Alabama's Loss to Utah Not on Account of Disrespect and Lack of Preparation!

Yes, 16 true freshmen came into the program in the fall that weren't there during the 7-6 season, but the real reason behind the remarkable turnaround was just having a coaching staff for a second year in a row making the right decisions and the players dedicating themselves, as well as just plain dumb luck. Who could have foreseen what looked from the beginning to be a formidable schedule turn out to be so weak?

Playing a ninth-ranked preseason Clemson on a neutral field, a preseason favorite to win the national championship Georgia on their home field, the defending national champions LSU on their home field, the defending East champion of the SEC Tennessee on their own field, and finishing with a top 10 preseason ranked Auburn, who had won six straight against Bama, who would have thought that that schedule would turn out to be so weak?

When Bama started knocking those teams off one after another and other teams across the country started losing, which Bama had no control over, they quickly vaulted up the rankings in the polls and finally to No. 1 for five weeks before they lost a thriller to Florida in the SEC championship game.

Bama, to us Bama fans, looked to be all the way back, even though there were signs that the process was still in the works to get to that point we so thought we were already at. Coach Saban cautioned us fans that there was little depth on the team and that an injury or a suspension could make for trouble down the road. The world and us Bama fans especially were so caught up in our success that we couldn't fathom the thought that we still had a ways to go.

Coach Saban in his post-Sugar bowl comments mentioned that Bama is in a building process and still has a ways to go with recruiting better talent and building experienced depth. That is as true a statement as he has uttered since he has been at Bama.

While Bama experienced a big turnaround in the win-loss department this season, Bama is not to the point that Florida, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, or even an Ohio State is. Like it or not, Bama is at least two, maybe three more top recruiting classes away from being where those programs are presently. But it is a great start!

The truth of it is, and as hard as it is to admit it, Bama had a lot of good fortune go their way to win 12 games this season. Is that anything to be ashamed of? Just ask LSU if they are ashamed of their good fortune in winning the National championship last season.

No, there is nothing to be ashamed of winning the SEC West and 12 games this year. Maybe us fans should be ashamed of some of the crowing and gloating we are guilty of this season. But dang it! After what we have been through the past decade or so, can you really blame us?

My hat is off to Utah! The only undefeated Division I FBS team in the nation. They should win the national championship in the AP poll or at least someone's poll—well, they already have. Mine!

I am a Utah fan and believer now. Not because they beat my beloved Bama team, but because they have shown another chink in the BCS armor. Anything that exposes and hurts the BCS is great in my opinion.

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