For Alabama, a Win Is a Win, And Atlanta’s All That Matters

Now they’re even. A week after Florida just avoided an upset against Arkansas at home, it was Alabama’s turn to nearly lose a game against a supposedly inferior foe.

It was not a thing of beauty for Alabama. Two blocked FGs by Terrence Cody were only the most obvious examples of the defense bailing out the offense. Even Mark Ingram ended up fumbling the very carry that put him one yard shy of 100 for the day — a turnover that ended up giving the Volunteers their only TD. That was one more than the Tide had, in part because of an effective defense by Monte Kiffin and an anemic passing attack from Alabama, the latest in a string of subpar days by Greg McElroy. No matter the final result, this was not a great day for the Tide. […]

The near-loss will take some of the hype out of Bama’s campaign to be No. 1 and Mark Ingram’s bid for the Heisman. Neither case was fatally wounded, but both came out of the game in worse shape than they were in when the day began. Not only did Ingram fumble the ball on that critical drive, Alabama defeated Tennessee by less than Florida in a game that was far closer than the contest in Gainesville.

But it was a win, and as long as Alabama makes it to Atlanta, that’s all that really matters.