MSU 2007

Maybe Shula wasn’t that bad?

One year ago at this juncture of the season, the University of Alabama football team had six wins and four losses after playing ten games. Likely this year, they will have one more victory with Louisiana Monroe on the schedule but I would not put it past the Tide to lose. But, Alabama will in all comprehensible reality lose, for the sixth straight season, to Auburn. So Alabama paid $4 million for a single additional regular season win.

I was the biggest advocate for the coaching change and Nick Saban becoming the coach of Alabama, but this past week against Mississippi State I wondered if this was the same coach that has held the Sears Trophy. It has been evident ever since the Florida State game that the Alabama offense was sketchy. After the Tennessee game, however, it appeared that the problem was rectified. But the problems were still there for the LSU game.

What is the problem? John Parker Wilson? Maybe. The offensive play calling? Maybe. The offensive system? More likely. What is the system? Is Alabama a power running team? No. Is Alabama a spread-the-field passing team? Is Alabama a balanced-attack team? No. There is no identity. One week they try to run, run, run. The next they play five wide receivers. Coach Saban has been preaching the term “identity” since he arrived and apparently the offensive players haven’t heard. Maybe coach Applewhite hasn’t heard either. Maybe Assistant head coach Joe Pendry missed the memo. Whatever the case there is no offensive identity.

There are four suspensions right now and two of those are with the offensive line and another is a power running back. Those absences hurt and Alabama does not have anyone to replace them. (Note: I saw Chris Capps in the game and couldn’t believe it).

What remedies exist to help this benign offense get going? Would replacing John Parker Wilson help? This doesn’t seem plausible because I think the backups are no better. But, after the two interceptions doesn’t Nick Saban at least try and make a change at the Quarterback position? Honestly, he didn’t think Wilson would stay that bad and would improve to win the game. But when has he played well? Wilson has had some good moments this season but three losses are easily attributed to him: FSU, LSU, MSU. Maybe he can’t just play against ______________ State University. Again though, the backups are not any better so it would do little good to replace Wilson. (The only utility it would serve would be just to get him out to show him he can be replaced.)

Only time can tell what is in store for the Tide the next two weeks. It is both going to be fun and exciting or sad and disappointing.