SEC week 4 predictions
After going 7-0 last week, we’re 16-2 overall for the season. Some big games this weekend in the SEC, including the big one against the Gators. Here’s how we see this week shaping up.
Alabama vs. Florida A season hangs in the balance for both 4-0 teams. Florida under Will Muschamp is shifting from the Meyer aerial attack to a smashmouth SEC team. Muschamp’s mentor will be on the opposite sideline trying to shut down the Gator running game and force Florida to pass downfield into the heart of their violent defensive secondary. Alabama is a little dinged up, but if both teams bring their best game, this one could be a classic. Alabama 37-20
Mississippi State vs. Georgia A couple of .500 Bulldog teams meet in Athens, and we’ll get a chance to see in which direction each team is headed. As last week, we think Georgia will simply out-talent MSU. Georgia 24-12
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas An old SWC rivalry renews with A&M joining the SEC, and we get to see how the Hogs bounce back from being crushed last week in Tuscaloosa. Get ready to chant S-E-C… Arkansas 30-28
Kentucky vs. LSU This thing is going to look like a crime scene for two reasons. LSU is going to slaughter Kentucky, but still the Bayou Bengals will flop all over the field like a schoolbus exploded. LSU 40-10
Buffalo vs. Tennessee Derek Dooley was auditioning for his broadcast job last weekend, but actually gets to look like a decent coach this week. Tennessee 24-7
Auburn vs. South Carolina A rough October for the Tigers begins against Spurrier and the Gamecocks. This one should be fun, Tide fans. S. Carolina 30-16
Ole Miss vs. Fresno State Remember when Fresno State was good? Yeah, we don’t either. Ole Miss 17-9
AG’s Greatest Hits – An Alabama vs. Florida Playlist
When you can’t write, link, we say. And in honor of Florida Hate Week, we’re digging into the archives for you. A couple of the references are now obsolete, given Alabama has added to the trophy case since the Tebow Era, but all told, it’s still pretty damn good.
Recently, Paste magazine ran their list of the 10 best songs to listen to as Florida defeats Alabama in the SEC title game.
Now, we’re not the type to go knocking anyone’s musical tastes. But honestly, the hipster shoegazers that would love the music on this list aren’t the same Florida fans we see shambling about TJ Maxx in their jorts and Gator wife beaters. What, no Molly Hatchet Gator Country?
In the spirit of friendly competition, we offer Gator fans our rebuttal. We’ve tried to avoid most of the obvious song choices, but a few managed to slip in anyway. This weekend, as you watch the Crimson Tide upset the Fighting Tebows, keep this playlist in mind:
Detroit Cobras – Shout Bama Lama
A buzzsaw cover of an Otis Redding rocker, this one should be played Saturday at the Georgia Dome every time Tim Tebow is hit in the backfield. It’ll be played a lot.
Jurassic Five – Twelve
Like most every song in Mr. Killingsworth’s article (Coldplay? Seriously?), this choice has nothing specific to say about football, but the title alone refers to the number of the Tide’s national titles… at least until January.
The Doors – Alabama Song
A weird little ditty originally performed in German opera houses in 1927. By that time, Alabama had already won its first two national championships, and had established itself as a football powerhouse. This Saturday night, Atlanta’s whiskey bars will be filled with Tide fans celebrating their win.
Drive-By Truckers – The Southern Thing
Being from Alabama always seems to require defending your existence. We’re all supposed to be inbred, racist yokels, and it’s easier for Yankees to dismiss us as such, rather than face the skeletons in their own closets. The Truckers gave voice to this frustration in haunting fashion.
Steely Dan – Deacon Blues
Strictly a palate cleanser, this mellow ’70s groove namedrops the Crimson Tide. Intended as a diss of the championship teams (notice a pattern here?) of the 70s, the most famous band named after a strap-on instead provided Tide fans a reason to listen to jazz fusion.
The White Stripes – Conquest
Alabama has made a living this season by crushing teams who were more hype than substance. Clemson, Georgia and Auburn – among others – thought showing up would be enough to win, and ended up notches on our belt. The Gators seem to be the real deal, so this conquest will be especially sweet.
Connells – Choose A Side
Football is overflowing with martial symbolism and language, and most music played at games fits the narrow Jock Jams category. Going the opposite direction, this beautiful Celtic-tinged college rock conjures up battle imagery without bombast.
My Morning Jacket – The Bear
It’s impossible to talk about Alabama football without mentioning Paul “Bear” Bryant. A legendary figure among the Tide faithful, his memory has cast a long shadow. Tide coach Nick Saban intends to step out of that shadow, and wins against Florida and – likely – Oklahoma will help him do just that.
Public Image Ltd. – Rise (I Could Be Wrong)
Hedging our bets through music, we’ve chosen a track by John Lydon’s second band. In doing so, we’re allowing for the slight possibility that, through the miraculous skills of the Great Circumsisor Himself, Florida might be able to… nah…
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
You thought we’d leave this one out? The anthem to the Heart of Dixie is sung lustily in every bar in the country, by people of all stripes. Ironically, it took a group of southern rockers from Florida to capture the rebellion, self-examination and redemption at the heart of Alabama’s character. After winning the SEC championship, Tide fans will return the favor by serenading the vanquished Gators.
What’s on your gameday playlist?
Meet your opponents – Florida Gators
I particularly like this one because it’s at an Alabama home game. Drunk opposing fan or not, you cannot deny the greatness of Skynyrd.
Gator travel diary – Day 3
Tickets arrived yesterday evening, and plans are being made for parking, eating, etc.
We’re officially starting to worry about a letdown after the victory against Arkansas. That’s always a possibility after a victory like last week’s. But this team, and especially this defense, looks ready. We won’t make our pick just yet, but we’re feeling quietly confident.
Gator travel diary – Day 2
Documenting the week’s worth of effort involved in a two-hour drive up the road.
The change to an 8pm (EST) kickoff necessitated the adjusting of work schedules by the teen members of the TonyOrlando clan. I took it upon myself to call their boss and explain the situation, begging off in their stead.
The boss was cool about it, but I couldn’t help myself. When he mentioned being a big Gator fan, I immediately jumped in with “I’m from Tuscaloosa; so I guess we have a problem.” Fanaticism cannot silence itself.
Gator travel diary – Day 1
We’re heading up to Gainsville this Saturday for the game, and will be posting thoughts throughout the week on the trip.
Day one is a doozy. The change to a prime-time kickoff meant canceling a non-refundable hotel stay (thanks for nothing, hotels-dot-com) and scrambling to find new accommodations. We’re still a far ways from Gainsville proper, but it’ll work okay.
Been to the Swamp before? We’d love any tips or hints you’ve got for being a good Tide fan at the game and among the enemy before and after. Leave us a comment with your best stuff.
‘Nuff Said
Props to the Razorback for keeping the pose...
Post-game impressions – Arkansas
The preseason is clearly over. Alabama opened it up against the Razorbacks, and made a solid case that they’re the best team in the country. We’ll see what LSU does later tonight, but right now, the preseason predictions of a Sooners/Tide matchup look pretty good.
Early in the first half, the game looked like it would be the back-and-forth battle everyone predicted. Alabama unveiled a fake punt play they’d been practicing for some time, after which Arkansas drove the field for a tying score.
After that, the Tide methodically took control, with both a pounding offense and a suffocating defense. The game broke open in the second half with Marquis Maze’s 83-yard punt return touchdown. Richardson followed that up one series later with a 61- yard TD.
Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson was hammered relentlessly. Bobby Petrino threw in the towel with ten minutes left in the game, sitting Wilson. The defense had ten hurries on Wilson but no sacks, which continues to be a problem.
Overall a resounding win for a focused Tide team. We’ll have further thoughts on the game, but we’d love to hear from you. What’s your take on this big Tide win?
Alabama vs Arkansas details
2 Alabama vs. 14 Arkansas will be broadcast from Tuscaloosa on CBS at 2:30pm CST. Here’s a list of radio stations broadcasting the game.
