SEC Schedule a Day: bama

Nick Saban took over a difficult situation. Mike Shula left the cupboard bare, if not talent wise than character wise. Then he was left to deal with a rabid fan base who just paid him $4 million a year. So you know... they want results at some point. I though all along that "the process" would take at least three years. Another 7-6 season would really put the pressure on for next year. Though it's not like they can fire him at that salary.

8/30 Clemson (Georgia Dome)

The Clemson Tigers play their second straight game in the Georgia Dome against a team from Alabama. They also hope to kick off their national championship question on a big stage. Gameday will be in town and I'm sure we'll somehow getting treated to a "Bama's Back" segment for about the 8th time in the last decade. Clemson is bringing an explosive offense into the season. The tide has some talent on the line and in the secondary but the linebackers, especially in Saban's 3-4 system, are depleted to say the least. Offensively I expect bama to have success this year. An experienced line and QB always helps. I'm expecting a shootout but I'm giving the defensive edge to Clemson. Tigers start off on the good foot.

9/06 Tulane

Tulane is not quite as frisky as they used to be. bama rolls.

9/13 Western Kentucky

Unfortunately for Western Kentucky, this is not a basketball game. WKU has been playing the role of SEC whipping boy for a few seasons now. Which I guess is worth it when you get that paycheck. Again bama wins easily

9/20 at Arkansas

This is a must win game for bama. It's the easiest road game on the season and starting off the year 2-2 would definitely create an angry fan and media response. Luckily for bama, Arkansas sucks this year. The tide should be able to move the ball at will and then take it easy in the 4th quarter.

9/27 at Georgia

The last time Nick Saban brought his team to Athens in 2004 he got torched. Big time. I think Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown are still catching fly routes down the sideline. And thus began the futility of Nick Saban and his pupil Will Muschamp against Richt and UGA. UGA is going to put up some points either through the air or on the ground. Though it'll probably be both. It'll be tough for bama to keep it close. UGA wins

10/04 Kentucky

Kentucky doesn't intrigue me at all this year. Probably because I know nothing about them. But that's also a bad sign. If no one whatsoever is talking about you than you probably don't have much going for you. bama wins.

10/18 Ole Miss

I think it's quite possible that Ole Miss has a season like Miss State did last year. Which would include beating bama. And I see that happening. The Rebels should have the defensive line to hold up to bama offensive line. The Ole Miss offense should be able to put up some points, and I could see bama's depth being a little thin by this point in the season. And once again, my illogical "off week then playing at home" rule. Ole Miss pulls out the victory

@ Tennessee

It's the third Saturday in October and seasons lie in the balance. I feel like UT has underperformed in recent years of this rivalry. And a home game is a great way to shake the trend. Arian Foster puts up huge numbers on the way to victory.

1/1 Arkansas State

bama wins

11/08 @ LSU

There are a lot of weird coaching situations this year. Nutt heading back to Fayetteville, Petrino/Tuberville, and then this ginormously uncomfortable situation. You never want to give LSU fans a reason to get angry drunk. And when that atmostphere hits in Baton Rouge, it's a scary place to be. I'm assuming that LSU will have some sort of QB situation figured out by this point in the year. At that's really the only thing holding them back. LSU sets the field on fire as the demolish bama.

11/15 Mississippi State

Playing Miss State before or after LSU the last few years has definitely contributed to the Bulldogs recent success. But I just don't see MSU winning this game three years in a row.

11/29 The Iron Bowl

Seven in a row is going to be a tough pill to swallow in Tuscaloosa. I imagine that bama will pull out all the stops to somehow win this game. It's that important. But on the field I think that Auburn has the advantage on offense, defense, and special teams. The one shot for bama is that Auburn's secondary continues to pile up injuries and bama is just able to air it out all day. But I'm not willing to take that leap in logic. Auburn wins. I can't even think of a gimmick with 8 in a row yet.

6-6 seems a bit low. bama will actually take one of the Ole Miss or Tennessee games. If they took both it'd be a pretty good season for them. I might change this later in the week.

SEC: 3-5
Season: 6-6