Instant Replay: Alabama separates from SEC

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. (AP) - Nick Saban saw the team he wants No. 1 Alabama to be and it had to be a scary sight for the rest of the Southeastern Conference. Really, for the rest of the country.

For 30 minutes against Florida on Saturday night in Bryant-Denney Stadium, Saban’s Crimson Tide played nearly perfect football.

Alabama’s offense was sharp and balanced, blending the power of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson with the precision of Greg McElroy. The improving defense was fast and furious, coached so well it looked as if it knew what was coming from the Gators at times.

“We have a program here, and we have a high expectation and high standard for how we want to play and what we want to do,” Saban said after a 31-6 victory over Florida that included a 24-point first half.

The Crimson Tide showed its vulnerabilities in a come-from-behind 24-20 victory at Arkansas, as an inexperienced secondary struggled against star quarterback Ryan Mallett. A week later, that maturing defense, filled with five-star recruits, suffocated Urban Meyer’s offense.

Normally, with six SEC regular-season games left it would be crazy to pencil in the Tide for a return trip to the BCS title game.

This season, in THIS SEC, well, you might even want to consider taking out the pen.

THE BIG STORY

Who can beat Alabama?

Conceding that there is no such thing as an unbeatable team, it’s simply hard imagine the Tide losing.

The best chance might be Saturday, when Alabama visits No. 19 South Carolina, ‘Bama’s third consecutive week facing a ranked team.

Steve Spurrier has what looks to be his best squad in his six seasons in Columbia. Still, South Carolina ranks 10th in the league in defense and in the middle of the pack in offense. And Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia is the kind of high-risk, high-reward player that Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart can feast upon.

Unless the grind of three straight huge game takes a toll on the Tide (think Saban would allow a letdown?), South Carolina (3-1) doesn’t seem equipped to spring the upset.

Alabama has two more road trips after that, against Tennessee (Oct. 23) and No. 12 LSU (Nov. 6).

The Volunteers (2-3) are no threat. Six wins would be an accomplishment in coach Derek Dooley’s first season in Knoxville. And that team nearly beat LSU in Death Valley on Saturday.

Story Continues →

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