Hat tip to dsz002, but this article shed a lot of light on McElroy's performance tonight.  Relevant quotes:

"I cracked my ribs in the third quarter against Florida," McElroy said outside the locker room. "Two of them -- the ninth and the 10th. Left side. It's bad. I got it numbed up before the game and it was killing me at halftime."

A spasm midway through his rehabilitation "jarred the bones loose again," McElroy said. "I'm just glad that we got through it and we were able to do it without taking too many significant hits on the ribs. But if I had a torn ACL, I'd play in this game. I would do whatever it took to be on the field. I just had to deal with a lot of pain."

This certainly partly explains the let up in actions when Richardson had to take over full time duty when Ingram was out injured.  McElroy got hit hard tonight several times, and I'm sure that had a huge effect on his passing due to this.  What a trooper - I'm looking forward to the 2010 season edition of this QB - he certainly is a champion.

via www.pawsforpets.com

This is my suggestion for Todd's weekly disgusting food to consume in the event of victory this weekend.  I wasn't able to find deep fried golden panther (that actually sounds kinda tasty), and I think that all-out cat should wait for an SEC opponent, so kitty food works for me.  IMO it would be more entertaining that ridiculously hot wings (who hasn't seen someone do that?), and it is themed to the opponent.  Better ideas?  Let's hear 'em.

(BTW, if it does end up being ridiculously hot wings, there needs to be a time limit he keeps them in his mouth or something to make it interesting.)

Third Saturday in Blogtober reports that Prince Hall and Brandon Fanney have been suspended for violation of team rules.  Of course Hall had similar trouble last year that led, I believe, to a three game suspension.  Since it seems that Saban is moving folks around in the defensive backfield, it will be interesting to see how the loss of Hall and especially Fanney at the Jack position affects this. 

Hall will likely be done, as he just doesn't seem to click with Saban, but let's hope that Fanney's suspension is only temporary and he can compete for Jack.

via assets.sbnation.com

I'm listening to Boomo (sp?) Bugg on 93.9 'The Score' out of Florence (I think), and they just said that rumors are saying that Miles is considering him for LSU.  Again, like Kiffin, as a Bama fan I think this is a great hire!  Here we have a coach whose defenses have been off and on for several years now remaining in the SEC West so that we can play them every year. 

Anyone else hearing this?  Thoughts?

Coach Nick Saban was asked Wednesday for his views on the BCS, and he said he respects it.

But he doesn't believe it is the answer.

He would rather the two teams left battle it out, which was Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive's stance this spring.

"I've always been an advocate of the plus-one system for how you determine a national championship game and who is in it," Saban said. "The integrity of the bowl system is important, so you keep that. But instead of picking two teams, why not pick four? You play the game a week after the (New Year's Day) bowls anyway."

http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/10/saban_sounds_off_on_bcs_praise.html

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Rapoport reports new rule changes for this year.

http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/04/saban_on_rule_changes.html

He says, "The major ones are the use of the 40-second play clock (instead of a 25-second one), the elimination of the five-yard facemask (you really gotta grab it now), and the banning of the horse-collar tackle."

OTS, I'd love your opinion on these and how they'll affect play this year.  I'm kind of iffy on losing the five yard face mask...on the one hand it will cut down on "needless" penalties, but on the other hand it puts a guy within inches of really hurting someone.