Dennis Franchione: Out of Conference

by Nico2.0 on Jun 11, 2007 11:20 AM CDT in Football Comment 3 comments

It's been a month since the last installment of this series, but in that month I've had finals, traveled to five states and had a lack of internet access for a lot of the time. Anyway, the "out of conference" series is back, this time with Coach Fran:

Raise your hands if you should've stayed at Bama

Dennis Franchione: (2001-2002): 7-2 (.778)
Notable wins: none
Humiliating losses: none

Opponents and records:
Hawaii (1-0)
Iowa State (1-0)
Middle Tennessee State (1-0)
North Texas (1-0)
Oklahoma (0-1)
Southern Miss (2-0)
UCLA (0-1)
UTEP (1-0)

Franchione's out of conference slate was both exciting and forgettable at the same time. We played memorable games against UCLA in Tuscaloosa and Oklahoma in Norman, but lost them both (by a combined 13 points.) Having your first game with a new team be against UCLA wasn't an easy task when compared to what others coaches have gotten for their first outings:

Perkins: Georgia Tech
Curry: Southern Miss
Stallings: Southern Miss
DuBose: Houston
Shula: South Florida
Saban: Western Carolina

The Franchione era also brought about our first trip to the 50th state and the great relationship we formed with their fans, though the circumstances under which the idea came about are certainly regrettable. The game in Hawaii did prove to be a good one though I'm not sure I would consider it "notable" within the vast scope of Alabama history. Also, winning his one bowl game while at Alabama is good, but I don't think a win over Iowa State (even when by one point) will go down as the most memorable of Bama bowl games. Games against MTSU, North Texas, UTEP and Southern Miss were wins that were expected, though giving up 34 points to MTSU is a headscratcher. Playing Oklahoma in Norman under the circumstances was a daunting task and the outcome one that was more or less expected.

So, while Franchione only lost two out of conference games, it was the two that mattered most to people and the ones that would have made a lasting impression in the history books.

Couldn't find any good YouTube from the Franchione out of conference days. The only stuff I could find was from the UCLA and Oklahoma games and I'm not posting that.

Other stories in this series:
Mike DuBose
Gene Stallings
Bill Curry
Ray Perkins

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OU in Norman

For all of his later failings (and despite the fact that we lost the game) the OU game was coached the way football should be--aggressive, mean, nasty and trying to win with everything including the kitchen sink.

Onside kick to start the game...fake field goal...we tried it all. I didn't give us much hope going in, but by the time it was over, we'd left it all on the field and nearly beat a better team in their place.

by Watchman on Jun 11, 2007 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The onside kick...

...is the only thing I will tip my hat to Coach Fran for. He went out there to win that game. Even though we lost, it was a great performance.

by Todd on Jun 11, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bus Ride

According to the announcer (Mush-mouthberger? I think he was the one who did the game.), fRan told the team on the bus on the way to the stadium that they would do the onside kick if they won the toss. I love that kind of attitude. Wish it had come from a better source. Wish we'd had more of it last year. But I suspect it's going to be present in spades for the upcoming season.

by Watchman on Jun 11, 2007 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs