The Severed Cortex

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263080333

I had a feeling this might happen. Every year in the SEC, some low-end program (e.g. MS State) topples a perceived high-end program (e.g. Alabama). Last year State knocked off Florida, this year it's Alabama. When State lost to Kentucky last week (a game I thought they had a shot at winning), I thought that either Alabama would be 'upset' this week or Arkansas next week. I was hoping for Arkansas. When State is not playing them, Alabama is my favorite college football team. A lot has to do with the fact that my high school buddy Barry Gilmore is a rabid fan and graduated from there. A good portion also has to do with the persona of Bear Bryant. Mostly though it's from Keith Jackson, who as a kid seemed to broadcast every Alabama game on TV. Back in the day when only one game a year was played on campus, I'd start my Saturday football with the words, "Hello everybody this is Keith Jackson coming to you live from Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama where the Crimson Tide of Alabama face the LSU Tigers from Baton Rouge. Whoa Nelly do we have a barn-burner for you today". I feasted on guys like Major Ogilvie and Ozzie Newsome and my only complaint was that the jersey's didn't have names on the back. Fast-forward to 2006 and this year's Alabama team is not as strong; that's obvious if you lose at home to arguably the worst team in the league. However, that shows the true greatness of SEC football. The programs are all so good that any week, any team can beat another. Yesterday, even Kentucky knocked off Georgia, who in my opinion is a little overrated to begin with.
That being said, this is a real bright spot for the year and hopefully a real turning point for Sylvester Croom's program. It's a bittersweet win for me, but a win nonetheless. I expect to be trounced by Arkansas next week, but once again it's the SEC, who knows? MS State is out of the cellar (OK, tied) in the SEC West and all signs point to an Ole Miss slaughter in two weeks.