Weary Crimson Tide can now get much-needed rest

TUSCALOOSA — A strange thing happened on the way to the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tennessee actually believed it had a chance against mighty Alabama.

Those wearing orange and white circled just in front of their sideline — the whole bunch of them — and danced up and down with four fingers held high.

They appeared brash, almost-cocky, much like their young coach Lane Kiffin. They believed there was still time for something special to happen — time to take it all in the fourth quarter.

On the other side, Alabama players looked tired. The Tide fans were silent, I suppose stunned the Vols were still hanging around.

They weren’t alone. Practically nobody had given Tennessee a chance.

Could the unthinkable really happen?

As you know by now, it almost did. It took a game-saving swat by Terrence Cody to keep Alabama unbeaten and on track for a chance at a national championship.

When Cody blocked a 44-yard field goal try by Daniel Lincoln on the final play of the game — the second time Cody knocked down a Lincoln try in the quarter — the Tide had survived with a 12-10 victory.

Tears leaked from the corners of Cody’s eyes and down his plump cheeks as he stood at midfield a hero.

It was emotionally draining for the 6-foot-5, 354-pound mountain of a man, his teammates, coaches and all the Tide fans watching.

A loss to Tennessee wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but it would have rocked it.

Because of Cody’s heroics, along with four field goals from Leigh Tiffin, Alabama can now rest, regroup and get ready for LSU to come to town in two weeks with all of its goals still alive.

Rest is something Alabama dearly needs right now — from the players down through the coaching staff.

You could finally see the wear and tear of the season beginning to take a toll on an Alabama team which has rarely been challenged.

Tide coach Nick Saban said afterwards he could sense his team was tired going into this week’s game. It’s been a long, physical and emotional haul since the Sept. 5 opener against Virginia Tech.

Alabama had clearly been the most dominant team in the nation — that is until an inspired, and two-week rested, Tennessee team showed up on Saturday.

Then we saw Alabama stump its toe for the first time this season and emerge with just a wounded ego.

What was the Alabama coaching staff thinking by throwing to the end zone on third-and-2 from the Vols’ 4 in the final minutes of the first half instead of handing the ball to Mark Ingram?

What’s up with the defense giving up 265 passing yards to Jonathan Crompton? How about Ingram fumbling the ball with the game on the line?

Then we saw Tennessee drive in for a late TD, get an onsides kick and almost pull off a miracle.

It was all a wake-up call for a tired Alabama football team.

Thanks to Cody’s big hands and Tiffin’s strong foot, they avoided a nightmare.

Sweet dreams.