Mount Cody lifts 'Bama past the Vols

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By Jonathan Bellah

Alabama needed two field goal blocks, one coming in the closing seconds, from Terrence Cody, their colossal 354-pound nose tackle who was nicknamed Mount Cody by his teammates, against Tennessee to keep their perfect season intact.

Tennessee scored with just over a minute left in the game to pull them within two points of the Tide. Denarius Moore recovered the ensuing on-side kick on Tennessee's 41 yard line. Jonathan Crompton drove the Vols down to the Alabama 28 yard line to set up the 44 yard field goal for Daniel Lincoln with four ticks left.

Alabama enters their bye week having put on an impressive showing in the first two-thirds of their schedule. The Crimson Tide will return in two weeks to face what is likely their toughest competition of the season when they host the LSU Tigers.

Tennessee will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss when they host South Carolina this weekend. South Carolina has a knack for playing close games despite the level of competition, as five of their eight games have been decided by six points-or-less.

Stephen Garcia connected with Alshon Jeffery for a 43-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the fourth quarter to pull the Gamecocks over Vanderbilt. Garcia played a near flawless game, passing for 312 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

Tennessee's defense has looked excellent all season and has kept them in a lot of games. The Gamecocks will need to establish their passing game early, especially with stud receiver Alshon Jeffery. South Carolina is inconsistent on offense, though, and Tennessee's defense will likely be too much for them to handle. I see Tennessee pulling the upset.

The LSU Tigers returned strong after their bye week, appearing to have corrected a lot of the offensive miscues that have plagued them this season.

Again, though, it was LSU's defense that really made the difference. The Tigers held Auburn's potent running game to just 112 yards, over 100 yards less than their season average. Chris Todd was held to just 47 yards passing and without a touchdown.

The Tigers will stay in Baton Rouge this weekend when they host Tulane. The Tigers should cruise to their seventh win on the season.

Game of the Week

The Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs will square off this weekend on neutral ground in Jacksonville, FL.

The Gators needed a flurry of points in the fourth quarter to vault them past Mississippi State last weekend. It was the second game in a row that the Gators have needed late-game heroics to pull off the victory, but give them credit for playing well in the clutch.

Tim Tebow tied Herschel Walker for the most rushing touchdowns in SEC history, last weekend. Tebow continues to establish himself as the frontrunner for a second Heisman Trophy, which would place him in the company of Archie Griffin as the only two-time winner.

Georgia is coming off a bye week and is hoping to carry the momentum from their 34-10 dismantling of Vanderbilt. Joe Cox will need to help from A.J. Green down the field to keep the Gators on their heels.

Florida's defense will shut down the Bulldogs struggling running game, and it will be on Georgia's defense to keep them in the game. In the end, Florida simply outclasses Georgia in almost every facet of the game.

Prediction: Florida 31, Georgia 13

Originally Published: Issue 821 - October 28, 2009

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