After 30 seasons in this dynasty I have compiled a 395-15 record. Quite amazing. I cannot tell you how many close games I've won that hinged on a play here and there. With 26 SEC Championships and 25 National Championships, Alabama has completely, totally, and absolutely dominated college football. I seriously considered retiring after my 30th season, but things worked out for me to come back for another season. First, I want to get 400 wins. Second, I get a little closer to the mythical 60 years. Supposedly, that's the most you can play on this game. Third, I keep loving the recruits I get. A little more on this in a minute. Fourth, every year seems to bring a different challenge. More on this in a little bit.

Entering my 31st season, we have a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of holes to fill. We lost 19 seniors and 1 underclassman to the NFL draft. We were lucky to bring back TE Neal Smith and he will be the starter in the new season. We had huge holes to fill at HB and I think we brought in our best class in quite some time. We used our one 'out of normal requirements' scholarship on Jonas Barnes. He's Andre Barnes younger brother out of Maitland, FL. After Andre went pro, he moved his family to Florida. His brother is a 5 star where Andre was only a 4 star recruit. It's been reported that Jonas (94 SPD) is better than Andre. Jonas has already been making remarks that he wants to beat his older brother's 1,000 yard rush/1,000 yard rec records at Alabama. We also were able to nab Andrew Fuller (93 SPD) out of MS and Chris Morris (95 SPD) out of Alabama. SO(RS) Nick Brown (96 SPD) who rushed for 1,399 yards last year looks to head this bunch in the 2036 season.

Our offensive line looks a little weaker than normal to start off the season. LG Jonathan White turning pro early helped attribute to this problem. We're ok at WR, but nothing too special. We did pick up WR Marcus Babineaux and WR Gerald Davis. Babineaux will be our #4 WR this season and Davis will redshirt.

Our defense looks to be our specialty again this season. MLB Mark Grier has moved to LE where he'll get the start. Grier should actually be a really good fit at DE where he has more strength than any other DE. This clears up room at MLB where we can get more speed on the field (Grier - 78 SPD; Derrick Lamb - 85 SPD). Speed in the secondary should also go a long way this season. CBs include senior Zach Tyler (98 SPD), soph Mike Manning (95 SPD), and junior Matt Smith (98 SPD).

Fresno State (0-0) has a C offense, a C+ defense, and is C+ overall. Fresno is picked high in their conference. Alabama (0-0) is A+ across the board. Weather: Clear.

QB Rob Sims throws a 4 yard TD pass to TE Neal Smith, 7-0 Bama with 3:17 left in the first quarter. QB Sims finds WR Joe Tyler on an 11 yard TD pass, 14-0.

On 4th and 8 at the Fresno 40, we decide to try to draw the defense offsides to setup a long FG. Otherwise, we lose 5 yards on the delay and punt. However, Fresno comes out in Cover 1 man and the coaches give Sims the go ahead. He has WR Lance Carter one on one with the defender and the Bulldogs aren't going to win this matchup. Touchdown, Alabama! The 40 yard pass play makes it 21-0. A few seconds later ROLB Jermaine Gay strips the Fresno QB in the endzone and makes the recovery after the ball pops back up to him. He's credited for a 1 yard fumble recovery for a TD and the Tide leads 28-0. HB Nick Brown goes in on a 42 yard TD run, 35-0. Backup true freshman HB Andrew Fuller scores on a 20 yard TD run, 42-0. QB Sims hooks up with true freshman Marcus Babineaux on a 16 yard TD reception, 49-0 Tide at the half.

The bench is emptied and in come the reserves to start the third quarter. Backup QB Jesse Russ throws a 26 yard TD pass to HB Fuller, 56-0.

QB Russ runs it in from a yard out after Fresno covers all the receivers, but does not leave anyone on Russ, 63-0. Third string QB Devin Riley throws a 14 yard TD pass to WR Lance Carter to make it 70-0.

I thought my performance would be a little shaky going into this game as I have had a layoff from this dynasty. However, it was one of my better games. Just about everything worked to perfection and the mistakes were very minor and by the players. The backups got 2 quarters of work and gained some valuable experience. I was also pleased with the two true freshmen, WR Marcus Babineaux and HB Andrew Fuller. I believe these two can really contribute this year.