Bama Preview

Bama brings their 4-2 record into Oxford. Bama fans feel they are back thanks to the 4 million dollar man Nick Saban. However losses to Georgia and Florida State have dampered enthusiasm just a tad. Nonetheless Alabama brings a solid team that's won some games and has the look of a solid bowl team.

THE PLAYERS

Bama brings a solid defense and a great running game. Bama has three solid running backs that all carry the ball well and can rotate in an out. Two are former Mississippi Highschool Players of the Year in Terry Grant and Jimmy Johns. For most of the season it has flipped back and forth between Terry Grant and Glen Coffey as to who gets the majority of the carries. Grant is the speediest of the backs. It doesn't really matter whose running the ball since the offensive line is one of the better ones in the conference. The line is headlined by Andre Smith who will easily be a first team lineman at the end of the year. Expect Bama to get some yards on the ground.

Bama also has some talented receivers in DJ Hall, Matt Caddell, Keith Brown, and Mississippi's own Mike McCoy. In fact Alabama's got six Mississippians on the roster five of which were former Dandy Dozen players. (Terry Grant, Justin Woodall, Jimmy Johns, Milton Talbert, and Jeramie Griffith)

THE HEEL

Bama's weakness is defensive depth. They seem to get worn down late in the game and allow teams to move the ball on them late. If the Rebels can keep it close for 3 quarters than they have a chance to make a run at the end. Unfortunately that is also one of the Rebels biggest weaknesses and they equally struggle to score points in the fourth quarter. John Parker Wilson is also capable of having a very bad day throwing the ball and can be forced into turnovers.