Alabama's Dream Season, From a Realistic Fan's Point Of View

Wow! What more can any Alabama fan say? If you had told me in August that the Tide would be 11-0 headed into the Iron Bowl, I would have suggested some psychiatric counseling. Not one true fan could have possibly dreamed of more than 8-3 at this point in the season.

Alabama is good. Make no mistake. Can they beat Auburn? Statistically, this is a no contest. Auburn's anemic offense can not muster the steam to take the Crimson Tide out of this game.

This game is about making amends and finishing business. The Tide will win by at least 10. Auburn fans have held up six fingers all year. This year we can hold up one of our own. You can guess which one if you use your imagination.

With an off week, Alabama can get healed and ready. Saban says it's a good time for a bye. With the Oklahoma-Texas Tech game, I couldn't disagree more.

The BCS computers already rank Bama No. 2. Whichever team wins will get an edge in the rankings. Human voters showing emotion make take over the rest and the winner of this game will likely get the No. 1 nod, especially if it's Tech.

While that matters little and the Big 12 Championship Game may take out the number one team, Bama will fall no further than 2nd. That still keeps the Tide in the BCS championship game.

In 1992, Bama set a school record for most wins in a season with 13. Now, with the addition of SEC teams, there is already an extra game. The SEC Championship game already hinders the SEC.  The addition of that extra game is the best two teams trying to knock out the other.

Until all teams and conferences have that extra game, the SEC, Big 12, etc. is at an extreme disadvantage of staying undefeated. The SEC winner will have played 13 games with the bowl to go.

From an Alabama fan's standpoint, Florida is the worst possible thing to happen. Tebow is on fire. The team is determined.

Ole Miss showed us how to do it and Arkansas reminded us for three quarters again. Can Alabama win? Florida is cocky. This is reminiscent of another south Florida team who took Alabama lightly when these kids on the field were less than kindergarten age.

This game can be won. The 1992 Heisman Trophy could well be a boat anchor in Tampa Bay or at a yard sale.

It will take genius coaching and playing to pull it off. Realistically, Florida wins. If however, Bama, the already eight-point dog wins, playing a Big 12 team will be another major challenge.

The Big 12 relies on high octane offense to win. Defensively they give up tons of points. Bama's running game can score. Can the defense hold?  All variables that change weekly.

I have tried to stay away from the National Championship talk that began in Athens during the black out. Realistically, it's time to think about it now.

Florida fans and Auburn fans are already spouting about how bad it will be. I sat next to a Bulldog fan in Bryant Denny last week and listened to it from him—how bad the Gators are going to kill Alabama.

When it gets to the point that saving your season means that Bama loses and not necessarily by your team, the Crimson Tide is indeed "back".

With only nine scholarship seniors, fewest in the country, tied with Middle Tennessee State, next year should truly be our year.

Alabama fans, remember this. We were projected to finish fourth in our division. We won it. If we lose against Auburn, it will kill us. Not because of the loss, but because it is Auburn. If Florida beats Alabama, it was to be expected early on.  We were not to play Florida for a championship. Be proud.

One loss, or even a BCS Bowl loss will not kill our fantastic season. I was so proud to see the Tide Pride back. I saw it in my 15-year-old son's face, as one who has never experienced this and it reminded me of when I was a kid. Those were day when it was not IF Alabama would win, but by how much.

If we lose, so be it, but by all means, support the team and be thankful. 12-1 or 12-2 is SO much better than 7-5.