Game 1 Review: No. 1 Alabama 48, San Jose State 3

The 2010 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide probably didn't expect much of a contest in its opener against San Jose State, and to be fair, it didn't get much of one.  The Tide, however, did take care of business quickly and efficiently against the Spartans, and subsequently got some meaningful game experience to a number of young players.  The result was a nice tune-up game for Penn State next Saturday.

My Seven Points on Game One:

1.  Off-the-field distractions didn't seem to impact the team.  The off-season had its share of opportunities to lose focus, with Mark Ingram's knee injury and Marcel Dareus' two-game suspension, not to mention that little matter of the 2009 national championship and the attendant media interest.  Alabama did not seem to be affected on the field, however, even against a non-marquee team.  Anyone who doubts that distracted, unfocused teams can look bad against over-matched opponents need only roam as far as Oxford or Gainesville.  It is a tribute to the Tide's buy-in to Nick Saban's philosophy that Alabama came out enthusiastic and ready to play.


2.  Special teams looked much better than expected.  After losing the starting punter, kicker, kick returner and holder from last year's squad, Alabama's biggest question mark coming into the season was arguably special teams.  Cody Mandell made two punts over 50 yards, and both Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster made every field goal and extra point attempted.  Kickoff returns were decent, and while no one is going to approach Arenas as a punt returner, coverage on punts and kicks was good.  Granted, SJSU is no great test, but the special teams overall contributed to the win and did everything they were asked to do.

3.  Mark Ingram shouldn't have to hurry back.  Ingram is a great player and leader, without question.  He is the best blocker among the RBs, and he just doesn't turn the ball over.  That being said, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, and Demetrius Goode all ran the ball really well against SJSU, and should give 'Bama the opportunity get Ingram back to 100 percent before he plays again, hopefully by the time SEC play begins.

4.  Greg McElroy was totally in command.  This is Greg's team.  He was calm in the pocket, made great throws, and good decisions (the improvised toss to Richardson might have been the best).  He looked like he was having fun and was totally confident, passing 13 of 15 for 218 yards and a TD in basically two quarters.  He has continued to grow and mature into a real on-the-field leader.

5.  It was good, however, to see McCarron early and often.  Once the game started getting away from the Spartans, McCarron came in and almost immediately threw a fantastic touchdown pass to Julio Jones (fantastic more for the catch than the throw).  Anyone who has been a Bama fan long enough to remember Brodie Croyle's season-ending knee injury (or David Smith's, if you want to go back another couple of decades) knows that the line between backup and starter can be one play.  I like the fact that Saban got McCarron some game experience early, and seated McElroy, Richardson, and most of the other starters once the result was certain.

6.  The stadium looks fantastic.  I've been in and around Bryant-Denny Stadium many times, and have seen it from inside and out since the south end zone construction began, but you don't really get the full impact of it until it's full of rowdy fans.  In a way, though, tonight was really a dress rehearsal.  As great as 101,821 fans looked and felt against SJSU, no fan went into that game expecting anything but a blowout and a chance to see some new players get on the field.  Next week will provide the first real chance to change the game with the enclosed space and crowd noise.  That being said, the new work looks beautiful.  Compared to the 70,000-81,000 seat structure that I experienced as a college student, it looks like a totally different place, and one that every 'Bama man (or woman) should be proud of.

7.  Overall, this night was a success.  Although it didn't provide the excitement that opening day has the last two years, the matchup with San Jose State provided something for this team that it needed.  In 2008, Alabama's decisive win over Clemson gave the team the confidence that it could compete at a high level and set the stage for a great run that ended in Atlanta 12 games later.  Last year, the victory over Virginia Tech established a fresh-faced young quarterback and inaugurated a national championship run.  In 2010, the question is not talent but experience, and the game was lopsided enough that second, third and fourth-string players got significant time on the field.  Beyond that, they mostly maintained the level of play and enthusiasm that the starters established.  That is a good sign of things to come.