Hey guys, wanted to check in and wish all of you who are traveling to Tuscaloosa this coming weekend well. We are all very, very excited to have you and your team in town!

A cousin of mine from Altoona (big PSU fan) was telling me the other day that he was unhappy about Alabama being without our star DE, Darieus, and our Heisman winner, Mark Ingram...his rationale was that if PSU manages to beat Alabama, people will say that it was a tainted victory due to the missing players...

I'll tell you guys the same thing I told him- there will be absolutely no taint to a PSU victory. True, Dareus has become an unblockable tackle-monster, but his backup, Damien Square, would start at 90% of D1 schools. And as good as Ingram is, his backup, Trent Richardson, hits the line like an 18 wheeler loaded with TNT driven by a rabid badger...these are backups, but not scrubs. If PSU wins, Alabama fans will congratulate them (and rightfully so) on a game well played against a damn fine Alabama team. Besides, whining that "we would have won if only so-and-so could have played!!!" is for Texas fans.

Anyway, enough of that. I just wanted you all to know we're looking forward to this game more than we have any OOC game in years. I've been a 'Bama fan for 30 years and never heard people talk about a non-conference game this much. Alabama prides itself on being a very physical team built on solid fundamentals and powered by years of tradition. We have great respect for PSU for much the same reason. We are getting to host one of the most storied programs in all of college football, not to mention the living legend himself, Coach Paterno. Alabama fans rank JoePa right up with coach Bryant in terms of esteem, and that is the highest praise a Bama fan can give.

I hope you all have a great time in Tuscaloosa, and while you're there, check out Dreamland if you're fans of ribs- make sure you go to the original location, though, and not the crappy one in Northport- you'll know you're in the right place if the building looks like it should've been condemned several dozen times over. It's a must-do for anyone visiting T-town.

Also, don't be afraid to chat up UA fans. We do have our obnoxious fans just like any other school, but most of us are happy to see you. Hell, you may even get free food/beer out of it (that's pretty common).

Ok, I'll shut up now, I'm rambling a bit...We're so excited about this game, looking forward to an epic clash between two of the all-time great programs and two hall-of-fame coaches! Roll Tide, and we'll see you Saturday!

Haha ok, not really!

Just wanted to drop by and congratulate the Horns on their victory in the Big 12 title game, and their upcoming berth in the national title game against my Crimson Tide.Clock Controversy aside, it was a very gutsy performance, and the Longhorns should all be proud of a team that played their hearts out. Close, hard fought defensive games like that one are my favorite kind of football.

I also wanted to express how happy we, the Bama nation, are that we will be playing Texas in the NC game. (Before anyone makes any accusations, I'm NOT saying this because we have some stupid idea that it will be an easy win.) Texas is one of the few schools that Alabama has NEVER beaten, and is a program every bit as rich in tradition as is ours. We were hoping for a Texas win in the Big 12 game so that we could have a NC game of two historical powerhouses, and I know I am expecting one hell of a game. We will have to defend one of the best QB/WR combos in the nation in McCoy/Shipley, and will be going against an outstanding coaching staff. This should be a war for the ages, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how this one turns out.

As a side note, I'm a Bama grad, both my parents and most of my family are Texas grads...this is a game we have been wanting to happen for a LONG time now. Best of luck to the Longhorns in their preparation for the game, I hope our teams can give each other the absolute war that both of our fanbases want to see. 

Roll Tide, and we'll see you all in Pasadena! 

Well guys, I thought I'd pop over and give an outsiders perspective on what I'm seeing from Auburn so far this year. I am a Bama graduate and a diehard Bama fan, but I have to say, I am awfully impressed with the men on the Plains!

Like most people, I thought the Chizik hire was one of the most bizzare and awful decisions ever made by a major university...but honestly, this far into the season, coach Chizik is making believers out of an awful lot of people. He is doing things the right way- with class and passion. He isn't talking a lot of trash (or any, really)...he's just getting his team fired up and ready to play every week, and letting the play on the field do the talking. I see him on the sidelines jumping around, with visible emotion on his face every time the Tigers make a big play...I love to see that in a coach. I think back to my own playing days in high school and remember that my favorite coaches were the ones who very obviously loved every second of the game, and that's what I am seeing out of Chizik. It's great to see.

Gus Malzahn...wow, that hire was huge. This guy knows his stuff. The revamped Auburn offense is looking like a completely different team from the rather lackluster one we saw taking the field last year. It's unpredictable, creative, and most of all...very, very effective. Very difficult to scheme against for a defensive coordinator.

Chris Todd looks very solid. He still has a little work to do, but he looks much more comfortable than he did last year. Speaking of QB's from last year...

Kodi Burns! Putting him in this all-purpose role has made him a very valuable asset to your team...he runs well, catches well, and is a threat running QB out of the wildcat. I saw the video of him addressing the team about not being the starting QB that they showed during the AU/UT game last night, and it really impressed on me that this guy is a team player with a lot of heart.

I do feel like there are still a few questionmarks on defense, I've been noticing that the pass coverage looks a bit confused at times. Still, that being said, the defensive unit is playing with a lot of intensity, and that can often make up for technical mistakes. If I had to point out the biggest weakness I've seen so far though, it would be the coverage transitions among the secondary, or when zone coverage switches between LB's and secondary. It seems that that is the area where you guys are giving up the lion's share of yardage. I may be wrong there, I'm not basing this on any data other than my own personal observation.

Anyway, I'm sure you guys are all feeling very good about your season thus far, and you should be. Chizik has turned this team around and given every auburn man and woman a team to be proud of. Don't get me wrong- I'm a "Bammer" through and through, and I do want to beat auburn every single year...but I love to see AU kicking butt as long as the other guys aren't wearing Crimson.

The Iron Bowl could very well determine the SEC west this year...and I hope that's the case. Epic clashes between two worthy juggernauts are better for fans, and better for both programs, than beatdowns.

Welcome to the top 25, 'Barners. Glad to see you here, glad to see you put a hurt on Tennessee, and I hope both of our teams can make it to 11/27 unbeaten.

So guys, you've probably heard by now that ESPN is televising A-Day. After our huge turnouts in the past couple of years, I guess they decided to show the nation what the fuss was all about.

I say let's give 'em a hell of a show.

I'd like to see everyone get involved in encouraging as many people as possible to attend A-day. A couple of years ago, we had the stadium packed out with 93,000 fans or so, and last year, we had nearly as many. This year, with the cameras rolling, I'd love to see Tuscaloosa be bursting at the seams with the Crimson Tide faithful. Even if they have to start turning away people at the door, it's worth the drive.

Several reasons for this: First, the passion of Alabama fans for their team should never be in doubt, by anyone. Having the entire country see 100,000 people+ turn out to watch practice would quiet any fan of any other team claiming that their fanbase was the most fervent in football. Second, it's free admission, the crowd is always friendly, and it's a great place to bring family and friends for an inexpensive day of fun. Thirdly, let's face it: as amazing as this past season was, the ending was not good. The Tide would love to know that we are still behind them.

This means at the water cooler, on message boards, calling into radio shows, etc, just take a second of your time to encourage everyone to be there, and make a day of it. Lets show the world why Alabama football is still the best thing out there.

averages 250ish pounds.....

Is this going to be as one sided as I think it will be due to that fact alone?

I mean, it's one thing to be outweighed...it's another to give up at least 50 pounds per person against the best O-line in NCAA football...

I'm not trying to be cocky, I just put a lot of stock into the battle up front, and I don't see how the Utes can compete in this one...

Any theories?