Roll Tide, folks! Just wanted to throw out a compilation of interesting numbers from this year's team. Enjoy.

34 - The number of pass attempts by AJ; a season high. Previous high was 31 @ Penn St.

4 - Number of plays run by LSU in Alabama territory during the BCS National Championship game.

71 - The amount of time (in seconds) LSU spent in Alabama territory.

39 - Total rushing yards by LSU in the BCSNCG; a season low. Previous low was 148 yards @ Alabama.

122 - Games played by LSU since they were last shut out. Previous shut out was 11.16.2002 vs. Alabama.

0 - Shutouts in BCS games prior to Monday's BCSNCG.

67 - Percentage of total points scored by Alabama against LSU this season that were contributed by Jeremy Shelley (18 of 27).

10 - Number of Nick Saban's recruiting classes that have won a national championship.

341 - Yards gained by Georgia Southern against Alabama.

331 - Yards gained by LSU against Alabama... in two games.

8.2 - Points per game allowed by Alabama's defense this season; the best average PPG number amongst Alabama teams since 1979, and the best overall in BCS history.

Norwood - The name of Honey Badger's daddy.

49 - Yards gained in one punt return by Maze.

6 - Total punt return yards allowed by LSU punt coverage team before the BCSNCG.

44 - The number of plays run by LSU's offense in the BSCNCG.

44 - The number of times Jordan Jefferson looked scared sh*tless during pre-snap cadences.

5 - The number of AP Poll voters that were obviously not watching the BCSNCG.

Feel free to add your own. Cheers!

I am very excited to have this kid committed to the Tide (despite the lack of support from his mother). He seems like beast on the field and from all that I've read has a great work ethic.

Now, based on his announcement last night and the subsequent comments from his mother, there was/is some concern that if she's in his ear from now until signing day, we could have a flip on our hands. However, here are some quotes from him about his decision to roll with the Tide:

"I've known for awhile," Collins said. "I've known for a long time, since two years ago, that I wanted to come to Alabama. I just haven't committed because my parents wanted me to wait and make my announcement at the Under Armour All-America Game.

"I was at a game when they were playing Florida, and it felt tremendous. I just felt like 'wow.' It's a big stadium, beautiful, and it just felt like home. It's a peaceful place, a beautiful place. I always like to try new things I guess."

"It's my life," he said. "I've got to feel at home wherever I go, and I've got to be happy."

"He's one of the best coaches," Collins said. "He's going to get you in the pros no matter what and get you some playing time. You're going to become great under him. You're not going to have a pushover, and you're going to play with the best of the best and have to compete always."

h/t Greg Ostendorf of Tidesports

Now it's obvious that a verbal commit isn't 100% until Fax Cam Girl puts his name on the fax machine (in the sexiest way imaginable to perform such a task), but it's looking good for the home team that, at a minimum, we will have this kid busting heads on special teams by the time we kick off in Jerryworld. Hop on board, Ms. Collins; we've got a seat for you too in BDS. Cheers and RTR!

2.3 - The total distance (in miles) Idaho's Bobby Cowan punted the fooball this season. Most of that was probably last week against Nevada when I had them at +20 and they lost by 53. Nice job, Bobby; your accomplishment would not be possible without your craptapular offense. Team Award!

55 - The amount of times Tino Sunseri got sacked this year. Does anyone know if anyone from the Pitt O-line is up for any awards this year?

78.3 - The percentage of extra points made by Kent State's Freddy Cortez. Keep your head up, Freddie; 17 yards is like 51 feet, and that's a long way.

25 - Longest rush by a Tight End this season by Vandy's Fitz Lassing. Man, tight end rushing numbers are really down this year. This ain't your grandma's style of offense anymore...

18 - Longest kickoff return by an Offensive Lineman by Minnesota's Zac Epping. They obviously don't take their special teams very seriously up there...

12 - Points per game scored by New Mexico. To put that into perspective, there were four individuals this year in college football that accounted for more points per game than that. At least now when Bob Davie sucks over the next 3 years, he'll have an excuse.

108 - The number to times Ole Miss was tackled for a loss. That's 9 times per game. That means that for every 6 times you snap the ball, you're not making it to the blue line if you held the ball for Ole Miss this season. Holy Giggity, Houston Nutt! Make a F*in adjustment!

15 - Percentage of 4th down conversions by Kent State. You've gotta be sh8ting me. They attempted 4th down almost 2 times per game and only converted 3 times. At what point in the process of converting 3 out of 20 times do you stop using that as an option anymore?

33 - Kickoffs by New Mexico this year. New Mexico, I'm starting to see a trend with you. You suck! You are forced by college football law (unless you screw up the coin toss ala LSU a few years back) to kick the ball off once per game. That means you only had the joy of kicking off after a score 21 times all season? Houston kicked off 21 times in one half against Tulane. What the F, Lobos?! And what the hell's a Lobo? Short for lobotomy? So you're a type of brain surgery? That's just weird, fellas.

Obviously I could do this all day, but I'll pack it up for now. If you've got any weird ass stats to add, please do so. Cheers!

As you may know, we have ourselves quite the cluster atop the BCS poll, where it appears that with a few upsets, anyone in the Top 10 is currently still in the chase (don't take that comment too seriously; it was meant to create drama).

Now, you also may be aware that out beloved Tide needs some help in order to have our hopes of a BCS and/or SEC Championship resurrected.  So without further adieu, I present to you the Unofficial RBR Guide to Rooting for Other Teams (for the next few weeks anyway).

*Disclaimer:  These are the scenarios that each team alone would provide, at least what I think they would provide based on my knowledge of the SEC Tie breaker and my opinion about any BCS shakedown.  Correct me if necessary.

Ole Miss (Plays LSU Week 12):  Stop laughing.  Seriously, stop it.  I'll wait...  OK, more times than not in the past decade, Ole Miss has either won this game or come within one score of winning (including last year).  Houston Nutt is a lame duck who is trying to write his resume right now.  He may throw out 17 trickplays during this game, but he's going to give it his damnedest anyway.

How this benefits Bama:  Simply put, an LSU loss here would drop LSU enough that even an SEC Championship may not revive BCS hopes.  This alone would not put Bama in the SEC Championship, as we still have the head to head loss to LSU.  But this alone would have huge implications in the BCS.

Arkansas (Plays LSU Week 13):  An LSU loss here would have the biggest impact for Bama's sake, not only in the BCS but in the SEC as well.

How this benefits Bama:  Assuming that Arkansas can win this week at home against MSU (which is key to this scenario), a win against LSU would put LSU, Bama, and Arkansas in a 3-way (haha) tie for the SEC West.  The 3-way tie is broken by using the BCS rankings.  We'll ignore the tie breaker that says the highest ranked team moves on, because that only applies if there is a separation of more than 5 spots between the top 2 teams. 

That's not going to happen, so the tie is then broken between the 3 teams simply by taking the top 2 BCS teams and doing a head-to-head comparison.  We would now have to hope that LSU's loss to Arkansas drops them enough such that Alabama and Arkansas are the top 2 BCS teams in the 3 way tie.  And since Bama beat Arkansas, as you may recall, Bama would be dubbed the SEC West Champ.  Arkansas essentially has two wishes at this point: to hope that Bama is not in the 3-way tie (e.g. loss to *uburn), as a Bama loss and beating LSU would put them in the SEC Championship with possible BCS implications; or they would have to hope that beating LSU left themselves and LSU as the top 2 BCS teams in the 3-way tie.  Confused?  Good.

Iowa St. (Plays Oklahoma St. Week 12): No better opportunity for the Cyclones than to catch the Cowboys a week before Bedlam.  ISU has been an upset specialist of late, and one here would be more than welcome.

How this benefits Bama:  With OSU being one of the two teams who control their own destiny, getting them out of the way would obviously prove beneficial.  Not only that, but with the loss of the Big 12 Championship, OSU only has two games standing in the way from their ticket to The Big Nasty Easy.  We need to hope on hope that ISU can go ahead and get this done for us.

Oklahoma (Plays Oklahoma St Week 13):  Bedlam is utter pandalerium in the state of Oklahoma.  It's a non football fan's dream: No defense and 137 points.

How this benefits Bama:  Here's where it can get a bit hairy, as she would say.  An OSU loss here would obviously knock them from the top 2 ranks in the BCS, but too much of a win by OU could mean a simple switcheroo in the polls.  What I mean is: if Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State handily, the polls may just put Oklahoma right into the No.2 position.  The computers love OSU, and the humans likely don't want to see any sort of rematch, so this is not outside the realm of possibility.  So, we need to cheer for the Sooners to win, but only by a TD or so.

Georgia (likely plays LSU in the SEC Championship Week 14):  Why not, let's pull out all the stops, shall we?

How this benefits Bama:  Could it be possible that an LSU loss in the SEC Championship could pave the way for Bama in the BCS Championship?  I say yes!  It would take a rather significant loss, but it's very likely that a 14+ point loss here would drop LSU out of the top 2.  Based on Oklahoma in 2004, where even a blowout loss to Kansas State in the B12 Championship still allowed OU to play LSU in the championship, I think it's possible that LSU doesn't fall at all in the event of an SECC loss, but these fingers ain't crossed for nothing!

Honerable Mentions:

USCw: Because they play Oregon in Week 12, and after a big win against Stanford, they just need to get the hell on back.  We don't need any threats from folks behind us.

SMU or Tulsa:  WTF, you may ask.  Well, at this rate, and with no further shakeups it looks as though the Houston Cougars may be meeting us in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.  Does anyone remember what happened last time we faced a mid-major in the Sugar Bowl?  It's a no-win freakin situation.  Ask Georgia what kind of accolades they got for beating the hell out of Hawaii.  Nothing!  People almost hated Georgia for beating them so bad.  But don't let those sons-of-mothers beat you.  Then all hell breaks lose.  I just don't want it.  Please SMU or Tulsa please beat Houston.

Boise St:  Again, WTF, you may ask.  Well, if they win their remaining 3 games and stay within the top 10 in the BCS, they are likely to get an at large BCS bid.  If they do, they may go to the Sugar Bowl.  I would like to see this matchup.  I would like to see THE CRIMSON TIDE ANNIHILATE THE F- OUT OF THESE CLOWNS!  That is all...

Samford:  What?  I just like Samford...

As always, if I got anything wrong, please correct me in the harshest way possible.  Otherwise, feel free to opine.  Cheers!

Iron Bowl week is upon us, and in the spirit of the scandals money Cecil makin' it rain times, I'd like to see what your Gameday signs would consist of if you were standing rear and center behind the stage that Home Depot built.  What would you want the world to see if you could fit it in 10 words or less on a 2' by 3' piece of neon poster board?  Whether Gameday is actually in T-Town is irrelevant for the purposes of this thread, so let 'er rip.  Here's an idea or two I've thought up on the fly:

Cam Newton:  Professional since 2010.

Cam Newton:  The highest paid quarterback Bama has faced in 120 years of football.

Something along those lines, anyway.  Let the beatdown commence.

I don't know about any of you, but I've always been interested in keeping up with our former players and see how they are doing at the next level relative to how they stacked up for the Tide.  However, it can be difficult to find a Bama player when watching your typical game due to the fact that only 5 of the current 32 Bama players in the NFL are skill position players.  Therefore, I've compiled a list of our former players and their current teams, so that when you find yourself catching the occasional professional game, you can be on the lookout for some of the guys that helped to shape our Saturdays of yesteryear.

This is only a list of those that made it on the 2 deep charts (for the sake of anticipated meaningful playing time):

Atlanta:  Mike Johnson - 2nd string Guard

Arizona:  Rashad Johnson - 2nd string Corner

Baltimore:  Jarret Johnson - 1st string Linebacker; Le'Ron McClain - 1st string Fullback

Chicago:  Mark Anderson - 1st string Defensive End

Cincinatti:  Evan Mathis - 2nd string Guard; Antwan Odom - 2nd string Defensive End (will be first if he can successfully return from injury); Andre Smith - 2nd string Tackle

Green Bay:  Charlie Peprah - 2nd string Safety

Houston:  Antoine Caldwell - 2nd string Guard; Kareem Jackson - 1st string Corner; DeMeco Ryans - 1st string Linebacker

Kansas City:  Javier Arenas - 1st string PR/KR, 2nd string Corner; Tim Castille - 2nd string Fullback; Brodie Croyle - 2nd string Quarterback; Wallace Gilberry - 2nd string Defensive End;

Jacksonville:  Justin Smiley - 2nd string Guard

New Orleans:  Roman Harper - 1st string Safety

Oakland:  Orlando McCain - 1st string Linebacker

Over the next few days, time permitting, I will attempt to point out and analyse the 5 main keys (as I see them) to winning the BCS Championship.  Some may seem obvious, but hopefully some of you will be enlightened.

#1:  Take Advantage of Turnovers

Now, this key alludes to the fact that Texas WILL turn the ball over, and that assumption is a statistically valid one.  Simply taking a look at McCoy's susceptibility to turning the ball over, you would find the following:

McCoy has been the starting UT quarterback for Texas' last 51 games.  In those 51 games, he has turned the ball over (either by throwing an interception or fumbling) a total of 56 times.  That's right, 56.  And this was not simply a case of Freshman fumblitis or Sophomore Slump (although that was his worst year); his uncanny ability to cough up the football has been fairly even.  In his Freshman year - 9 T.O.s, Sophomore - 21, Junior - 10, and thus far in his Senior year - 16. 

Also of note is the fact that in his 51 games, he has only 14 games where he has not been responsible for any turnovers; and this includes only 3 games this year where he has not recorded a turnover.  These three teams that could not force McCoy to turn the ball over included: Texas A&M (107th in defense nationally), Baylor (95th), and Oklahoma State (33rd).  The two best defenses that UT faced were Nebraska (8th in defense nationally) and Oklahoma (7th).  Both of these teams forced 3 McCoy turnovers in each of their respective games.

So with Texas (namely McCoy) turning the ball over with such regularity, how have they remained so successful over the past 4 years?  DEFENSE!  Just because the Horns (again, namely McCoy) have been T.O. prone does not necessarily mean they have lost the turnover battle.  Against Nebraska, UT's defense forced 3 Nebraska turnovers of their own, while in the Oklahoma game, they forced 5 Sooner turnovers.  Teams have not been very successful in converting UT's mishaps into points.  Nebraska was able to convert UT's three turnovers into 9 points, but that's not going to get it done most of the time.

So all of this is to say that statistically it's not a matter of "if" we can force McCoy to turn the ball over, but "when".  And "when" that/those turnover(s) come, if we can make them hurt.  Bama will need to get some hits on McCoy, and force him to think a little quicker; thus forcing him to make bad decisions.  Also, McCoy does not seem to let his turnovers affect his play for the rest of the game.  He does not get flustered, and likely will not lose confidence if he gives the ball away; so the key is not to get into his head, but to simply convert his mistakes into points each and every time we get the opportunity.

Comments welcome, and ROLL TIDE!

So Bama and UF have had six common opponents this season: UK, USCe, Miss St, UT, LSU, and Ark.

Using the stats from these games, we find the following:

Average Points per Game:  Bama - 26.6;  Fla - 25.5

Average Offensive Yards:  Bama - 314;  Fla - 375

Average Plays per Game:  Bama - 63.3;  Fla - 66.8

Using these numbers gives you:

Average Yards per Point:  Bama - 11.8;  Fla - 14.7; which basically just shows you the effeciency of yardage gained toward scoring points.

Average Yards per Play:  Bama - 4.96;  Fla - 5.61.

Using these two numbers for each team, we find out that (assuming both teams maintain the same efficiency) Bama will need to run at least 91% of the total number of plays that Florida runs to stay ahead score-wise.

[(5.61)(Total # of Florida Plays)] / 14.7 = [(4.96)(Total # of Bama Plays)] / 11.8

So, if Florida sticks to their average of running just under 67 plays per game, Bama will have to run at least 61 plays to win the ballgame.  Simple as that!