SEC PICKS: 10/31/09 & Halloween Fun

If you’re a regular to the site I’m sure you know my SEC predictions for each weekend are rather extensive. However, due to the fact Alabama is idle; I will simply give my “game winners” and exclude any personal commentary.

Ole Miss/Auburn…OLE MISS

Georgia/Florida…FLORIDA

Eastern Michigan/Arkansas…ARKANSAS

Mississippi State/Kentucky…KENTUCKY

Georgia Tech/Vanderbilt…GEORGIA TECH

South Carolina/Tennessee…SOUTH CAROLINA

Tulane/LSU…LSU

WATCH THE MAGIC PUMPKIN!


MICHAEL MYERS/HALLOWEEN SONG


NOTE: Next week I'll resume the typical "game week" schedule which will feature the Alabama/LSU game preview, Crimson Notes, Tide Talk, and SEC Picks.

Tide Talk: Terrence Cody & Leigh Tiffin

In this interview, "Mount Cody" talks about his personal heroics against Tennessee, special teams practice, and ice cream courtesy of Mark Ingram?



In this interview, 'Bama placekicker Leigh Tiffin talks about the week off, staying focused as a kicker, and practice this week.

The Crimson Crystal Ball: November Projections

The month of November is arguably the most critical month for any college football team, but it’s especially critical when you have the conference title, and possible national title, riding on your performance.

Alabama is now in the home stretch of the 2009 season, and here are my projections and predictions for the month of November.

LSU @ ALABAMA

Unless the Crimson Tide can develop a solid and efficient red zone offense, Alabama may need another block from Terrence Cody in order to save the game. In a similar fashion to the 2008 contest, this game should come down to the final quarter…or even an extra session. The much needed off week can do nothing but help Alabama in terms of mental and physical preparation. If Alabama wins this game, the biggest hurdle of the regular season will have been cleared. In respect to the final outcome of this contest…surprisingly…I look for an OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN to be the difference. The score Alabama 24 LSU 19...seems to be a worthy prediction.

ALABAMA @ MISSISSIPPI STATE

If Tide fans are looking for a “trap game” in the month of November, we need to look no further than a trip to Starkville. The Bulldogs always seem to play above their potential in “big games” and I think this contest will be no exception. Alabama must stay focused and disciplined on the task at hand and look no further…than the next play. If the Crimson Tide can remain focused and the game comes down to sheer talent and ability, ‘Bama should win by 14-17 points.

TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA @ ALABAMA

I hate the idea of this game! Injury is the word that keeps crossing my mind when I think about this contest. The sooner we put the game away...the sooner we can get the starters out of the game. In a perfect world, the Crimson Tide builds a four touchdown lead, and Star Jackson is under center. This game is not scary in respect to a loss…the game is scary in respect to injury. No disrespect to Chattanooga, but losing a key player against the Mocs will be an unswallowable pill. Auburn is idle on this particular weekend, and the last thing ‘Bama needs to do is encounter a serious injury before the Iron Bowl! KNOCK ON WOOD! ‘Bama wins by 28 points or more.

ALABAMA @ AUBURN

This game is a classic…and it will always be a classic. In respect to the 2009 contest, one will need to look no further than 2008. It is very realistic that Auburn will be 6-5 when they face the Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Will Auburn perform better than the 36-0 beating from 2008? Yes. Will Auburn win? No. Unless Alabama totally implodes and Auburn finds a solid defense and a sound and competitive offense, the game will be over during the third period of play. Simply put, unless the world caves in…’Bama wins by at least 14 points. This is the Iron Bowl…but sheer emotion can only take you so far.



If the "forecast" is correct, Alabama will once again return to Atlanta with a chance to play for the SEC title, and advance to Pasadena to play for the coveted national title.

The road will not be easy and obviously anything can happen, but the old truism "defense wins championships" still holds water, and many Tide fans hope the cliche will soon become crimson authenticity...No. 13.

'Bama Block Party: Alabama 12 Tennessee 10

I’ll take four made ‘Bama field goals and two blocked Tennessee field goals, please?

No, that was not an order at your local Denny’s, but it was the recipe needed for the Alabama Crimson Tide to defeat Tennessee.

In what has quickly become known as “Rocky Block” it seemed very obvious that audio and video would trump any written documentation or trivial statistics concerning the actual game.

So, anyone up for a block party?

"ROCKY BLOCK"-Video Courtesy of CBS:


Game Highlights:


Game Recap:


"ROCKY BLOCK" & RAMMER JAMMER:


In regards to Terrence Cody removing his helmet, SEC spokesman Charles Bloom has been officially quoted with the following remark: "The foul for taking helmet off is a live ball foul treated as a dead-ball foul," Bloom wrote in an e-mail Saturday night. "That is, if it happens on a play where time does not expire then the penalty is enforced on the following play. However since the clock ran out on that play, then there is no next play, so there is no penalty to mark off."

As noted by all accounts the ball was blocked and recovered by Rolando McClain and/or Julio Jones for Alabama with the game clock at zero. Due to the fact the block ended the contest...the game is in fact over.

However, had time still been on the clock (which it wasn't) the 15-yard personal foul for a player removing his helmet is treated as a dead-ball foul, as noted above.

The following consensus is also shared by many: Due to the ball being recovered by Alabama an obvious change of possession had occured, thus, the 15-yard dead ball penalty would have been enforced on the Alabama possession. The penalty mark off would have simply moved the ball to the appropriate spot on the field. Alabama would have taken a knee to end the game and Tennessee would not have the luxury of an additional field goal attempt.

With the win over Tennessee, Alabama remains No. 2 in the BCS standings as well as the USA TODAY COACHES POLL. However, the Tide fell back to No. 2 in the AP POLL as Florida regained the top spot.

NOTE: Due to Alabama being idle on October 31, this week will be dedicated to personal commentary observation rather than actual game preparation, etc. In the coming days I’ll provide my thoughts on the 2009 season, November projections, and maybe throw in some Halloween fun. It will be a “mixed bag” over the next few days so stay close…and ROLL TIDE!