Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

Here's how it's supposed to go, at least when 'Bama is where they like to be. At halftime, it's Alabama 7, Vanderbilt 0. Vanderbilt should have negative yardage, no first downs, all that. The final should be something like 21-7, with Vanderbilt scoring their only touchdown late in the game against 'Bama's third string.

The score, in reality, is Vandy 10, Alabama 3, at halftime in Tuscaloosa. The game looks very even. Alabama has turned the ball over a couple of times. There's no reason to think 'Bama won't get them late, but there's no reason to think 'Bama is anything other than a very mediocre football team, not nearly as good as last year. If Vanderbilt manages to beat them, 'Bama has real problems. It'll be a long, painful season.

In reality, no one should expect more. This is their first class in years without scholarship reductions. It's too early to get on Shula. Next year they need to be better. If Shula hasn't beaten Auburn by then, the rednecks will run him off. I look for the Tide to be back in the 2008 season. Not all the way back, but pretty damn close. Whether Mike Shula will lead them back to glory remains to be seen.