Alabama will probably go to Atlanta in 2008

[Proxigean Tide]

Before everyone attacks me as being deranged or worse....

I was thinking back (way back) to when Bama used to compete for SEC championships and I don't ever recall going to Atlanta in years when I expected Bama to dominate. It always seems that in the last 15-20 years, Bama seems to have more success when the team is picked to finish 3rd or 4th in the west.

I know this is a gross generalization, but it just seems to me that we always have holes all over the team and are depressed about our team's chances. Then they win a couple of games...and all the holes are apparant...and its early, so we still think there is absolutely no chance to compete for an SECC.

Then the team fights through a few more close and unlikely victories. Meanwhile, may be Auburn or LSU drop a conference game early. May be everybody in the west is beating each other up and Bama seems to somehow keep one game ahead of the competition. May be it even comes down to tie-breakers like points scored etc, but somehow you stay alive.

I know it seems foolish, considering Bama's young, thin and inexperienced team...especially compared to LSU or even Auburn, but I think with some luck and few injuries, Bama can play with most of the SEC west.

Most are predicting 8-4 or even 7-5, but I think Bama has a chance to go 10-2 and win the west. I know it sounds crazy, but it seems this happens when you really least expect it.

 

[XXL TideFan]

I believe that it is a forgone conclusion that Bama will be in Atlanta on Aug 30 to play Clemson.

 

[silentsam74]

I believe that it is a forgone conclusion that Bama will be in Atlanta on Aug 30 to play Clemson.

I came here to say this. ^^^^

You beat me to it. :biggrin:

 

[BamaLaw]

I guarantee Bama will be in Atlanta in 2008--August 30, 2008!

But seriously, I agree with you. I'm thinking we win 10 or more and I give us a real chance of making it to the SECCG. I've snagged a few tidbits from a proverbial "insider," who says some things that make me think you and I are not too far off the mark.

I've said on here before, just recently, that the only game I would concede right now is @ Uga. Beyond that, I believe we will be in every game on our schedule with a chance to win in the fourth quarter. We'll have to have a break here and there; however, we're due a few breaks.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

All it takes is some momentum and some intrinsic belief in each other and in the coaching system. And some luck.

I thought that we may have had the momentum going into the LSU game. Boy was I wrong.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

I think Bama has a chance to go 10-2 and win the west.

Hard to describe what that kind of success would do for the program, as young as we will be.

 

[BamaLaw]

Given that we almost beat them, wouldnt you have been right in that thought?

My thoughts, exactly.

...
I thought that we may have had the momentum going into the LSU game. Boy was I wrong.

I believe we did have Uncle MO on our side going in and through a big portion of that game; however, in the closing minutes of that game Ol' Mo left the stadium and we didn't see him again until National Signing Day.

 

[Crimson Cat]

I don't think your crazy at all; I have similar thoughts. It is spring and all so maybe I've been sipping on the Kool-aid too much. _lol: But I for one, think it is very possible for Bama to make it to the SECG. The barn is still installing their new offense and have a freshman qb, questionble wide receiver core and new faces on defense, lswho although talented is now relegated to back-up qbs with no prior playing time, new faces on defense as well. Bama isn't the only "young" team. Depth is where our issues are, as in talented depth. That will be the question mark for us.
Plus, can't we always count on the barn to flop when they are expected to do well (by the media)?:biggrin:

Seriously, I think leadership and team chemistry for Bama will be much improved this year and really look for some eager and talented freshmen to take hold of some spots, possibly at linebacker (Harris) and wide receiver (Jones). Possibly Hightower on defense and then theres Mark Barron too. Combine that with our current guys having more time to adapt to Coach Sabans philosphy and expectations of doing what is right, and a true OC at the helm, I do think the team will be much improved and have just as good a shot at Atlanta as the barn and lswho. IMO, lswho losing Perilloux will hurt them this year, but probably not next year. Their qb, whoever it is, will go thru a learning curve, but even so, I just don't see them being as dominant as they have been in the last couple of years or so. Arky and Ole Miss will be in adjustment this year with new staffs, so I don't expect much from either yet. Next year could be different though. I think the teams in the SEC next year is going to be extremely tough all around.

IMO, one of these three teams will go to Atlanta for the west and all have a legit shot to get there:
Bama
the barn
or lswho

Just my 2 cents.:BigA:

 

[CaliforniaTide]

Given that we almost beat them, wouldnt you have been right in that thought?

You're right, I thought that we did have the right momentum, but I'm referencing the end result after the LSU game. We just absolutely stunk the last 3 games after the LSU game. So maybe I should've changed the momentum thing to the MSU game or the end of the LSU game. Not to mention that we almost blew the CU game also.

Enough on the past, I'm looking forward to 2008 and beyond with Coach Nick Saban!

 

[81usaf92]

I think it could happen. Just take this as a preseason analysis of our SEC games.

1. @ Arkie- we should win since Petrino is trying to establish his offense, but should wins are not definite wins with Bama at this point (ULM:mad2 W

2. @ Georgia- Don't see it happening here unless we play like we did in the Swamp in 99. L

3. Kentucky- We should win this on since they are w/o woodson and woodyard. W

4. Ole Miss- This game scares me for three reasons. they have played us close every year, they have some very talented athletes, and Nutt's teams are traditionally physical. But I give us a should win. W

5. @ Rocky Slop- We should win this game since they are w/o Mayo and Clausen and if we come in with the same mentality as last year. W

6. @ LSU- will be an equal match-up. I think LSU will take it for one more year, but wouldn't be surprised if we take it since they end their amen corner with us (@ FLA, @ SC, UGA, Tulane,:BigA L

7. MSU- We Should should should win this one. W

8. The Barn- Auburn will be the favorite coming in and every barner will be talking about the streak. What they don't realize is how loud BDS is going to be this year. I just can't see a sophomore or freshman at Qb beating us at home with a defense that would be more experienced at the end of the season, but I also didn't see the streak coming too. But as a bama fan, I have to say the streak ends. W

SEC 6-2
Div 4-1

Like I said it could happen, but we would have to be lucky and win the games we should. Love the optimism. RTR:BigA:

 

[AlabasterBama]

schedule not favorable and talent not deep enough. 2009 better shot - more favorable schedule & 3 years of CNS players

 

[derek4tide]

If we beat the barn and ut and finish with at least 8 wins, I'll be very happy.:BigA:

 

[RT3413]

If we beat the barn and ut and finish with at least 8 wins, I'll be very happy.:BigA:

Ditto.... but I think if we do this we have a decent shot of going to Atlanta - not because we'll be a top 10 team but because the other teams in our division are "down" in terms of talent at key positions AND have tough schedules just as we do.

But I also agree with the earlier poster that I have always been looking at 2009 as the first year (of many to come) we should be favored to go to Atlanta.

 

[yellowhammer13]

Not that ridiculous to think we could make it to the SECCG this year. We lost some real tight games last year that with a bounce here or there of the ol' pigskin, we could have finished with 9 wins..... I think the "mental game" broke down last year in the last 5 games. With a more physical team this year and more players buying into "the process" anythings possible. Cohesiveness, Will and determination of the mind are very strong tools for a team of any sport. i think Coach has been cultivating this since he's been there.

 

[crmsnrevelation]

I know this means nothing but ESPN seems to think that LSU will be in ATL.
They are heirbstreets new USC.

 

[bamapuppy]

If we beat the barn and ut and finish with at least 8 wins, I'll be very happy.:BigA:

I tend to agree, and this is probably realistic. But we have got to beat the barn. #1 task this year. Beat Ucheat last year, repeat it.

 

[bamanut_aj]

There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip, and that schedule of ours is slippery. Should we get through that schedule and make it to ATL, it would be a monumental task. I'm not putting it past us, but I'm holding to caution until it all shakes out.

 

[bamajag600]

If we beat the barn and ut and finish with at least 8 wins, I'll be very happy.:BigA:

But if we beat the barn and ut and finish 8-4, that means we lose one game we probably shouldn't. Against clemson, uga, and lsu we'll be underdogs. But the other loss would be to tucky, w. tucky, ole miss, miss st, arkie, arkie state or .....tulane???DT_bur2:

I know undefeated is too much to ask, but man 9 or 10 sure sounds good!

 

[CapstoneTider]

nt/pt got the s? what's this world coming to?

 

[Browneye8]

Herbstreet will never be welcome in Death Valley again after his Coach Miles fiasco.

A majority of the success this year is going to be on JPW's shoulders. I don't like the fact that he has had so many OCs. I do like the fact he has so many starts under his belt. If the team buys into what coach is selling, you never know.....

Biggest thing for this team is to improve every week and to bring the effort every week.