Tide rolls Western Carolina, jumps to No. 2 in polls

Eddie Lacy rushed for three touchdowns, and AJ McCarron threw for another, as the Alabama Crimson Tide rolled over the Catamounts of Western Carolina by the tune of 49-0.

The “pay win” over WCU was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage that allowed the Tide to empty the bench, and also work on essential fundamentals.

Alabama, although against lesser competition, garnered 460 yards of total offense, while holding the Catamounts to a mere 163. The defensive highlight of the afternoon came in the latter stages of the first half when defensive back Deion Belue recovered a fumble and raced 57-yards for a Tide touchdown.

With a record of 10-1, 6-1 in the SEC, the Crimson Tide must defeat the Auburn Tigers next week to clinch the SEC Western Division, and a spot in the SEC title game.

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‘Bama back in title hunt

Alabama’s victory over Western Carolina proved to be the “appetizer” in a day of college football that Tide fans won’t soon forget. In what could be considered a replay of last season, Alabama, yet again, received the help they needed in order to have a “straight shot” to the BCS title game.

By the time Saturday turned into Sunday, Kansas State had been destroyed by a mediocre (record wise) Baylor team, and the Oregon Ducks had been ousted by Stanford in overtime. Alabama entered the weekend needing two of the top three teams to fall before the regular season came to a close, and what the Crimson Tide received were two of the top three teams losing…in a matter of four hours.

With new resolve, Alabama will need to defeat the Auburn Tigers, for the aforementioned reasons, and also defeat the Georgia Bulldogs to not only win the SEC title, but to clinch a spot in the national championship game. For Alabama, and what they can control, the situation has not changed, however, what has changed, is the control of winning without the need of outside assistance in the form of other teams.

While the loss to Texas A&M was certainly heartbreaking, that game, and loss, have essentially been erased courtesy of last night’s events. Alabama is back in command, and two victories away from back-to-back appearances in the national title game.