Ten Things to Expect in 2010
by outsidethesidelines on Aug 23, 2010 8:05 AM CDT
in Football
Email
PrintEvery year is a new year and every team is different than its predecessors, as are the opponents that they must face and the obstacles that they must overcome. New challengers emerge, new faces appear, and new struggles become apparent. Combined, it all makes it very difficult to know what to expect from the new season, but fortunately I think that at this point we can safely say a few things. With the dawn of a new season a mere twelve days away, here are ten things to expect in 2010:
(1) Expect the offensive line to be pure hell. Three starters return from a high-end unit in 2009, and making matters better both James Carpenter and William Vlachos have recovered from injuries. Chance Warmack seized the starting job at left guard this past spring, and he has the potential to be the best guard we've seen at Alabama in ages. The same goes for D.J. Fluker at right tackle. He played better than most gave him credit for in the A-Day game, and has continued to make progress over the summer, solidifying his hold on the starting job at right tackle. All together, the line features five starters who should be able to plow the road, plus the raw length and athleticism is present at the tackle positions to be productive in pass protection as well, and the quality depth is perhaps the greatest we've seen since the Bryant era. If injuries remain at bay, expect this to be the best Alabama offensive line in many years.
(2) Expect the defensive line to be pure hell. All three starters may be gone from the 2009 team, but Marcell Dareus is arguably the best defensive lineman in college football, Luther Davis is a seasoned veteran, and the Josh Chapman / Kerry Murphy combo will man the nose. But the real strength here is the almost laughable amount of depth, where the Tide is legitimately three-deep (or more) and chock full reserves who would be starting for other schools. Kirby Smart and company can easily rotate more than ten players along the three true line positions without missing a beat, making this unit the deepest of any on the 2010 Crimson Tide. Many a defensive line coach would be willing to coach for nothing if they could coach this group. Expect this defensive line to be a living nightmare for opposing offenses.
(3) Expect an elite pass rush. The defensive line was largely covered above, but the raw athleticism possessed by nearly everyone in the trenches should be mentioned again. With the rise of Kerry Murphy, the Tide looks to get a pass rushing threat even from the nose guard position in the base 3-4. The linebacker corps, however, is what looks to take this pass rush to the next level. Courtney Upshaw looks poised to finally break out, Dont'a Hightower is a pass rushing terror as a linebacker, and as a general rule the rest of the linebacker corps is big, physical, and athletic. Combined with Nick Saban's complex defensive looks and aggressive zone blitz packages, opposing quarterbacks should frequently find themselves on the turf writhing in pain. The 2010 Crimson Tide may not be able to consistently cover offenses on the back end, but if nothing else the pass rush ought to be the standard by which all others are judged.
(4) Expect a platoon in the kicking game. Coach Saban has repeatedly discussed the possibility of using two place-kickers this Fall -- one for long field goals (Cade Foster) and another for short field goals and extra points (Jeremy Shelley) -- and the equal distribution of the kicking opportunities this Fall indicates that the ol' Nicktator isn't just blowing smoke. Shelley looks very sound technically, but the extent of his range is probably about 35 yards. Anything longer than that, expect to see Foster come onto the field. He may be inconsistent, but at least he has the raw leg strength needed to convert long field goal opportunities, something that Shelley will likely never have. No one knows how these two will fare come game time, but nevertheless expect a platoon in the kicking game.
(5) Expect a loss in 2010. I don't know who and I don't know when, but a loss will almost certainly come at some point in 2010. Undefeated seasons in the modern day SEC are almost impossible, and three consecutive undefeated seasons enter the realm of almost unfathomable, especially when the non-conference schedule brings Penn State and the rotational schedule brings Florida. And I know we may be better on paper than any opponent we face, and that we may be favored to win all games, but games aren't played on paper and the strongest challenges in the modern day SEC often come out of nowhere against severely undermanned opponents (see Auburn and Tennessee in 2009), and someone, somewhere will probably get us in 2010. But don't dwell on the inevitable too long, the world will keep on spinning, and in quick fashion Alabama will return to its winning ways.
(6) Expect to fight like hell each and every week. A national championship does nothing if not put a massive red x on the forehead of the defending champion, and to that end expect Alabama to get the best shot of every opponent on the schedule in 2010. Don't kid yourselves, to beat a #1 ranked, undefeated, and defending national champion football team is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime victory that becomes an instant legend, that breathes new life into a football program, that gets opposing coaches contract extensions and new jobs, and that guarantees opposing players a place in their school's lore 'til the end of time. It's a reward of almost unfathomable proportion, and expect opposing coaches and players to prepare and play commensurate to the level of the reward at stake. Alabama probably gets more than its fair share of best shots just because of its status as a traditional powerhouse, but rest assured it will only be that much more difficult in 2010. Expect to have to fight like hell each and every week to get the victory.
(7) Expect to see many 2010 recruiting class members to play immediately. The overwhelming majority of the 2009 recruiting class found redshirts awaiting them in Tuscaloosa, but that trend will not continue into 2010. Both Cade Foster and Jay Williams will play, as will DeMarcus Milliner, John Fulton, Nick Perry, and Jarrick Williams (i.e. every DB signee), plus JUCO transfers Dequan Menzie and Brandon Lewis. Jalston Fowler should play as well, and signees like DeAndrew White, Brian Vogler, Arie Kouandjio, Petey Smith, and C.J. Mosley have all done enough in Fall camp to have legitimate chances at playing time in 2010. Some true freshmen will redshirt, but expect to see more than ten newcomers on the field as true freshmen.
(8) Expect to see lots of news faces with returning players. I'm not talking about true freshmen here, I'm talking about players from previous recruiting classes who have earned their dues the hard way on the scout team, but who now look to be ready to make names for themselves on those glorious Autumn Saturdays. By this I'm referring to players like Chance Warmack, Chris Jordan, Jerrell Harris, Kevin Norwood, Kenny Bell, Kerry Murphy, Darrington Sentimore, B.J. Scott, and others. Those who follow the Tide closely will be familiar with these names, but many others probably aren't. Expect these players to finally take on meaningful roles for the Tide in 2010.
(9) Expect Damion Square to become a household name. Consider it a sign of the times that a highly-touted recruit out of Houston, Texas gets somewhat lost in the mix with all of the other star names, but Square had a major role lined up on the 2009 defense before a knee injury ended his season late in the second game of the year. Coaches continuously raved about his strength, athleticism, and versatility, which allowed him to be moved between snaps anywhere from Jack linebacker to nose guard. Moving into 2010, he seems fully covered from his knee injury, and he is once again getting meaningful reps at a variety of positions. He may not technically be a starter in 2010, but expect him to play just about as much as anyone on defense, and expect all 'Bama fans to be instantly aware of his name by season's end.
(10) Expect Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to split carries almost evenly. Last year Ingram received approximately 65% of the combined carries given to himself and Richardson, but that number will creep closer to a 50-50 clip in 2010. Both players have similar talent levels and both players have relatively similar running styles, so there will be no reason to give one player significantly more carries than the other. Expect the coaching staff to equally split carries this year, thereby reducing long-term wear and tear on each player while keeping them fresh for the critical fourth quarter carries.
70 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
#9 Damion Square
This one I strongly agree with. I thought he was headed for greatness last season and boom gets hurt and has to sit out. I bet that having to rehab while the team won the MNC has lit a fire in his belly that will make him even more of terror.
Great article, thank you.
I am concerned that Bama will lose one game. Possibly even two. This is a bad-ass league and the bye-week factor may hurt Bama. I believe Bama’s HC and assistant coaches that will do their utmost to ensure Bama is up to the challenge. My biggest concern is that the loss could come to the school from across the State. The bad taste in my mouth still lingers from what I had to eat from my AU friends and acquaintances in Memphis during those dreadful six years (I worked for an airline in Memphis that had an employee makeup consisting mainly of people from all over the SE). I know, I’m sure it was nothing compared to what the Bama faithful in Alabama had to endure, but the taste is there nonetheless. And let it be known that I don’t want to see a squeaker like last year (as sweet as it was), but another butt-whipping like in TT’s last year. Thanks again for a very entertaining and informing article.
Have a Crimson Tide Day!
Roll Tide, Saban Tsunami Roll!
two thoughts
I love that we are still looking good on the offensive and defensive lines… it makes a huge difference in all aspects of the game if your line is getting the push on the line of scrimmage.
Secondly, it’s interesting that we’ve moved from coaches getting “Sabanated” (fired after losing to us) to potentially getting contract extensions for beating us. It’s really pretty amazing how fast things have changed around here.
The Process of Champions
I'd be ok with 1-2 losses...
I say that only because like Todd said – going undefeated 3 straight years is unfathomable.
I’m not saying this because I don’t want to set myself up for failure. I also do not know where we would lose a game. Right now, the most possible losses are either:
- @ Arkansas
- Florida
- @ South Carolina
- @ LSU
- SECCG
However, we don’t know how Arkansas’ defense will do; I still think Florida will lose 3-4 games despite their talent (losing Strong, I think, will hurt more than people think); it seems like the past 3-4 years have been “The Year” for the Gamecocks; LSU because it’s at LSU, but Les Miles is still coaching and I’m not convinced LSU is even really that good (talented – absolutely; ready to play – no way); and finally the SECCG because chances are we’ll play a team again (Florida? South Carolina?) or a surprise (Georgia?) and beating a team twice is supremely rare – although we do have history on our side for that.
Finally, even with 1 loss, we can still compete for the national championship if everyone else has lost as well.
Roll Tide Roll
Look at that dude going all Dareus on that colt.
by CaliforniaTide on Aug 23, 2010 10:26 AM CDT reply actions
if you had to pick...
take florida.
as the strongest team in the east it mean you have the least damage to your national poll standings and the minimum help to your foes in the west (since they won’t have the W). if the cards play right you can meet ’em again in atlanta with the possibility of being a one-loss title contender riding on the outcome of that contest.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Lose early win late
If we lose in before late October, we are still in it. Auburn will not beat us this year so everyone can just settle down. They caught us with our pants down last year and looking ahead with UF on deck on their home turf and we still won despite everything going perfect for them. We have the better team.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe IF we lose
it will come on the road. I think we are vulnerable in 2 games. AR and LSU. I still don’t believe in SC. The only concern I have for that game is coming off a slugfest with the Gators and it could be a letdown. I believe we defend our home turf. I am not conceding to any of these teams. Every game we take the field this year we have the best team. I didn’t think we would win them all last year.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Finally, even with 1 loss, we can still compete for the national championship if everyone else has lost as well.
…as long as the 1 loss wasn’t in the SEC CG. (That would make it highly unlikely, if not impossible.)
they can't lose that one
HIstory says the BCS will not have a rematch in the CG. Michigan was crying for a rematch a few years ago before the Buckeyes ran into the UF buzzsaw. Bet OSU wishes they would have let them play again.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Well I never say never.
Theoretically if every other team had 2 losses and both teams went into the SEC CG undefeated, the loser would have an excellent chance of making it to the BCS CG.
But yeah, highly unlikely.
I guess anything is possible
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed...I had overlooked that...
Roll Tide Roll
Look at that dude going all Dareus on that colt.
by CaliforniaTide on Aug 23, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
going undefeated 3 straight years is unfathomable
It is unfathomable if you try to predict it three years ago, now not as unfathomable.
This is where stats can fail you. If you tried to predict a coin flip will be heads three times in a row, that will only happen 12.5% of the time. But if you try to predict it being heads for a third time after it has been heads twice already, it is now back to 50%.
Trying to predict any three year stretch is very difficult, but don’t assume that past history means we are doomed to fail this year.
AWESOME...
just awesome
"That's the process: Let's think about what we can do today, the task at hand."
-Coach Nick Saban
Excellent write-up
I agree that it makes total sense to predict a loss this year. I also agree that it is impossible to predict with any confidence which game or games we will lose. When you look at the schedule, as difficult as it is, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be favored in every game. When you take each game on it’s own, we come out ahead.
The Florida game is the obvious choice except that it is so difficult to imagine that we would lose that game at home. This means that a loss this year would have to come when a handful of factors conspire against us, a key injury or two, a bad day for the qb, fluke turnovers, and silly penalties or other symptoms of a lack of focus. I can’t imagine that we would lack focus against Florida, though it is possible.
But if we aren’t going to lose to Florida at home, that makes Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, or LSU the likely culprits. An Arkansas loss is certainly possible but it means that the Hogs will have to figure out how to keep our offense off the field. I don’t see how they can. South Carolina has the best chance of these four, I think, because they come one week after the Gators. If everything fell into place for the Cocks and we are not focused, they could beat us. Tennessee? Not this year. LSU? Have you seen their qb play? Horrendous.
Having looked through the schedule, it seems that a loss in the SEC CG and the bowl game seems more likely than losing a season game.
I worry the most about LSU
They are an underachieving bunch but are the only team that recruits on the level of Bama and UF in our league. They are dangerous. Arkansas makes me nervous but right now they are all hype. Ole Miss anyone.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Remember, in college football
it matter WHEN you lose a game. And by how much.
Why do we tolerate this nonsense?
If Boise loses to VY ( I hope), then Boise runs the table on the remainder of their games, the toughest being Oregon State (shivers!), then Boise will creep back up in the polls week by week.
But if Bama loses to say Auburn (banish tought) then Bama drops out of the top five at seasons end.
So in college football, it matters when you lose, by how much you lose, and how much you win by, and who you were playing when you won or lost. This is stupid.
Last years NC Bama team would struggle to win all games playing this years schedule.
We are young defensively. We may lose 2-3 games and still be a very very good team.
watch out in 2012 and 2013. We may be unstoppable.
If Boise loses to VT, they are almost certainly (99.6%) out.
The polls MIGHT let them creep back up (though even there they would likely have the same ceiling that they’ve always had — move up to ~ #5 and then start watching other teams jump them).
But outside of the polls, they would be WAY down in the computer rankings. That would be enough to let any other team that was close to them in the polls jump them in the BCS.
A more apt scenario would be VT losing to BSU early and then creeping back up.
Disagree
with bs winning every game by 50 points, they will climb back into the hunt. VT will lose their requisite 3 games.
But the computers would definitely still keep Boise very low
And given their horrid SoS, I don’t think they could climb back up into the top 10. The good thing for us is the SECCG. If the impossible happens and we lose one late to AU, but win the SECCG, we would still have a pretty good shot, but it would certainly depend on what happens elsewhere in the FBS.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Aug 23, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
To put it more simply, you're wrong.
I’ll bet you any amount you want, if BSU loses to VT they will NOT even be in the top 3 in the final BCS regular season poll. As I said, the computers (and their SOS) will not allow it to happen. Even if there were no undefeated teams, 2 other 1 loss teams would easily jump them.
Heck, even if BSU beats VT, they would still be behind other undefeated teams by the end of the season. Their hope is in beating VT and then waiting for others to lose.
My point on VT is just that they have a tough enough schedule to allow them to lose an early game and still come back. BSU does not.
I agree because if they lose to VT
there fortunes will be tied to them for the rest of the year. The only scenario I see is if VT goes unbeaten and BSU loses a tight one. I don’t see VT winning out.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, you can go ahead and send me a check if you want. :)
OK, a little dick-ish. But look, the fact is BSU’s ONLY chance to make the CG is by beating VT. That’s the only thing that will give them any credibility.
yup
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Aug 23, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
You dont want my checks anyway.
But if bs wins over vt, thats sets up an ugly situation. bs runs the table and given a spot in the NC, by playing two real games. bs gets to practice for 11 games getting ready to play the NC opponent. as you can tell, I dont care for bs.
We will NOT lose to the barners this year.............
so will everyone please, for the love, stop speaking it!!!!!!!! I can see us losing A game, maybe to the gators or lsu, but it will most certainly not be to the barn. Didn’t you hear how much CNS hates those #@%^& guys!
I don't mind bad news, and I don't mind good news, but I can't stand surprises! Coach Nick Saban
^what he said
and now that Herbstreit has ‘disrespected’ us, that deal is all but sealed
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
Herbie lost all credibility
with that. I was watching and was like where the he!! did that come from.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Did Kirk not watch....
au v north western. Sloppy play all over the place and then again in their a-day game. I see Auburn finishing 3rd in the west at best.
In the weight room, "If it feels good, you ain't doing it right!" - Strength Coach - Cochran
I thought maybe we paid Herbie to say that.
Bama's Pluck and Grit have Writ Her Name in Crimson Flame
by TideFanAtlanta on Aug 23, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
REC strikes again?
Roll Tide Roll
Look at that dude going all Dareus on that colt.
by CaliforniaTide on Aug 23, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed, the next person
who says it needs to be slapped. Not for punishment but so that they can get their senses back. Like a veteran in the foxhole slapping the kid when he is panicking. They will not beat us this year….repeat after me….they will not beat us this year.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Saban is slapping Murphy around and ignoring his law...
but the injury fairy is a cruel and relentless twat.
Just stay healthy, boys.
U of U? Never...lol
I get the feeling...
I get the feeling that I should have written an entire piece discussing #5, and then saved the other nine for something else.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Aug 23, 2010 1:01 PM CDT reply actions
Great article, OTS.
But I do hate you for #5. Not that I disagree, I’d just prefer to be ignorant of it. Much more blissful that way! :)
Florida won the NC...
twice with a loss, Ole Miss 2008 & Auburn 2006. Lsu did it with 2 losses in 2007.
Playing Auburn so late in the season could be a problem, but LSU lost to Arky late and still won the NC.
In the weight room, "If it feels good, you ain't doing it right!" - Strength Coach - Cochran
Lots of teams have won it all without going undefeated,
but I’d still rather not think about losing! :)
Actually the entire artice was good
Just as Bama fans the other items were preaching to the choir
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Aug 23, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
OK...first things , first... OTS, well done piece...now, the ugly...
Kirk Kerbstreet needs to stick to video game voice-overs, this turd hasn’t been taken seriously in 15 years , or more, and can’t even begin to relate to the increase in team speed nationwide in the last 5 years. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. Now, as for the defending National Champions, sure, we’ll be young in the secondary, and some coaches/OCs will wanna try to exploit that….which will put their QBs at risk..as OTS stated, we will have one of the most vicious pass-rushes in recent memory (with or without Dareus). The offense is prepped to venture in territory not seen in eons. I shudder to think how balanced we will, or can be. And….lastly, the one loss….yeah, we’ll lose one….so take whatever steps necessary to protect your id/ego now. When we do lose one, I hope it’s an SEC east team or, OOC team. Irregardless, we could be in worse shape coming out of camp. Roll Tide!
"...because you've got your mind right, and that's the way we like it." Nick Saban
My two cents, and what I hope to see.
I say we kill ‘em all and let God sort ’em out. We should be able to control the games tempo, and IF we have any glaring weaknesses in the secondary, I say blitz more. Blitz ’em getting off of the bus. When in doubt, blitz.
3 and 2? Send all 4 LB’s, and whoever else we can get back there in 1.2 secs.
If we put enough helmets in the chest plates of opposing QB’s chest and RB’s, there will be less of them to go around.(See LSU game, 2009-Keeping Blue Cross/Blue Shield in business) I’m excited for our defense since these guys have been working his system at least over a year or two. There has to be a mental edge for Saban, since he has played against many of these QB’s(Mallet,Jefferson,Garcia) and I promise you he doesnt fear any new freshman or untest QB’s in this league. Mallet was running scared last year and still made plays, but he better be more mobile and ready to run for his life.
I just hope our offense can open up with the passing game and Julio gets off like we all know he should be able to, with corner passes in the end zone that only he can catch, and catching all the balls that HE KNOWS HE SHOULD CATCH…. I’d like to see our TE Williams be a major factor this year. And if we get some team on the ropes when we are running the ball down there throat and scoring at will, I hope we DON’T take our foot off of the gas like it seems we did vs Georgia in ’08 and Texas in the BCS game….because if we do drop one in a close contest via last second field goal for them, or us missing a FG, we may need those voters to be swayed to be able to compete for the chance to get into another BCS Championship game. I would be absolutely sick if we lose a squeaker in Baton Rouge or South Carolina, beat Florida twice and still be on the outside looking in while tOSU gets to play Boise St., which means Boise St. wins the BCS NC…and I feel we can beat the hell outta both them teams with our second teamers in there.
"THE DAY I CAN'T GET YOU GUYS TO GET IT RIGHT I'M GONNA GO TO THE LAKE SIT ON THE DOCKS AND WATCH THE DUCKS Sh*t IN THE YARD!"
I like the blitzing all day every day for, say, Mallet
But it might not be so great against someone who knows how to check down…
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Aug 23, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I remember
a time not to long ago that a screen pass against us was worth 40yds everytime. of course this was before 07.
Auburn fans are like slinkys... not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Also, check this video out of the UT vs Ark game from way back when...
I have never seen this video from the ‘69 classic game of UT vs Ark…
After the long pass in this close game, notice the UT cheerleader doing somersaults ON THE FIELD IN FRONT OF THE REF!!! LOLLOLOL!! I literally blew Diet Coke all over my screen….there’s something you dont see everyday…
http://espn.go.com/college-football/features/houseofpain/_/n/50
"THE DAY I CAN'T GET YOU GUYS TO GET IT RIGHT I'M GONNA GO TO THE LAKE SIT ON THE DOCKS AND WATCH THE DUCKS Sh*t IN THE YARD!"
Its the number one ranked video, there are plenty of great games that brought good memories back..
"THE DAY I CAN'T GET YOU GUYS TO GET IT RIGHT I'M GONNA GO TO THE LAKE SIT ON THE DOCKS AND WATCH THE DUCKS Sh*t IN THE YARD!"
by mrpelicanpants on Aug 23, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
go to about :54 secs into the video...I imagine they stopped that after a cheerleader
got his ass whooped
"THE DAY I CAN'T GET YOU GUYS TO GET IT RIGHT I'M GONNA GO TO THE LAKE SIT ON THE DOCKS AND WATCH THE DUCKS Sh*t IN THE YARD!"
by mrpelicanpants on Aug 23, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
wow
I actually agree with all 10. I think the loss will come against Florida unfortunately, I think there reciever are quick and Brantley looks legit. But I still a good season overall.
Great read.
I expect something else. I expect RBR will continue to have THE BEST pre and post game analysis on the web or anywhere else.
By the way…we will lose a game…but guessing which game is going to be hard. However, I’d say we are going to be very hard pressed to beat UF twice.
We will not lose to SJSU, Duke, or GSU. All others are possibles.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Do yall remember the preseason picks last year?
Most folks ( on RBR and in the media, myself included) picked us to win 9-11 games in 09. We did lose some key players but still played lights out most every game.
That said, I know we have a long red clay dirt row to hoe and it’s very possible to lose one or more this year as it is every year. But I’m going into this year with more optimism than I’ve had in many years. IF…. we have to lose a game, I’d prefer it to be against FL in BDS. Sure it would be heartbreaking but GMac’s post interview might go something like this.." I promise you this team will work hardfer and play harder than you’ve ever seen before." JK!
CNS’ record against teams where he lost to in the previous meeting is unreal. He would not allow this team to lose to the same twice in one year. Our secondary would have a lot more experience the second time around. I believe a loss would light a fire under this team that only another championship could extinguish.
JMO.
"Defense"
I'd agree.
IF we have to lose just one game that is the one to lose. That being said, I’d say we will be totally focused for that game…however games like Arky, SC, and LSU offer a real moitvational challenge and they are on the road!!!
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
last year i figured
we were at least a 10-win team with a likely return to the SECCG and an outside shot at the national championship depending on that game. my feeling for his year is exactly the same except the first category, i feel this is at least an 11-win team.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Arkansas?
Anyone who can show me an SEC team that went from last in total D one year to SEC champs the next can borrow my secretary for a day (for dictation only). Last time I saw Mallett, he was hanging a whole 20 points on EAST CAROLINA. Arkansas is the ideal matchup for the Tide – Mallett’s stats go South anytime he faces a good D. My take is LSU will be tough. They have demonstrated the ability to slow down our running game and shut down Julio. If we struggle to score, they have the athletes to hit a couple of big plays. Plus the game is in the BR Freakhouse.
All my friends are nonconformists, so I decided to be one too
my list
1. PAIN!!!!!! (other teams to endure some…)
2. 14 wins. thats right, the Balling Bama Boom Train is taking an express route this season. no stops, just pure domination from Tuscalosa to Glendale…
3. haterz everywhere. they’ll probably reply to this comment even…
The beauty of The Process is that you have never arrived, so you get to continue being perpetually awesome... -Espyonage
Boom Train!
Why is everyone so quick to chalk up an L? On paper we are the best team on our schedule and probably in the country. We have the best group of coaches in the country (imo). Finally, we have a bunch of really good kids that are willing to put in the hard work to win and do not let the publicity go to their head (see Mark Ingram).
to explain it, i'll just quote coach saban...
“Dominance does not mean perfection; a lack of focus even for a short period of time can cost you.”
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
and
“With your A game, you can beat anybody; anything less and they can beat you.”
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
"With your A game, you can beat anybody; anything less and they can beat you."
which is why i expect we will bring the aforementioned “A game” each time we take the feild, surely Bama can lose a game, i just dont see a team who should beat Bama on paper. And i’m not gonna predict where or when we might beat ourselves. I think with leaders like Ingram, Mcelroy, Julio, Donta, Barron, and coach Saban, the safe bet is on this team fullfilling its potential, not squandering it.
The beauty of The Process is that you have never arrived, so you get to continue being perpetually awesome... -Espyonage
by tempebamafan on Aug 24, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
what makes a team a team?
is it being willing to do what is right, no matter the cost?
Every year is a new year and every team is different than its predecessors, as are the opponents that they must face and the obstacles that they must overcome. New challengers emerge, new faces appear, and new struggles become apparent.
when i look back on my life, competators bested, obsticles overcome, i realize that i’ve accomplished more without the use of my legs than most men could ever dream of.
Bunny….. Lebowski, is the light of my life. Strong men also cry. strong men, also cry….
The beauty of The Process is that you have never arrived, so you get to continue being perpetually awesome... -Espyonage
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Roll 'Bama Roll
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
