Beware of Gators!

Beware of gators!

Not only have alligators taken up residence along the Alabama River, but Gators from Florida are streaming into our state today by car, truck, bus and van. I saw vehicles on U.S. Highway 80  yesterday, and they were flying Florida Gator pennants and likely headed for Tuscaloosa. The No. 7 Florida Gators college football team plays the No. 1 University of Alabama Crimson Tide in a Southeastern Conference matchup tonight at 7 pm CST.

Photograph courtesy of guest photographer Randy Smith (who's been observing and taking pictures of alligators on the river since he got his first boat in the 1970s).  

Tide Pride

If anyone ever doubted the pride that Alabama football fans are feeling these days, here's proof! The Crimson Tide flag ranks just beneath the American flag in a yard just a couple of miles down the road.

I bet there are more local vehicles decorated with Crimson Tide pennants right now than there are yards decorated for Christmas... and those who drive red or white cars and trucks are really FANatic with the Bama theme. I've seen Bama tags and magnetic signs on doors and hoods and trunks and windows!

All that pride has led to TODAY when the Tide meets its most cunning foe yet...the swarming and swarthy Florida Gators (No. 2 in one poll) for the Southeastern Conference championship. But it's even bigger than that! The winner will probably vie for a berth in the Bowl Championship Series national title game in January.

NOW, while Alabama is ranked No. 1 in all national polls, doubting prognosticators who study the stats even in their sleep give the nod to Florida. BUT, the underdog Tide has proved it's worth its saltwater time after time and pulled with a mighty undertow to victory through 12 regular season games.

SO, how can anyone in Bama Country believe the naysayers and so easily dismiss the relentless Bear Bryant-like defense and game-control techniques reinvented by the Sabanation? Those Gators may come plundering with their jaws wide open, but a Tidal Wave is on the way!

Update: Much to my surprise, the pundits were right this time. Many predicted that Florida would beat Bama by 10 points, and while the Tide led at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Gators came back with two touchdowns and won 31-20. But, the Tide is back with a 12-1 record and is probably headed for the post-season Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.