Today on Around the Horn, they totally ripped into Bama. They discussed Saban turning down the Bama job, and not a single one of the panelist had anything good to say about Bama. One guy said that Bama is no longer Bear Bryant's team and that they(fans) all have unreasonable expectations. He went on to say Bama has no established recruiting base and that they are a middle of the pack team at best. The next guy said that Bama is not even middle of the pack, they're bottom tier now and that Auburn is THE school in the state of Alabama now(taking all of the recruits). They showed zero mercy on Bama and their fans. Just thought I'd share.
That was the type comments being made about LSU prior to Saban. Bama will be back near the top in a couple of years if the right coach takes over. They had a pretty competitive team when Franny was there. Then again last year they were good until their most talented offensive player was injured. If Prothro comes back in good health, with Wilson throwing to him, they will be dangerous next year.
The difference is, LSU is the only game in town in a state fertile with talent. It won't be so easy for Bama.
Actually, not really. They used to say we were a sleeping giant....We were a team that had unbelievable potential if unlocked by the right guy (Saban). I think people are basically calling Bama an old giant who thinks they still are the ****...
exactly... Alabama has fewer players and two in-state schools have to fight over them not mention their neighbors cherry picking quite a few each year... I can see why at first one could come to the opinion that LSU was in the same boat but after a deeper look I don't think the situations are all that similar at all... Bama has a long fight to climb to the top and the program will never satisfy that fan base until Bear Bryant is generations removed.
They were ranked 13 in 05 with two losses the same number of losses as LSU. They are still suffering from the probation. Francione had a pretty good team prior to the probation. I looked over Auburn and Alabama's recruiting lists for the last couple of years. Neither seems to be signing a lot of ther players from the state of Alabama. With Rodriguez name recognition and his record at West Virginia I suspect he will do fine. At WVA his quarterback was from Alabama, his running back was from Maryland, and his WR/Punt Returner was from Louisiana. He has a couple of coaches on his staff from Louisiana. I suspect they will get some of the skilled kids from Louisiana that LSU doesn't need. There are several that we miss every year that help some team.
JMO, but I don't really believe that Alabama ever had any meaningful discussions regarding the vacancy with either Saban or Spurrier. Sure, an agent might have "namedropped" for the purpose of getting some free pub for his client(s), but IMO that's all there was to it. The reality : the higher the level of politics and meddling, the less likely a program will be able to attract a big-name HC prospect. Bama will never be a bottom-tier program because of the facilities and support they are able to provide to the program. Mid-tier, mebbe .....
I think this was a terrible move by Rodriguez. He was worshiped at WV. Now, he will have to produce a 9 - 10 win season next year to even be respected by Bama fans.
I would not consider Bama a bottom-tier team. Middle of the pack? Yes. Bur RR may bring them back to the top tier.
He'd better produce or just rent an apartment there. He won't make it any longer than Shula. Remember, this is the same Bammer that won a friggin' NC, then their coach resigned because he was tired of hearing how they should've beaten people more convincingly. They were undefeated that year! They did destroy Miami in the SB, and when he resigned, it was like he was saying "Are you happy now?!!!". But they never will be happy with anyone, barring a miraculous ressurection.
