PRESS PICKS (Week 9): UT win over Bama creates interesting scenarios for the future
STAFF REPORT
More than a lot will be made of Tennessee’s win over Alabama. That’s expected since it’s always big news when the Crimson Tide loses.
But is it bigger because the Vols won? Let’s compare to a few of Bama’s regular-season losses in the last few years.
A lot was made about Texas A&M’s win last year but the Aggies were already out of the race for any postseason honors including the Western Division crown.
When Alabama lost to LSU in 2019, the discussion had already began that the Tigers were one of the best teams in the country. That talk proved to be true when they raised the championship trophy a few months later. Alabama’s chances all but ended with an injury to Tua Tagovailoa a week later.
When Alabama lost to Auburn in 2017, the thought was the Tide had suffered so many injuries, it was bound to happen. Auburn later lost to Georgia, setting up Bama’s return to the playoffs where it won another title.
While the losses to Ole Miss in both 2014 and 2015 were head scratchers, no one felt like Alabama would be out of the playoff picture in either case, especially considering both were early.
Granted, Alabama’s chances depended on other scenarios to make their run for a title complete (who will forget the Hunter Henry 40-yard lateral to help Arkansas beat Ole Miss?). That might be the case again this year.
Assume the Tide runs the table and gets back to the SEC Championship game this season. Most expect either Georgia or Tennessee to be waiting. Does it matter which one?
Speculate on this… a Georgia win over Tennessee sets up an interesting scenario where if Alabama beats Georgia in the championship, Tennessee goes instead of Georgia, even if theDogs have a win over the Vols? That’s doubtful. And no, three teams from the SEC will not make the playoffs. That debate will be the best yet.
If it’s Tennessee, it becomes more simple. Bama wins, it goes. Lose and both Georgia and Tennessee go. Probably.
A lot to ponder and a lot can happen between now and then. First up is Bama’s ability to win games without making them horror stories as it reaches the finish line. Ole Miss, LSU and yes, even Mississippi State this weekend, might be tricky, especially if the secondary can’t fill holes left by the Vols’ attack.
Tennessee’s schedule has a possible pitfall with Kentucky but most agree it comes down to the Georgia game on Nov. 5. In some ways, Bama fans might want to pull for the Vols as a precautionary.
At the moment, there are other teams across the country making ovations for a playoff bid but we’ve seen this before. It’s doubtful the likes of anyone other than Clemson or the Michigan-Ohio State winner will be chosen. Sorry to TCU, Syracuse or any Pac-12 team. They will receive little consideration over an SEC runner up.
Nick Saban is old hat at this and the expectation is his team will bounce back. But it might be wise to start showing a little consistency in order to keep the prize alive.
Wesley Lyle continues to make a move up the charts but Doug Amos continues to lead the panel after eight weeks.
2022 Overall Standings (Last Week)
1. Doug Amos 92-33 (10-5) .736
2. Wesley Lyle 90–35 (9-6) .720
3. Tim Gayle 89-36 (8-7) .712
4. Graham Dunn 88-37 (7-8) .704
5. Michael Butler 87-38 (8-7).696
Rick Hendrick 87-38 (11-4) .696
7. Mike Peacock 85-40 (5-10) .680
8. Rosie Langello 80-45 (8-7) .640
9. Barry McKnight 75-50 (8-7) .600
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Fox 20)
92-33 (10-5) .736
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – Troy
Ole Miss at LSU - LSU
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Oklahoma St
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports & al.com)
90–35 (9-6) .720
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – South Alabama
Ole Miss at LSU - Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Texas
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
89-36 (8-7) .712
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – Troy
Ole Miss at LSU - Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Texas
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
88-37 (7-8) .704
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – South Alabama
Ole Miss at LSU - LSU
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Vanderbilt
Texas A&M at South Carolina - South Carolina
Texas at Oklahoma St - Oklahoma St
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - UCLA
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.9&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
87-38 (8-7).696
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – South Alabama
Ole Miss at LSU - LSU
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Oklahoma St
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA for Montgomery Biscuits)
87-38 (11-4) .696
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – South Alabama
Ole Miss at LSU - Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Texas
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
85-40 (5-10) .680
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – Troy
Ole Miss at LSU - Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Oklahoma St
Kansas St at TCU - TCU
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -Western Kentucky
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
80-45 (8-7) .640
Pike Road at G.W. Carver (Thur) - Carver
Auburn at Prattville - Auburn
Sidney Lanier at Wetumpka- Wetumpka
Catholic at Andalusia - Catholic
Miss St at Alabama - Alabama
Troy at South Alabama – Troy
Ole Miss at LSU - Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Missouri – Missouri
Texas A&M at South Carolina - Texas A&M
Texas at Oklahoma St - Texas
Kansas St at TCU - Kansas St
Syracuse at Clemson - Clemson
Minnesota at Penn St - Penn St
UCLA at Oregon - Oregon
UAB at Western Kentucky (Fri) -UAB
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
75-50 (8-7) .600
G.W. Carver vs. Sidney Lanier - Carver
Smiths Station at Jeff Davis (Sat.) - Jeff Davis
Pike Road at Stanhope Elmore - Pike Road
Elmore County at Valley - Valley
Alabama at Tennessee - Tennessee
Auburn at Ole Miss – Ole Miss
Arkansas at BYU- Arkansas
LSU at Florida – LSU
Miss St at Kentucky - Miss St
Clemson at Florida St - Clemson
NC State at Syracuse - NC State
Kansas at Oklahoma - Kansas
Oklahoma St at TCU - Oklahoma St
Penn St at Michigan - Michigan
Southern Cal at Utah - Southern Cal