quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

quote:

Originally posted by Syd:

quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

I just wanted to quote your post.

quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Grant's Hamstring:

quote:

Originally posted by Syd:

quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

I just wanted to quote your post.

quote:

Originally posted by happy gilmer:
all this thread needs is a really long cat

quote:

Originally posted by BamainbigD:

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Grant's Hamstring:

quote:

Originally posted by Syd:

quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

I just wanted to quote your post.

quote:

Originally posted by J A G:

quote:

Originally posted by BamainbigD:

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Grant's Hamstring:

quote:

Originally posted by Syd:

quote:

Originally posted by downed hostage:
Just in case you missed the multiple post sham,

I put it all together for you:

Get ready for it Alabama fans, the media has turned on the Tide. Listening to the pundits this week the one theme that is being replayed over and over again is that Alabama has lost their mojo.

That's right, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa are gaining ground and some of the media's talking heads are now saying that the Crimson Tide needs to be demoted in the rankings.

In fact, Texas has already been moved ahead of Alabama in the all major polls this weekend and Alabama dropped in the BCS standing down to third. Texas now holds the second spot.

Why? Because Alabama has not exactly looked like world beaters lately and have not exactly been blowing teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Tennessee off the field in their past three games.

It doesn't matter that Alabama was at the end of a very difficult eight-game stretch or that the Tide lost one of their best defensive players in Dont'a Hightower. It doesn't matter that they lost their leading receiver Colin Peek either because they don't care.

It also doesn't seem to matter that Alabama’s offense just faced three of the top 25 defenses in the country, or that Alabama's starting quarterback was going through a slump much in the same way Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow did earlier in the season because that doesn't matter either.

Nope, according to the drum that ESPN, CBS, and ABC are beating, Alabama was all smoke and mirrors, and they may not have been what the talking heads thought they were just a few weeks ago.

Not so long ago the same media pinheads were saying things like, "Alabama is the most consistent team in college football" and "Alabama is the most complete team in college football along with several of the same people saying, Alabama should be No. 1. Now they are using terms like one dimensional and unimpressive.”

If the media is starting a campaign designed to influence the voters in hopes of dropping Alabama or raising teams like Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, TCU, and Iowa, they have forgotten one very important thing.

Alabama still controls its own destiny.

Alabama will play No. 9 LSU this week in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 EST and if they win that game and keep winning they will play No. 1 Florida in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec 5.

Then if they beat No. 1 Florida in that game, it really won't matter what the talking heads were saying way back in the first part of November.

So what is it going to take to get Alabama back up to speed and playing like they were earlier in the year?

(1) The most important thing has already happened, Alabama has had a chance to rest.

Alabama played eight straight games without a break and even though they weren't the only team in the nation to do that, they were the only team ranked in the top five to have to do that and that wears on any team.

Nick Saban said this team was tired mentally and it has shown in Alabama's past two games.

(2) They have to get their swagger back and start having fun again.

Alabama has been playing like a team that is playing not to lose.

Instead they should be playing the way they were earlier in the year. In Alabama’s first five games they looked like they were having fun, knocking teams off the ball and running and passing at will.

Everyone on the team was playing like there was no tomorrow. Now they look like everyone is trying to take away their Championship Trophy—you know the one that they haven't even earned yet.

(3) Last but not least they need to stop listening to the media and the fans.

All the Heisman Trophy and No. 1 talk has gone to their heads. Have you noticed that every time one of them that was mentioned as the star of the team or a potential Heisman candidate by the media they have gone straight into the tank immediately afterward?

All of a sudden this team looks like they are trying to pose for pictures instead of playing Alabama football.

In Alabama's defense I know they are under a lot of pressure and all of this National Championship and Heisman talk has to have a negative effect on these players.

There is no doubt that the crown is heavy, and Alabama has been wearing this one all season long.

There is no doubt that they have been getting every opposing team's A game and it gets harder and harder to fend them off when you are playing not to lose.

There is also no doubt that if Alabama keeps playing to not lose, that is exactly what will happen, they will lose.

With only five games left between this Alabama team and their first trip to the BCS National Championship Game, I would suggest these players wake up and snap out of it!

If the Crimson Tide doesn't get back to business, they may end up watching the BCS Championship Game on television with the rest of the us when someone like LSU or Florida plays someone like Texas or Boise State for the BCS Title on Jan. 7, 2010 in Pasadena, Ca.

I'll tell you up front, I'm not a “stats” guy; I look at stats, but I trust my gut more.

When I attempt to predict the future, I don't look at stats, but only the last few weeks. In college football momentum means far more than what happened six weeks ago, or where your rush defense ranks nationally.

Looking at LSU's schedule, they may not have been tested quite as many time as Alabama, but they would be undefeated if they hadn't played Florida already and they didn't lose that game by much.

Focusing on the last three games, LSU has allowed 23 points and scored 76. Seven of those points allowed came during garbage time against Auburn when LSU likely had emptied the bench.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown 18 fewer times than Alabama's Greg McElroy in his last three games, yet got a lot more out of it. Jefferson's 501 yards passing and four touchdowns eclipses McElroy's numbers by 142 yards and all of the touchdowns.

During this span, Jefferson has been throwing for a respectable 66 percent completion and 7.71 yards per attempt.

Greg McElroy's numbers aren't so great. His 51 percent completion rate is barely acceptable and the 4.33 yards per attempt is abysmal, like 1970s furniture; bad.

McElroy's going to take shots from the media, but the blame can be spread far and wide.

Superman Julio Jones has been completely shut down deep in 2009. Alabama needed a trick play to get him his only touchdown this season.

Darius Hanks, normally sure handed, has dropped a few lately and Marques Maze isn't getting open like he was earlier in the season.

Tight end Colon Peek has been reliable, but is currently injured. The other tight ends haven't showed up much in the passing game.

Against Ole Miss, Greg McElory took a beating at the hands of the Rebel defensive line. That's the same Rebel line that couldn't get into the same zip code with Auburn quarterback Chris Todd on Saturday.

South Carolina continued the assault the following week with similar results.

The lone bright spot offensively has been sophomore tailback Mark Ingram. Ingram has been brilliant, but overuse which may have resulted in a subpar performance against Tennessee, especially in the second half.

Looking at the last three games, my gut feeling is that LSU is playing better football now and now is what counts. If this game were in Tiger Stadium, I would pick them to win outright.

Thankfully, the Tide has this game at home and have had an off week to think about it.

Alabama's defense has been stifling all season and will likely give LSU's offense fits. LSU does have outstanding skill players and its unlikely Alabama will pitch a shutout.

But what Alabama desperately needs are for the big-time players to step up on offense. Big-time players ARE big time because they show up when everything is on the line;now is that time.

The polls are beginning to reflect this lack of faith, as Texas slid past Alabama in the AP, BCS and Coaches Poll. The Alabama offense or lack thereof has become a national talking point for the media.

The upset vultures are beginning to circle.

If Alabama has any bullets left in their offensive gun, it's time to load those bullets and fire the weapon. Alabama can still have a great season even if they lose this game, but nothing should be held back.

I can't think of a better time for Mark Ingram to put his best foot forward for the Heisman and for poll voters to see. LSU's game plan is to stop him. Alabama must be prepared to counter that tactic with big plays from their passing game.

The winner controls the West and their destiny.

The offense of both units have come under close examination this year. But what do the numbers mean and how will they affect the outcome of the game? Let's examine.

Offense

Total Offense and Plays Run

LSU has run 426 offensive plays this year for 2148 total yards. LSU opponents have run 481 plays (55 more than LSU) for 2128 total yards (20 yards less). They average 306 yards of offense a game or 104 yards a game less than Alabama.

Simply put, LSU's offense doesn't control the ball enough to keep it away from opponents and the total yards made and given up are a wash out to the opponents.

Alabama has run 544 offensive plays this year for 3280 total yards. Bama opponents have run 503 plays (41 than opponents) for 1943 yards (1338 yards more than opponents)

Alabama has 1132 more yards of total offense than LSU, (but they have played one more game, the per game average is 410 yards per game) This is almost the exact same total as it has over its average opponent this year. That is 141 yards more offense a game and almost 15 more offensive plays per game.

Time of Possession

LSU loses the time of possession by over one minute per game.

Alabama wins the time of possession by over five minutes per game.

Offensive Misques

LSU has thrown 3 interceptions.

Alabama has thrown 3 interceptions themselves.

Passing and Rushing

LSU gets more yards through the air than on the ground 1281 yards to 865. The Tigers average only 3.53 yards per carry on the ground and seven yards per passing attempt.

Alabama gets more yards on the ground than through the air, 1741 yards to 1539. The Crimson Tide average 5.31 yards per rush and 7.125 yards per passing attempt.

Conclusion

Alabama's offense is better. It keeps defenses on the field longer, wins the time of possession, generates more total offense, and averages enough extra offensive plays to equal almost two more offensive drives per game than LSU.

Alabama is a more balanced attack and therefore harder to stop. The turnover margins are very close, but LSU averages slightly more turnovers per game than Alabama.

Bama's ability to run the ball will allow it to control the clock and wear down the Tiger defense. Alabama's offense is clearly better overall than LSU in almost every measurable way, so the fact that the nod in offense goes to Alabama is not very arguable.

Defense

LSU has outscored opponents by an average of 10 points game. The average opponent scores only 14 points a game. The Tigers give up 304 yards of offense a game, 127 by ground and 177 by air. They have given up three TDs on the ground and seven by passes in seven games.

LSU allows teams to convert third downs 40 percent of the time, while only making 38 percent of its own conversions.

Alabama has outscored opponents by an average of over 20 points a game. The average opponent only scores 11 points a game. The Tide give up just 242 yards of total offense a game, an astonishing 66.75 yards of rushing per game and 175 by air. They have given up only three TDs on the ground and just five TD passes in eight games.

The Tide allows teams to convert third downs just 29 percent of the time while making over 38 percent of their own conversions.

Conclusion

There is no logical argument that can be made that Alabama has the dominant defense in this game. They lead in almost every measurable category by more than impressive amounts in most.

Special Teams

Team Field Punting Punt Ret. K.O. Ret T.D.'s T.D.'s Goal % Avg. Avg. Avg. Allowed Made

LSU 76.9% 38.73 13.73 18.25 0 1

Bama 87% 42.48 15.92 23.29 2 0

Conclusion

It could be said to be wash. While Alabama is more accurate in field goals and punts longer, LSU has been better in giving up scoring returns.

Other Valuable Intangables

Penalties

LSU has 43 penalties for 331 yards for about 47 yards per game on average.

Alabama has 47 for 423 yards for about 52 yards per game on average.

Red Zone Success

LSU 79.17 percent. Alabama 86.49 percent.

Penalties are a wash, but Alabama's success in the red zone is just slightly better, giving them the check mark in this area as well.

Final Conclusions

They say you win with defense. Alabama has that without question, but they also have the more productive offense as well and does better in the red zone as well.

Figuring in home field advantage and a very noisy crowd, this makes it an even larger hurdle for LSU to overcome.

If you play the game strictly on paper, the Bayou Boys don't have a chance, but that's why they play the game.

Alabama should win this game, and by the numbers, the winning margin should be about 10 points. But as Tide fans saw in the last rivalry game with Tennessee, anything can and usually does happen.

It should be a very entertaining win with the winner most likely representing the SEC Western Division against Florida in the SEC Championship and perhaps a shot at the BCS National Championship.

I posted some threads on here that were articles that were written by journalists not myself but I have seen very quickly that alot of those on here think that i personally wrote these articles. I did not. I am going to include the link to these articles which i should have done in the fist place so that any more flaming that needs to be done can be done at the journalists and not me. Sorry for any confusion on this cause lord knows im not smart enough to sit and write three articles that are gonna make me sound like a pompus jack***.

Here are the links below:

LSU Could Spell Upset for Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Fans Should Have Expected the Media To Turn on the Tide

Alabama and LSU: Predicting a Winner By the Numbers

I just wanted to quote your post.

Do you know what plagiarism is?

Plagiarism, as defined in the 1995 Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary, is the "use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work."[1] Within academia, plagiarism by students, professors, or researchers is considered academic dishonesty or academic fraud and offenders are subject to academic censure, up to and including expulsion. In journalism, plagiarism is considered a breach of journalistic ethics, and reporters caught plagiarizing typically face disciplinary measures ranging from suspension to termination. Some individuals caught plagiarizing in academic or journalistic contexts claim that they plagiarized unintentionally, by failing to include quotations or give the appropriate citation. While plagiarism in scholarship and journalism has a centuries-old history, the development of the Internet, where articles appear as electronic text, has made the physical act of copying the work of others much easier.

Plagiarism is not the same as copyright infringement. While both terms may apply to a particular act, they are different transgressions. Copyright infringement is a violation of the rights of a copyright holder, when material protected by copyright is used without consent. On the other hand, plagiarism is concerned with the unearned increment to the plagiarizing author's reputation that is achieved through false claims of authorship.

Plagiarism (1615–25) > plagiary (1590–1600) > Latin plagiārius kidnapper, equivalent to plagium kidnapping > plaga (snare, net) > base PLAK, to weave (seen in Greek plekein, Latin plectere (to weave)).

Many students feel pressured to complete papers well and quickly, and with the accessibility of new technology (the Internet) students can plagiarize by copying and pasting information from other sources. This is often easily detected by teachers, for several reasons. First, students' choice of sources are frequently unoriginal; instructors may receive the same passage copied from a popular source from several students. Second, it is often easy to tell whether a student used their own "voice." Third, students may choose sources which are inappropriate, off-topic, or contain incorrect information. Fourth, lecturers may insist that submitted work is first submitted to an online plagiarism detector.[3]

In the academic world, plagiarism by students is a very serious offense that can result in punishments such as a failing grade on the particular assignment (typically at the high school level) or for the course (typically at the college or university level).[citation needed]. For cases of repeated plagiarism, or for cases in which a student commits severe plagiarism (e.g., submitting a copied piece of writing as original work), a student may be suspended or expelled. In many universities, academic degrees or awards may be revoked as a penalty for plagiarism.

There is little academic research into the frequency of plagiarism in high schools. Much of the research investigated plagiarism at the post-secondary level.[4] Of the forms of cheating (including plagiarism, inventing data, and cheating during an exam, students admit to plagiarism more than any other).[citation needed]. However, this figure decreases considerably when students are asked about the frequency of "serious" plagiarism (such as copying most of an assignment or purchasing a complete paper from a website). Recent use of plagiarism detection software (see below) gives a more accurate picture of this activity's prevalence.

For professors and researchers, plagiarism is punished by sanctions ranging from suspension to termination, along with the loss of credibility and integrity.[5][6] Charges of plagiarism against students and professors are typically heard by internal disciplinary committees, which students and professors have agreed to be bound by.[7]

Since journalism's main currency is public trust, a reporter's failure to honestly acknowledge their sources undercuts a newspaper or television news show's integrity and undermines its credibility. Journalists accused of plagiarism are often suspended from their reporting tasks while the charges are being investigated by the news organization.[8]

The ease with which electronic text can be reproduced from online sources has lured a number of reporters into acts of plagiarism: Journalists have been caught "copying-and-pasting" articles and text from a number of websites)[citation needed].

Content scraping is a phenomenon of copy and pasting material from Internet websites, affecting both established sites [9] and blogs[10]

Free online tools are becoming available to help identify plagiarism, [11] and there is a range of approaches that attempt to limit online copying, such as disabling right clicking and placing warning banners regarding copyrights on web pages. Instances of plagiarism that involve copyright violation may be addressed by the rightful content owners sending a DMCA removal notice to the offending site-owner, or to the ISP that is hosting the offending site.

Plagiarism is not only the mere copying of text, but also the presentation of another's ideas as one's own, regardless of the specific words or constructs used to express that idea. In contrast, many so-called plagiarism detection services can only detect blatant word-for-word copies of text.

Generally, although plagiarism is often loosely referred to as theft or stealing, it has not been set as a criminal matter in the courts.[12] Likewise, plagiarism has no standing as a criminal offense in the common law. Instead, claims of plagiarism are a civil law matter, which an aggrieved person can resolve by launching a lawsuit. Acts that may constitute plagiarism are in some instances treated as copyright infringement, unfair competition, or a violation of the doctrine of moral rights. The increased availability of intellectual property due to a rise in technology has furthered the debate as to whether copyright offences are criminal.

Self-plagiarism (also known as "recycling fraud" [13]) is the reuse of significant, identical, or nearly identical portions of one’s own work without acknowledging that one is doing so or without citing the original work. Articles of this nature are often referred to as duplicate or multiple publication. In addition to the ethical issue, this can be illegal if copyright of the prior work has been transferred to another entity. Typically, self-plagiarism is only considered to be a serious ethical issue in settings where a publication is asserted to consist of new material, such as in academic publishing or educational assignments [14]. It does not apply (except in the legal sense) to public-interest texts, such as social, professional, and cultural opinions usually published in newspapers and magazines.

In academic fields, self-plagiarism is when an author reuses portions of their own published and copyrighted work in subsequent publications, but without attributing the previous publication.[15] Identifying self-plagiarism is often difficult because limited reuse of material is both legally accepted (as fair use) and ethically accepted.[16]

[edit] The concept of self-plagiarism
The concept of "self-plagiarism" has been challenged as self-contradictory or an oxymoron [17].

For example, Stephanie J. Bird [18] argues that self-plagiarism is a misnomer, since by definition plagiarism concerns the use of others' material.

However, the phrase is used to refer to specific forms of potentially unethical publication. Bird identifies the ethical issues sometimes called "self-plagiarism" as those of "dual or redundant publication." She also notes that in an educational context, "self-plagiarism" may refer to the case of a student who resubmits "the same essay for credit in two different courses." As David B. Resnik clarifies, "Self-plagiarism involves dishonesty but not intellectual theft" [19]


According to Patrick M. Scanlon [20]:

“Self-plagiarism” is a term with some specialized currency. Most prominently, it is used in discussions of research and publishing integrity in biomedicine, where heavy publish-or-perish demands have led to a rash of duplicate and “salami-slicing” publication, the reporting of a single study’s results in “least publishable units” within multiple articles (Blancett, Flanagin, & Young, 1995; Jefferson, 1998; Kassirer & Angell, 1995; Lowe, 2003; McCarthy, 1993; Schein & Paladugu, 2001; Wheeler, 1989). Roig (2002) offers a useful classification system including four types of self-plagiarism: duplicate publication of an article in more than one journal; partitioning of one study into multiple publications, often called salami-slicing; text recycling; and copyright infringement."

[edit] Self-plagiarism and codes of ethics
Some academic journals have codes of ethics which specifically refer to self-plagiarism. For example, the Journal of International Business Studies. [21]

Some professional organizations like the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) have created policies that deal specifically with self-plagiarism.[22]

Other organisations do not make specific reference to self-plagiarism:

The American Political Science Association (APSA) has published a code of ethics which describes plagiarism as "deliberate appropriation of the works of others represented as one's own." It does not make any reference to self-plagiarism. It does say that when a thesis or dissertation is published "in whole or in part", the author is "not ordinarily under an ethical obligation to acknowledge its origins."[23]

The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has published a code of ethics which says its members are committed to: "Ensure that others receive credit for their work and contributions," but it does not make any reference to self-plagiarism.[24]

[edit] Factors that justify reuse
Pamela Samuelson in 1994 identified several factors which excuse reuse of one's previously published work without the culpability of self-plagiarism.[16] She relates each of these factors specifically to the ethical issue of self-plagiarism, as distinct from the legal issue of fair use of copyright, which she deals with separately. Among other factors which may excuse reuse of previously published material Samuelson lists the following:

The previous work needs to be restated in order to lay the groundwork for the contribution in the second work.
The previous work needs to be restated in order to lay the groundwork for a new contribution in the second work.
Portions of the previous work must be repeated in order to deal with new evidence or arguments.
The audience for each work is so different that publishing the same work in different places was necessary to get the message out.
The author thinks they said it so well the first time that it makes no sense to say it differently a second time.
Samuelson states she has relied on the "different audience" rationale when attempting to bridge interdisciplinary communities. She refers to writing for different legal and technical communities, saying: "there are often paragraphs or sequences of paragraphs that can be bodily lifted from one article to the other. And, in truth, I lift them." She refers to her own practice of converting "a technical article into a law review article with relatively few changes--adding footnotes and one substantive section" for a different audience.[16]

Samuelson describes misrepresentation as the basis of self-plagiarism. She seems less concerned about reuse of descriptive materials than ideas and analytical content.[16] She also states “Although it seems not to have been raised in any of the self-plagiarism cases, copyrights law’s fair use defense would likely provide a shield against many potential publisher claims of copyright infringement against authors who reused portions of their previous works."[16]

[edit] As a practical issue
In addition to legal and ethical concerns, plagiarism is frequently also a practical issue, in that it is frequently useful to consult the sources used by an author, and plagiarism makes this more difficult. There are a number of reasons why this is useful:

An author may commit an error in how they interpret or use a source, and consulting the original source allows these errors to be detected.
Authors generally only supply the portions of prior works that are directly relevant to the work at hand. Other portions of their sources are likely to be relevant to later extensions and generalizations of their work.
As modern automated indexing methods become prevalent, references between works provide valuable information about their authoritativeness and how closely works are related; this helps to locate relevant works.
[edit] Organizational publications
Plagiarism is presumably not an issue when organizations issue collective unsigned works since they do not assign credit for originality to particular people. For example, the American Historical Association's "Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct" (2005) regarding textbooks and reference books states that, since textbooks and encyclopedias are summaries of other scholars' work, they are not bound by the same exacting standards of attribution as original research and may be allowed a greater "extent of dependence" on other works.[25] However, even such a book does not make use of words, phrases, or paragraphs from another text or follow too closely the other text's arrangement and organization, and the authors of such texts are also expected to "acknowledge the sources of recent or distinctive findings and interpretations, those not yet a part of the common understanding of the profession."[25]

Within an organization, in its own working documents, standards are looser but not non-existent. If someone helped with a report, they may expect to be credited. If a paragraph comes from a law report, a citation is expected to be written down. Technical manuals routinely copy facts from other manuals without attribution, because they assume a common spirit of scientific endeavor (as evidenced, for example, in free and open source software projects) in which scientists freely share their work.

The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications Third Edition (2003) by Microsoft does not even mention plagiarism, nor does Science and Technical Writing: A Manual of Style, Second Edition (2000) by Philip Rubens. The line between permissible literary and impermissible source code plagiarism, though, is apparently quite fine. As with any technical field, computer programming makes use of what others have contributed to the general knowledge.

It is common for university researchers to rephrase and republish their own work, tailoring it for different academic journals and newspaper articles, to disseminate their work to the widest possible interested public. However, it must be borne in mind that these researchers also obey limits: If half an article is the same as a previous one, it will usually be rejected. One of the functions of the process of peer review in academic writing is to prevent this type of "recycling".

Public figures commonly use anonymous speech writers. If a speech uses plagiarized material, however, it is the public figure who may be cast in a bad light. For instance, Vice President, then Delaware Senator Joe Biden was forced out of the 1988 U.S. Presidential race (but remained in the U.S. Senate) when it was discovered that parts of his campaign speeches closely followed speeches by British Labour party leader Neil Kinnock and Robert Kennedy.

quote:

Originally posted by fklesmilesrolltide:
You need help man............some serious help.