Tide hits the 80-point level again...  

     I'm sure some fans are concerned about the falling level or Alabama's offensive output.  The Tide finally got back over the 80 points per game threshold after the three previous games. Why the worry about fewer points per game? Here's why.  Sooner or later, an opposing team will have a game where they shoot lights out. Their scoring has nothing to do with your scoring. It would be best to keep pumping in the points to win games if another team is shooting well and avoid a loss. In my mind, that number is 80 and above. 

      The next three games set up well for the Tide to win. That would give Alabama 19 wins. The last three games before SEC Championship are problematic. Arkansas is an excellent all-around team that appears to be playing "big ball" at the right time.  State and Auburn cause matchup problems for Alabama. Their inside height will make rebounding more difficult. It will also make making layups challenging. Layup penetration is essential to the Oats offensive gameplan. Alabama is going to need more points to avoid future losses. In fact, Alabama's five losses all involved games in which they scored less than 72 points per game. One loss saw the Tide scored less than 60. If Alabama scored their season average, they would be undefeated. Despite some sub-par outings, Alabama was close to beating Oklahoma,  Missouri, and Western Kentucky. You might remember the snafu, which occurred at the end of the WKU game in which players were unsure of the score. That's not an excuse but an observation. Alabama has a three-game lead in the loss column today. They also have a four-game lead in the win column. 

     For the sake of discussion, let's assume 'Bama wins their next six games.  Alabama would finish the regular season at 22-5.  Those are numbers where the high cotton*grows. I think Alabama has a real chance to win the last six if Jordan Bruner comes back and can play at a high level against Mississippi State and Auburn. One that defies logic is winning despite multiple injuries and illnesses. No one knows if Bruner will come back at full speed or whether he'll need some time to get the rust off. Reports are that Bruner has been shooting, riding a bike, and doing pool calisthenics. Rest assured that Tide doctors and trainers have done all necessary to have him ready to play. I got an email from someone asking me if Jordan Bruner is eligible to play next season? I'm not sure. He is a grad transfer, not a senior. If you know, let the fans know as well.

*High cotton is a Southern term to describe cotton sold at high market value. 

*High cotton is a Southern term to describe cotton sold at high market value.