Rudderless and Anchorless Tide Did Not Roll

The reality is that Andre Smith's absence was immense because it created a weak link in the offensive line. Hence, the lack of chemistry, the lack of adequate time playing together created a Grand Canyon of a vacuum on the offensive line on both sides of the center because of having to slide the other linemen around to fill this void.

Instead of a smooth, oiled and operating line to stay on the field and keep the ball away from an extremely talented Utah offensive team, Bama was left rudderless and without an anchor. Hence, the Tide did not Roll.

Like it or not, the impetus that led to the collapse of the Bama offense was Andre Smith's absence. Whether he's to blame or his parents or an uncle or whomever, the entire team and the fans paid the price for that selfish act of instantaneous gratification.

Will we forgive him? Probably, but suffering takes time to heal, and to pretend we will forget this selfish greed on the Smith side of the problem in the immediate present is extremely unrealistic.

Andre should go on to the pros because he has already made a rotten decision that generated unbelievable devastating ripple effects at the University of Alabama. It has now become a question of his character and lack of judgment. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the brutality of fan bases in the NFL. Good luck, Andre. Yes, thanks for a great ride...but we hope you understand why some of us lost faith in you.