Well, Bama was undefeated last year at this point. Werent they undefeated in 94 going into SEC Champ game?

So was Louisville, Rutgers and Boise still are too.

And they were ranked high, but no one was really talking NC with them were they? They were not receiving any respect, nor much recognition last year.

Yes, you did. But that's understandable considering the respect I have had for him...growing up during his tenure and being a huge fan in the 70's can do that to you.

I'll have to admit, I probably over-reacted. Sorry.

Now, there is one thing you've never heard me say...or even insinuate. Believe you me, I know of the things going on under the DuBose regime and am still ticked off at members of that staff...that anger tends to grow by the day.

Ranked as high as #3...but you are right...from the on-set of the season all the talk about Tx and Southern Cal.

I'd have to look it up...but, I'd guess we've finished in the top 25 half of the time the last 15 years.

That wasn't directed at you, but at nothing faced and his post about Tubby.

Chette does have history with some who folk have questions about, back to Dye. The program belongs to CTT now, and I think he is pretty adamant about things being done his way. If you try to slip one by him, I think he reacts rather harshly, ask Blackmon if he agrees.

Like your comments elsewhere about boosters, you can't control everything, but you can certainly make it known what you will or will not tolerate.

The most entertaining thing I find about Alabama fans talking about Chette is the fact (and I think I've shared this with you via email) that our own FCA is patterned after what Auburn is doing...and if you asked people around the Capstone they'd say Auburn's FCA is one of the best in the nation.

It's important to separate the team's perception from the fanbase when considering the delusional mindset. (Of course, you can excude the Britts for the purpose of this discussion.) The team is mentally ready and does the best with what they have. The team gets a brutal reminder every week in the New SEC, but a segment of their fans are still living in the past, which is one of the reasons they have been unable to optimize their progress in moving forward.

There were and are many of us that had a tremendous amount of respect for Bear Bryant, but that doesn't necessarily translate into respect for the Alabama program. They are entirely two different things, despite every bama fan's unwillingness to do the same.

The sanctions have taken a deep toll on the Tide, and deservedly so. You do the crime, you do the time, right? I still respect the bama program because of their heritage and tradition, but Bama is a long, long way from striking the fear they once held over their collective opponents.

Now that parity has arrived in CFB, and now that bama has theoretically been forced to compete on a level playing field, their days of being able to dominate are over for the forseeable future.

Back in the seventies - as so many Bama fans are fond of saying - Alabama played keep away with the blue-chips by utilizing unfair recruiting practices, and they were nearly unbeatable. Bending and breaking the rules was not an option, it was an ingrained habit that was aggressively supported by the boosters under an "end justifies the means" philosophy.

The idea of ANY Alabama fan accusing any other program of "cheating" is the purest form of hypocrisy. Bama would be better served by spending their time figuring out how they will compete successfully in today's environment instead of their seemingly endless effort at reverting to the past ......... but you and I both realize they won't do that. So as far as I'm concerned, Bama deserves everything that happens to them, including regular beatdowns at the hands of the new world order.

I could say the same thing (re: cheating and calling others cheaters) about Auburn.

I take exception to your description of the '70's. What you label as "unfair recruiting" isn't how I view it.

Here you have a player who would rather be part of those Alabama teams of the 70's even if it meant riding the bench. That, versus, playing for another school is unfair?

The last 9 years of Bama football have been the toughest ever for the program, but we still managed an SEC championship and major bowl victories. The idea that every other program that always hated us for being CONSISTANTLY good is now kicking us while we're down due to the worst NCAA sanctions ever handed down, is really transparent and pathetic.

I wonder what would have happend to the LSU or Auburn program had a booster of your school paid a player and the NCAA handed down the same santions to one of those schools. Add to that 4 different coaches in a 6 year period.... I would bet my livng that it would have a LOT worse effect on those schools than it has had on us. Why? HISTORY AND RESPECT FOR THE LEGACY OF THE BAMA PROGRAM. It's kept our recruiting good and kept us competative during these trying years. So those of you who say we need to "stop living in the past" need to think again. Our past is what's getting us through the present and what will take us to the top again when the effects of the sanctions are over.

So get your licks in now. Enjoy it while it last because that rare feeling of superiority you have will most certainly be a fleeting one. You'll be watching us in the SEC championship by 2008. Mark this post.

Roll Tide. :wink: