Many pleasant surprises for Tide

ATLANTA — There were surprises, plenty of them.

Like Alabama using Clemson as a punching bag.

Like Alabama making 11 of 17 third down conversions.

Like Alabama putting it in the end zone when it reached the red zone.

Like Alabama shutting down Clemson’s superstar backfield of C.J. Spiller and James Davis.

Like Alabama making Clemson All-ACC quarterback Cullen Harper look like a lost lamb.

Like Leigh Tiffin booting through a 54-yard field goal.

Like John Parker Wilson making perfect decisions.

Like Alabama with 245 yards of offense by halftime.

Like Clemson being held to 89 yards in the first half.

Like it was virtually over by halftime.

Like more?

Like Alabama keeping its composure after giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown to begin the second half.

Like freshman running back Mark Ingram rushing for 96 yards.

Like Alabama’s young, talented freshmen playing like veterans.

Like the future is now.

Like Alabama running 80 plays and Clemson 48.

Like Alabama having the ball for 41:13 of the game.

Like an Alabama offense that wasn’t predictable.

Like Alabama with 419 yards and Clemson with 188.

Like Alabama finishing what it started.

Like Alabama 34, Clemson 10 when the final whistle blew.

Like wow.

Like the Alabama fans celebrating and chanting “SEC, SEC, SEC” way before it was over.

Like Clemson fans leaving in droves early in the fourth quarter.

Like Nick Walker playing like an NFL tight end.

Like what?

Like Nick Walker playing like an NFL tight end.

Yep, you’ve got to like it.

Of all the many, many things there were to like last night from Alabama, the play of Walker ranks among the most pleasant surprises.

While the focus was on No. 8, it was No. 88 who had a career night.

Julio Jones, the highly-touted freshman receiver wearing No. 8, certainly didn’t disappoint. He caught four passes for 28 yards, which included a 4-yard TD in the third quarter.

I believe Jones will be as good as publicized. He’s got great size, speed — everything you want in a big-play receiver.

But on this night, Walker was the one who deserves more kudos.

The senior tight end from Brundidge caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. The catches and yardage were both career single-game highs for Walker.

In recent years, the tight end was rarely used as a weapon in Alabama’s offense.

In Jim McElwain’s playbook, it looks like Walker will have plenty of opportunities to catch the ball and make something happen.

He surely took advantage on this night.

If you’re an Alabama supporter, there should be very few complaints this morning.

And if you’re thinking big, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

While last year’s opening win over Western Carolina and the two straight SEC wins to follow may have brought with them some false illusions, this win over
Clemson gives reason for much optimism.

Yes, Clemson may have been overrated.

And yes, Alabama may have been underrated.

From what was witnessed Saturday night, Alabama has a chance to beat any team on its schedule.

Alabama took a gigantic step in the Nick Saban-building process.

The Tide now has enough talent. These freshmen are for real. The veterans are better.

There’s no reason not to think big again.

Like for real.