Alabama vs. North Texas: Post Game Analysis

Bama looked fantastic in nearly all facets of the game in this contest.  After a first play "fumble," the offense scored on its next six straight possessions including a 95 yard drive after the turnover.  The defense gave up just 7 first downs all game and really only two bad plays.  One, a third and long where the North Texas QB rolled out right and completed a great pass into triple coverage.  Special teams did alright as well.  The only long kick return given up was called back on a holding penalty, but there were two missed PATs.  Arenas as always looked great in the return game.

Greg McElroy looked nothing short of fantastic.  13/15 176 yards 2 TDs and most importantly, Zero INTs.  He also added a rushing TD and a long third down run for a first down.  With G-Mac at the helm, I don't see a way BAMA can lose all regular season.

The running game was fantastic as always.  Mark Ingram led the way with 8 carries for 91 yards with a touchdown.  Freshman Trent Richardson carried 11 times for 87 yard and a touchdown.  But the most carries goes to regular third teamer and former starter Terry Grant with 19 carries for 79 yards and 2 scores.  The offensive line is starting to gel as a unit.  BAMA running the stretch play to either side is like watching poetry in motion.

The difference between this season and last season is depth.  Last season, when a player went down with injury, we didn't have anyone to fill in.  This season, a parade prep-high school all american goes down with injury, and we've got a pair waiting in the wings to follow.  Next season, it is likely we will have 3, THREE Elite 11 quarterbacks on the roster ---- and all of them will be sitting on the bench.  Star Jackson, AJ McCarron, and Phillip Sims will all be behind Greg McElroy.  What a great problem to have.  And at running back, Grant and Goode are both 4 star players, and never mind third string five star runner Trent Richardson.


Grades:
Offense:  A
Defense: A- (would have been A+ if it wasn't for the lone touchdown)
Special Teams:  B+

Next up for Alabama is Arkansas with Michigan transfer Ryan Mallet leading the Razorback offense.  Get a good look at the Razorbacks tonight against Georgia on ESPN at 6:45 CST.

Week 3 Picks

Each week after I give you my top five games of the week, I'll be giving my top picks too.  Didn't see a lot this week that jumped out at me, but here's what I have.

1.  Boise State -7 @ Fresno State (Friday Night Game)
Fresno is getting too much credit for nearly beating a bad Wisconsin team last week.  Boise utterly destroyed Oregon in week one.  I think Boise wins this game by three touchdowns 38-17

2.  East Carolina @ -7 North Carolina
Too much respect given to East Carolina, and its at home for the Heels.  I see a big win for UNC here

3.  Wyoming +7 @ Colorado
I struggled with this pick for a couple of reasons.  First, Wyoming kept it tight with Texas for a half but got out talented at the end.  Colorado doesn't have that talent.  But, Colorado really needs a huge win here to right the ship and get back on track.  I just don' think they do it.  Colorado may win the game, but it'll be within a touchdown

4.  SMU @ +6.5 Washington State
SMU hasn't had talent in twenty years.  Totally new offensive strategy in recent years that only hurts my pick if somehow they pull it together this year.  But I'm taking the odds.  The Washington schools hit rock bottom last season, and they have already begun to pull it together.  I look for State to win this one outright

5.  North Texas +38 @ Alabama
Listen, I love Alabama (obviously)  and I want the to crush poor little UNT.  But, they hardly ever do when it comes to big spreads like this.  And if they do, they are back door covers and the Tide did that once this year against Va Tech already.  To make my pick wrong, the Tide have to win by more than say 41-3 and I don't think it'll happen.  The North Texas coach used to coach Tide quarterback Greg McElroy in high school ---- he knows his strengths and weaknesses.  Won't be enough to stop him, but it will be enough to slow him down.  I look for about a 31 point Tide victory with the backups racking up a couple of late TDs again.

There you have it fellas.  Rip them apart, give me your own predictions, do whatever you want.  But someone give me SOMETHING that lets me know y'all are reading this blog.