In case you have been living under a rock, you should know by now that Alabama beat Clemson with a severity only reserved for fraternity hazing.
Yes, a 34-10 beatdown against a team who was supposed to run the ACC this season is plenty of reason for any fan base to get excited.
But this is Alabama.
There have been comparisons to past national championship teams, fans are already buzzing about returning to Atlanta on Dec. 6, and ticket prices for future games have already gone through the roof.
However, this wasn't just any Alabama win. This was on national television. The entire country was able to see the nation's No. 1 recruiting class prove its hype, as well as watch year two of a Nick Saban-led team, which usually means good things.
This was an Alabama team allowing zero rushing yards and having an offense for the first time in almost five years.
The country took notice.
There has been a divide, as expected, as to whether this was a Clemson collapse or if Bama is just that good in year two under Saban.
Most people are starting to jump on the Crimson bandwagon, as can be seen below...
* CBSsports.com called Alabama the team of the day, "without a doubt."
* Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com says that there is no longer a need to look to the future for Bama fans, because "the future is now."
- B/R Ticket Guide
* Alabama rose from being out of the coaches' poll (No. 26 if you want to get technical) to No. 17.
* The AP poll had Bama at No. 24 preseason, but the Tide practically cut that in half, jumping all the way to No. 13. That jump was no doubt helped by those voters who just went off Week One performance. Adam Van Brimmer of the Savannah (GA) Morning News was one of them. This is what his poll looks like:
1. USC
2. Alabama
That is no lie. Here it is. And rumor has it he wasn't the only one who did so.
* Sports Illustrated has picked Alabama as their cover boys for this week, with the front title proclaiming, "SEC Beware: Alabama Sends an Early Warning" with the article titled, "The Tide is Turning." At least they had the decency not to put "Bama is Back" on the cover this time.
* Tostitos went on to name Alabama the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week.
Of course Alabama fans are loving this attention, considering there hasn't been much good press around the program in quite some time, but here is the message everyone in Alabama and America needs to hear, process, and comprehend.
IT WAS ONLY ONE GAME.
We are only six days into the college football season. Most of the big stars on the Alabama team are only six days into their first college football season.
Alabama won't play Clemson 12 times this season. The next game is Tulane, not somewhere in December.
Here, let Nick Saban lay it down for you straight.
That about sums it up.
Alabama still made mistakes Saturday. There were costly penalties, overthrown passes, and a couple of missed assignments.
This team is not perfect.
This team doesn't deserve to be ranked No. 2 by anyone right now.
This team doesn't need to be ranked No. 13 by anyone right now.
Alabama has all the tools, it seems, to be a really good team this season.
In 13 weeks and 11 games, we will really see if Alabama is a good team this season.
Until then, it was just one game.
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2 months ago
Well put Nic.
I don't think all the buzz and attention is a bad thing, but letting it go too far could very well be. I think Saban keep sthe players' focus in perspective. Now, as for the fans, it's like a pack of wolves on fresh meat. May just have to wait for the meat to be gone or the blood to turn cold before things die down.
Teams do need to beware of the EARLY warning. But it is still nothing more than an early warning. When the real destruction comes - blowing the SEC away like the Tide has gone back to 1965 - then I think things can get ridiculous for real. Until then, remember we are only 4 games removed from the LAMO flop.
You think the bandwagon can hold all the weight of the fans jumping on board??
from 2 months ago
I am not worried about the players too much, but the fans, as you said, are a whole other story. It will take a loss to quell things down, but the way this team looks, it seems that a loss will only come to a respectable team, so it wont quiet things down too much.
If we get to the point that we look like like retro, before I was born Alabama, I don't know what I would do with myself since I have never seen it, unless you count 1992, then I just dont remember it.
As for the bandwagon fans, the state of Alabama is full of them anyways. Just look at how Auburn fans seemed to increase in the past 3-4 years. Everyone wants to be associated with a winner. I think the bandwagon can hold anyone who wants to jump on, but it will still be easy to spot those who suffered for the past ten years/for as long as they can remember.
2 months ago
Nice article. I was going to do something similar, but I figured I would just be accused of bias and called an Auburn "homer" or whatever. There's no doubt it was an impressive win, and whether it's because Clemson is bad or 'Bama is good, no one can honestly say they know. But Alabama showed up to play and that's all you can ask on an opening day game on national TV.
Congrats 'Bama. Looking forward to the Iron Bowl this year.
War Eagle
Chris
2 months ago
You know what, your right it was just one game, but at the same time let the fans have their day in the sun haven't they been through enough the last few years to deserve celebrating this great win? Now the players on the other hand need to turn their attention to Tulane and move on. Also just to remind you, most of this hype is coming from the media so I don't want to hear all this crap about all these Bama homers getting over excited because this time it is the media that is going "overhyping" the Tide. I say enjoy a great win as long as possible as a fan regardless of what all the haters think. I also don't think Nick Saban will allow this years team to lose focus like last years team. Most of the players that lacked leadership and caused negativity are appear to be gone and so far this looks like a much more motivated team.
from 2 months ago
I am enjoying it, but I also enjoyed the Tennessee game for about 10 days last year as well, and thats when the fit hit the shan. I agree that Saban will have the team prepared, but I dont want fans to be hanging on this one game forever. The national media has taken it too far too fast IMHO, and that may hurt the fans in the long run if the Tide slows down. Of course, knock on wood, that doesnt happen, but you never know. Thanks for the comments.
2 months ago
Good article...fortunes changed so quickly for more than half of the SEC last year, everything is really a week to week roller coaster. But Bama absolutely deserves to be at the high point right now after last week...it sounds like fans are fans but Saban and the players are the ones who matter, and they seem to have their heads on straight. They're still awfully young...it just remains to be seen if that's more blessing or curse.
2 months ago
Good article, Vic. Excellent rational analysis of the situation. But not too many of us SEC football fans are going to buy into rational. Life is short. Enjoy it while you can, whenever you can. I tell you, it was exhilarating indeed to be in the Georgia Dome last Saturday with a few of my Bama cousins, seeing them get Very Happy. They needed that, and they expect More.
2 months ago
Good read nic. I agree that the fan base needs to stay grounded and this was just one win Saban said it best in the post game. I do think Alabama should be ranked number 13 cause the polls are a week by week game by game ranking and the Tide played like a top 15 team Saturday. But now the focus shifts to Tulane and a new week.
2 months ago
Good article, Vic. Excellent rational analysis of the situation. But not too many of us SEC football fans are going to buy into rational. Life is short. Enjoy it while you can, whenever you can. I tell you, it was exhilarating indeed to be in the Georgia Dome last Saturday with a few of my Bama cousins, seeing them get Very Happy. They needed that, and they expect More.
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