Four-Game SEC Streak Is More Impressive Than It Looks

[4Q Basket Case]

Couldn't decide if this warranted a thread of its own, but also didn't see a pre-existing thread where it fit. So here goes.

Alabama's four game run, beating four ranked teams in a row, is even more impressive than it looks on the surface. First, two of the wins, including one against the #5 team in the country, were on the road. Also beat today's #10, #15 (on the road) and #17 teams.

But most impressive to me is the opponents' records.

Collectively, UGA, Vandy, Mizzou and UTe have a record of 23-5.

Against teams not named Alabama, their collective record is 23-1.

IOW, we have beaten three SEC teams that are otherwise undefeated. The other team has one non-Alabama loss.

Coach Stallings used to say that to be a good team, you needed to have beaten someone who had beaten someone. We've don that in spades. Now just have to keep focus against teams that have given us fits lately -- teams that we should beat.

 

[bamajas]

And that one non-Bama loss is to #5 and within this bunch of five teams

And no bye week is wild, too. We haven't looked tired/gassed yet, so here's hoping it doesn't show up Saturday

 

[crimsonaudio]

IOW, we have beaten three SEC teams that are otherwise undefeated. The other team has one non-Alabama loss.

And that loss is UT losing to UGA....

 

[Bamabuzzard]

And that one non-Bama loss is to #5 and within this bunch of five teams

And no bye week is wild, too. We haven't looked tired/gassed yet, so here's hoping it doesn't show up Saturday

I think this is due to how many players this staff has rotated in and out each week. This is something Saban didn't do and I think that contributed to our end of the regular season fatigue. This staff has developed a ton of depth and gotten A LOT of players game time so they are comfortable rotating players in to keep everyone fresh.

 

[crimsonaudio]

 

[CrimsonTheory]

Now imagine Bama cleaning up some of it's mistakes and see how good this team can be.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Now imagine Bama cleaning up some of it's mistakes and see how good this team can be.

...and getting the OLine opening up some running lanes.

 

[smith5753]

I think this is due to how many players this staff has rotated in and out each week. This is something Saban didn't do and I think that contributed to our end of the regular season fatigue. This staff has developed a ton of depth and gotten A LOT of players game time so they are comfortable rotating players in to keep everyone fresh.

I love the rotation at every position except with the offensive line. I think a group of 5 needs time together and generally gets better through the season with more reps as a unit. I understand we're struggling to find consistency within this group but wish we would settle on 5 and stick to it.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I love the rotation at every position except with the offensive line. I think a group of 5 needs time together and generally gets better through the season with more reps as a unit. I understand we're struggling to find consistency within this group but wish we would settle on 5 and stick to it.

But the reality is that Bama is (generally) getting better overall through this, meaning the experimentation is working...

 

[Cruloc]

But the reality is that Bama is (generally) getting better overall through this, meaning the experimentation is working...

The experimentation is working and.....its keeping all the players engaged because they know their work will get rewarded and they'll get meaningful time on the field.

 

[smith5753]

But the reality is that Bama is (generally) getting better overall through this, meaning the experimentation is working...

I can agree with that and we’re building great depth

 

[PA Tide Fan]

It appears to be the first time in SEC history a team defeated 4 straight ranked teams without a bye week.

 

[MikeInBama]

Forget AP rankings, here are the W-L records for conference opponents:



Gee I can't tell which conference is superior

 

[arthurdawg]

The experimentation is working and.....its keeping all the players engaged because they know their work will get rewarded and they'll get meaningful time on the field.

I think this is something that really needs to continue given that those on the bench will be looking to the portal for playing time otherwise.

Agree on the OL though, it is the one area you just can't rotate as much. Perhaps one player at a time...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The experimentation is working and.....its keeping all the players engaged because they know their work will get rewarded and they'll get meaningful time on the field.

I think this is the most important thing and it can also keep players from transferring that the staff has invested a lot of work into. I know people want to find the best five and stick with them. But the problem is you have all the second string guys literally standing on the sidelines not playing and if they're not playing then they don't feel like they're getting anything out of it. At that stage you have players consider transferring and now you've got a kid who they've invested a lot of resources in leaving. So it is a double edged sword either way you go.

I'm for keeping a lot of kids in the rotation throughout the team, not just on the offensive line. I think it creates much needed depth, keeps the team fresh throughout the season and helps for roster retainage.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

But the reality is that Bama is (generally) getting better overall through this, meaning the experimentation is working...

The experimentation is working and.....its keeping all the players engaged because they know their work will get rewarded and they'll get meaningful time on the field.

Agree on both points.

Also, looks like Van Der Mark is probably out against USCe. But the rotation means that his replacement will have plenty of meaningful game experience.

Side note: I'm not sure Geno was fully healthy against UTe. He didn't perform well early, got lifted and I don't remember seeing him after that.