Chris Stewart Sports

I have had almost a full day to digest (or regurgitate) Alabama's 31-17 loss to Utah. I'm no different than any other Alabama fan, having been one my entire life. I was sick over the loss to the Utes, and disgusted that the Tide didn't play better. It was a lousy way to have a phenomenal season come to a close.

That being said, there's absolutely no way I'm down about the season as a whole, or discouraged about the future. I believe whole-heartedly that this program will be back in the SEC Championship discussion next season, which means that they will be among the nation's best. It's impossible to forecast where they may finish in 2009 because we still don't know for certain who will be back. Nor do we know how many newcomers will have the chance to make an impact similar to Julio Jones or ever Dontae Hightower. 

Regardless, Nick Saban's team will once again be talented. They will tougher. And, by season's end, they will be deeper than was the 2008 edition of the Crimson Tide.

It will be another fun season at the Capstone.

On to the hardwood...

I was ecstatic when Alabama's basketball team went ahead of Georgia Tech by 19 at halftime.

I was stunned when the Tide went ahead by 30 with 9:00 to play.

I was nauseas when that lead slipped to about 12 with 3 minutes left.

But, the outcome was a good one. Had you told me beforehand that the Tide would have won by 11, I'd have taken it and never blinked. Ron Steele looked like himself, Alonzo Gee was an animal on the glass with 18 boards, and JaMychal Green managed to play 32 minutes before fouling out.

Look, Alabama can play. We saw it today. We've seen it in flashes at other times. The question is, can they sustain it. Tuesday game at Clemson is crucial. If the Tide turns in a similar effort on the road, they have a chance to win Tuesday. If they coast at all, they will get run out of Littlejohn Coliseum.

This will be Alabama's toughest game to win. If they find a way to pull off the victory, it could be a major turning point for the season. If they get embarassed, it could be tough to regain focus for the SEC opener next Sunday against LSU.