Happy Thursday, everyone. We have to wait an extra week for more Alabama football, but when they next take the field it will be in front of another “blackout” over in Athens.
That game was also played on September 27. May history
repeat.
Will Kalen DeBoer wear his black hoodie to the blackout?
According to a Daily Mail story, the UA coach entered last Saturday’s win over Wisconsin with a 9-1 record when wearing his black hoodie, going undefeated at home, with the only loss being in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. None of those claims are true. Unwilling to presume the story’s accuracy without checking, I delved into photo records of all 16 Alabama games under DeBoer, and found two black-hoodie losses: Oklahoma and Michigan. DeBoer is now 10-2 in the black hoodie, and 1-3 without it. Of course, that’s still enough of a disparity for superstitious fans to maintain hope that their coach will go black hoodie full-time.
Nick Kelly has Germie Bernard as the early season MVP.
1. Germie Bernard
Bernard has made plays all over the field. That started against Florida State, and the receiver hasn’t let up since then.
Bernard has gained 13 first downs through the first three games, per PFF. That leads the team. The next closest is running back Kevin Riley at 11. Bernard has also forced five missed tackles, tied for second.
Bernard has made 15 receptions for 275 yards and three touchdowns. All three totals lead the team. Bernard also rushed for a touchdown.
No Alabama player’s impact has rivaled Bernard’s through the first three games.
Tough to argue with that.
Kirby Smart was complimentary when asked about Ty Simpson.
Smart didn’t elaborate much, but he gave a slight scouting report.
“I’d be remiss to say I’ve done enough,” Smart said. “I’ve watched two or three games just today as we begin on them. We focused on ourselves Monday, Tuesday and some of today. From what I’ve seen, he’s extremely accurate, he’s extremely athletic. Those are two things I already knew turning the tape on.”
Katie Windham now has Auburn just behind Georgia as the second toughest remaining game on the schedule.
8. at Auburn- Nov. 29
Jordan-Hare Stadium has been a house of horrors for Alabama for the last few decades, and the Crimson Tide doesn’t play well on the road anyway. Add on to the fact that Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold knows how to beat Alabama. He did it last season at Oklahoma. The Iron Bowl in Auburn is always a tricky game for Alabama. Nick Saban lost there four times and his final two trips to the Plains needed four overtimes and a miracle play on fourth-and-31 to result in two victories. Who knows? DeBoer may be the complete opposite, but until he proves it, this will always be one of Alabama’s toughest games.
Last, all it took was two good games against overmatched opponents for the blowhards to start back up with the rat poison.
“Ty Simpson is playing incredible football,” Klatt said of Alabama’s first-year starting quarterback, who has thrown for 608 yards and seven touchdowns in his last two starts. “When he’s got a clean pocket this year, he’s throwing for 79 percent, 10.5 yards per pass, nine touchdowns, no interceptions. They (offensive line) played so bad in front of him against Florida State. They couldn’t protect anything — anything.”
Klatt also praised Alabama’s defense, which has allowed only one offensive touchdown in the last two games. The Tide held Wisconsin to 209 yards and UL Monroe to 148.
Is “Bama becoming Bama” again, Klatt wonders? He says the rest of the SEC should watch out.
“Watch out, everybody. That’s not the same team that we saw go play against Florida State — not even close,” Klatt said.
Hopefully the team is able to avoid the noise and stay focused on what they need to do.
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
Roll Tide.
