This Alabama Team Is Special

This Auburn  Alabama Team Is Special

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The look on Alabama running back Mark Ingram face said it all as the clock hit zero in Atlanta Saturday night. He left everything he had on the field turf in North Georgia. As has been the case on so many occasions this year, giving everything was more than enough. This senior class now knows the joy of beating Florida.

Alabama turned in its best effort so far this season in Saturday's 32-13 thumping of rival Florida. It was by far Alabama's best game, and you marvel in their effort. Urban Myer will likely have one more loss, maybe more if he gets the same shitty effort from his star-studded roster.

The 60 minute session in Atlanta was a case study of how to play defense. Kirby Smart's defense showed amazing "assignment football", and like so many other Saturdays it was sustainable. All of the fears about the Gator offense never was a threat. Even with Tebows super human god like ability, Alabama exposed the UF offense for what it is - a patchwork unit with many guys who have no business playing deep into November.

Saturday's win was unforgettable. In an obvious way that summed up  the process. Last season's loss brought anger. This year it was never going to happen. Saban started the season with a determined and focused team waiting for its shot at Tebow and the gators. In 3 short years, Saban has brought the SEC crown back to where it belongs and he is taking the tide back to the promise land. Most were outraged over his hire (especially our rivals) - count Auburn among them. Today I marvel. Saban was obviously the right hire and he's my coach.

This team will go down as one my favorites. They'll be remembered for greatness and will leave a mark in the record books. In all my many years of following Alabama football, many teams have cared and tried as hard as this one. These players have endured 12 months of waiting, thoughts of two late seasons losses and they put that all to rest Saturday night. It would have been easy to just walk through our rivals as if they simply weren't there and went to the house. In fact, they did.

The ones who stayed will leave a legacy. This senior class walked out of the Georgia Dome with heads high and Tebows man hood in hand, but they will be remembered for much more. They've put Alabama football back on the on top. There are enough storylines from these players to make a 100 Lifetime movies.

I'll say it again, is there a better story in all of football than that of quarterback Greg McElroy? A year ago he was a back up. Most fans knew little about him and have now grown to love him. Smart money said he would do what he's always done, win.. Now, with our regular season over, you hate to see the senior leave.

How special was the 1st down catch by Julio Jones in the 3rd quarter? He's become the heralded player fans thought he would be, and it's hard not to love him. He may be huge on skills, but his heart more than makes it bigger. His selfless actions to start the season when he was hurt, set the stage for this team. 

Now we turn our attention to the big one, the Citi National Championship. There's no kidding ourselves. This is a great Texas team we are facing. If you didn't have a dog in the hunt, you would give the Longhorns no chance but we know better. This is one good Texas football team, especially on offense. On paper, we are better at virtually every position on defense.

With that said, don't look past Texas. They will have two things going in its favor - They played in Pasadena recently and are feeling disrespected. That may or may not be enough in 32 days. Regardless, this team has brought a lot of joy to fans over the past three months. Alabama football is dominate again. There's fear in the air.

I can't wait till January 7th..

Roll Tide! :)