Alabama Needs Help, Which Teams Should Tide Fans Be Pulling For?

When Alabama lost to Texas at Bryant-Denny Stadium, most of us walked out of the stadium thinking this time we did not have a chance at rebounding and making the college football playoffs in 2023.

I was one of them, I thought if Nick Saban could get this team to win double-digit games, he should get some recognition with a coach of the year award. Nick Saban, being the over achiever he is, has this team in a position to make the playoffs and compete for a championship.

Many Alabama fans think beating Chattanooga, beating Auburn in the Iron Bowl and then winning the SEC Championship in Atlanta would be an almost automatic entry into the college football playoff. Alabama has seven previous appearances, the most of any team in college football.

However, I am not in this group, which has led to some healthy debate on my show each afternoon in Tuscaloosa. I think Alabama needs some help.

Some of the teams that are undefeated and Texas, who has the head-to-head advantage over the Crimson Tide, need a loss on their resume. Let’s talk about how this could happen.

Texas vs. Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, starts at 7 p.m. on FOX

Texas plays Iowa State on the road in Ames, Iowa, which can be a difficult place to play, especially with the way the Longhorns have played in the last month.

Another thing to watch in this game will be how Texas replaces their top running back, Jonathan Brooks, who recently suffered a season ending injury last weekend against TCU. Brooks is a 1000-yard running back on the season and his absences will be a huge void for the Longhorn’s offensive game plan.

Texas is favored by seven points, according to the experts in Las Vegas.

The Crimson Tide would love a loss for Texas, it does hurt the strength of schedule but not enough to make a significant difference. If Texas wins, let’s talk about the next game where the Crimson Tide could get some help in other games.

Washington travels to Corvallis, Oregon, to take on Oregon State at 6:30 p.m. on ABC

Washington is currently undefeated and ranked No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, with Oregon State is ranked No. 11. The Beavers have one of the top scoring offenses in college football, so does Washington--both teams are ranked in the top 15 in several offensive stats.

We know both teams will score a bunch of touchdowns, but which team can slow the other explosive team down the most? Oregon State has a much better defense in almost every category I looked up, the Beavers were significantly higher ranked defense in the main defensive metrics.

Oregon State is the favorite vs. Washington according to our friends in Las Vegas.

Go Beavers!

Georgia plays Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Unlike the other games mentioned above, I think we need to root for Georgia to remain undefeated and to be the No. 1 ranked team when the Crimson Tide meets them in Atlanta. Obviously, it would help Alabama’s resume by beating the No. 1 team in college football in the SEC Championship.

UGA should not have problems with a Tennessee team who will be undermatched in several key spots. I like Georgia to win and win by at least a couple of touchdowns.

So, this hurts for me to say this but, Go Dawgs. Now let me go wash my mouth out with Listerine before an infection starts to set in.

Other Games that could help the Crimson Tide

I do not see these teams losing this weekend, but Alabama will take a blemish in any form from the teams ranked ahead of them in the CFB rankings.

Michigan @ Maryland at 11 a.m. on FOX | Michigan is a 19-point favorite, but we would appreciate some magic from former Tide quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. Maybe they both could help their former team out.

Ohio State vs. Minnesota at 3 p.m. on the Big 10 Network | Ohio State hosts Minnesota, I am hoping for help but not really expecting the help to come in this game. The Buckeyes are a 4-touchdown favorite, so I am not expecting a miracle in Columbus, Ohio.

UNA vs. FSU at 5:30 p.m. on the CW Network | North Alabama travels to Florida State, I am also not expecting any help from the Lions from Florence to help the Crimson Tide by beating FSU. Never say never, but this is a big mismatch.

Bama's Best Shot

I think the best chance for Alabama this weekend is Oregon State beating Washington, so let’s all go to our closet and see if we own a Beavers shirt. If you do not own an official Oregon State shirt, I am giving all Alabama fans permission to wear a Buc-ee’s t-Shirt to show them the Crimson Tide fans are fully behind the Beavers this weekend.

Go Beavers!

One final thing: If you see Nick Saban around Tuscaloosa, please do not tell him that we are looking ahead to other games instead of focusing on this mighty Chattanooga team.