Category Archives: Predictions

Crimson Tide 2016 Season

2016 Report: Will the Tide Roll or Fold?

The nation is packed full of SEC fans; after all, the Southeastern Conference is the most powerful in the NCAA, and some even suggest that the SEC is more like a pro football division juxtaposed against the Pac-12, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC. While that might be a touch on the hyperbolic side, it’s still proven every year that the SEC has a wide assortment of top-25 teams, like Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Florida, A&M, Ole Miss and, of course, the Alabama Crimson Tide. It seems like every year since Nick Saban has been coaching the Tide, Alabama has at least threatened the top spot in the nation and made a lot of money for those to enjoy Alabama sports betting. Will things change this year, or has Alabama finally lost too much talent on the field? The answer may be bittersweet, depending on where your SEC loyalties stand. If you’re not a fan of Alabama, be prepared to punch the wall. If you’re a Tide faithful, get ready to cheer. At least on paper, the Tide are looking just as strong as ever.

Despite losing Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, a few key offensive linemen, and about half a dozen defensive starters, the Tide actually scored an A+ this off-season by recruiting the strongest class in the nation. And if you want to get into specifics on why Alabama will have a strong shot at repeating as SEC Champions this year, then look no further than their corp of wide receivers. Although it’s questionable on whether or not the Tide will have a top QB prospect to put the ball out there, what’s not in question is that they may actually have the best WR corp in the entire nation. Let’s start with their returning superstar, Calvin Ridley. Ridley really came on strong near the end of last year, and many predict that he can actually be better than Amari Cooper, which is definitely high praise. Last season, although only coming on after the midway point, and not having a stable quarterback for the first five games, Ridley caught 89 balls for 1,045 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has speed like Randy Moss, can run a route like Tim Brown, and can catch the ball like Odell Beckham, Jr. That’s certainly a deadly combination.

On the other side of the field, you’re going to find ArDarius Stewart, the junior whose 63 catches and 700 yards came in handy last year as the Tide won the National Championship. Stewart was actually a quarterback before joining Alabama, and coupled with his 4.3-40 speed, these intangibles make Stewart a nightmare for defensive backs. Then you have Robert Foster and Cam Sims in the mix. Both freshmen last season who didn’t do much on the field, they’re a year older and a year better, and they’re ready to really get down and dirty with some big-air football. Throw OJ Howard into the mix, and any QB the Tide puts out will have a large security blanket at the tight end position.

Naysayers of the sporting world are shaking their head and are pointing out that the Tide lost defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to Georgia’s head coaching vacancy, along with too much talent to replace. However, the Tide has a relatively new-look defensive front seven this season. Their secondary is much improved, which means their pass defense is shored up. But Saban has done something out of character and has shifted from a run-stopping juggernaut to a pass-rushing squad of commandos. Only two teams the Tide faced last year had a top running back that threatened to do damage, Leonard Fournette in LSU, and Nick Chubb in Georgia. Both were stopped and Alabama won both games. However, in the game they lost against Ole Miss, and in the games they could have easily lost against Tennessee, Auburn and Arkansas, it was the passing attack of those offenses that stung Alabama the most. Even though they had the best pass rush and the most sacks, their secondary was weak. This season, they’re putting out a strong secondary and even more of a pass rush. So while Fournette might go over 100 yards, look for multiple interceptions and sack-fumbles.

Nothing is written in stone here, of course. By the time Alabama puts its product on the field, injuries, miscues and other mishaps might plague the Tide and they could end up losing three games. However, when looking on paper and at their spring training alone, the Tide seem like a team ready to roll yet again in 2016.

SEC Week 6 Predictions

So we witnessed the best matchup of the season when Georgia beat LSU last weekend. Today presents six conference games and one non-conference matchup between Alabama and Georgia State.

Georgia State @ No. 1 Alabama

– This game is pretty much a no-brainer. I guess you can say today is pretty much a scrimmage game for the Crimson Tide and practice for the second and third string players. I don’t think Alabama will shut them out but it won’t be pretty. Alabama 45, Georgia State 7.

No. 6 Georgia @ Tennessee

– Even if Georgia misses Todd Gurley today, it won’t matter. Tennessee is down again this year and Georgia shouldn’t have any trouble. BUT, don’t count them out because Georgia has beaten themselves in the past. Georgia 38, Tennessee 17.

No. 24 Ole Miss @ Auburn

– This will be a close matchup today and also fast pace. I see Ole Miss bouncing back this week with a win after struggling to Alabama last week. Ole Miss 28, Auburn 21.

Arkansas @ No. 18 Florida

– The way the Gators have been playing with Tyler Murphy under snap and Matt Jones in the backfield, I believe Muschamp and the Gators handle business and it will be an exciting night game in the Swamp! Florida 28, Arkansas 17.

No. 10 LSU @ Mississippi State

– LSU’s defense went through a struggle last week against Georgia, so they should be able to bounce back today. However, its tough to play in Starkville. Dan Mullen won’t let his team go without a fight. LSU still wins, 35-21.

Missouri @ Vanderbilt.

– This is almost an even match up. Vanderbilt has the slight advantage since the game is in Nashville but its pretty much a tossup. I have Vanderbilt 28, Missouri 24.

Kentucky @ No. 13 South Carolina

– South Carolina will handle their business tonight over the Cats. Its a home game in Columbus and the Gamecocks are too dominant at home. Kentucky may run the ball but their passing game will be off. Look for a re-run just like the Florida/Kentucky game last weekend.

SEC Week 5 predictions

Well football fans, its Friday and just a matter of hours away until we kick off with week 5. But at least this week will be a little more exciting than week 4. LSU-Georgia and Alabama-Ole Miss should give the weekend some hype, but the Texas A&M-Arkansas’ rivalry should have everybody on their toes.

#12 South Carolina at UCF

– Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks better bring their A game tomorrow or UCF will take care of business. The Knights won’t lose without a fight. They are a much talented team than last year when Missouri beat them. I still have the Gamecocks though. South Carolina 28, UCF 17.

#6 LSU at #9 Georgia

– This is definitely one of the biggest games of the year and its going to be exciting to watch. My only concern with Georgia is can their defense show up and play good enough to stop LSU’s talented offense? I think LSU tames the Dogs today but not by much. LSU 28, Georgia 21.

South Alabama at Tennessee

– South Alabama beat WKU this year, who Tennessee killed. The Vols can’t expect to get a win handed to them but they shouldn’t have any problem. Tennessee 35, South Alabama 17.

#21 Ole Miss at #1 Alabama

– Everybody has Alabama on their upset alert, but Alabama is still the king of college football this year. They have some fixes in some areas but Saban and the Crimson Tide are too strong for this Ole Miss ball club. It will be a good first half game but look for Alabama to pull away in the second half. Alabama 42, Ole Miss 21.

#20 Florida  at Kentucky

– Its going to be interesting to see how Tyler Murphy plays tomorrow in his first start. With the loss of Driskel and Easley things are going to be shaken up a bit, but the Gators still have a strong reliable defense and they should pull this one out. The score is going to be close and Kentucky will put up a fight. Florida 28, Kentucky 14.

Arkansas State at Missouri

– Missouri has be real surprised the way they have been playing so far this year. I like them for tomorrows game. Missouri 38, Arkansas State 17.

UAB at Vanderbilt

– Vanderbilt has struggled every game so far but UAB still can’t size up to Vandy. Vanderbilt can use this game to fix their on going issues.

#10 Texas A&M at Arkansas

– I’m feeling quite confident in Johnny Manziel and the Aggies this week. They put a good beaten on SMU last week and I think they will handle their business by at least 2 touchdowns. Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 20.