After a heartbreaking loss to Auburn at home on Black Friday Alabama starts to wonder where their season has gone, and where it will end. With a win Alabama would have had a great shot to still finish their season in a BCS game, more than likely the Sugar Bowl where Alabama would have loved to get the bitter taste out of their mouth from 2008 and their loss to Utah. 

With the loss Alabama likely slides to the Capital One bowl to take on Michigan State as all reports I’ve heard have stated. Michigan State is an interesting match up for Alabama with Nick Saban’s ties to Michigan State and Mark Ingram’s ties to their program as well. Michigan State’s head coach, Mark Dantonio was taught by Nick Saban while an assistant on his staff. The Spartans run an offense similar to what Alabama runs, a pro style rushing attack and a passing game off play action passes. This can cause problems for the Alabama defense who will be without Mark Barron, who had surgery today on his torn pectoral muscle and will miss the bowl game. Also, up until the loss to Auburn, Alabama’s only losses were to South Carolina and LSU, two teams that run offenses very similar to the Crimson Tides. The alarming thing was the inconsistency from the defensive line to stop the opposition’s rushing attack. 

Without Mark Barron and after the loss to Auburn it will be interesting to see how the Crimson Tide responds in their bowl game. The lack of intensity has been a problem for this team all year, and coming off a heart wrenching loss where Alabama had the game well in hand it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. This is likely the last time you’ll see players like Marcel Dareus, Mark Ingram, and possibly Julio Jones on the field together in a crimson uniform. Since arriving in Tuscaloosa in the 2008 recruiting class Alabama has been 35-5 in the three years these players have been on the field. I will post more later on the possible coaching changes if those actually happen, and will update on the juniors leaving early for the NFL draft. Another thing for Alabama fans to look at during the bowl game is the play calling, after an aggressive first half Alabama mailed it in during the second half, combine that with miscues on defense and it’s the perfect storm. You will get a look into the future more than likely with backup quarterback AJ McCarron getting some playing time and likely some new plays that will force the defense to cover the entire field. 

9-3 is not a horrible season by any means, and finishing with a win over 11-1 Michigan State should propel this team into the offseason with high hopes next year. 

I will update with coaching changes and players leaving early. Also feel free to email me at chrissimonetti@att.net 

Another quick note, Texas A&M fans, your team will be going to the Cotton Bowl this year as announced earlier today.