I suppose it is only appropriate that I pin a couple of comments on college football following a blistering rash of upsets this past weekend.

First, one can assume that playing on an opponent’s home field lends to an overwhelming advantage to the home team. Secondly, there is no way Sheridan, Kiper and other gridiron prognosticators can predict outcomes of games without considering home field advantage. Yet, some of these experts went against logic, especially predicting point spreads.

You see Ole Miss, Auburn and Mississippi State played like champs on their home fields and their oppositions reeled because of the venues. Don’t get me wrong, these home field winners are great teams with outstanding coaches. Their respective victories created gloats and excitement beyond compare. I say this because in all probability one of these winners may possibly become the SEC champion at the end of the year.

But, “not so fast my friend,” as Corso would say. Perhaps I should wait until next Monday before looking toward season-ending results. Here’s why. Right now I am reading how Texas A&M is setting a “noise trap” for the Ole Miss Rebels when they play host to this top five ranked team Saturday. And, we know how Mississippi State performs on its home field. They are, reportedly, waiting on our Auburn Tigers this weekend in what should be the highlight SEC game of the week. Even the Crimson Tide on the road at Arkansas will be at another huge disadvantage, because of the crowd noise factor.

Fans of some of last weekend’s winners are already booking hotel reservations in Atlanta. And, as I stated, one of these teams may have rightful cause to do so. But, I think we should wait until they play in hostile territories before contacting Expedia.com.

What I am really trying to say is home field advantage is really home field advantage. Even my University of Alabama alma mater played in a trance Saturday. The crowd noise had them so unnerved that they could not line up properly in basic defensive positions. The defensive backfield resembled falling dominoes triggered by an “excuse me bump.”

Veering from a wide-open offense to an extremely conservative one contributed to their demise and became evident to all those watching the game. Even Coach Saban — who some say favors the late movie actor Humphrey Bogart — did, indeed, take on one of Bogart’s famous looks, which was Ingrid Bergman first walking in to Rick’s Bar that fateful night. Or perhaps that look when mobster (Little Man) Edward G. Robinson took control of the tropical hotel in Key Largo.

Whether Saban favors Bogart or not, he must correct the Tides’s defensive problems. Right now I am not sure the Tide is one of the better defensive teams in the country. They may be later on but they must improve to be rightfully grouped in this category. I can criticize them in this manner because I am a member of their alumni group and I pay my fees to this group each year.

No matter how good or bad a team is, things seem to even out on the home team’s turf. So let’s wait until next Monday, after a weekend exchange of home fields. Perhaps then we will get a somewhat clearer assessment of all these teams.

I have been following certain Internet posts that are critical of newscasts by Mobile, Alabama TV stations, particularly Channel 5. And, I must agree with some of these posts. These stations are leading off their nightly newscast with stories about contemporary raunchy music and bands performing at Mobile Bay Fest and failing to lead with actual news stories.

Posters, critiquing these newscasts, are bringing attention to sponsors of the news. They feel the majority of the buying public are distanced from these so-called musical groups and do not believe they should be taxed with stories like this. I believe it will difficult for these news anchors to change because so many of them identify with the younger set.

And now, let’s take a look at some news from 1986. James Black, upon retiring from the Production Credit Association, was presented an award of accomplishment from The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

Former Atmore resident Murray Greer passed away at his Eufaula home. He was a former local Alabama Power Company executive.
Ike Northrop, local well-known grocery store owner, was feted on his 100th birthday by numerous relatives and friends.
And, in 1974, Steve Peterson and R.L. Watson were named baseball and football coaches, respectively, at Escambia Academy. Steve, as you will recall, is married to Tony Albert’s daughter, Rita. He later became the award-winning and highly acclaimed head baseball coach at Middle Tennessee University. R.L.’s sons became well known area high school football coaches.

More next week from years gone by.

You can email Lowell McGill at exam@frontiernet.net.