[ddthetide]

let me share a story i got first hand yesterday BEFORE the game kicked off.
during walk through on friday, fla had the field first. when Bama came to take the field fla was horsing around playing touch football. tebow was playing center and wr, the linemen playing qb. as the teams passed, the smack started and fla "challenged" Bama. the Bama coaches and team captains stepped in and sent the Bama team on it's way, the Normal pre-game walk through. get in get it done get off the field.
IF fla was "horsing around" friday, sounds a bit cocky to me? and their coaches allowed it?

another story most of you probably didn't hear. the gatorade bath, didn't happen. defensive capt. Ro McClain stopped it. told the guys " we ain't won sh** yet. one more game to play."
that tells me this team is on a mission and has leadership among the players. something Bama has NOT had for a few years. confirmation of this came during the post game radio show.
the first question eli gold asked mark ingram "what's the difference between this years team and last years?" MI's answer, "this years team has TOTALLY bought into the process! we had guys last year that didn't totally buy in and it showed at times."

shula had some BAD head cases on his teams and saban couldn't get rid of them all at one time. (though he tried) saban has no choice but to play the head cases the first 2 years because they didn't have enough depth.
what's left of shula's guys have now bought in and are contributing. the rest are saban's players and it now shows.
people outside of Alabama fans just don't realize how bad a shape the program was in. shula had talent and couldn't control it and didn't coach it very well.

do i think Bama blows tx out? No. do i think Bama can win? yes. do i think we'll see Bama collapse like last year against utah? i'd be shocked! but i've been wrong about this team all year. i owe the Bama OL an apology. i NEVER thought they'd play this way. there are 2 guys in this OL from fla and No fla school wanted them!

Bama and texas will both be well prepared. it comes down to, what team can handle the 5 weeks off the best. that's the simple fact or modern day bowls.