One thing is for certain, the Alabama media will always build up the program that is down, say they are better than they really are. Which fans find it very hard to NOT believe (been there done that). So this fall when reality hits them in the face like cold salter water, its gonna hurt.
Their recruiting is going to help them, but that's still a ways down the road, and great recruiting does not guarantee success, just see Tennessee under Fulmer for most of his tenure, huge recruiting classes, not much to show for it.
You'll also find some commonalities between the former UT staff and Auburn.