Now you are making more sense. The chances of getting all the breaks every year is very slim. Bama was very lucky to get a mulligan in 2011. Luck like that doesn't happen every year. Bama had a dominant offensive line last season but there is going to be a significant drop-off this season. That's going to hurt your quarterbacks success rate. Nick is a very consistent coach, but when he has a breakdown it can lead to big plays, like his bowl loss to Iowa. Lots can go wrong in this here game. Of course it is science, at least good equitable schedules are. Rotating opponents regularly spreads the talent around randomly. ANY system with fixed opponents will inevitably lock a few teams onto cupcake opponents and a few team onto contender opponents in a fashion that is mathematically and scientifically inequitable. A child can understand this.
Correct on the drop off of productivity on the O-line. Given the 2012 O-line was considered by some as historically good. Doesn't make them bad this year at the position and frankly no one over here expects it to be a weakness. Our 2011 defense was great, we think historically. Without a doubt there was a drop off in talent from the 2012 defense. We still finished the year with arguably a great defense. Advantages shift from year to year due to attrition and experience. The question does Bama have the horses coming back? Absolutely. Are these special kids in leadership and work ethic? Will they allow themselves to be coached? Who knows. You mentioned AJ's time to throw, one of our perceived strength this season will be in our receivers. Not just with Cooper but black and DeAndrew White, Norwood and a host of others. It's a game of mismatches, double teams, players demanding special attention. But we do have the horses. So we'll see. But both myself and las Vegas like our chances.
Bama was also lucky last year. If Ohio State hadn't been on probation it would've been them and Notre Dame in the NCG.
Yeah we know, Alabama has no weaknesses. I'm calling bullshit on this one, the Bama offensive line will not dominate anybody this year.
What's this? A "kitchen pass" on the question? You do realize agreement with something you've posted, from a rival fan no less, would carry a blight some here would never forgot or forgive?!?
I give a balanced perspective, void of overwhelming expectation, filled with thoughtful possibilities and what do I get for my troubles? Some singular point of reference that makes me sound extreme in it's conclusion. I'm trying hard not to think of you as the "curmudgeon" you advertise yourself to be. Hey, "I hate rabbits" too.
