Alabama's Schedule Just Got a Whole Lot Tougher

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Alabama Crimson Tide have survived upset bids in back-to-back games, rallying in the second half to beat Kentucky in Week 2 and then coming back from a 21-6 deficit to defeat Florida State this past Saturday.

Those weren't easy contests for Alabama, and now, things are about to get a whole lot tougher for the Crimson Tide.

Next week, Alabama will face South Carolina at home before beginning a stretch of five straight games against ranked opponents, starting with Mississippi State on Oct. 3.

Remember how I was originally calling Mississippi State a trap game? Well, I'm not sure the Bulldogs qualify for that moniker any longer.

Mississippi State is proving that it is a really good football team, and that game will take place on the road. Then, the Crimson Tide will have to deal with Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU. Even the Nov. 14 matchup against Vanderbilt doesn't look easy.

It's precisely why Alabama must stop relying on comebacks to win games. It isn't going to work against the better teams in the SEC, and you could even go as far to say that the Crimson Tide might not be able to pull it off against the Gamecocks in Week 4.

Yes, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been an overall disappointment, but he is still a dangerous playmaker for whom 'Bama must gameplan this coming Saturday.

Fortunately for Alabama, the matchup will be in Tuscaloosa, but that didn't stop the Crimson Tide from falling behind against Florida State early on.

And let me tell you something: that Mississippi State matchup is looking scary.

Kamario Taylor has suddenly emerged as a very serious Heisman Trophy candidate, and that Bulldogs defense is no joke. Plus, Mississippi State has a dangerous group of weapons that can challenge what has generally been a stout Alabama secondary.

The Crimson Tide have gotten by on their elite talent alone over their first three weeks. Outside of Week 1 against East Carolina, which really doesn't count, they have yet to put together 60 minutes of consistently good football.

If Alabama keeps making those mistakes heading into Week 4 and beyond, it is going to be in some pretty serious trouble.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos