The Crimson & White Roundtable Roundup: Penn State Edition

1) What is the most important thing we learned about the 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide in the wake of the San Jose State game?

The key lesson of the San Jose State game was what we didn’t learn. While many other highly touted teams produced less than impressive efforts against their cupcakes, the Alabama Crimson Tide took care of business.

“Well-coached football teams don't let lousy football teams think they have a chance. Not one second,” said DBH Dance Party. And Alabama didn’t.

The attitude of the team was the key, according to Roll Bama Roll. Complacency and arrogance have brought down many great squads and nothing about the opener suggested Alabama is in danger of resting on their laurels. Tower of Bammer held up Florida’s opener as the counter example.

Specifically the special teams made a good showing, noted Capstone Report and Third Saturday in Blogtober. And there is certainly a surfeit of talent on hand, said Picture Me Rollin.

2) What is the biggest area of concern given the upcoming contest with the Penn State?

With the powerhouse running and passing games the weak spot may be the tight end, and “we don't really know if our tight ends are capable of picking up the slack,” said DBH Dance Party after consulting with his grandpappy.

Capstone Report listed a litany of issues that could be points of concern against the Nittany Lions but highlighted the receivers against the Penn State defense. Bama Sports Report listed teams and the secondary.

Roll Bama Roll offered the laundry list of worries and admitted complete confusion while Tower of Bammer decided to whine about their insomnia and then name checked special teams again. Third Saturday in Blogtober concern was the young secondary and untested pass rush.

Bottom line, according to Picture Me Roll, “In my mind we might as well be starting the season this weekend.”

3) Which Alabama player is most likely to have a breakout performance against the Nittany Lions?

Picture Me Rollin expects a big day for Robert Lester on defense and Greg McElroy on offense. With Third Saturday in Blogtober tapping CJ Mosely as a non-starter likely to make a mark.

Roll Bama Roll tagged Chris Jordan or Nico Johnson as players to keep an eye on while Capstone Report said the entire offensive line is likely to be worth watching on Saturday.

The return of the dominant linebacker in the style of Derrick Thomas play is DBH Dance Party’s hope. “If he's wearing 55, so much the better.” Tower of Bammer predicted DJ Fluker’s will be fed a diet high in Vitaman Royster.

And Bama Sports Report was a little unspecific but no less certain for it. “I expect someone in the younger parts of the secondary to have a big game. Doesn't matter who - just someone.”


4) What part of the gameday experience are you most looking forward to on Saturday?

The letdown of a regular cupcake opener following two years facing top ten opponents for the inaugural game of the season has increased the excitement for Roll Bama Roll as well as raising the paranoia level.

Introducing a passel of Yankees to the joys of Southern tailgating and Alabama football traditions is the highlight for DBH Dance Party. And Picture Me Rollin plans to be on the Quad in full tailgate mode to make that dream a reality.

Tower of Bammer is skeptical of Penn State crowd estimates. “I’ve heard estimates up to a million trillion, but I doubt they’ll get half that.”

On the homefront, Third Saturday in Blogtober is eying a Yeungling and a place on the couch.
Bama Sports Report is curious as to the crowd noise in Bryant-Denny Stadium with the new South End Zone addition. Capstone Report, regrettably, offered a cautionary tale for unsavory fans at BDS.