A Humble Pie Recipe for the Ever Faithful Tide Fans

Oh how Alabama fans would love to see Tommy Tuberville make the above facial expression come the matchup against Auburn later this month. Nothing would make us happier.

Granted, this year has been rather humbling for Alabama fans as well as teams that didn't give Alabama credit before this season started. Even some of Bleacher Report's finest have had to borrow the recipe for humble pie this season.

Nick Saban warned Alabama fans to not drink the Kool-Aid that is Alabama football. Well Saban, it's hard not to drink something that has taken forever to make.

This season started out the right way with the Tide dominating over Clemson in the Dome with a 34-10 victory. Many ESPN analysts had predicted Clemson to stomp the Tide as did the coach and players of the Clemson team. The ingredient to their recipe? Excuses. Lots and lots of excuses.

The next weekend found the Tide going up against Tulane and dishing up a humble dose of pie for the Tide. This game was all-too important, making Alabama realize that the little games mattered just as much as the big ones. After all, you have to beat the poodle before you can go up against the pit bull right?

The next weekend finds us home again against Western Kentucky, fresh from a less-than-impressive game with Tulane.  Western Kentucky...what was their excuse for their humble pie recipe? Oh yes...they didn't have one. They just realized they got beat by a better team and accepted it. (Gasp) The concept.

Alabama finds itself in Arkansas next, and after a 41-38 victory last year which was a little scary and last minute, the 49-14 victory was one that was nice to see. Humble pie ingredient? Maybe not. Kool-Aid ingredient? You betcha.

Alabama vs. Georgia. The "Blackout." After the 41-30 victory over Georgia, many Alabama fans thought the team should have been more worried about the game they were playing than what they were wearing. However, from the 31-0 score at halftime to the 41-30 score at the end of the game, the not-so-dilusional fans realized that Alabama needed to play a whole game and not just the first half.  

Kentucky against the Tide was a rather interesting game. Alabama was accused of being a fair weather team and only showing up for the games they needed to. However, after Kentucky showed up against Georgia, many analysts realized this was a harder team than they would have liked to think. One serving of humble pie coming right up.

After an off week, the Tide welcomes Ole Miss at home. For the first time this season, Alabama seems to be matched with a team that is impressive. I mean, beating Florida 31-30 is pretty awesome right? Ask the scoreboard. It read 24-20 at the end of the game in the Tide's favor.

Tennessee. Those poor Volunteers. Getting beat two years in a row by a less-than-mediocre team must be pretty hard. Except we aren't less than mediocre. We came to play. We came to win. The 29-9 victory in this game was humbling. But ole Phil had already eaten the whole pie, much less just a slice.

Homecoming. A time for old friends to reunite. A time for friends, family, and maybe even those "closet" fans to come in and just cheer on our team. This is exactly what the team gave to Alabama fans in their 35-0 blowout against Arkansas State.

LSU. What a game. Although there were many errors in this game, the Tide stayed strong and pulled through several turnovers, fumbles, and useless penalties that cost the Tide several much needed yards and even a touchdown. (Cough John Parker cough). However, with a 27-21 victory in overtime for the Tide, this game was sure to be the one to be talked about. And of course it was.

LSU's main ingredient to humble pie: excuses. And Alabama fans heard them all. "Our quarterback is young and inexperienced." "We had a bad game." "Bama made use of bad calls from the refs." "Alabama got lucky." "Merry Christmas to Alabama fans. From mine to yours." Boy, the things LSU fans come up with.

Alabama vs. Mississippi State. TIFFIN MADE ALL THREE FIELD GOALS! This was one of the main points made in this game. Tiffin making all of his attempted field goals was definitely a plus as was the Tide's overall 32-7 victory over the cowbells.

Coach Nick Saban got heat about this game because of a sportscast with profanity in it before the game encouraging fans to not dismiss Mississippi State. Well, we didn't dismiss them. In fact, we were there through the rain, wind, and cold.

And this next week finds the Tide going against the Auburn Tigers in The Iron Bowl. One of the biggest rivals in college football. One of the few games that takes Auburn and Alabama fans alike and puts them in place for one night that can change an outlook on the whole season. Forget an 11-1 record if the team you lost to was Auburn.

So, Alabama fans, while there is nothing I would rather write about more than how Alabama is going to beat Auburn this next Saturday, I don't want a piece of humble pie delivered on my door by writers like Chris Mizerany.

I have the utmost faith in the Crimson Tide but I am refusing the Kool-Aid. Alabama has done an amazing job this season and I am so proud of these guys. So, while not bragging, it certainly sounds like I am doesn't it? But I will not drink the Kool-Aid until Nick Saban gives me permission to do so. Even when really tempting, I am resisting peer pressure. I am standing strong. Just pass on the jug. Have faith in your team and cheer them on until the very end. Just don't be one of those that has to borrow the humble pie recipe from writers like GrayGhost and Christopher Williams.