Yes Bama passed the eye test, but they played such a weak schedule they should have passed the eye test. Don't get me wrong, you guys were the real deal, but nobody actually knew that until you played LSU close at home. Every other game was a meh they should do this. As far as Penn State ... you guys should have annihilated them, they were bad and just artificially propped up. Last season I agree though, even if Georgia somehow pulled off a miracle win against us we still were in the CG. However, this year? I really don't think if we lose to you and there are only other 1 loss teams that we get in. LSU does not get the same kind of love from ESPN that Bama and Saban get. And come on, while Michigan would have still lost please admit the fact their main running back was out and that made things a lot easier for you guys, and kept in tact the idea that Michigan is more about their morals than about winning games as they knew they couldn't win without that rb.
I think the most important thing Bama had going for it in last year's controversy was that it was Oklahoma State and not Oklahoma they had to fend off. Voters have a long memory, and they just couldn't come up with the idea that OSU was at Bama's level. If it had been between the Tide and the Sooners, the Sooners go to NO. That said, old news. Didn't see the LSU game, but here's what I got from the radio: last year, LSU had a very dangerous Oregon team to fire them up for the first game. That simply wasn't the case this year. Bama, on the other hand, had the same motivation the Tigers had last year, and responded just as well. This year's Michigan isn't as good as last year's Oregon, and it showed up in the scoreboard and the game. Bama (and LSU) play like B1G teams with SEC talent. Michigan is trying to get there, but they still have a lot of players from when they were trying to be a BigLeast team, and it showed, especially on the lines. That said, I was quite disappointed that nobody seemed to notice that shoving a player out of bounds 10 yards downfield with the ball in the air happens to be a penalty called "pass interference". Bama's interception that set up their third TD should have been called back. It wouldn't have made a difference in the game, but it would give me some confidence that the referees in this wonderful sport had some competence. Not a lot of that so far this year (see USCe/Vandy). GEAUX TIGERS
You will never emotionally be ready to see the game or games from your rival's perspective. I'm OK with that. This rivalry has gone nuclear, I've said that over and over. Bama passed MY eye test vs Michigan and yes you had better believe I watched as much of the LSU game as I could, before the big one last night. Interesting. LSU will tell us all a little more next week and fortunately for the Tigers and entertainment purposes, Bama travels to r-kansas the following week. Stay tune. Bama is the NC, they should get a lot of consideration and momentum coming into the season. Last night's results will serve us well. Frankly, you have to reward teams for playing the early season tough game and USC and LSU chose not to partake this year. What does all that mean? Not alot, but Alabama should be #1 this week.
I agree with Red's analysis of how we looked last night. Lots of room for improvement. But just watching the highlights of the Michigan game. I was astounded at the blown coverages and interceptions thrown with no Michigan players around. It does not make me think they will be ranked at the end of the year. Bama looked great though.
You remember when you where going through the spread phase? Do you remember the spread defense it came with? Then you morphed into an O that tried to embrace both philosophies, all the while doing little of either. Last year was the first time you became a true power team. Makes you wonder who else is smart enough to get it figured out. I thought they were big ten officials, If so, you gotta believe they weren't trying to be bad on purpose. Nothing would have helped the wolverines against the Tide. I could see Alabama scoring 60 at the end of that one.
I meant last year as far as it goes on the eye test. You guys had nothing of a schedule even though you were the real deal. While I despise Saban and Bama I respect them if that makes sense. And yes you guys definitely past the eye test against Michigan, I just wanted you to admit Michigan would have played a lot better with their starting running back instead of a little scrub who barely plays.
This x 100. If anyone really thought Michigan was going to do anything but get dominated, then you don't pay attention to college football. They simply don't have the athletes to hang with Bama for 4 quarters, on either side of the ball. They no more belonged in the Top 10 than Grambling. Michigan is the Denard Robinson show. Their offense consists almost entirely of him throwing the ball up for grabs, which worked several times, by the way, against the invincible Saban defense. If the big play isn't there, he tucks and runs. They broke in new receivers and were without their starting RB. But by all means, don't let that stop everyone from drawing broad conclusions based on one game. I want Bama believing their own hype right now. Let's first see how they do on the road facing good QBs, which they never had to do last season. In the meantime, Gator Nation is in full meltdown mode.
