DaddyBoyAU 119 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Number 1 Defense Doesn't make Bama Championship Caliber Dennis Dodd Nov. 10, 2005 By Dennis Dodd CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Dennis your opinion! Who knew that Tyrone Prothro was the most valuable player in college football? Or that defense really doesn't win championships? Certainly not Alabama, which is busy making those statements, if not its dreams, come true. Yards and points don't come easily for Kenneth Darby and the Crimson Tide. (AP) Yards and points don't come easily for Kenneth Darby and the Crimson Tide. (AP) Hard to believe that the University of Al-uh-bam-uh -- one of the game's diamond-studded jewels -- is being painted with rust this week. Undefeated and unloved by the BCS. Sound familiar? Well, this isn't an Auburn repeat, nor is it a BCS conspiracy against the SEC (more on that later). College football's fashion show has spoken in the form of polls, computers and the fan on the street. There are the beautiful people (No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Texas) and those in Tuscaloosa at No. 3 in the BCS, in need of an extreme makeover. "A lot of people are putting us down, saying we're probably the worst undefeated team in college football," Alabama offensive tackle Kyle Tatum said. "But I really don't pay attention to that." Unfortunately for the Tide, plenty of computers, voters, columnists and analysts do. Mostly because Alabama can't score. No, it really can't score -- one offensive touchdown in the past 13 quarters against SEC teams. Prothro's absence since an Oct. 1 injury is pretty much the reason. The speedy receiver and all-purpose threat is good, but no one would have predicted this: Before a season-ending broken leg suffered against Florida, Alabama was averaging 29.6 points. Since then? Only 12 per in its past three SEC games. Worse than that, 'Bama is hard on the eyes. One man's defensive struggle is another's offensive ineptness. Being good at one aspect of the game (No. 1 in scoring defense) and bad at the other (No. 74 in scoring offense) cancels each other out. "For us to win Saturday," said quarterback Brodie Croyle, "we have to score points." Those points will have to come against LSU, no defensive slouch itself (second in the SEC, 12th nationally). In an age when just about every major NCAA offensive record has been set since 1999, the Tide are almost ... well ... boring to watch on offense. The same goes for the entire SEC. The conference has six teams among the top 17 in total defense but only one team (Auburn) among the top 39 in total offense. 'Bama's plight really hit home when Bear Bryant favorite, former Tide All-American and Tuscaloosa native Sylvester Croom stood before the Huntsville (Ala.) Quarterback Club this week: "You Alabama fans, don't take this personal," said the Mississippi State coach following a 17-0 loss to Alabama. "They're not a great team, but they know how to win. "We've played three or four teams that are better from a talent standpoint, but (Alabama) know how to get it done." Not exactly a ringing endorsement for 'Bama when the competition is not only the sleek and glamorous Longhorns but, this week, the No. 5 Tigers. And not exactly encouraging when defensive back Roman Harper just got done watching Miami blow past Virginia Tech and the Tide. "They looked amazing," Harper said after watching the 'Canes destroy the Hokies. "You've got to give it to them. They probably should be ranked where they are right now." The one-loss Hurricanes are ranked No. 3, ahead of the undefeated Tide, in both the AP and Harris polls. There almost seems to be a lingering expectation that it's a matter of time before the Tide go down. Las Vegas agrees. It has made LSU a three-point favorite. The reason Alabama fans believe their beloved Tide will eventually pass Texas in the BCS is the same reason doubters believe they won't. Alabama (9-0) will likely have to beat three top 15 teams to finish the season -- LSU, Auburn and either Florida or Georgia in SEC title game. "I don't get that," running back Kenneth Darby said. "If a team goes undefeated they probably have a chance to go for a national championship." Here are the main reasons: * Unlike with Auburn last year, there is a clear drop-off in the quality of play between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams. That is reflected in the human polls and BCS. Alabama is much closer to No. 4 Miami in the BCS (ahead by only .0009 of a point) than it is to No. 2 Texas (trails by .0951). * There is a good reason USC and Texas are locked at 1-2. They started 1-2 and haven't lost. No matter how they jigger the preseason polls, it matters where you start. Last year Auburn started No. 17 in AP. This year Alabama started out of the AP preseason poll and No. 24 in the coaches poll. * As mentioned, this isn't an SEC conspiracy. Auburn last year, Alabama this year? It's (bad) luck of the draw mostly because of the reasons stated above. As long as there are more than two undefeated major-college teams, someone is going to get left out. It helps USC that it is the two-time defending national champion. Texas' Vince Young is arguably the Heisman frontrunner. Alabama's best player might be linebacker DeMeco Ryans. "People want to see offense," Ryans said. "Offense sells tickets." But doesn't defense still win championships? "It does as long as the other team doesn't score," he said. That's only assuming Alabama's offense does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigermike 3,051 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Before a season-ending broken leg suffered against Florida, Alabama was averaging 29.6 points. Since then? Only 12 per in its past three SEC games.Worse than that, 'Bama is hard on the eyes. One man's defensive struggle is another's offensive ineptness. Being good at one aspect of the game (No. 1 in scoring defense) and bad at the other (No. 74 in scoring offense) cancels each other out. Unlike with Auburn last year, there is a clear drop-off in the quality of play between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams. That is reflected in the human polls and BCS. Alabama is much closer to No. 4 Miami in the BCS (ahead by only .0009 of a point) than it is to No. 2 Texas (trails by .0951). Most everyone not wear red & white agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny AU-92 0 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 "For us to win Saturday," said quarterback Brodie Croyle, "we have to score points." NO S**T?????? QUICK! Someone tell Shula!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tigrinum Major Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Sarcasm will get you everywhere, Jenny. What prediction does the Football Goddess have for us on the games this weekend? I predict that the teams that score the most points will win in 100% of the games played this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny AU-92 0 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Sarcasm will get you everywhere, Jenny. What prediction does the Football Goddess have for us on the games this weekend? I predict that the teams that score the most points will win in 100% of the games played this weekend. 197390[/snapback] Time of possession will mean nothing. A team with ties to Darth Visor will win. Bama sucks. (Altho I had some inside information from War Tim on this one.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,457 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Ladies and Gentlemen, She ain't called the Football Goddess for nuttin'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUloggerhead 2,252 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 More hyperbole truth: uat could not have played an easier schedule to date. "Justice will be served." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetermary 6 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 More hyperbole truth: uat could not have played an easier schedule to date. "Justice will be served." 197426[/snapback] You seem to be the only one to notice! Their schedule isn't any better than ours. Their only quality opponent has been Florida and if not for a ridiculous celebration call, vandy just might have beaten Florida. However, it was a very impressive Bama win against Florida. Players acted as though losing Protho was of no concern. Someone would step up. They better step up in a hurry because as of yet, there is a big hole in their offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
au.tiger.96 12 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 More hyperbole truth: uat could not have played an easier schedule to date. "Justice will be served." 197426[/snapback] You seem to be the only one to notice! Their schedule isn't any better than ours. Their only quality opponent has been Florida and if not for a ridiculous celebration call, vandy just might have beaten Florida. However, it was a very impressive Bama win against Florida. Players acted as though losing Protho was of no concern. Someone would step up. They better step up in a hurry because as of yet, there is a big hole in their offense. 197447[/snapback] WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUloggerhead 2,252 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 More hyperbole truth: uat could not have played an easier schedule to date. "Justice will be served." 197426[/snapback] You seem to be the only one to notice! Their schedule isn't any better than ours. Their only quality opponent has been Florida and if not for a ridiculous celebration call, vandy just might have beaten Florida. However, it was a very impressive Bama win against Florida. Players acted as though losing Protho was of no concern. Someone would step up. They better step up in a hurry because as of yet, there is a big hole in their offense. 197447[/snapback] Actually, I'm not the only one but that little bit of hyperbole about me made me feel good. Thanks. You'll get no argument from me about AU's easy schedule. That wasn't the point of my post, uat's easy schedule was. Check out this link: uat ranked 116th out of 119th in SOS Team Rating v. Top 10 / v. 11-25 / v. 26-40 111. Navy (5-3) -0.308 112. Miami (OH) (6-3) -0.323 113. Toledo (6-2) -0.334 114. Middle Tenn. St (3-4) -0.336 115. Louisiana Tech (5-3) -0.387 116. Alabama (9-0) -0.416 117. UTEP (7-1) -0.439 118. Boise State (6-2) -0.440 119. Fresno State (6-1) -0.497 That's some august company for a 9-0 team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auwallace 6 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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