Alabama

Good old fashioned hate.

It all started for me in 1996. Still have the bolt from the south end zone goal post that came tumbling down. Still have the 17-16 t-shirt. Still have the video of the game and if it wasn't for a house cleaning project gone awry, would still have part of the hedges. State started a streak that night that lead to Alabama beat-downs in three of the next four years. Not a bad college run.

Since then however....

It's been five years since the last State victory over the Tide. It's been 25 years since the 6-3 shocker. Destiny anyone?

Why Alabama: Bigger, faster, stronger, blah, blah, blah and of course Croyle. And of course they have history on their side. In addition, State can't score on Kentucky and Alabama has one of the best defenses in the country.

Why State: Perhaps Croyle will fall down the steps getting off the bus on Saturday and break his ankle. And perhaps Alabama is looking past the Pups towards LSU. And perhaps it will be just one of those one-in-a-million upsets. Right....

Bottom line: Alabama wins big. I'm predicting 28-10, but I'm not sure if that's hope getting the better of me.