Sunday Hangover: Southern Miss

Jameson Williams had one heck of day, eh? 

He started the game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD, he had an 83-yard kickoff return for a TD in the fourth quarter, and he caught an 81-yard TD from Young. 

With Robinson sidelined, the Tide used its three younger backs with Roydell Williams leading the way with 110 yards on 11 carries and a TD. McClellan had a solid day with 12 carries for 98 yards. 

It was great seeing them run the ball consistently, but we have to keep in mind that it was against Southern Miss. They need to be able to run between the tackles more often because most of the running was on the outside. 

But the defense has to get better because I'm sure Kiffin will throw all kinds of crap at them at home this coming Saturday.

Music Friday: "Driver 8"

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will have an album of covers out in mid October. The album is a collection of Georgia-based songs from various bands since that state smartly elected two Democratic Senators and went in favor of Biden. 

The album's title is Georgia Blue. 

Here's a cover of R.E.M.'s "Driver 8." 

Random Notes from a Crank

Kids these days will never experience having to call a number to get the times of movies at theaters. 

Norm MacDonald died of cancer recently, and he was a stand-up comedian I enjoyed thoroughly. His talk show on Netflix, which only had one season, was hilarious. 

Here's a classic Macdonald joke to enjoy. 

Here's his perspective on his funeral. 

When did a change to Mr. Pibb happen? It's no longer Mr. Pibb. It's now Pibb Extra. Why lose the "Mr."? And what's "Extra"? Regardless, I find it far superior to the pop it's trying to beat out, Dr. Pepper. 

Sunday Hangover: Florida

As has become a disturbing trend, a game against the Florida Gators proved to be a close one and one in which the defense didn't play well. 

That doesn't bode well for the championship aspirations of the Crimson Tide. 

The defense has to get better, especially thinking of the Kiffin-run Rebels of Ole Miss. Hell, you gotta watch out for Arkansas too. 

The offense started well, but those three straight three-and-outs were brutal. Those cannot happen. The Tide must run the ball more effectively. 

Billingsley appears to be out of Saban's doghouse, which is one of the good signs in this game. 

Regardless, Young went into the much heralded Swamp and came out with a win. 

And the Georgia-Florida game looks to be a very interesting matchup. 

Music Friday: "Finger Lickin' Good"

Here's a great tune from a classic album, Check Your Head. I've always thought this song was underrated in the band's overall catalog. 

Have a good weekend. 

Sunday Hangover: Mercer

I forgot to do this dang post, but this game was one that provides some coaching moments for Saban and the staff. 

They could have run the ball much better than they did.

And the D gave up points that it shouldn't have because of a busted coverage. 

The injury to Anderson is a major concern because we will certainly miss him if he doesn't play in the Swamp on Saturday. 

JoJo Earle made a name for himself in that game, so I wonder if we might see him more in games to come. 

Music Friday: "Another New World"

I was listening to the Punch Brothers this morning and was reminded of this great song that I saw them perform years ago in Terre Haute at Rose-Hulman after maybe the band's second album. 

They eventually recorded this cover of Josh Ritter's song on Ahoy!

And I'm providing it here. 

Have a good weekend. 

Sunday Hangover: Miami

Bryce Young got off to a great start to his career with an impressive game versus Miami on Saturday afternoon. He broke the touchdown record for the a QB's debut in a first game as a starter. 

Joe Namath and Mac Jones had the previous record with three touchdowns. Young threw four: one apiece to Williams and Metchie and two to Latu. 

Latu getting the start is one of those stories that didn't get much coverage. Billingsley is trying to get out of Saban's doghouse for something he's done. He played, but he didn't have a catch, which is concerning because he was a strong contributor in the last half of last season. 

Latu is a big dude, and I'm hoping the new OC uses he and Billingsley like Irv Smith Jr. and OJ Howard were used.

For whatever reason, Hulu didn't start recording the game for me until halfway through the second quarter, so I didn't get to see Robinson running much or the drives of the Alabama offense that netted the 20 points. 

However, it looks like the Tide had a good day on the ground although the offense tilted more towards the passing game. 

Will Anderson Jr. was an absolute terror off the edge for Alabama. He was leading tackler for the team with nine total tackles and a sack. 

I liked what I saw from the defense. 

It looks like the Tide has a strong four-back rotation with B-Rob leading the group after he took advantage of another year of eligibility because of Covid. It'll be interesting to see which back-up emerges as the second back. It looks like it's a battle between McClellan and Sanders.