Alabama never gets the good injury news.
Rejoice, for this is the day that we Gump. Sorry, I’m running a bit late. I’ve been working on the site more and more, with longer and longer hours, and just saw 3:30 a.m. hit the clock again for the third night in a row: I’m dragging ass, y’all. But, we’ll grind through it.
“From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me.” IYKYK.
Welp. We may as well start with the bad news, at least for ‘Bama fans:
Georgia will be getting a key piece back in its lineup and could be adding another, while Alabama is hopeful one of its key cogs will be on the field.
Tailback Nate Frazier, who suffered a rib injury in the Bulldogs win over Arkansas on Sept. 19, is no longer listed on the injury report after seeing spot duty with four snaps against Vanderbilt on Saturday.
The Bulldogs did report Chauncey Bowens as injured, and he’s the Dawgs redzone specialist with half a dozen rushing TDs. But the Dawgs now have their leading and second-leading rusher back in the fold — Woodson and Metz have their work cut out for them.
And, the work of those inside linebackers got a lot more difficult, with the Tide’s own injury report showing that Zulu and Hill are still out of action. Josh Ford, the tone-setter for the offensive line, and 100% certifiable madman, also is listed as questionable for Saturday. In sum, Alabama is without seven starters or situational backups. And it’s the first week of October. However, Jayvin James was not listed on the report, though he is still questionable. It could be that ‘Bama at least gets one of its key pieces returning Saturday.
Yesterday we shared the distressing news that Ford broke his arm against Mississippi State last week. It was bad enough to require surgery on Sunday. He’s listed as questionable, but DeBoer said yesterday that he’s busting his ginger rump to get back on that field. He’s a legitimate maniac — once playing a high school game with a completely torn hamstring. If anyone can play through the pain, and still be effective, I’d put my money on him.
Though at this level it’s probably out of Ford’s hands, and the docs will have the final say
The last 12 hours of weather reports have been somewhat mixed. On one hand, Isaiahs is strengthening, and is expected to be a Cat 2 when it makes landfall. And, yes, Tuscaloosa appears to be a target for the storm, and it will hit with at least tropical depression force on Saturday. And, yes, the storm is severe enough to have led Alabama to declare a state of emergency for 40 counties.
But, the storm is also picking up speed, and is anticipated to blow through and out of Tuscaloosa well before kickoff. So, in football terms, the game looks like a go at some point on Saturday evening. The ball is going to be wet, the field probably a bit sloppy, and the wind gusty. But the passing games should still be somewhat operational.
And, in human terms, roadways and infrastructure, downed trees, secondary tornadoes, flooding etc. could still pose serious problems.
Very cool story here from an analyst who watched every Georgia snap this season. Here’s a snippet:
Before moving into the run game, we have to talk about one final number from Stockton: 92.6. That is his completion percentage on passes under ten yards. As astounding as it sounds, it was even more impressive to watch. He’s 25-for-27 on the season, and, after a while, I just became numb to it. If Stockton wants the short yardage, he gets it. Plain and simple.
This team has no problem piecing together a 12, 14, 16-play scoring drive. They stay on track, they don’t give up many free yards, they’re disciplined. The run game is an extension of that.
Alabama has held opponents to just 78.6 rushing yards per game, good for third in the SEC and tenth nationally. The only somewhat comparable defensive front that Georgia has faced is Oklahoma’s, which, for all of its flaws, still has a very talented defense. Georgia wants to play conservatively, especially with a strong possibility of inclement weather. There’s little doubt that Stockton will continue to be lethal in the short passing game, so Alabama’s best chance to wreck Mike Bobo’s game plan is by stopping these running backs.
It’s a massive test for a defensive line that has excelled thus far.
And that brings us back around to two things: 1. As Wommack emphasized on Monday, the Tide have to get Georgia off schedule on first and second down: You cannot let this team get in front of the chains; the offense lives off of it. And, 2. In relation to yesterday’s poll of which is more important, third down defense or forcing turnovers, there is actually a correct answer (at least in mathematical terms): Third down defense is by far the single most important factor in defensive success. Alabama leads the SEC and is 15th nationally in 3rd Down defense, surrendering a very stingy 27.78%. Keep an eye on that: what Alabama does on third down will determine the trajectory of this game — but it has to start on first and second down.
Crootin’ SZN
But every day is crootin’ szn in Tuscaloosa. Alabama is hosting one helluva stud pass rusher during the A&M game, and you can never have too many of those guys. The fact he was dismissed from the ‘Canes of all places does concern me a bit, as does his injury history. But the coaches are better privy than we are, so we just have to trust DeBoer & Co that Lowe is in a better headspace now.
Tonight’s a big night for we Gumps. Not only does Basketball tip-off with an exhibition, but the ESPN docuseries on Nick Saban begins this evening:
“Saban,” the six-part documentary series about former Alabama Crimson Tide coach and college football legend Nick Saban, makes its premiere to a national audience Thursday.
ESPN announced the documentary series about the seven-time national championship coach in late August. The first episode will be televised Thursday, Oct. 8. All six episodes can be seen on ESPN from October and into early November and will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Nate Oats and his newly rebuilt roster of giants hit the hardwood tonight, the first of three exhibitions before the season tips off in earnest:
The Crimson Tide plays its first of three exhibitions against the Paladins. You can also stream the game. Full information here.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama men’s basketball team begins its preseason slate on Thursday, at Coleman Coliseum against Furman. This will be the first of three games the Crimson Tide will play leading up to the start of the regular season.
Game Info
- Date: Thursday, October 8
- Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Venue: Coleman Coliseum
Bama Hammer has their weekly Four Players piece up, players who could be x-factors and help decide the game. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all devoutly wish No. 1 comes to fruition:
Star Tide freshman EJ Crowell’s usage has been a topic of conversation among Alabama fans this week after he received only three carries against Mississippi State. Ryan Grubb talked about it on Monday: Crowell is still learning and doesn’t yet have a full grasp of his offensive responsibilities.
But when he does get the football, he’s one of Alabama’s most dynamic playmakers. He leads the team with a staggering 7.8 yards per carry. He has produced a run of 29+ yards in three consecutive games, including a jaw-dropping 37-yarder last week against Mississippi State that included three broken tackles.
Against a Georgia team that will be difficult to run on, Alabama will need Crowell’s ability to break tackles and maintain his balance through contact in order to stay on schedule offensively.
He won’t get 20 touches, but I’m expecting him to get at least 10.
And, finally, your moment of levity: This is how you stick the landing. LOL.
That’s all for now. We’ll be back later this afternoon with our preview of the Georgia Bulldogs — and why Alabama will win. Until then, have a great morning, thanks for dropping by, and take care
Roll Tide
Infuriating that there isn’t any way to watch the game tonight. How hard would it be to set up a camera and live stream it on youtube or something?
See also: 90% of softball games
Fire Murph.
i’d settle with firing that lazy MFer in left field.
Buddy, if you know where that quote is from, you can join me at the nerd table.
Heard a lot about Warhammer but never played it. It seems very involved.
The game itself is fairly standard TTRPG. The lore is what is really rich and detailed and complex — and cool as hell.
What’s your faction? I play Salamander and Adeptus Mechanicus. Just got a new Skitarii Pile of Gray I’m painting now.
I haven’t played since 2022 when I moved, but back then I was playing Dark Angel’s. Something about the look of Paladin style Space Marines drew me in. Plus they were a bit broken at the time.
I cheated and Googled it. Sounds bad ass.
Incredibly badass. I’d start with some of lore clips on YouTube or the animated series on Amazon. Or the hype videos.
this will make you want to run through a brick wall.
So, the LoR goblins have machine guns?
Grot can use weapons, yeah. Even operate machines. I’d have to watch ir again, but those were probably Orks, the chaotic, hilarious mad lads of the 40K universe.
Space Marines Killing Stuff for 8 Minutes [4K UHD] Secret Level on Amazon Video | Warhammer Animated
I once watched this video and started looking into what this was….mate, it’s a whole thing. I couldn’t keep track of all the factions and what not.
well, you have to eat an elephant one bite at a time. Just pick something cool, like the salamander faction. And after one or two videos/dives into the lore, you’ll be hooked.
Like Sa’Kan of the Salamanders. Or your life as one.
Or a Space Marine’s armour ceremony.
Bro is a madman indeed. Glad he dons the Crimson and White.
Yup. About 38% of all variance is accounted for by that one factor.
Second is TOM, at 29%. (Numbers updated for 2026 data).
It’s wild that you win ball games about 67% winning only 3rd down and turnovers.
Yup – that was my guess too.
“Tonight’s a big night for we Gumps.”
I would add that our 12-1 (most wins in the country) #5 ranked soccer team takes on the Gators at 7 EDT/6 CDT on SEC Network. If you like soccer, you should definitely check our team out. Wes has maybe his best team ever in Tuscaloosa, including the top goal keeper in the SEC (and probably a top-3 in the country). We are a FUN team to watch play.
That joke….
Vox mods hearing that joke….
Gonna go ban TBT and me again just to be safe.
Join the club.
A little birdie told me Frazier was reinjured in practice. Will be interesting if he plays
Ooooooh. Interesting.
I’m not happy a player is injured but it doesn’t hurt my feelings that UGA is missing some key players. I’m tired of facing teams who are fully healthy bc they haven’t played anyone.
Sorry, y’all. I’m gonna have to push the preview till tomorrow.
I am an absolute zombie, and so damn tired. I wasn’t joking about really working till about three or 3:30 at night on the site.
Isaac and TBT help with the meltdown and a lot of backend stuff, and trust me, the tech is a bitch and takes time expertise I simply don’t have, but I’m doing all the content right now. And I’m just wearing down.
But, it will be good, and it will be worth it, and it will be ready for you tomorrow morning, bright and early with your coffee
Alright, since we’re bringing up video games (and yes, I’m avoiding our injury news), I recently started playing MADiSON on the PSVR (PS5) and despite it’s attempts at jump scares, I have been laughing my ass off! It got to the point where I was listening to Coach Doe and his crew talking shit back and forth with Miss State & Jawjeeyuh fans as the action was lagging and I was clueless of the scary noises which was an unclothed shit monkey circling me in a basement with ghouly music accompaniment.
THEN! …the screen went black! No idea what came next as the game crashed. I predict I shall awaken with that ghoul wiggling his finger in my shit-maker. More to come. Film at 11.
“ghoul wiggling his finger in my shit-maker”
I enjoyed myself and he bought me dinner, so no harm, no foul and this doth not make me homo, SIR.
It’s not gay if you don’t make eye contact
I bought a PS5 during the pandemic to play *Ghost of Tsushima*, but I rarely use it, because most of the newer Sony first party exclusives are just (woke) trash.
Having a game with progressive themes and characters doesn’t make a game shitty. Look at Witcher, or the mass effect series or Baldur’s Gate 3. And I’m as centrist as they come.
But ideologues cranking out half-baked, shitty, unoptimized games, written like shit, and using gaming as a personal political platform is a big fuck no for me.
I just wanna swing from buildings, web bad guys, and hang out with a hot Mary Jane. Is that too much to ask, Sony?!!
Anyway, I’ve honestly always liked my XBoxes and PC gaming better.
is that worth picking up?
Is picking up the VR worth it? Well… since killing people is generally frowned upon, using the PSVR to play Resident Evil 4 and Village kind of fills that “need” for me. MADiSON is just kind of okay if you like creepy jump scares and shit that makes no sense. The revamped Arizona Sunshine 2 on VR was quite fun because you kill zombos while avoiding the sunburns AZ giveth.
I may need yon knowledge of a gaming PC. I want to play the Fallout mods outchea!
Honestly, the PC master race sub-Reddit is a great resource. But as expensive as parts are right now, you’d probably be better off buying a used laptop, or an all in one prebuilt.
BTW – 33 comments and counting — probably the most yet I’d say. This TRL thing is gathering steam!!
Eat the elephant one bite at a time.
We’ll begin advertising some next week. We have very limited means, so I have to see how to spend the $217.40 left from the website rebuild.
so far, everything has been word-of-mouth, and it’s doing pretty well just for that limited exposure: A few thousand registered members and some pretty good traffic.
.
honestly, word of mouth and social media shares drive so much now. We also rate pretty highly with AI, and for whatever reason, Google AI summaries love my name specifically.
obviously, we’d like to grow the community, and have more engagement — that kind of stuff in turn drives traffic.. Free speech includes the right not to speak, but we built this place and designed it with no tethers so people could have fun and bullshit without fear of a cybernanny.
besides, the Bamasphere needed a far less corporate place to chill and read analysis — far too mich looks and reads the same.
that place didn’t exist, so I built it 😊
Okay, that’s FIVE RECs, white bwaaaaahhhhh! Why ain’t this shit as red as a baboon’s ass?
I was wondering that too. Surely there’s some way to light up the recommendations.
I’ll ask Isaac to see if he can poke around… After I find my phone.
I was moving porch furniture into the shed last night out of the rain, and I laid it down somewhere in an unlit “shed”..and the notifications are off.
It’s not even a shed. It‘s about 24×30, and elevated — it’s almost the size of an efficiency apartment. I’m not gonna be able to find it until I get some light and I’m in the middle of wiring it right now. Hell, I could hook this up to a septic system and lease it for $500-600 a month as bad as rents are ATM.
sigh.