Chapter 83: 082 A Fine Line
The seventh week of the 2016 NCAA regular season saw one marquee game after another, with the smoke of battle thick in the air and excitement running high, easily matching the NFL.
The current top-ranked Alabama faced off against seventh-ranked Tennessee, as the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm, after six straight wins against weak opponents, faced doubts about the quality of their victories and met a strong adversary for the first time.
Before the game started, there was endless bustling discussion and analysis. Although Alabama was still favored to win, experts generally believed that the University of Tennessee, in good form this season, could cause trouble for Saban's team and become a test for Li Wei.
However.
"49:10".
Alabama in front, Tennessee behind.
The game was a blowout, and the defending champions responded to all skepticism with an absolutely dominant performance, extending their winning streak to seven games.
Li Wei, quietly standing under the spotlight, once again turned in a perfect performance:
180 yards rushing. Three rushing touchdowns.
Li Wei, along with Jacobs and Clark, completely destroyed Tennessee's run defense. Everyone knows the Crimson Tide Storm is a traditional powerhouse for running backs, but only those who have experienced it firsthand know what it feels like to face the Crimson Tide Storm's running back corps—
It's truly terrifying.
The Crimson Tide Storm's running back group scored a total of five rushing touchdowns, their overwhelming display leaving Tennessee's defense dazed and breathless.
People were expecting a hard-fought battle, or at least a test of how Alabama would fare under pressure.
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But the game turned out to be completely one-sided, with the suspense lost by halftime. The Crimson Tide Storm was a whole level above in both offense and defense, making the seventh-ranked Tennessee look like mere children.
The crowd waiting for an entertaining game left disappointed.
Fortunately, this week offered more than one game of interest, and the real focus wasn't here. People always have faith in a "Jackson vs. Watson" showdown.
Watson, a junior, was already a Heisman Trophy favorite last season, finishing just third, and this season he improved even more. Clemson, strong in the last few seasons, took another step up becoming a super team, boldly aiming for the championship from the start of the season.
Jackson, a sophomore, a rising star, transformed spectacularly this season like a comet, his style of passing and running absolutely delightful to watch. He won countless fans' hearts, and solely through his efforts, has brought the previously unranked University of Louisville to the pinnacle of the pyramid, making them favorites to win it all.
Currently, the rankings of both teams in the NCAA were close, one third and the other fifth; but to challenge Saban's team for the throne, they had to test the mettle of their quarterbacks—
Offense, whose can break through Alabama's shield?
This matchup was a preview.
Before the game, the two teams traded verbal blows, the air thick with smoke and sparks flying.
The game met everyone's expectations.
In the first quarter, both teams were so keen to win that they played erratically, riddled with mistakes, leaving the fans who were expecting an offensive shootout deeply disappointed.
"0:0".
From the score alone, one could sense the tension of this matchup, but after this phase, both teams warmed up—
And the firepower was unleashed.
"42:36".
Combined, the two teams scored ten touchdowns throughout the game, six passing and four rushing, along with several field goals.
With three minutes left in the game, the Louisville Cardinals were still leading "36:34", but Watson showed great poise, completing a twenty-five-yard pass for a touchdown in the last push, and daringly succeeded with a two-point conversion, coming from behind to seal the game.
The roller-coaster game, with twists and turns, concluded with senior Watson's victory.
So far this season, the seemingly invincible Jackson hit his first wall, and the odds for the Heisman Trophy quietly shifted.
Although Jackson still ranked first, Watson rapidly closed the gap, and their fight became too close to call, undeniably the biggest highlight in this year's collegiate sports.
Jackson was also frustrated beyond belief, but what he didn't expect was that even more irritating and annoying issues were yet to come.
"Who?"
Jackson could hardly believe his ears.
Why was he, one of the strongest Heisman Trophy contenders and a quarterback, hearing the name of a running back in the post-match press interviews?
A running back! It was a running back!
But the reporters didn't care, seeing Jackson's expression only fueled their excitement.
On one hand, Alabama won the game; on the other, the Louisville Cardinals lost. On one side, Li Wei continued to gain more attention with powerful performances, while on the other, Jackson was running into a wall against Watson; Jackson losing to Watson, Watson losing to Li Wei, round it up and doesn't that mean Jackson lost to Li Wei?
After all, there's only a thin line between heaven and hell.
Now, the reporters couldn't wait to completely infuriate Jackson.
"In week seven's games, the Crimson Tide Storm won, Li Wei scored three rushing touchdowns, and the top seed crushed the University of Tennessee with an absolutely dominant performance. What's your take on that?"
Jackson gasped, this... this was utterly unreasonable!
He was ready to talk about Watson, he was ready to discuss his and Watson's upcoming showdown, he was prepared to discuss the outcome of this game and his feelings, he planned to talk about the prospects for the Heisman Trophy, he intended to discuss the outlook going forward.
But Li Wei?
What the hell is this?
The rational strings in the mind of the hot-headed Jackson snapped because it was too absurd; he couldn't hold back and burst into a mocking laugh.
"That was just Tennessee. There's no need to make such a fuss, right? Alabama didn't face Florida State or Clemson. I don't think their victory is worth discussing."
"Let me tell you, I don't think Alabama is the favorite for the championship. NCAA rankings have never been of any reference value, you guys should know that."
"Don't forget, the last time they faced that team, the one ranked seventeenth or nineteenth, they almost capsized in the gutter, right? In the upcoming games, their so-called strong offensive team label will soon be exposed. Trust me, you won't have to wait long."
To University of Mississippi, Jackson truly didn't mean it—
He really hadn't paid attention, and he truly didn't care.
And because of this, bombarded with questions about Li Wei at this moment, Jackson became increasingly absurd and angrier, unable to believe his ears.
His eardrums echoed with the sound of burning anger, and Jackson had to use all his strength to control the urge to explode, pulling back at the last minute.
"Just for now?"
"I don't care about other teams or other players. We will focus on ourselves, sum up the experience from this game, continue to improve and progress, growing into a strong team."
"By the end of the season, the championship will be ours."
He spoke lightly, but with a resounding conviction.
Jackson was truly sincere, one hundred percent sincere.