Good morning West Alabama. It is Monday, October 14, 2024.

Monday Morning Observations:

Last season the Alabama Football Team was embarrassed by Texas on the now named Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But the very next week, the Nick Saban led Tide did what they did after loses during his 17-year tenure, they learned their lesson, recommitted and were a different team.  The next week they dominated Lane Kiffin's high powered Old Miss Rebels and for the remainder of the last season, were the dominant team each week. That is why they got the nod over FSU for the College Football Playoffs
This season UA was embarrassed by a Vanderbilt team that was clearly more physical and obviously more motivated than Bama. The Tide lost a game that was winnable because the defense couldn't get off the field. So, the question Saturday became, could the Kalen DeBoer lead Crimson Tide replicate last season's quick turnaround against a good, but not great, South Carolina? The answer was, a weak "kinda".
For the third straight week the Bama was taken right down to the wire. This time, like the UGA game, UA was able to jerk victory from the jaws of defeat. The troubling aspect is, even in the two wins, Bama has been dominated most of the last ten quarters.
No doubt, any win this season in the uber competitive, transfer portal dominant Southeastern Conference is to be celebrated. However, to be realistic, some troubling trends have Crimson Tide fans worried moving forward. Especially when you consider that this weekend will be the 'Third Saturday in October' battle with the Big Orange in Knoxville, TN.
Tennessee won Saturday, but barely, against an improving, but nowhere as talented, Florida team which took the Vols into overtime before losing. So, UT is facing some of the same questions as Bama after losing to Arkansas in Fayetteville and struggling against the Gators at home.
Here are some of the top concerns Bama faithful have going into this weekend:
  • Can the offensive line consistently block on the edge? Can they consistently give QB Jalen Milroe time to work his magic and receivers enough time to run their routes?
  • Can the defensive line not play hands with the Vol offensive line and instead shed blockers and apply pressure to a very talented Vol QB Nico Iamaleava. (The Vol signal caller has shown that a hard rush, especially blitzes, is problematic for him at times.)
  • Speaking of blitzes, has Tide Assistant Coach Kane Wommack noticed than blitzing can take pressure off a very young defensive backfield at times? Yes, you can live and die via the blitz but anything that can help the defensive backs is good.
  • Can those young defensive backs improve each week going forward? If they don't, it is going to be a long second half of the season.
  • Can Alabama as a team become more disciplined, quit the jumping offsides, holding and personal fouls that extend the other team's drives and end their own.  They have done better but improvement is still needed.
  • Does Kalen DeBoer and staff realize the significance of the "Third Saturday in October" and the victory cigar?
Perhaps Bama faithful expected too much from a first-year coaching staff and a team riddled by portal defections.  When a team struggles like Alabama has the last two-and-a-half games, it's easy to blame a head coach's smile after a way too close win, a west coast laidback attitude and casual attire for the problems.
Bama may well still make the playoffs or maybe this is a rebuilding year like many pre-season publications predicted for the Tide. Either way, it may be time to turn off the music at practice, cancel the ice cream trucks, let someone else worry about NIL and concentrate on becoming the fearsome and talented team this squad is capable of being.
Read More: The Good, Bad, and Ugly from Alabama’s Win Over South CarolinaRead More: Good, Bad, & Ugly from Alabama & South Carolina
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Clear and cool days and nights this week will give us a real late fall feel and help bring on fall colors. It definitely is "Flannel Alert" time.
The Forecast:
Columbus Day
Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 73. Light northeast wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 39.
Remainder of the Week

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Topping the News:

State offices, courts and most banks are closed today for the Columbus and Indigenous Peoples holiday. Many municipal and county governments do not observe the holiday in Alabama.


 

No arrests or further information have been released so far concerning an early Sunday morning shooting at Creekwood Village Apartments. One man is being treated for life-threatening wounds according to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.

Read More: Victim in Critical Condition After Shooting at West Tuscaloosa Apartment


 

More Alabamians are on the way to assist Florida in the response to the devastation left by Hurricane Milton. An 18 member ALDOT crew from the Fayette area arrived in Florida over the weekend.

West Alabama people and organizations continue to assist hurricane victims in need:

Area organizations like former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon’s Benevolent Way and Wings of Grace are collecting items to assist those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. You can drop your donations off at Herndon’ s office at 2728 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd and at the Wings of Grace Relief Center located at 3101 Alabama Avenue NE.

Read More: Hurricane Season Continues: What Alabamians Are Keeping an Eye On


 

The City of Tuscaloosa has cut the ribbon for the newly remodeled Snow Hinton Park just off McFarland Blvd. The heavily used park was closed for nearly a year to allow the $12-plus million-dollar renovation.

Tuscaloosa City Councilman John Faile believes it will add to the national reputation of this month’s Kentuck Arts Festival to be hosted there the first time and the city’s image.

The park is named after the late Snow Hinton who was a longtime mayor.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Finishes $12 Million Upgrade to Snow Hinton Park Ahead of First Kentuck Festival 


 

61-year-old Ricky D. Rice, of Aliceville, was killed in a one vehicle crash on Franconia Road about two miles south of Carrolton City limit in Pickens County over the weekend. Troopers report Rice was not wearing a seatbelt.

Read More: Aliceville Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash in Pickens County


 

Exterior work to the Duncanville Volunteer Fire Station has been completed. Department officials hope the interior work will be completed and the station operational by Christmas. The facility will include a polling place and a new storm shelter.


 


 

Topping Sports News:

Renown sports artist Daniel Moore has announced he will commemorate freshman receiver Ryan Williams TD catch and DB Zabien’s Brown’s interception in his “Dueses Wild” print commemorating Alabama’s upset win over Georgia.


 

According to various Las Vegas wagering establishments, Alabama is anywhere from a 1.5 to 2.5-point favorite to beat Tennessee in Knoxville Saturday afternoon.  The game kicks off at 2:30pm CDT.


 

Surprisingly, Alabama remainder 7th in this week's college football top 25 but the Vols dropped.

AP College Football Top 25 Poll:

  1. Texas
  2. Oregon
  3. Penn State
  4. Ohio State
  5. Georgia
  6. Miami
  7. Alabama
  8. LSU
  9. Iowa State
  10. Clemson
  11. Tennessee
  12. Notre Dame
  13. BYU
  14. Texas A&M
  15. Boise State
  16. Indiana
  17. Kansas State
  18. Ole Miss
  19. Missouri
  20. Pittsburgh
  21. SMU
  22. Illinois
  23. Army
  24. Michigan
  25. Navy

USA Today/Coaches Poll:

  1. Texas
  2. Oregon
  3. Penn State
  4. Georgia
  5. Ohio State
  6. Miami
  7. Alabama
  8. LSU
  9. Clemson
  10. Tennessee
  11. Nore Dame
  12. Iowa State
  13. BYU
  14. Texas A&M
  15. Ole Miss
  16. Missouri
  17. Kansas State
  18. Indiana
  19. Boise State
  20. Pittsburgh
  21. Illinois
  22. Michigan
  23. SMU
  24. Army
  25. Nebraska

 

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Have a magnificent Monday and Roll Tide.