TUSCALOOSA -- In case you are wondering, as of today, Alabama is still in the national championship hunt. With the help of big losses from Ohio State and Nebraska, the line in front of Alabama got shorter.

This week, the Crimson Tide is 8th in the first released BCS standings of the year. Also, it is seemingly in a lowly 3rd position in the SEC West standings; however keep in mind that Alabama still controls its fate. Win out, and Alabama will march like Sherman to Atlanta.

Alabama fans are cautiously optimistic of Alabama's chances after a "ho-hum" type of 23-10 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday. Also, don't forget that this isn't missed by the players at Alabama, and of course Nick Saban. There is definitely room for improvement on both sides of the ball. Sure, McElroy passed effectively on Ole Miss 17-for-25 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. But when you look closer, 85 yards was in one play to Trent Richardson. Alabama must get better.

Alabama's next shot to prove themselves worthy of the SEC & national championship rings comes on Saturday night, when they take on their hated rival, Tennessee, in what is sure to be a wild atmosphere in Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee is down this year with only a 2-4 record, but they are definitely not a push-over. Tennessee led LSU at the end of the game, only to lose a close fought game to the hands of the mad hatter himself, Les Miles. Knocking Alabama down a peg in the BCS would cause the goalposts to fall in Knoxville.

Tennessee was even a tough game last year when Bama took home the national championship. It took two blocked kicks by Mount Cody to preserve the victory over the volunteers.

If Alabama can win-out, the road to Atlanta will be one that could lead to Glendale, Arizona. However Alabama could still use some help. They need Oregon and/or Oklahoma to lose a game. UCLA has a chance on beating Oregon this weekend (they did beat Texas), but look for Oregon's best chance for a loss against #18 Arizona. Oklahoma, on the other hand, plays a tough #11 Missouri team that could be upset minded. Not to mention, Oklahoma will have to tangle with an undefeated state rival in Oklahoma State.

Keep in mind that when Florida won the national championship in 2008, it lost to Ole Miss at home. In fact, they dropped to #10 in the BCS that year. 

Nick Saban is no stranger to this game from his days at Louisana State. When the first BCS rankings came out in 2003, LSU was ranked 12th.   That year, they even lost a pivotal game to Florida 19-7 before roaring back to win-out the rest of the season & capture the crystal ball in defeating Oklahoma.

Consider this.  Oregon & Oklahoma have to go unbeaten or Alabama has to get beat again to keep Bama from travelling to Glendale.  For some reason, I just can't see either scenario happening.  Bama will be there in Glendale. 

Remember this, Tide nation.  There is a lot of football to be played this season, so don't give up on Alabama's chances to pick up another crystal football at the end of the year.  All hope is not lost.   Alabama is still in striking distance for the big game, but they have to play it one game at a time. Everything else will fall into place.

Roll Tide!

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