Finally, Alabama enters Top 25

By Marc Hudgens  |   Sunday, September 16, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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Head coach Nick Saban came to Tuscaloosa, Ala., a place where expectations are extremely high, during the offseason. Many media members weren't sure that Saban, a former national championship-winning coach at LSU and ex-Miami Dolphins sideline general, would make an immediate impact with the Crimson Tide.

However, Saban silenced doubters Saturday evening with his team's win over 16th-ranked Arkansas.

The Tide's 41-38 victory over the Razorbacks was certainly a statement win.

After its triumph over its SEC rival, Alabama has entered the AP's Top 25 poll.

This week, only one team ranked lower than 20th lost, and that was No. 22 Tennessee, which got smashed by fifth-ranked Florida, 59-20. The next-closest team in the rankings to lose was, coincidentally, Arkansas. That scenario was working against the Tide's chances to become one of the nation's 25 best teams.

What no one expected, at least not this writer, was for 11th-ranked UCLA and 15th-ranked Georgia Tech to fall completely out. That opened doors for 'Bama.

There were a few external forces working against the Tide, so it was somewhat surprising to see the team ranked in the Top 25 so quickly and, more surprisingly, so highly (16th). But the AP realized the magnitude of the Tide's big win in Tuscaloosa, and the squad was rewarded handsomely.

If Alabama goes forward and beats Georgia, which is currently ranked 22nd, that would be two consecutive ranked teams beaten by the Tide. If that happens -- and given how much it jumped this week -- don't be surprised to see 'Bama nearing the top 10 afterward.

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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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