Team’s adversity proves resilience

By William Perkins / Selma Times – Journal

Alabama’s off week couldn’t have come at a better time this season.

The Crimson Tide limped into the bye week after facing a grueling six-game stretch that included two top ten teams.

Bama’s record stands at 4-2 which is very respectable considering their schedule is rated one of the toughest in the country. In fact, every team Alabama has faced this year has been undefeated when they faced Alabama. The two teams that beat Alabama remain undefeated (No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 5 Georgia).

The adversity that this team has overcome bears witness to the resiliency of the players and the aptitude of the coaches. Alabama’s entire starting backfield and leading receiver have been injured this year. Let me repeat that. The starting quarterback, tailback, fullback (first and second string) and leading receiver from last year have been injured prior to or during the year. Add to that number the starting center and punter and it makes you wonder how they manage to be competitive at all.

Alabama has managed to not only be competitive.

Through half the season they have emerged as one of the more talented teams in the conference.

They currently rank third in the SEC in total offense and second in total defense.

No matter how good Alabama has looked so far, the true measure of a team is how they finish the season not how they start. Alabama faces the remainder of an always-tough SEC schedule that is made even tougher with road trips to Knoxville and Baton Rouge.

Next up for Alabama is Ole Miss. The Rebels are 5-1 and flying high after beating Florida two weeks ago.

Quarterback Eli Manning has been able to complete almost 70 percent of his passes this year for 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. The AP ranks Ole Miss No. 21. The game, which will be aired by CBS, is homecoming for Alabama and kicks off at 2:30 p.m. in Tuscaloosa.

After watching each team in the SEC play this year I have come to some conclusions. Here are some random thoughts on each of the teams in the conference through half of 2002 season.

Ole miss (5-1, 1-0 SEC) The Rebels have feasted on a schedule of Patsy’s so far this year. They have split with the two quality teams on their schedule, losing to Texas Tech and defeating Florida.

LSU (5-1, 2-0 SEC) LSU appears to have made a good investment in coach Nick Saban. He has turned the program around.

Despite losing several stars from last year’s team LSU hasn’t missed a beat this year. They’re the team to beat in the SEC West.

Auburn (4-2, 2-1 SEC) Auburn’s investment in Tubberville isn’t looking so good right now. Tubby is being criticized left and right.

The defense is good. The offense is one-dimensional. They are a good quarterback away from being a very good football team.

Arkansas (3-2, 1-2 SEC) Houston Nutt would make a better cheerleader than football coach. He runs up and down the sidelines screaming at officials, embracing players after good plays and does everything short of back flips after a touchdown. He does get his team motivated to play, though.

Mississippi State (2-4, 0-3 SEC) Stick a fork in Jackie Sherrill. I think he’s done. The performance of this year’s Bulldog team and coaches reminds me of Mike Dubose’s last season at Alabama in 2000.

Georgia (6-0, 3-0 SEC) The Georgia dome should be rocking this year for the SEC Championship game. The hometown favorite Bulldogs should be making their first-ever trip to the game.

South Carolina (5-2, 3-1 SEC) The remainder of the Gamecocks schedule is LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Clemson. Two more wins by this team would be amazing.

Florida (4-3, 2-2 SEC) Hey Florida, welcome back to the world of mediocrity in football. After 7 games Florida fans want coach Ron Zook’s head on a platter.

Tennessee (4-2, 1-2 SEC) Tennessee gets their usual off week right before the Alabama game. They’ll need it. I can’t even try to be objective when it comes to UT. They have replaced Auburn as the biggest game on Alabama’s schedule.

Vanderbilt (1-5, 0-3 SEC) Vandy is still Vandy. New coach, same results.

Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC) This is the surprise team of the conference. They are playing good football. Kentucky, like Alabama, was charged by the NCAA of paying for players and placed on probation. Obviously they are getting their money’s worth.