As college football kicks off, people all over the nation are scouting out the condition of their favorite teams, and of course, preparing for the outcome of their team's opening game. As for my family and I, our sights are set on the Alabama Crimson tide as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

To my pleasure, the Hokie's coach, Frank Beamer, said that, as the team prepared for the Tide on Saturday, they could find no Alabama weaknesses to exploit through their game plan. The Virginia Tech Hokies, coming from last years slump, are positive of the strength of the Crimson Tide team; Beamer said, "They are as solid as the day is long."

Despite the Tide's current championship title, Saban and the team are not discrediting the ability of the Hokies and are coming into Saturday's game very cautiously. Going head to head with the number one winningest coach in college football, Saban is aware of the toughness and superior competitive character and the old fashioned principles of Virginia Tech. Saban is simply hoping that his team is ready for the opener despite the injuries of Amari Cooper (star receiver) and starting cornerback, Deion Belue that were an obstacle during practices leading up to this week's game, in addition to the various other changes and  hurdles that the team has faced during pre-season.

Looking at the conditions and previous seasons of both teams, I am in favor of the Crimson tide-- not only because of family tradition-- but because of the solidity of the program. Despite my presuppositions, the final of Saturday's game will simply be a matter of who comes most ready to play.

Roll Tide!

Kylie Kuykendall TCA 4 Blog 2

A lone wolf's howl has long been a symbol of melancholy and loss. Researchers have recently discovered that this thought is accurate. Instead of a wolf's howl being caused by its stress level or the prestige of the departing wolf, the best prediction of a wolfs howl is the closeness of the relationship between the howling wolf and wolf that is leaving it. Although howling is present during any time of separation, a wolf's howling clearly increased when it was separated from a close partner, according to the journal, Current Biology. There is no question that man and animals are extremely different, but love is something belonging to every creature.

With new discoveries about wolves, there is also new ravings about the moon. The night of August 20th saw the month's full moon. Usually a blue moon is defined as the second full moon of the month, and because this was only the first, there has been confusion as to why the full moon of August is being called a rare phenomena, but according to the original almanac definition, it was in fact a blue moon. It can be said that strange things occur under a full moon in the sky, so I ask, did you witness anything that would happen "only once in a blue moon"?

In 1979, Jimmy Carter installed solar panels at the  White House that would later be removed because of the orders of Ronald Reagan in 1986. Although in October of 2010 administration at the White House announced that a re-installation of solar panels would take place, many delays prevented the equipment being installed until this week.  In an effort to increase the building's energy efficiency, solar panels, along with updated building controls, high speed fans, and solar generators are being installed.  In agreement with various environmental activists on the topic, I think that the change to solar power at the White House is a positive thing.  Although solar energy compromises only a small piece of the United State's energy market, the amount of solar power utilized in 2011 is predicted to double in 2014.  I believe that the White House's switch to solar energy will encourage multiple organizations, businesses, and families to become for energy efficient and environmentally friendly.