PRESS PICKS (Week 9): To media, fans concerned with Saban's disciplinary decisions, get a life
STAFF REPORT
Sorry to keep harping on this but a certain talk show host (and his callers) just won’t let go about the incident with Jermaine Burton and Nick Saban two weeks ago at Neyland Stadium. It’s becoming apparent that people believe that if they keep talking about something, they will evoke the response they want.
This seems to be the case with Burton and Alabama. Why won’t they let it go?
Because , in particular, Tennessee fans feel empowered right now and believe they are right about anything they “feel.”
They “think” they have the facts because that’s what they want the facts to be. No one but Burton and the person involved know the facts in this case, but here is a fact - Saban has a pretty good track record on handling situations like this.
This is about power. This is about who can scream the loudest and get their way - or at least think that’s the case.
Certain media members love the controversy when it surrounds Saban and the Alabama football program. It’s a little bit like royalty in England. If there is something sketchy going on, it becomes big news. If the story is not big enough, they do whatever they can to make it bigger, which usually includes blowing a situation out of proportions. It’s easy to do in the social media world we live in.
But at some point, it gets old. There used to be a 24-hour cycle with a news item. But that’s only if there is something to fill the void with another juicy story.
In Tennessee’s case, they have wallowed in the Bama victory for two weeks. It’s natural for Vols fans to have their cake and eat it too. The Burton incident is the icing on that cake.
But the media should have a different response than what it has provided. They gave their opinion, whether or not it is based on facts. The deed was done. Move on.
But fans won’t let go so the reaction matters more. Let’s keep it going for another round. Another click. Another comment at the bottom of the story. That’s what we’re here for, right?
There will be no other comments from Saban. He spoke on it after Saturday’s game and it is done. Actually, his comments were more than he would normally say.
But there is blood in the water and the sharks are ready to feed. Until that hunger is quenched, they will move about the crime scene until something better comes along. That very well may be the Kentucky game this weekend or we might have to wait another week for Georgia.
Whatever the case, it’s ridiculous that this is still a news item. No matter what the “tape” says, it wasn’t as terrifying as most are making it out to be. If Burton had taken felonious actions toward the woman, he would have been charged with something. The woman would already have been on numerous shows, vilifying her “attacker” and looking for a book deal.
Unless something has been missed, she has been deftly silent. And that speaks louder than the naysayers.
Unfortunately, no one in the media is doing their job and listening. But what else is new?
Doug Amos has built a big lead over the panel after eight weeks.
2022 Overall Standings (Last Week)
1. Doug Amos 106-34 (14-1) .757
2. Wesley Lyle 101–39 (11-4) .721
Tim Gayle 101-39 (12-3) .721
4. Graham Dunn 100-40 (12-3) .714
Michael Butler 100-40 (13-2).714
6. Rick Hendrick 98-42 (11-4) .700
7. Mike Peacock 98-42 (13-2) .700
8. Rosie Langello 91-49 (11-4) .650
9. Barry McKnight 87-53 (12-3) .621
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Fox 20)
106-34 (14-1) .757
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Wetumpka
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Auburn
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Central Florida
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports & al.com)
101–39 (11-4) .721
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Wetumpka
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama A&M
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Ole Miss
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
101-39 (12-3) .721
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Central-Clay
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Ole Miss
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Notre Dame
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Central Florida
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
100-40 (12-3) .714
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Wetumpka
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– Missouri
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Notre Dame
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.9&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
100-40 (13-2).714
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Wetumpka
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Ole Miss
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Notre Dame
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Central Florida
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA for Montgomery Biscuits)
98-42 (11-4) .700
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Wetumpka
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Auburn
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Kansas St
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
98-42 (13-2) .700
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Central-Clay
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Ole Miss
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
91-49 (11-4) .650
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Central-Clay
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Ole Miss
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
87-53 (12-3) .621
Dothan at Jeff Davis (Thur) - Dothan
B.T. Washington at Pike Road - Pike Road
Central-Phenix City at Prattville - Central-PC
Wetumpka at Central Clay County - Central-Clay
Tallassee at Holtville - Tallassee
Arkansas at Auburn - Arkansas
Alabama St vs. Alabama A&M (B’ham) – Alabama St
Florida vs. Georgia (J’ville) - Georgia
Missouri at South Carolina– South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Kentucky at Tennessee - Tennessee
Ohio St at Penn St. - Ohio St
Notre Dame at Syracuse - Syracuse
Cincinnati at Central Fla. - Cincinnati
Oklahoma St at Kansas St - Oklahoma St