Nick Saban became the University of Alabama's coach in January 2007. Most Tide fans were euphoric about his hiring, because of his proven record as a college coach. But there was a lot of disappointment and grumbling as the Tide limped through the 2007 season, finishing 7-6.
The low point of the year was the loss to Louisiana-Monroe at Bryant Denny Stadium, which was part of four straight losses that ended the regular season. A 30-24 victory over Colorado in the Independence Bowl allowed Bama to finish the season on a winning note, but there was a bad taste in the mouths of the Tide faithful.
Some Tide fans have predicted that the Tide will contend for the SEC West title this season, but that seems unrealistic. The Tide lost key players like D.J. Hall, Keith Brown, Wallace Gilberry, and Simeon Castille. John Parker Wilson returns as the starting quarterback, but he's been very inconsistent. Discipline problems continue to dog the team. All of this points to one thing—Nick Saban needs more time to steer the Tide back to their winning ways.
Yes, Saban signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, but that guarantees nothing. And it could be two or three years before those young men make their full impact on the team.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Mike Shula really let team discipline get out of hand during his tenure as Bama head coach, and Saban struggled last year to get his squad on the straight and narrow. Several players on the 2007 team rebelled against Saban's attempts to pull back on the reins. There could still be some of that carrying over into the 2008 season.
Besides the problems Saban had whipping his team into shape, there is also the brutal SEC road schedule. The Crimson and White will play the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, and Mark Richt's squad might be in the Top Five when the game rolls around. Phil Fulmer's Tennessee Vols get Bama at Neyland Stadium, and they'll be looking to avenge the 41-17 drubbing they endured at Bryant Denny last October.
The LSU Bengal Tigers may have lost Ryan Perilloux, but they still have a tremendous amount of talent, and a coach who just led them to the national championship. The fourth SEC road game will be at Arkansas, and Alabama always struggles to win that one.
But before any of those games are played, Nick Saban's boys have to go to Atlanta to play Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers. That's the first game of the season, and it will be a very tough test.
Finally, the Tide's home schedule includes two teams that have been especially tough to beat in recent years—the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Auburn has won six straight over Bama, and they're not going to give up state bragging rights without a fight.
Sylvester Croom was arguably the best coach in the SEC last year, getting eight wins and a bowl victory for a team that nobody gave any respect to, the same team that started the season being massacred by LSU. Croom seems to be developing into an excellent coach.
Two teams in the West have new coaches this year. Houston Nutt left Arkansas to rebuild the Ole Miss program, and Bobby Petrino will be leading the Razorbacks. This makes for an awfully tough division, because Auburn has Tuberville, LSU has Miles, and Mississippi State has Croom. It's going to be harder than ever to win the West now.
That's why it's important for the Tide faithful to not get carried away with unrealistic expectations. Saban was right when he said it was going to be a "process," and the process takes time.
Alabama is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and they have greatly upgraded their talent with the last signing class. However, it may be two years from now before teams start to fear Bama again.
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6 months ago
Well done.
Finally a voice of reason about Alabama.
from 6 months ago
Thanks for the compliment. Yes, we need to be reasonable.
6 months ago
I must live in a bubble, an isolated bubble that is never penetrated by pessimistic thoughts or irrationality.
It seems as if every time I turn around someone is begging 'Bama fans to be patient, don't be irrational, take it easy and let things work out, it will take time and crazy 'Bama fans need to have the patience to let Coach Saban do his thing.
It seems as if, many times, it is everyone but 'Bama fans themselves who are being irrational. In fact, 'Bama fans are often on the receiving end of irrationality from other fans, national writers, and sport's shows talking heads concerning our thoughts and our feelings.
Of course 'Bama fans don't like for their team to lose a game. Show me a group of fans who do like for the team they support to lose. Naturally it will leave a bad taste in our mouth's when we lose to a historically weak team; isn't it normal to feel bad or let down after a devastating loss?
Every time I hear someone start rattling on and giving 'Bama fans lessons on the proper way to be a good fan, I become slightly nauseous. Every time I hear pleas for patience and understanding I feel bewildered.
Who has not been patient is the question I would like to ask all the lesson givers who feel it their duty to preach to those crazy 'Bama fans. Who does not understand that it will take time to be successful is another question I would like to ask them. Where do you find all the irrational and loony 'Bama fans who demand excellence or else?
As far as I know, about 90 percent of 'Bama fans were loyal to Mike Shula right up until the bitter and tragic end of his efforts at 'Bama. 'Bama fans weren't irrational or crazy then were they? You could ask just about any 'Bama fan what they thought of Shula and they would tell you he just needed more time, next year will be his year, he is going to get it right, etc...
All those 'Bama fans seemed reasonable.
So, really, who are all these people that constantly and unrelentingly beseech 'Bama fans to be patient, to be reasonable, to not be irrational? Who are they? Do they know 'Bama fans or do they merely skim a few message boards here and there and come to the conclusion that all 'Bama fans are Gumpy idiots who don't understand football?
In my opinion, this whole routine of warning 'Bama fans to be reasonable and patient when we are, in fact, being reasonable and patient, smacks of deceitfulness. It is on par with the people who drone on about how Coach Bryant is dead and 'Bama fans can't let go. These are the people that know absolutely nothing about 'Bama fans because we do know Coach Bryant is dead, we really do.
During just about every ESPN covered Alabama game some complete numb-nut will just have to mention at the beginning of the game how 'Bama is looking to return the glory years, 'Bama fans are expecting this team, this year, to take them back to Coach Bryant's days, etc...
Well, no, none of that is true. They know that but they enjoy reveling in the stereotypes that they themselves have created for 'Bama fans.
The real truth from real 'Bama fans is that we are in it for the long haul, we know the road is rough, we are willing to be patient, our support will never waver, we understand football and don't need cute little encapsulated lessons from clueless idiots looking for better ratings for whatever paper they write for or whatever program they produce or television show they are a part of.
Show me a fanbase that doesn't have a contingent of fans that wish for a perfect and undefeated season every year and I will show you the most boring, dead, unimaginative, soulless fanbase to ever exist.
from 6 months ago
While your response was very well thought out, I can totally relate to telling a fan base to chill out. LSU had ridiculous expectations last year. I wrote an article in the beginning of the year similar to this one saying that the goal in the SEC should be the conf. championship and if you win enough games, the national championship will take care of itself. (maybe not, AU fans, sorry)
but
While every fan base will have reasonable, realistic fans like you, fan bases thoughout the SEC tend to be rabid and high (sometimes unrealistic) expectations come with the fever that is SEC fandom. But being very familiar with Coach Saban he also preaches against the "catastrophe syndrome". basically the world doesn't end after one loss or two or so on.
i don't have a whole lot of access to what bama fans say but i was listening to a local Baton Rouge radio station that was interviewing (i want to say VInce Feragamo, please excuse me if the name is wrong) back in November before the LSU-bama game. while i may not be accurate on the name, i remember verbatim what he said and I quote
"Alabama fans expect to win a national championship in the next 5 years."
the guy didn 't seem to be a pot stirrer like finebaum, he actually sounded pretty credible (i could be way off base the guy could be just like finebaum i don't know). but that's just a solitary incident of which we hear many of here in Baton Rouge.
anyway my point is, just about every fan base could use to pull in the reigns every once and a while. heck, most of LSU's younger fans (college age or so) are a little too cocky for my taste because all they've known is the saban and miles era.
my freshman year was curley hallman's last year, so i tend to have a little more perspective than my younger counterparts.
but i think a fan base with unrelalistic expectations is a dangerous thing. and just because you write an article about it, doesn't mean you condemn everyone within that fan base as acting the exact same.
generalizations happen, while mostly not intentional, are usually unfair.
6 months ago
Great article, by the way, Tommy. I wasn't directing my long winded response at you. When I reread it I understood that it could have been taken that way. Quite the opposite, your piece was well done and it stimulated me to respond, in general.
Keep up the good work.
from 6 months ago
No problem. I understand that different people have different points of view.
Yes, I do think certain media folks take pleasure in ridiculing the Crimson Nation. We just have to not get too offended.
6 months ago
Well written article, however I think the analyst is very skewed.
Alabama will certainly not be the favorite to win the west, however saying it is UNREALISTIC for the Tide to finish the season in the Dome is naive in my honest opinion. First let me say I am not saying this as a Tide fanatic looking through Crimson colored glasses, this is just an honest analyst.
The Tide do have some weaknesses going into 2008, however as a whole they look to be a more improved team, with the big exception of the linebacker corp which is really just a question mark right now.
If Coach Mac is as good a quarterback coach as he is touted to be (he took his QB's pass efficiency from rated in the 70's last year to about 15 at Fresno State) it has been reported that JPW is much more comfortable in McElwain's system and he is more productive out of it. If John Parker Wilson has a good year, this offense will be one of the most potent in the conference. They will enter the season with the best line, an improved stable of running backs, improved OVERALL receiving corp. The Tide will have a solid and experienced defensive line and should have one of the better secondaries in the conference. As said earlier, line backer is the big question mark right now, but it is not as much about the talent, more about depth and experience. Add all this with one of the leagues best place kickers and return man. You are looking at a team that is a series CONTENDER for the SEC West title.
Auburn will be the favorite to win the division this year. They are the most well rounded team, have the easiest schedule and are well coached.
LSU is still a very talented team, however whenever you lose 7 big play makers to the NFL Draft that will never be easy to overcome. If you are going to play they "can't step in and be an immediate impact" card with BAMA, you have to apply the same to LSU as well. They have loss another big play maker in Ryan Perilloux and of course this will probably become LSU's biggest problem in 2008. Not fielding a capable SEC quarterback. Teams with out capable quarterbacks do not strive in today's SEC. It is simply unrealistic to think LSU will be the team they have been for the past three years. They simple won't be.
Ole Miss will be vastly improved now that they have a coach and could cause some problems for others, but they themselves will not contend for the title. The same can be said for Mississippi State, although they will probably not have a repeat of 2007, especially after their off season incidents.
As for Arkansas, it will be a long season for the Hogs. They may surprise a team or two, but will not have more than 3 SEC wins, won't be that way for long, but they will not compete in the West this year.
So what does this leave us with? Auburn as a favorite and then young, talented Alabama and LSU teams. Alabama is the only team with an experienced SEC QB, they have the best offensive line, will end up with the best offense in the West.
So no, it is not UNREALISTIC for the Tide to win the SEC West.
I'm not saying they will end up in a BCS bowl or have an 11 win season, but to say this team simply can't get to Atlanta at year's in is simply naive. 7-5 is just as much a stretch as 10-2. Overly optimistic fans do get a little annoying, but overly pessimistic fans are just as bad in my opinion. I understand you are trying to bring in realism, but this team realistically will COMPETE for the SEC Western Division title this year. They have the team and coaches to do it. Period.
from 6 months ago
Chad,
It just seems like you are sitting on the fence here. I understand that you think Bama has a realistic shot at Atlanta, but do you think they will or not? For example, I may be naive, but I do not think Alabama will win the West this year.
I agree that Auburn is the team to beat in the West, but I strongly disagree with the following comment:
"They (Auburn)...have the easiest schedule and are well coached."
Auburn's schedule is nearly identical to Bama's. Both play a tough non conference opponent (Clemson for Bama, @ WVU for Auburn) and both play Tennessee and GA from the East. The only difference is that Bama gets Kentucky at home while Auburn goes to Vandy. Finally, Auburn goes to Alabama this year.
As for the coaches, Auburn had to replace one of the best DC's in the conference and brought in a new OC, as you are well aware. Major changes.
Also, please explain what you mean by improved overall wide receiving corp.
6 months ago
Thanks for reading my article, and taking the time to post a detailed response to it.
I'm an active member of www.crimsontusks.com, and one of the enduring controversies is about the Doom and Gloom camp on one side, and the Sunshine Pumpers on the other side. I think it's best to take a Goldilocks perspective----not too pessimistic. Not too optimistic. Just right.
I would love to see Bama compete for the West this year. I won't mind having to eat my words if they win nine or ten games. I just don't want to get my hopes up too high. Saban is going to get us there, but the "process" is still in progress.
6 months ago
Good read Tommy.
I understand and agree with your thought process. That said, I have to admit I think of what Coach Stallings had to say.
"The expectation level is high at The University of Alabama and it should be. What's wrong with people expecting excellence?"
One thing to note.
Even with the November collapse in '07 when we were going into the LSU contest we were in competition for the West. Granted, that quickly spiraled down. While it is very early to start thinking or prognosticating about how we'll do in '08, seeing results like '02 isn't out of the question.
Terry
6 months ago
I take my lead from our head coach and if he seems happy with "Unrealistic" goals then count me alongside him. We might not win every game but be ye not fooled, if you don't expect to win when you step on the field you have already lost!
6 months ago
Tim,
Auburn plays this road schedule:
@ Mississippi State
@ Vanderbilt
@ West Virginia
@ Mississippi
@ Alabama
Alabama plays this road schedule:
Clemson - Neutral
@ Arkansas
@ Georgia
@ Tennessee
@ LSU
You say that you strongly disagree that 'Bama's schedule is tougher than Auburn's, but surely when you see the above you can change your mind, correct?
6 months ago
Not really.
at GA will be very tough, but what's scary about Tennessee this year? Also, if Bama is as great as you made them out to be earlier, couldn't they beat a quarterback-less LSU team?
Then let's not forget Alabama's home schedule that includes:
Tulane
Western Kentucky
Kentucky
Ole Miss
Arkansas State
Win just one tough SEC game and you're bowling.
Perhaps we agree to disagree.
from 6 months ago
Surely to goodness Bama can beat those five games. :)
from 6 months ago
Tim,
I don't see how you can't understand that Auburn has the easiest conference schedule out of "the big three" (Alabama, Auburn, LSU).
You certainly know as an SEC follower and fan that road games in the SEC are totally different from home games. Saying "Auburn's schedule is nearly identical to Bama's" is laughable.
Just look at the schedules...
Alabama...
@Arkansas
@Georgia
Kentucky
Ole Miss
@LSU
Miss. State
Auburn
Auburn...
@Miss. State
LSU
Tennessee
@Vanderbilt
Arkansas
@Ole Miss
Georgia
@Alabama
LSU...
@Auburn
Miss. State
@Florida
@South Carolina
Georgia
Alabama
Ole Miss
@Arkansas
It doesn't take an expert to tell you which is the easiest schedule out of that group. Road games in the SEC are one of the hardest things of playing in the conference and Auburn's two toughest road games will be Alabama and Ole Miss. Compare that to Alabama and LSU and it's no where close. Simply put it is very naive to say that Auburn's schedule is not easier than Alabama & LSU's.
As for the coaching staff it is no secret that Tommy Tuberville has one of the highest conference winning percentages in the conference. Auburn does have new coordinators, but that should only improve their offense and there might be just a little drop off from the loss of Muschamp, but not much.
As for the receiving corp it is pretty simple. They are going to be a better OVERALL corp, talent wise and depth wise. Yes you lose DJ Hall and Matt Caddell (and Keith Brown, but he only really contributed to the team on a few occasions last season). You add Redshirt Freshmen Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze, True Freshmen Julio Jones, Melvin Ray, Chris Jackson and Destin Hood. This goes along with Seniors Nikita Stover, Will Oakley, Junior Mike McCoy and Sophomore Earl Alexander. All together that is a better OVERALL receiving corp in terms of talent and depth.
6 months ago
Hang on a second, Timmy, let's not put words in someone's mouth in an attempt to make a point that was not being implied. I don't know why you would state that I said something about Alabama being "as good as I made them out to be earlier" when I clearly never typed anything remotely similar to that. In fact, I never commented on Alabama's skill level, ability, experience, chances this year, or anything of the sort.
If we are going to have a civil conversation there must be honesty. If you wish to make a point about something you feel strongly about, please don't misattribute my contributions to this blog to do so. Thanks.
On to the strength of schedules. You list 'Bama's weaker home games after I list 'Bama's and Auburn's away games.
Now allow me to list Auburn's weaker home games:
Louisiana-Monroe
Southern Miss
Vanderbilt
Tennessee Martin
Ole Miss
I only list Ole Miss because you listed them for 'Bama. I actually believe Ole Miss is a quality team, perhaps not top quality, but a team that is coming up.
So, here we are. Seems like Auburn has just as many patsies as Alabama does, yet 'Bama far outstrips Auburn in degree of difficulty for away games.
Most people have no problem seeing that Alabama, this year, does in fact have a tougher schedule than Auburn. Why you refuse to acknowledge that is none of my business, I suppose.
Rational fans, no matter which team they support, can determine that Alabama has a somewhat difficult schedule on the road this year. They face 3 teams in the preseason top 10 away from home and Tennessee coming in ranked at #17 or 18.
I realize that you seem to have perfectly logical reasons why none of the teams, save one, that 'Bama must face this year are quality teams, but I just don't know if I should take your word on it.
Also, I think you must be one of those guys who believe that home field advantage is meaningless. I notice that in the post that I originally replied to, in an attempt to reveal to everyone that Auburn's schedule is just as tough as Alabama's, you mention that they both play Georgia and Tennessee.
What you failed to mention is that Auburn has both of these teams at home and Alabama has both of these teams away.
Why the crusade? Just curious.
6 months ago
The crusade? Sir, you have written nearly ten times the amount of words of the entire article in defense of your favorite team, which might--and I'm just going out on a limb here--skew your judgment just a tad. Anyway, due to your extremely long responses, it seems to me that you are the one on the crusade.
Civil conversation? Then why take my name, which is "Tim," and turn it into "Timmy"?
While I would love to debate the "easy" schedule Auburn has, I'm just not going to. When all these games get switched next year, are you going to call Bama's schedule easy? Probably not.
It's the SEC, man. Nobody has an easy schedule.
Oh, the irony in listing Louisiana-Monroe as one of Auburn's "weaker" opponents. You see, never mind...
from 6 months ago
Tim, I prefer not to turn this into a flaming type situation. I used Timmy in much the same way someone uses the name Johnny for John, Tommy for Tom, etc.. I suppose you have never been called Timmy, sorry if I upset you.
You insinuate that having 3 preseason top ten teams on the road, in 'Bama's case, is the equivalent of having 1 preseason top ten team on the road, in Auburn's case. Somehow you imagine these schedules to be of equal difficulty.
I have tried to follow your skewed reasoning and determine just how you have come to this conclusion but I have yet to break through that barrier.
You jump into the thread to say that 'Bama's schedule is no tougher than Auburn's. I present several reasons why you are incorrect and you start poking fun over the Louisiana-Monroe loss. Funny, but not making a valid point.
You give me reasons, to you, why 'Bama should beat every "weak" preseason top 10 team except, perhaps, Georgia. The fact that you believe that every team 'Bama plays has a chink in their armor is the reason you believe Auburn has a tougher schedule. You make no mention of the fact that these same teams with these same flaws have to face the same Auburn team that you are so valiantly defending from any perceived slight.
Tim, with Alabama's and Auburn's schedule's being pretty much flush with the quality of home games, which team do you imagine, in your head, to have the tougher road games this year. Simple question.
Let me refresh you memory for you before you answer.
Road Schedule - Auburn
West Virginia
Miss. State
Mississippi
Vanderbilt
Road Schedule - Alabama
Clemson - N
Arkansas
Georgia
Tennessee
LSU
Hmmm? That is such a hard one to figure out.
Also, if you will notice, I have made no mention of the fact that Auburn is ranked, as of now, at a preseason consensus ranking of 11th in the nation. Unfortunately, for you and your bizarre notions of schedule difficulty, Alabama and Auburn play each other this year. I could use Auburn's preseason ranking as another nail in the coffin of your argument, if I was not a nice guy.
6 months ago
Go, Crusader, go! Prove the cause of the Alabama football team.
Listen, I don't have a vested interest in Alabama or Auburn football. You do. You love Bama, and you hate Auburn. In my humble opinion, that makes your view jaded. As an outside perspective, I believe I can be more realistic about both teams. If you want to argue that, great. Go for it. I don't want to.
Also, if you really want me to believe that every time someone introduces himself as John you immediately start calling him Johnny, then well, I guess I don't believe you. What happened to: "If we are going to have a civil conversation there must be honesty." After meeting me on a message board with a fake name, you felt close enough to just go ahead and call me Timmy? I can't believe I'm typing this.
And the LA-Monroe quip was hilarious.
You seem like a pretty bright person, and your writing is very good, and you definitely like to see your words in print. Perhaps you should re-enter BR, call yourself your real name, write a bio, and then begin writing on a variety of topics. Just a thought.
That said...
This will be my last response, Control Alt Delete. I am conceding victory to you. You put the nail in the coffin, sir, as you so eloquently stated. The crusade has been won...although I'm not sure what exactly we were debating.
Because you seem like a last word guy, at least do me this favor: Please tell me what Alabama's record will be this season. If possible, please tell me which games they will win.
6 months ago
10-2 & 6-2 for Bama. They will play UF in the SECCG. As far as expectations go, if I'm optimistic or pessimistic it won't make me pull for Bama any more or any less in every game, nor will I feel any better about a win or any worse after a loss. Bottom line is, we have something to be optimistic about for the first time in a decade. It's a nice feeling to have again. I hope we win them all.
from 6 months ago
Bama,
Which games do you see Alabama losing?
Also, interesting take on FL playing for the SECCG. I tend to agree with you, although most have GA winning the East. I think FL is ready for payback, and GA's schedule is just way too difficult.
Do you see the West coming down to the Auburn-Alabama game?
6 months ago
Well, just Bama won't cut it! :)
6 months ago
Tim,
I am disappointed that you feel angry. I was merely commenting on 'Bama's schedule and it's level of difficulty. I still have not made any reference to what I think their win-loss record may be because that is not what you keyed on and what I originally replied to.
For me, I like to keep a discussion on topic. You believe that Auburn's schedule is as strong or stronger than Alabama's. I prove, almost conclusively, that you are incorrect and you go off on a tangent about someone calling you Timmy.
You also misattribute my statements and attempt to falsely claim I have argued 'Bama's ability or skill level this coming year, I clearly did not. Rather than admit your "honest"? mistake, you constantly repeat my entreaty to be civil.
My only concern in all of these responses has been directed at Alabama vs. Auburn's schedule, not any of the 15 other things you have tried to drag into it. At one point you even said that maybe next year Alabama's schedule would not be difficult and what did I have to say about it? LOL. Well, who cares?
I don't really have anything to say about that or anything else you wanted to discuss other than what was being discussed, the schedules for "this" year.
Sorry that you felt it your duty to tell everyone that West Virginia, on the road, is as tough as Tennessee, LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, and Clemson, on the road. Sorry you got upset that someone disagreed with your assessment. It seems as if some around here do not react so well to differing opinions.
Also, please make no further comments on what my nickname here should be, how I should write, or whether or not you approve of me. You can email me if you would like to go that route, otherwise, mind your own business.
5 months ago
yeah he has lost 1 game for every 3 he has played as a college head coach. and you know the pro story.
btw when will saban reach 100 wins in his career? should be this year. how many years has he been a head coach?
5 months ago
guess that shut them up.
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