Its hard to believe that  just three years ago, the Alabama program was floundering under Mike Shula and the idea that Nick Saban would come to Tuscaloosa was laughable. Saban is doing what he loves to do, and that's build winners. Last years 12-0 regular season was better than anyone could have hoped and I think even Saban would say that he wasn't expecting it. Once again the Tide is poised to compete for a national championship...in 2010. They will likely have the kind of season this year that was expected last year. About 9 wins. The Crimson Tide are very very good, but Virginia Tech, Mississippi, and LSU are at least as good, if not better, and Florida will be waiting in the wings for  the SEC championship should the Tide roll that far. Not saying each of those will be a loss, but you also have to factor in the games against  opponents you're supposed to beat that get out of hand.(Sugar Bowl last year). So it looks like a 2 or 3 loss season. But not in 2010, with Sabans recruits coming of age and Tebow gone. Watch out SEC and watch out BCS The Tide will be rolling. Then when Saban leaves for a new challenge, it will be up to Alabama's shaky  leadership to keep the train going.

Acknowledging that the natural inclination on this site is to rehash games and seasons from Forty, Fifty and Sixty years ago,  how about some forward looking discussion?  Want to give it a try? For example, can Bama get past Virginia Tech in the first  game? What happens if they lose? Its a non conference game, and they could probably recover right?  May even help them focus  in the long run. Get the butterfly's out of the system early and not have to worry, like last year, when that inevitable first loss would come.