Solomon's Wisdom: podcast

Are Nick Saban's avowed fears of Auburn real? Justin Knox averaged 11 points and seven rebounds in Alabama's final five games last season. (Jeff Roberts / The Birmingham News) Alabama has blocked basketball player Justin Knox from transferring to UAB, creating a firestorm. How did Alabama allow the story to reach this point and who's in the wrong? The NCAA cracked down on Auburn's "Tiger Prowl" with a new recruiting rule last week. Should the spring evaluation period be for evaluation or getting your school's name noticed? Of the six SEC teams Alabama plays next season that have a bye the week before facing the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban says he's most worried about Auburn. Was it understandable or surprising for Saban to name his top rival? Birmingham News sports reporters Ray Melick, Jon Solomon and Steve Irvine discuss those topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports Podcast. Have a listen.   Click here to download the podcast.

If the SEC expands, what teams would be a good fit? Cam Newton has won the job as Auburn's starting quarterback. (The Birmingham News / Frank Couch)Cam Newton has been named Auburn's starting quarterback. Why now and what does it mean to the Tigers' offense? Alabama is projected to put plenty of juniors into next year's NFL draft. Is Alabama about to flood the NFL with talent? The SEC is internally looking at the possibility of expansion, in case the Big Ten strikes first. Which schools would be a good fit in the SEC? Birmingham News reporters Ray Melick, Kevin Scarbinsky and Jon Solomon discuss those subjects in this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast. Have a listen. Click here to download the podcast.

Did we learn anything from spring drills? Who cares, it's football. Spring football is in the air. What have we learned from Alabama's spring practices? What have we picked up from Auburn's spring practices? And why do so many fans attend spring games even though it's hard to learn anything about the teams? Birmingham News sports reporters Ray Melick, Kevin Scarbinsky and Jon Solomon discuss those topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports Podcast. Have a listen.   [Click here to download the podcast.]

Is this the best Final Four or the worst? After his introduction as Auburn's new coach in Auburn's new arena, Tony Barbee hit the recruiting trail for the Tigers. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)Tony Barbee is settling in and pushing forward after recruits as Auburn's new men's basketball coach. Will he promote basketball in the state like old-school coaches like Sonny Smith and Wimp Sanderson did? What about Anthony Grant at Alabama? Will he be a success with his low-key personality? This weekend's Final Four has been called the best ever and the worst. Some critics of college basketball say they want to see more "team" basketball. Well, this is their chance as four teams with no true superstars on the court are playing for the ultimate prize. Will people watch? UAB's Mike Davis got a shot at two big-time programs when North Carolina State and North Carolina came to Bartow Arena for NIT games. Is it better to play two or three NIT games or to make the NCAA and lose in the first round, like Conference USA champion UTEP did? Birmingham News columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky take on these topics in this week's podcast.   Download the podcast here.

Men's basketball bracket doesn't look full of surprises. Former Auburn star Chuck Person was the No. 1 draft choice for the Indiana Pacers. Will he be the top choice to replace Jeff Lebo? (Indiana Pacers)Auburn will take its time to find a new men's head basketball coach and there is a push inside and outside the program to hire a minority candidate. Should Athletics Director Jay Jacobs put a minority hire as his top priority? What about former Auburn star Chuck Person, now an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers? Will his name recognition, NBA resume and AU ties outweigh his lack of college coaching experience? Birmingham News columnists Kevin Scarbinsky and Ray Melick and reporter Jon Solomon say in this week's sports podcast that Person would be a good choice, but he's not the only choice. Also, with March Madness under way Scarbinsky, Melick and Solomon agree there's not much hope for a Cinderella past the opening weekend this year. What teams will make the Final Four and what possible upsets are lurking in the bracket? Give a listen to this week's podcast to see what the News' experts say.       [Click here to download the March 18, 2010, Birmingham News Sports podcast.]

The NCAA Tournament will probably get bigger, but is that better? Auburn basketball coach Jeff Lebo's future has been a hot topic of discussion this season, but does Athletics Director Jay Jacobs have anything to say? (The Associated Press) Can UAB make the NCAA Tournament without winning the C-USA Tournament? The Blazers' NCAA hopes took a hit last week by losing to both Memphis and UTEP. Can Jay Jacobs make a case that Jeff Lebo is worth bringing back to open Auburn's new arena? Lebo will likely become just the second SEC coach since 1985 to have gone six straight years at one school without an NCAA Tournament bid, joining Ed Murphy of Ole Miss from 1986 to '92. Can the NCAA justify expanding the NCAA Tournament, possibly up to 96 teams by this time next year? Get ready for a bloated and worse March Madness for the sake of the almighty dollar. Birmingham News reporter Jon Solomon and News columnist Ray Melick discuss those topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast. Have a listen.     Click here to download this podcast.

Should SEC West winner get at-large bid over C-USA's No. 2 team? Memphis Tiger Roburt Sallie puts the pressure on UAB's Elijah Millsap in Wednesday night's win over the Blazers. Why do the Tigers have UAB's number? (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)UAB lost its ninth straight basketball game to Memphis on Wednesday night. Do the Blazers feel pressured by the name on Memphis' jersey, the talent in Memphis' jersey or both?The Blazers' loss could put them in a serious hole for getting in the NCAA Tournament. Will C-USA finally get more than one bid? Should an SEC West team get an at-large bid ahead of a second C-USA team?The Big Ten's expansion plans could lead the conference to Rutgers. Does Rutgers make sense? And what could the trickle-down effect of conference expansion mean for UAB? Birmingham News columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky and reporter Jon Solomon discuss these topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast.     [Click here to download the podcast.]

Southern Cal will get sanctions, but how tough will they be? Reggie Bush is long gone from Southern Cal, but will alleged misdeeds in the football program result in harsh NCAA sanctions? (The Associated Press)Southern California had its days in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions and now Trojans fans -- and lots of fans of teams that have felt the brunt of sanctions -- are eager to see how one of the nation's high-profile teams fares after a years-long investigation. Is there any way Jeff Lebo can keep his job and coach in Auburn's new basketball arena next season? The Tigers seem to be finding ways to lose -- even in the worst SEC West in recent memory. UAB has overachieved this season, but will it be enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers have to keep winning in the final days of the Conference USA season and take at least a couple games in the league tournament to sew up a berth. Birmingham News columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky and reporter Jon Solomon discuss these topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast.   Click here to download this week's Sports podast.

Do we watch the Winter Games for the thrills of the spills on the hills? Does UAB coach Mike Davis have the Blazers pointed in the right direction for an NCAA Tournament berth? (The Birmingham News / Jeff Roberts)UAB got its 20th win on Wednesday night and has an RPI of 32. What do the Blazers need to do in order to make the NCAA Tournament? The NCAA Football Rules Committee has adopted a rule for 2011 that will wipe out touchdowns because of taunting. Is this opening up another can of worms for officials to make judgment calls on touchdown celebrations? There are some bizarre and thrilling sports to watch in the Winter Olympics. Are you like us and you can't turn away from the dangerous spills?Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick and reporter Jon Solomon discuss those topics in this week's Birmingham News Sports Podcast. Have a listen.     [Click here to download the podcast.]

How thin is UAB's margin for making the NCAA Tournament? Nick Saban was all smiles meeting the fans at the Alabama national championship celebration at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but got his dander up a bit when discussing early commitments from recruits. (The Birmingham News / Bernard Troncale)What does a commitment mean in college football recruiting? How good are UAB's chances of making the NCAA Tournament? And is Auburn really the worst college basketball town in the SEC? Kevin Scarbinsky, Ray Melick and Jon Solomon tackle those subjects on this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast.Kevin explains his column last week in which he praised Nick Saban's message that he's old-fashioned and thinks a commitment is a commitment. It turns out, Kevin says, the column intended to have subtle sarcasm. Would an early signing period help or hurt the issue of recruits changing their minds? And why is it necessarily a bad thing for recruits to de-commit?UAB basketball is projected to make the NCAA Tournament as of now. C-USA looks like a two-bid league for the first time in a couple years. How thin a margin do the Blazers have down the stretch? Pat Forde of ESPN.com, with help from Kevin, wrote this week that Auburn is the worst college basketball town in the SEC. Will a new arena change that? Is it simply a matter of improving the product?Have a listen at this week's Birmingham News Sports podcast.     [Click here to download the podcast.]

Listen in on recruiting, basketball talk. Auburn head coach Gene Chizik, left, gives assistant coach Trooper Taylor a high-five while talking on the phone with a recruit's parents on Wednesday. (The Associated Press / Todd J. Van Emst)Sure, Alabama reeled in another top-notch recruiting class. That's what Nick Saban does.The real signing day surprise, locally and nationally, was Auburn. How did Gene Chizik and his staff land perhaps the school's best class ever? By shooting for the stars, in direct contrast to Tommy Tuberville's philosophy in his final years on the Plain. But the sports world didn't begin and end with football recruiting this week. Mike Davis faced his personal white whale and got eaten again by Memphis. What does that loss mean for UAB's NCAA Tournament hopes. Listen in as columnists Kevin Scarbinsky and Ray Melick discuss it in this week's Birmingham News sports podcast.   [Download the Feb. 4, 2010, Birmingham News sports podcast.]

Alabama, Auburn are plodding along in the SEC. UAB head coach Mike Davis reacts to an official's call during Wednesday night's win over Southern Miss. (The Birmingham News / Hal Yeager)Birmingham News sports reporter Jon Solomon leads columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky on a discussion about college football and basketball. Is Derek Dooley the right choice for the Tennessee Volunteers? How will the Lane Kiffin experiment affect UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton? UAB is on a hot streak on the basketball court. Mike Davis has his Blazers off to a school-best 16-2 start. Who would have thought that after he lost prize recuit DeMarcus Cousins to Kentucky and flirted with Washington State for the Cougars' vacant job that UAB would be in this position? Meanwhile, Alabama and Auburn basketball are plodding along in the SEC. Auburn got a much-needed win last night at LSU, but the Tigers' RPI as of yesterday was 173, which was even behind Troy. Alabama, coming off a tight loss to Tennessee, was at No. 90. Is this another lost season for the state's two major programs?   [Click here to download the podcast.]

Does Nick Saban's Tide have real shot at another title in 2010? Will Alabama's Nick Saban and Mark Ingram be pointing at another crystal trophy at the end of the 2010 season? (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond) In today's Birmingham News sports podcast, I am joined by columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky and we discuss Alabama's win over Texas and Lane Kiffin's late-night departure for Southern Cal. Some fans and sports writers say the Crimson Tide's title is tainted because Colt McCoy went down with an injury on the game's first series. Is that fair? Did Kiffin owe the players and fans in Knoxville anything after just one season at Tennessee or should they understand business is business?       Download the podcast for Jan. 14, 2010.

Listen for predictions on the title game. Alabama coach Nick Saban is in the spotlight at BCS National Championship media day in Newport Beach, Calif., on Tuesday. Listen to what Jon Solomon and Ray Melick have to say about the game in this week's podcast. (Press-Register / Bill Starling)In today's Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Ray Melick and Jon Solomon review Auburn's wild Outback Bowl win, discuss Auburn's future headed into next season, and preview of the Alabama-Texas game for the national title. Has Texas faced a downhill running team like Alabama? Will Texas be two-dimensional enough against Alabama's defense? Could the long layoff hurt Alabama? Plus, national championship game predictions. Tune in and hear who Ray and Jon pick.   [Click here to download the podcast.]

How football-crazy is this state? Make no mistake, Auburn legend Charles Barkley likes and supports Gene Chizik. But, he did say he thought Turner Gill would have been a better hire. (The Associated Press)In this week's Birmingham News sports podcast, I am joined by columnist Kevin Scarbinsky to discuss Charles Barkley's thoughts on Gene Chizik one year later, we begin to preview the national championship game and discuss just how crazy football is in Alabama. Kevin wrote a column this week talking with Barkley about his feelings on his school's football program. That column sparked a lot of talk and a lot of heat from readers and from Barkley. Kevin explains why some may have been upset with the column. With all the attention Alabama is receiving in the postseason -- Mark Ingram's Heisman Trophy, Rolando McClain's two trophies as a top defensive player and six AP All-Americans -- will the Tide be affected by the hype headed into a tough game against Texas? Download the podcast.

Heisman Trophy talk, BCS National Championship ponderings and should Auburn be in New Year's Day bowl? Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer waves a giant flag on the field at the Georgia Dome after the Tide earned a spot in the national championship game with a rout of the Florida Gators. (The Birmingham News / Hal Yeager) Today, Birmingham News columnists Kevin Scarbinsky and Ray Melick join me to talk about what appears to be the closest Heisman Trophy race in years, early thoughts on Alabama vs. Texas for the national championship and why Auburn deserves a New Year's Day bowl bid. Let's start with the Heisman Trophy. Both Kevin and Ray have Heisman votes. Ray voted for Mark Ingram. Kevin voted for Rolando McClain. What have the reactions been like from Alabama fans to your votes? Did the BCS get this matchup right? Are we certain that Texas is better than TCU, or that Texas is better than Cincinnati? Because I'm not sold Texas is better than TCU. It's possible Texas is. But I think it's possible Texas isn't, and to me that's the unfair flaw in the BCS process. The highest-ranked team Texas beat in the final BCS standings is Oklahoma State. There was no statement victory for Texas like Alabama had against No. 11 Virginia Tech, No. 12 LSU and No. 5 Florida. Did Auburn outmaneuver the other SEC schools with 7-5 records to get the Outback Bowl bid? If so, how did they manage it?   Download The Birmingham News Dec. 10 podcast.

Jon Solomon and Birmingham News columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky analyze both teams going into the battle of No. 1 and 2. Alabama defensive back Rashad Johnson (49) stops Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) in the second quarter of the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. (Birmingham News / Mark Almond)The game we've been waiting for all season is finally here. Will Alabama-Florida live up to the hype? Birmingham News sports reporters Jon Solomon, Kevin Scarbinsky and Ray Melick break down the game. >> Did Florida unveil its triple option last week too soon? >> Will Alabama get Tim Tebow off the field on third downs? >> Why is Trent Richardson the most dangerous Alabama player that nobody, including Urban Meyer, is talking about? >> And, of course, our predictions for the big game.  Download Birmingham News Sports Podcast Dec. 3, 2009.mp3

Why is the Alabama-Auburn rivalry so compelling? Who will win? Ben Tate vs. Mark Ingram. A fan's view of the 2008 game in Tuscaloosa, when Alabama won 36-0. Many forget Auburn had dominated for years before the 2008 game. (The Birmingham News files)It's Iron Bowl week, and as the cliches go, this is the game that will be talked about in this state for 365 days a year. What makes this rivalry so compelling?I'm joined by Birmingham News columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky as we break down the matchup, with Auburn's offense vs. Alabama's defense and Alabama's offense vs. Auburn's defense.Also, Mark Ingram vs. Ben Tate, a compelling matchup of running backs. This is only the fourth time in Iron Bowl history that Alabama and Auburn both enter this game with running backs who average 100 yards or more rushing per game. [The other years were 1986 (Bobby Humphrey vs. Brent Fullwood), 1994 (Sherman Williams vs. Stephen Davis) and 2005 (Kenneth Darby vs. Kenny Irons).] Will both Ingram and Tate run for 100 yards on Friday? Also, we'll predict the outcome. Who wins and why? Download Birmingham News Sports Podcast Nov. 25, 2009.mp3

Episode 12 of weekly sports conversation with host Jon Solomon and columnist Ray Melick. View full sizeMark Ingram continues to run toward the Heisman Trophy, which could be a first for the University of Alabama. Here he is in action against LSU. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)Mark Ingram has an opportunity to bring the first Heisman Trophy ever to the University of Alabama. HeismanPundit.com ranks the top 5 this way: 1. Mark Ingram. 2. Colt McCoy. 3. Toby Gerhart. 4. C.J. Spiller. 5. Tim Tebow. We ask Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick, a Heisman voter:  What does Ingram have to do in these final three games to win the Heisman? Auburn is off this week after a crushing loss to Georgia. Very few people will give Auburn a chance of beating Alabama. What does Auburn have to do in order to be competitive? Also, where will Auburn go bowling? How about the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers? They are 5-5, within one game of being bowl eligible, and two wins away from winning their division. The last two games are tough: at East Carolina and home against Central Florida. Will the Blazers get it done? Download Birmingham News Sports Podcast Episode 12.mp3

Episode 11 of the weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) signals the offense against LSU in the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Have fans gotten into McElroy's head? (Birmingham News/ Mark Almond)> Alabama plays Mississippi State this week. It's a week after clinching the SEC West. It's a week after an emotional win over LSU. It's two weeks before the Iron Bowl. Do you believe this has the makings of a classic trap game if Alabama isn't careful? >> Tigers travel to Georgia this week for a key game for both teams. Auburn is 7-3 and could be looking at a pretty solid bowl with another win. Georgia is 5-4 and the fans are howling. Who needs this game more? Auburn's got to do what to win? >> Let's turn to SEC officiating -- again, unfortunately. Another week, another controversy. LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson appeared to intercept a pass late in the game vs. Alabama, but was ruled out of bounds and instant replay didn't change the call. Did the officials miss the call? Birmingham News Sports Podcast 111209.mp3

Jon Solomon hosts Episode 10 of the weekly show with columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12), Alabama offensive lineman David Ross (74) and others celebrate as Alabama defeats LSU 27-21 in overtime at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)>> Is Alabama-LSU now the most important and anticipated annual game in the SEC? Over the last decade or so, a good case could be made these games have annually been the most important and anticipated: Florida-Georgia, Auburn-LSU, Florida-LSU, Florida-Tennessee, Alabama-Auburn, Alabama-Tennessee. Is Alabama-LSU No. 1 now. >> Turning to Auburn, the Tigers rebounded with a 33-20 win over Ole Miss last week and should get to seven wins by beating Furman on Saturday. If Auburn finishes 7-5, with losses to Georgia and Alabama, how will that be viewed by Auburn fans? >> SEC discipline has become a weekly, and sometimes daily, soap opera. The latest is Urban Meyer criticizing an official less than a week after Mike Slive put in a new policy for fines and suspensions for such a thing, and Florida adding another half to Brandon Spikes' suspension for eye gouging a Georgia player. With Meyer: Do you believe to show teeth in the new enforcement policy that Slive has to suspend Meyer as opposed to fining him? Download the Birmingham News Sports Podcast 110509.mp3

Episode 9 of the weekly Birmingham News podcast, with Jon Solomon, Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky. What's up with Alabama, which needed two blocked field goals by Terrence Cody to defeat Tennessee in a game in which Alabama kicked four field goals? Alabama has scored two touchdowns on offense in the past three games. How concerned should Alabama fans be about this offense? What's the issue with Greg McElroy? He doesn't look like a confident quarterback right now.  At Auburn, the Tigers are in a free fall. They've lost three straight games since starting 5-0 and aren't playing well or smart on either side of the ball. LSU hammered them 31-10 last week in a game that was more dominant than the score. Is Auburn really that far behind LSU, a team they traditionally play tight games with? Also, a lot has been made about the offense's struggles, and there's a lot to that. But, the most startling thing about this season is to watch Auburn's defense and see nothing that stands out. What is Auburn's defensive concept? SEC officiating has been in the news all season. One crew has been suspended for missing calls in two high-profile games. Coaches are lining up to complain about the officiating. Are the complaints justified and whether they're justified or not, how serious a problem is this for the SEC? Download The Birmingham News Sports Podcast Oct. 29, 2009 in mp3

Episode 8 with Ray Melick, Kevin Scarbinsky and host Jon Solomon. Georgia head coach Mark Richt looks on from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. LSU won 20-13. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) >> It's clear that Florida and Alabama have separated themselves in the SEC and appear headed for another showdown in Atlanta. Nick Saban made it sound like after the Ole Miss game that Alabama's biggest test will be remaining focused each week. Is he right?  >> Also, the question has come up this week about whether Alabama and Florida could play a great SEC championship game as undefeated teams and then play again in the national championship game. Harris Poll voter Ray Melick weighs in. >> Alabama this week released a written response it provided in the NCAA textbook case. The response revealed the NCAA Committee on Infractions described Alabama's infractions history with words like "appalling" and "abysmal" and "serial repeat violator." Has Alabama gotten the message that the NCAA never forgets, but that Alabama is making sure not to repeat the past? >> Kentucky comes to Auburn this week, and this is not a good Kentucky team. Is this the biggest game of the young Gene Chizik era because of how Auburn responds to last week? >> Mark Richt in year nine is under fire. Georgia is 3-3 for the first time since 1996 and just got humiliated by Tennessee. The offense has problems. The defense is a mess. Is Richt going to survive this long-term, and how crazy is it that we're even asking this question about a coach who's won at least 10 games in six of the past seven seasons? Download: Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Oct. 15, 2009.mp3

Episode 7 of the weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast. Florida State's head coach Bobby Bowden shakes the hand of a BYU player after beating BYU in an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Florida State beat BYU 54-28. (AP Photo/George Frey)Birmingham News sports writer Jon Solomon is joined by columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky to discuss this week's hot topics, including: Alabama hits the road for a test at Ole Miss. Will the Rebels, an overrated Top 5 team a couple weeks ago, seriously challenge Alabama? Can Houston Nutt pull an upset in his favorite role -- underdog? Why has Julio Jones' production been down? Gene Chizik faces Bobby Petrino. Did Auburn get the right coordinator from Tommy Tuberville's old staff? Does Tuberville have a motive in picking Auburn to beat Arkansas by three touchdowns? What should Auburn do to make sure Gus Malzahn stays happy? Who's to blame for the Florida State mess as Bobby Bowden's coaching career winds down?  Download Birmingham News sports podcast Oct. 8, 2009.mp3

Tigers travel to Knoxville for a challenging game but remain outside the polls. Episode 6 of the Birmingham News Sports Podcast, hosted by Jon Solomon. He is joined by columnists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky to discuss: Auburn, which is 4-0 through four home games but not ranked. There are 17 undefeated Division I-A teams and only five are not ranked: Auburn, South Florida, Texas A&M, UCLA and Wisconsin. Also, Auburn-Tennessee, an intriguing game in Knoxville this week No. 3 Alabama, which plays Kentucky this week. The Tide is rolling on offense and defense lately and thorougly shut down Arkansas last week. But in the process, Dont'a Hightower was lost for the season with a knee injury. Alabama played fine without him for three quarters. What impact could his absence have on the rest of the season? Tim Tebow's concussion suffered last week at Kentucky. It happened with Florida leading 31-7 and about four minutes left in the third quarter. Kevin wrote this week that Urban Meyer should have his own head examined for risking Tebow's health and Florida's national title defense by playing him when the game was out of hand.   Download: Birmingham News sports podcast, Oct. 1, 2009.mp3

Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick talks about voting in the Harris Poll. Our weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Edition 5, is now available to listen and download. This week Birmingham News sports reporters Ray Melick and Jon Solomon discuss: No. 3 Alabama, which opens the SEC against an Arkansas team that ranks second nationally in pass efficiency. Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain said this week, "They’re a good offense and they score a lot of points, but they haven’t played us." We have seen Alabama’s secondary struggle at times against passing offenses, such as Utah in the Sugar Bowl a year ago. Could this be a case of Rolando getting ahead of himself? Auburn, which had a come-from-behind shootout win over West Virginia last week, plays a bad Ball State team this week. We've got to be impressed first with Auburn’s ability to come back for two different reasons: 1) A year ago, Auburn probably would have quit down 14-0. And, 2) A year ago, Chris Todd wouldn’t have been able to pass like that when a defense stacked against the run. Polls. Ray Melick is a Harris Poll voter. The first poll comes out after this week’s games. Does Ray believe the preseason poll has too great an influence on the season? We want your questions to read on the air (keep them clean and smart). Got a question about your favorite team, or why we wrote in the paper what we wrote? Send your questions to jsolomon@bhamnews.com.   Download: Birmingham News Sports Podcast 092409.mp3

Edition No. 4. Listen or download the file. Our weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Edition 4 is now available to listen and download. This week, Birmingham News sports reporters Kevin Scarbinsky and Jon Solomon discuss whether Auburn's rejuvenated offense means the Tigers are back, Alabama's injury concerns on offense, and what kind of beating Lane Kiffin has in store for himself in The Swamp. We want your questions to read on the air (keep them clean and smart). Got a question about your favorite team, or why we wrote in the paper what we wrote? Send your questions to jsolomon@bhamnews.com. Download file

Jon Solomon and Ray Melick on the Tide, the Tigers and much more. Plus, reader questions. Our weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Edition 3 is now available to listen and download. This week, Birmingham News sports reporters Ray Melick and Jon Solomon discuss the new Nick Saban and Gene Chizik contracts, what Alabama's win over Virginia Tech means, and whether Auburn's performance on offense is for real. We want your questions to read on the air (keep them clean and smart). Got a question about your favorite team, or why we wrote in the paper what we wrote? Send your questions to jsolomon@bhamnews.com. Click here to download The Birmingham News weekly sportscast: 09-10-2009

Listen, download the 15-minute audio sportscast covering this week's games and more. Our weekly Birmingham News Sports Podcast, Edition 2 is now available to listen and download. This week, Birmingham News sports reporters Kevin Scarbinsky, Ray Melick and Jon Solomon discuss the NCAA ruling on Julio Jones and Mark Ingram, why Alabama-Virginia Tech will be a defensive struggle, and whether Auburn should be worried about Louisiana Tech. We want your questions to read on the air (keep them clean and smart). Got a question about your favorite team, or why we wrote in the paper what we wrote? Send your questions to jsolomon@bhamnews.com. Click on download file to load this Sportscast onto your portable device: Download file

Plus more on the Mark and Julio fishing trip and Andre Smith's agony with the Bengals. You now can hear Birmingham News sports reporters online. Each week (hopefully!), I will be joined by columnists Kevin Scarbinsky and Ray Melick in a podcast. We'll discuss the issues of the week beyond what you read in the newspaper and give you some insight into why we write what we write. We also want to hear from you. Each week, we plan to read a handful of reader questions that you have for us. Keep them clean and make them smart. To submit a question, send it to jsolomon@bhamnews.com. THE OUTLOOK FOR ALABAMA Download Alabama outlook THE OUTLOOK FOR AUBURN Download Auburn outlook MORE ON WHAT WE WROTE The Mark and Julio fishing trip, Andre Smith's agony Download Mark and Julio fishing trip, Andre Smith's agony