One step backward, even in victory

By Chris Stewart

(Tuscaloosa, AL) - I have seen enough losses over the last decade to the likes of Northern Illinois, UCF, and Louisiana Tech that I don't take any wins for granted. I value and appreciate them all, fully aware that some should be celebrated more than others.

I also understand that even in defeat, you can take a positive step forward. Such was the case in many instances against both Arkansas and Florida.

That being said, it is also possible to lose ground in your attempt to get better, even when you win. That's what happened to Alabama Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Crimson Tide did indeed defeat a Division I-A opponent from the ACC. That point should not be forgotten. However, it's also clear that Alabama was not as good as it was the two previous weeks.

The Crimson Tide was one play away (numerous times) from beating Arkansas on the road. Yes, THAT Arkansas team - the one that just embarrassed then-No. 2 Auburn.

The argument could also be made that Bama was a first-half defensive play away from putting the Gators away, as well.

Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium, it was Duke who was perhaps a play away from upsetting Alabama. Yes, THAT Duke team - the one that had scored only 13 points all season. And those points came all in one game.

When the heavily favored Crimson Tide trailed the Blue Devils 14-10 at intermission, there were more boos than cheers. However, to the credit of those in attendance, they made a difference. Rather than simply pout and sit on their hands, the crowd got behind the Tide and helped spark a much better defensive effort, as well as more consistent play from the offense.

It was a win. Nothing more, and I am tempted to say nothing less. But in reality, I'm afraid it was. A narrow win over a lesser opponent doesn't mean much at all in terms of Alabama's ability to win the next two weeks against Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Where I am afraid Saturday's performance could do damage is in the final three weeks of the season. There are no off weeks this season, so you have to find ways to keep your team fresh. Scoring points on the first three or four series of the game, coupled with some three-and-outs by the defense, would have given Mike Shula a chance to rest some of his front line players.

That didn't happen, and the effects could be felt in November when the Tide plays its three most physical opponents.

The good news is, on a night when Alabama played perhaps its worst game of the season, it still managed to walk away with a victory.

 

Chris Stewart writes a weekly column for bamafever.com. Stewart is the radio play-by-play announcer for University of Alabama men's basketball. He is also the pre and post game host for the Crimson Tide Sports Network's coverage of Alabama Football. In addition, he hosts a talk show each weekday morning from 7 until 9 on Tuscaloosa's Sports Radio 1420, The Tusk. Bama Fever is a company devoted to providing University of Alabama Crimson Tide merchandise. We have stores in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa  and Huntsville and have now created an online catalog for Crimson Tide fans all over the world searching for that hard to find merchandise. We carry over 7,000 items in our stores and have posted many of these items right here in our online catalog.

All University of Alabama merchandise is officially licensed and a portion of the proceeds go directly to the University.

Read all of Chris's Game Recaps