The Tide's Up Next on the List: Alabama moves up to No. 3 in the BCS standings

[bodawg]

The unbeaten Alabama Crimson Tide moved into third place in the bowl championship series standings Monday, putting the Southeastern Conference team in position to play for a national title if No. 1 USC Trojans or No. 2 Texas Longhorns stumble.

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With three unbeatens in major college football, Alabama finds itself playing the role archrival Auburn filled in 2004. The Crimson Tide moved to third Sunday in the USA TODAY Coaches' Poll, behind Southern California and Texas. Those two finished first or second on all 62 ballots for the first time this season.

Alabama could go undefeated and be shut out of the Bowl Championship Series title game in the Rose Bowl, just as unbeaten Auburn was left out last season when USC and Oklahoma played for the BCS title.

But the Tide have another issue: Miami (Fla.). The Hurricanes moved to No. 3 in the Harris Poll, which, along with the coaches' poll and six computers, is a component of the BCS formula. The new standings come out today. The Miami Hurricanes also are third in the Associated Press media poll.

The Tide have struggled on offense since wide receiver Tyrone Prothro was hurt Oct. 1. But they have a schedule that would benefit them should they run the table: No. 5 LSU (7-1) Saturday, No. 17 Auburn (7-2) and possibly the Southeastern Conference title game.

Alabama is facing a difficult stretch run. The Tide plays host to LSU this Saturday and travels to Auburn on Nov. 19. If Alabama wins those, it would play in the SEC title game, probably against Georgia or Florida. But, even winning the rest of their games, the Tide would be a longshot to catch USC or Texas if those two remain undefeated.


Odds to win the 2006 NCAA Rose Bowl BCS Championship

Alabama 10/1

Florida State 150/1

Georgia 100/1

LSU 33/1

Miami FL 15/1

Penn St 50/1

Texas 2/1

UCLA 50/1

USC 4/9

Virginia Tech 30/1

Prediction: The Longhorns gained ground on the Trojans these past few weeks but if ever it will be Texas vs USC, the Trojans will pummel them in the same manner as Leinart, Bush and White murdered the Sooners last year.


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[bodawg]

The fourth-ranked Tide's perfect season, national title hopes and possibly their spot in the SEC championship game could all be taken away by fifth-ranked LSU. While the winner will be in control of the SEC West, Alabama (9-0, 6-0) looks to show its unblemished record is no fluke and cement its spot as the team that will play for the national title if USC or Texas falters.

Those two squads are way above all other teams in the BCS rankings, though the Tide climbed to third this week, slightly ahead of Miami. Plenty of skeptics doubt Alabama can remain that high.

Despite playing at home against the Tigers (7-1, 4-1), the Crimson Tide enter as three-point underdogs, mostly because quarterback Brodie Croyle and the offense have struggled. Even if Alabama wins, it still would need to beat No. 15 Auburn next week and win the SEC title game to go into its bowl game unbeaten.

If the Tigers win Saturday and defeat Mississippi and Arkansas in their final two games, they'll appear in the conference championship game. While Alabama boasts possibly Division I-A's best defense, allowing a nation-low 8.2 points and 244.4 yards per game, a suspect offense is what makes many question whether the Tide are even worthy of a BCS bowl berth.

Alabama has been held to 36 points over its last three conference games, with the offense accounting for only one touchdown. Croyle has been sacked 10 times and thrown for an average of only 180 yards in that span. Arguably Croyle's worst performance of the season came last Saturday in a 17-3 victory over Mississippi State. He went 14-of-22 for 116 yards and was intercepted twice, doubling his season total, as the Tide scored their touchdowns on defense and special teams.

The Tigers have surrendered an average of 8.3 points during the team's six-game winning streak. LSU, however, hasn't played an SEC game since a 20-17 overtime victory over Auburn on Oct. 22. The Tigers routed North Texas and Division I-AA Appalachian State by a combined 80-3 score over the last two weeks.

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell has sharpened his game the last two weeks, completing 33 of 43 passes for 452 yards with four TDs and one interception. He hasn't been sacked in three consecutive contests, but will face a tough pass rush Saturday from an Alabama defense allowing an SEC-low 150.7 passing yards per game.

The Tigers beat the Tide 26-10 at home last season for their fourth victory in the last five meetings. LSU has won its last two trips to Tuscaloosa.

College Football Betting Odds from BODOG SportsBook

Louisiana Tigers -3
at Alabama Crimson Tide +3

Total: 36

Prediction: The Tide will be low against the Tigers. Alabama's unbeaten run will end at the hands of Louisiana. Tigers to win by more than seven points. I also like the OVER 36.

 

[bamabuck44]

Not so fast

Not so fast

A home, conf. dog, on tv, too many others to risk that, lol, and yes I am a homer. Tide 27 LSU 17, :mj09: , good luck to all. Buck