The AAF has been making some headlines this week. This league might just catch on. That is, at least until Vince McMahon and his ridiculous XFL comes back and ruins the whole thing.

Until then, let’s just enjoy what we have.

Steve Spurrier returns to Alabama with his juggernaut offense in tow. Knowing the “Head Ball Coach”, he still has a bad taste in his mouth from the last time he was in Legion Field. That occasion would happen be the 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl when his South Carolina Gamecocks sleepwalked their way to a 20-7 loss to UConn. His other two visits to the Old Gray Lady were quite memorable as well: the first two SEC Championship Games in 1992 and 1993.

TNT has agreed to exercise an option to broadcast a second game which is a pretty big deal for the league. Their viewership is much larger than those of the NFL Network and CBS Sports Network. TNT has chosen what might be the game of the year so far: Orlando vs Birmingham, Spurrier vs Trent.

ORLANDO

The Apollos (4-0) have been playing like Gods so far this season, Outscoring their opponents 118-63 with a point differential per game of +13.7. The Iron (3-1) is second in that category at +11.

Orlando is led by a name you may recognize from a certain 2009-2010 BCS National Championship Game. Garrett Gilbert carried a clipboard for five seasons in the NFL with only three pass attempts to show for it. With the Apollos, he is 70 of 113 (62%) for 1017 yards, 6 TD and 0 interceptions.

RUSHING

D’Ernest Johnson (USF) 34-202, 1 TD
Akeem Hunt 22-113, 1 TD
De’Veon Smith 29-120, 2 TD

RECEIVING

Charles Johnson 23-410, 1 TD
Jalin Marshall (anOSU) 11-177, 2 TD
Rannell Hall 10-144, 1 TD

DEFENSE

LB Reggie Northrup (FSU) 15 solo, 13 asst
DB Will Hill (Fla) 14 solo, 6 asst
DE Earl Okine (Fla) 3 sacks
LB Terence Garvin (WVU) 3 interceptions

IRON

PASSING

Luis Perez 79-141 (56%), 797 yds, 3 INT, 0 TD

Might we see a change at quarteback. Perez has not exactly been lighting it up.

RUSHING

Trent Richardson 67-160, 7 TD
Ladarius Perkins 14-42

Trent’s yards are not great but it is hard to deny the seven scores - especially when the defense KNOWS it’s coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if an NFL team took a chance on TR for goal line plays.

RECEIVING

Quinton Patton 13-226
Trent Richardson 15-105

DEFENSE

LB Beniquez Brown 24 solos, 11 asst, 2 sacks, fum rec
DL Jeremy Faulk 18 solos, 7 asst, 2 sacks
DB Max Redfield 13, 4, INT, fum rec
LB Jonathan Massaquoi 11, 7, 2 sacks

#ForgeOn