904. Phil takes a lot of crap from Alabama fans and I really do not understand why, Phillip has done a lot good things for many different people in his tenure at Tennessee. Let's take a closer look.

1. He has turned Tennessee into a basketball school...(girl's basketball). I am not kidding, the state has a license plate option for Lady Vol fans. Maybe Nashville will luck out and we can get a WNBA team!!!








2. Even with our current economic crisis Fulmer has single handily made millions for Krispy Kreme stock holders.










3. The state of Tennessee uses the sweat that Fulmer produces during a game to keep all of the bodies of water in the Volunteer state full during drought season.
-Note to Alabama Governor Bob Riley, there is some extra if you guys need it.






4. Fulmer is a Tennessee guy. He is from the state, played for the Vols, and truly bleeds orange. You have to respect a guy who loves the school he coaches that much. I did some investigating and got my hands on this never before seen picture from Fulmer's middle school.






5. We have to give credit to Fulmer for some of the great characters in American commercials and films. He was the inspiration for both the Michelin man and that huge white thing from Ghost Buster's movie.

6. Fulmer is also a national spokesperson for eating disorders. He is an inspiration to many young teenage girls throughout Tennessee for his work against anorexia.




As you can see we should not hate Phillip Fulmer, instead we should be thinking him. So from all Alabama fans, thank you Phil.

Tide Ranked 2nd in First BCS Poll

It is only mid-October but Alabama controls its own destiny to the national title game. The first BCS (Bowl Championship Series) rankings were released yesterday and Alabama came in at # 2 behind # 1 Texas and in front of # 3 Penn State.

The gap between Alabama and Penn St. was actually much larger than some projected it would be Saturday night and with its remaining strength of schedule, including a possible SEC Title Game, the Crimson Tide would certainly play for it all if it remains unbeaten. The complete poll is linked below.



BCS STANDINGS

Bama-Vols Set to Play Under Lights

Finally a game time is set!!!!

# 2 Alabama will take on the Tennessee Volunteers at 7:45pm ET in Neyland Stadium this Saturday night on ESPN. CBS decided to pick up the top 15 match up of Georgia at LSU at 3:30pm ET.

What does this mean? Cool atmosphere but a late drive back to Nashville after the game.

Hang On and Move On

Another week, another heart attack. That is what Alabama football has become the last few weeks. 2nd ranked Alabama jumped out to a 24-3 lead over visiting Ole Miss at halftime only to see the Rebels storm back in the second half to make it a game, but with a final two minute defensive stand, Alabama (7-0, 4-0) hung on to pull out the 24-20 victory.

It was the same type of game that we saw two weeks ago against Kentucky and it certainly was not a pleasure for Alabama coach Nick Saban or any Alabama to watch, but alas, we won again and that is all the matters in the end.

With our remaining schedule being as tough as it is we could win all of our games by 1 point and be in the national title game. There is no doubt Alabama is going to have to play two halves of football to accomplish that feat. Our offense is going to have to make plays in the second half and not just rely on big halftime leads to be enough. Our defense is going to have to make more plays and crucial stops that kills the spirit of our opponent. That is what it is going to take for Alabama to play for it all. We can win games like this against Kentucky and Ole Miss....we can not against LSU or Florida.

Negativity aside, there is something to be said for winning close games. In the last five years in Tuscaloosa we always seemed to find a way to lose these types of games, now we are finding ways to win them, and that is huge.

We now turn to Tennessee who is coming off their most impressive win of the year man-handling Mississippi State at home 34-3 yesterday. Going to Knoxville will be a challenge but given our history this season I am kinda looking forward to a road game performance.