CHASKA, Minn. -- Mark James played in the Ryder Cup seven times and captained the European side at Brookline in 1999. Here, the honorary life member of the European Tour gives his views on the 41st edition of the contest in Minnesota. Thomas Pieters can make a bit of history on Sunday and has been so incredible here that it would be more than deserved.Just hitting his initial tee shot in the singles against J.B. Holmes will make him the first European rookie to play in all five sessions since 1999, and if he wins his match, he will set a benchmark for the number of wins at four.I hope he gets a European victory to go with all that, of course, but there is success on the horizon for the Belgian regardless.Pieters has played so well that you have to think there are major wins in him. At Hazeltine, he has just taken to Ryder Cup golf like a duck to water.In all of his matches, he has looked cool, calm, composed, but with just the right amount of adrenaline. It has been incredible to watch; I dont think Ive seen anything like it in a rookie.The 24-year-olds demeanour never changed a great deal. He got pumped up at exactly the right times and looked pretty close to perfect, like he was made for this competition.Pieters is a huge talent, certainly. Hes a good driver, hits the ball a long way, hits with his irons well, chips OK and putts well.He doesnt really have a weakness in any department. Even Tiger Woods at his best had weaknesses.Pieters reminds me of Nick Faldo, the Englishman who didnt have any holes in his game. He is a modern version of Faldo -- bigger hitting, higher flying, more aggressive.But more important than his good all-round game is that he has the temperament to perform at the highest level, and that might set him apart.When Pieters looked to the crowd and held his fingers to the lips on the first hole on Saturday that showed his self-confidence.Pieters is clearly not scared to put himself about, and that says a lot about his personality. Hes not someone who will back down; if he is like that off the course, he can, and will, play the same way because he has the talent to do so.Facing Holmes wont be easy but there is a reason Darren Clarke chose to play him third, behind only Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson: he has been one of Europes best players here.I would have fancied Pieters chances against anyone in the singles, and everyone knows how good he is now.Im not quite so confident about the other European rookies: Rafa Cabrera Bello has done pretty well;?Chris Wood and Danny Willett have played OK; we havent seen Andy Sullivan since the first day; and Matt Fitzpatrick had a bit of a tough time with Henrik Stenson on Saturday morning.Europe should get some points out of the rookies beyond Pieters, but the best, early players need to win or their team will go down. They just cant rely on the rookies to pull them through after going into the singles three points behind.Clarkes team cant let the Americans get on a roll and get more momentum, either, or the home side and their fans will get pumped up and the hopes of a comeback will be history. They need to keep the crowd quiet and get our guys flying to have a chance.Mark James was talking to Leo Spall. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Russell Martin Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. http://www.officialbluejaysgearshop.com/Blue-Jays-Aaron-Loup-Kids-Jersey/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Marcus Stroman Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Josh Donaldson Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Jalen Hurts and Bo Scarbrough each rushed for over 100 yards Saturday and No. 1 Alabama again got points from its defense and special teams in a 49-10 blowout of No. 9 Tennessee.Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) earned its 19th straight victory overall and its 10th consecutive win in this annual series. Tennessee (5-2, 2-2) has lost its last 13 games against Southeastern Conference Western Division schools.It was the most lopsided victory by either team in this rivalry since a 51-0 Alabama victory in 1906.This is as proud of our team as Ive been all year long in terms of playing a complete game against a very good team, especially in a tough environment, Alabama coach Nick Saban said.Hurts, the Crimson Tides freshman quarterback, ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns as Alabama outrushed Tennessee 438-32. Scarbrough rushed for 109 yards on just five carries, including an 85-yard touchdown.Alabama posted its highest single-game rushing total since running for 451 yards in a 56-28 victory over Tennessee in 1986.The Tide also scored on Ronnie Harrisons 58-yard interception return and Eddie Jacksons 79-yard punt return. Alabama has 11 non-offensive touchdowns this season, including eight from its defense. The Tide entered the day leading all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in both categories.Tennessee had erased double-digit deficits in five of its first six games -- including a 45-38 loss at Texas A&M last week in which it forced overtime after trailing 28-7 -- but the Volunteers couldnt deliver a similar comeback this time.Alabama was too good and Tennessee was too hurt.Tennessee was playing a ranked opponent for the fourth straight week, a stretch that has taken a physical toll.Injuries decimated the Vols defense to such an extent that linebacker Elliott Berry, cornerback Baylen Buchanan and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie made their first career starts.dddddddddddd McKenzie left in the first quarter after he appeared to hurt his shoulder.On offense, injuries sidelined guard Jashon Robertson and center Dylan Wiesman for the entire game and knocked out Brett Kendrick in the first quarter. The only starting lineman from last weeks loss to Texas A&M who played the majority of Saturdays game was right guard Jack Jones.Usually when you have a run on injuries, it usually affects one position group, two position groups, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. Its affected every position group.THE TAKEAWAYThis game showcased the versatility of Alabamas rushing attack as the Tide threatened to have three 100-yard rushers in one game. Damien Harris rushed for 94 yards on 14 carries.Alabamas defense arguably was even more impressive as it suffocated a Tennessee offense that had gained 684 yards against Texas A&M one week earlier.Tennessee: The Vols off week comes at an ideal time as they attempt to get healthier. Even in a losing cause, Derek Barnett showed why he belongs in any conversation of the nations top defensive players. Barnett recorded a sack and forced a fumble to set up Tennessees first touchdown and later ended an Alabama scoring threat by making his first career interception.POLL IMPLICATIONSAlabama will certainly maintain its No. 1 ranking after this impressive victory. The question is how far Tennessee will drop after losing its second straight. The Vols will be out of the top 10. Will they stay in the top 15- or top 20?UP NEXTAlabama: In its third straight game against a ranked team, Alabama hosts No. 6 Texas A&M.Tennessee: The Vols have the week off before visiting South Carolina on Oct. 29 ' ' '