Saban played favorites as well... :hihi: Sounds like what our fans said for years. This absolutely will be a difference under Saban. Your players have tasted some success and want more, so they'll work hard because they believe Saban can get them there. However, what we saw with him here was that his spiel got old and lost its effectiveness after a while. Now, our S&C coach was still one of the best, and Saban still focused on it, so it wasn't ever a "problem" per se, but it was much more effective when he first came in.
I can't imagine what would happen if Saban lost a game like he did to UAB. He thought LSU fans were nuts, just wait. It will take the defensive players longer than a spring and summer session to learn Saban's system. That's why I agree with Terry that they will drop some early games. I think they can handle WC and Vandy but they will lose the next three to ARK\UGA\FSU. This is going to be a pressing time for Saban but don't worry because he beats UH\MISS\TENN to make up for it. Then LSU puts that bad taste back in Bama fans mouths before they beat up on MSU\ULM. You won't beat Auburn. Sorry. 7-5. They won't beat FSU because Fisher will know how to exploit a developing defensive squad for Saban.
While the offense may be returning a lot of starters, the defense will be suspect, I think. I'm guessing that's why Terry says some games may be a shootout. In there giddy enthusiasim, bama fans (some of them) are also ignoring that while saban is a great db coach, his db's have been known for giving up HUGE pass plays. WHile this is more prevalent in the early years of his reign in tigertown, it happened more often that I care to remember (Arkansas in 02, Iowa bowl game, Tennessee) I know Terry is high on this asst staff, but I don't see it being head and shoulders above other SEC staffs. I find it hard to believe that Shula was lazy about off season conditioning, are you telling me that he didn't know enough about football to stress conditoning, hell, the most casual football fan knows how important it is. I think everyone in tideland wants to blame shula for everything from the Hoffa disappearence to the U.S. trade imbalance. The head coach is ultimitely responsible, but I doubt he was as incompetent as Terry and the rest of the bamalites say. I also think that they've built saban up to be a god, and he can only go down from where he's at now. Bama will get better, saban can coach and run a program. THe big question in my mind is, how long can he keep the football alums and meddlers out of his business? He won't let ANYONE tell him how to run his progam, including Bryant Jr. I know they're all hands off now, but for how long? Football is not like it was in Bryant walked the sidelines, NO ONE is going to dominate the SEC like he did again. 7-5
This exercise is really silly, and confirms what most SEC fans would say has hampered Bama. No one should be counting games for a transition year. Saban is a long term investment, and should be given his due. New systems require learning and development, mistakes will happen. LSU fans honest about those formative years well recall how painful it was watching Saban run the same offense time and again. We got killed for it on occassion. Sure, we began trending higher - but it was a trend, with ups and downs, not a straight line toward a NC. Bama fans are not unreasonable to look forward to a winning season. But game by game analysis and talk of nine wins does your program no favors. When a new coach puts in a new staff with a new offense and defense, the first year has more in common with an NFL pre-season. You have made a serious long term investment, now treat it as such.
No one in hell should anyone consider them "head and shoulders above other SEC staffs". They are middle of the pack.
Tigers, who was that guy that was going to go in the Navy, couldn't because of a medical condition?[/QUOTE] RED ELEPHANT!!!!!!!!!!
Dear CRIMSON. You are being suckered. Watch out!!! Leave this forum immediately and never come back even to lurk. I think you are expecting a sports forum here, but it is not that simple. First thing that will happen to you is that you will find yourself logging on four or five times a day. Then you will become a contributor. Once you become a contributor, you are hooked. If you try to quit, they send a man called "Mr. Peabody" to "look" for you. You don't want that. They even have other forums that you can participate in, such as good food, pro sports, discussion, etc. If you start a discussion with "Martin" disconnect immediately. You will meet many fine people here. And a lot of lurkers. You may even want to venture to BR for a game. Proceed with caution, they may have you wearing a strange new gameday outfit. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!!!! Glad to have you aboard, Col
I haven't posted anything yet on Bama-Saban expectations, but as disillusioned as Bama fans seem to be about CNS coming in and doing miracles, LSU fans are just as disillusioned about them being doormats in the SEC this season. Bama will surprise A LOT of LSU fans, IMO. Saban has a penchant for defenses (definite understatement,) and Bama has a lot of offensive starters returning. Doesn't take too much of a genius to see the pluses there. CNS did a great job of turning things around at LSU right off the bat, but he had great talent left over from Dinardo. Now, I'm not sure what kind of talent Bama has right now, but I'd imagine it not being too different from what Saban had when he took over at LSU. Didn't Bama recently bring in a highly ranked recruiting class? I could be wrong, I don't follow recruiting much at all. The thing that will hamper Bama's season is the brutal schedule. The SEC should be "up" this season with Florida, LSU and Auburn being tops in the league. Not far behind will be USC, Vandy (mark it,) Arkansas and UT. In a down year, in the SEC, Bama probably would have faired better with this team and staff, but I'm not about to put the dagger in the heart of Bama's hopes just yet. They have talent, a competent (if not great) coaching staff and Saban is a good motivator--anything could happen. That's why they play the games. Bama could win the west and end up in Atlanta. LSU could fail to get things rolling smoothly with relatively new QBs and WRs and end up finishing third in the west and playing in the Peach bowl. Wouldn't that suck ass?
