This week we travel down the road to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Average attendance for football games is 92,138 which is #7 largest college attendance in the country. When people think of Alabama, they think football.

From Glory to Gory. In 2005, Head Coach Mike Shula had taken Alabama to nine straight wins and a #4 ranking in the polls. Then Bama lost to LSU in ovetime and to Auburn 18-28. In 2006, Alabama went 2-6 in the SEC and 6-6 overall. The ending for Mike Shula came with a fourth loss to in-state rival Auburn. Final score Alabama 15-Auburn 22. Losing to Auburn four times in a row was not acceptable even if Auburn was a top 5 team. Things had to change in Tuscaloosa.

There is a New Sheriff in Town. When Nick Saban came to town, he had one job.  Win football games. Alabama had suffered through unacceptable defeats way too long.  The Crimson Tide alumni told the athletic director to get a GREAT. Don't get an up and comer, an ex-quarterback or a good coach. We want a great coach and we will pay for it. Nick Saban became the highest paid football coach in college history when he signed a $32 million dollar, eight year contract at Alabama.

Clear the Streets. We Need to Take Care of Business. Early on, Nick Saban made it clear he was the boss. Whenever there is a military takeover, first thing to get control of is the communication. Saban had gotten burned by the national media for saying he would not be the next coach at Alabama and then taking the job. In Saban's defense, he was trying to be loyal to his current employer. Then circumstances changed and he re-considered. No man in the entire country is exempt from making this same mistake given the pressure, the reality of the NFL and Saban's success in college coaching. If you were in his shoes, you could have done the same thing.

Shut Down the Communication. Saban is a military man at heart and he closed the practices and kicked the media out of practices so quick, it made people question who he thought he was. Saban apparently stood up a big time sports reporter who had flown in for an interview, and it shook the sports world. Nobody would do such a thing. Nick Saban would. Saban's next move was to dictate in his contract minimal public appearances. He made it clear that his job was to coach and win and to do that successfully. His time had to be purposeful in recruiting, building a team and breaking down film.

We Need to Deputize Some Men. Nick Saban wasted no time getting his head coordinators. For offense, Saban picked a man he barely knew in Major Applewhite, the 28 year old offensive genius. On defense, Saban got Florida State's Kevin Steele. Saban's offensive coordinator at LSU was Jimbo Fisher. Fisher had already moved to Florida State to be the offensive coordinator but the two friends will meet again when the Crimson Tide travels to Florida State on September 29th. The biggest games this year include LSU at home on November 3 and playing at Auburn November 24. 

Fighting at Home on our Turf. Saban proved himself a street fighter to the Crimson Tide faithful. For the spring game, there wasn't an empty seat in Bryant-Denny stadium. Nobody fills up a stadium for a spring game. Nick Saban did. Somebody needed to shake things up in Tuscaloosa, and Nick Saban seemed like he did it. Alabama would need every possible advantage competing in the toughest confererence in football. Some things would work in Bama's favor. Everybody plays better at home. And Alabama plays their toughest SEC games at home this year. Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU all have to endure 93,000 screaming Bama fans. These are four tough teams; but if you have to play them, it might as well be in front of a crowd that favors your team.

How Bama Wins in 07. We like Alabama in 07. First and foremost, they have a strong leader in Nick Saban. Winning organizations always have great leaders. Saban is focused, determined, and confident he will win. That always is a good starting point for picking winners. The Tide returns 9 starters on offense and 5 on defense. John Parker Wilson is a junior and a strong quarterback. The schedule is favorable with the toughest games at home. Preseason polls even have Auburn ranked much lower than previous years which makes beating Auburn possible. Anything is possible on Saturdays in the SEC. Roll Tide. 

Jay Holgate is an analyst and writer for www.secsportsreport.com   Just SEC Sports!
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