Reality is setting in for most people now. What everyone seems to forget is that football runs in cycles. There are plenty of examples: Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Notre Dame, Florida State, and yes even Florida and Alabama. All these teams are always at the top most years, but every single one has crashed, and crashed hard, in the last ten years. LSU's last losing season: 1999 (3-8). Bama's was in 2003 (4-8) and 2004 wasn't that much better (6-6). Since 2000, LSU has never won less than 8 games. I know many people will not be satisfied with that, but 12 straight seasons of 8+ wins is a feat onto itself. Right now LSU has 7 wins, one away from making it 13 straight seasons. Before 2000 LSU never had more than 5 straight winning seasons. LSU has recently won the SEC in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011.... see a pattern? I know Alabama seems to be impossible to dethrone right now, but trust me, their inevitable fall is coming.
"Even Alabama"? Alabama's on at least it's second "run". Nebraska I remember watching on Thanksgiving day (or so it seemed) back in the 70's.
We should be up there every year, a down year is losing one or maybe twice not taking it in the ass with a 4 or 5. Sorry, I am not buying that this is ok.
I have no doubts that Bama will get hit with sanctions. The NCAA will most likely drag their feet and wait until Saban leaves but sometime in the future will be right where USC is now due to Saban. Don't let yourself be fooled people. Saban is a very good coach but he also has an edge on people by paying for the best talent.