Crimson Red Sports

Despite holding the Bulldogs to 12 yards on the ground and 131 total yards, there are still some who would classify Saturday night’s game as an ugly win for the Tide. The Bulldogs frustrated the Alabama offense and caused McCarron to throw a costly interception. However, it is worth noting the Tide was up against the nations No. 17 defense in terms of points allowed.

“Mississippi State has a good team,” head coach Nick Saban said. “They came out and played LSU tough. Everybody that they played, they haven’t lost to anyone by more than 13 points and all the teams they lost to are ranked teams.”

As the No. 3 team in the BCS standing, Alabama title hopes are not in bad shape. However, the Tide is still placed in the uncomfortable position of relying on a team to lose in order to jump into one of the top two spots.

“I think it is kind of wrong to have to put your faith into other teams,” Hightower said. “That is definitely not the situation that we want to be put in, but that is the situation that we are in.”

With games against Georgia Southern and Auburn remaining, Alabama will have two more chances to prove why it deserves the chance to play in New Orleans in January for a national title.

“This season has gone by extremely fast,” Hightower said. “But I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully we are in a situation where we still play for the national championship. We got to take it one game at a time.”

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/11/14/tide-beats-bulldogs-stays-in-title-hunt/

The Tide has already rec'd more help, especially this quick, than anyone expected. An Oklahoma St. loss should wrap up the Christmas present. An Oregon loss as a stocking stuffer.  :-* Merry Christmas, Crimson Tide.