Bama Game Thread: Official PostGame Thread - Bama vs. IU...

[LeBron47]

Well CKD committed to us by spurning PSU then Michigan… I will stand behind him.. the year wasn’t bad… it started terrible and ended terrible but in between we beat UGA, UT, LSU, Aubie and made the playoffs… there will need to be some changes needed in the assistants preferably OC and DC, OL coach… we need a different scheme offensively because West Coast doesn’t work… I don’t know who to get for OC but I would get Pruitt for DC and Sam Pittman for OL… OC is a conundrum but Grubb needs to go

 

[TideEngineer08]

I have a lot to say but it may have to wait. Need to get my thoughts in order. But one thing that has occurred to me is Indiana has advanced to play Oregon in the semi-final in… Atlanta. The college football capital of the South. The region of the country which has dominated the sport so thoroughly until 2023.

The times, they have changed.

 

[DanoCanuck]

Not sure if I've ever felt worse during a game and post game. I have no words, just sorrow to see the mighty Alabama program get chopped down at the knees. One of the most embarrassing losses I've ever felt. On the other hand, Indiana is the real deal. What an effort and congrats are in order. They looked fantastic.

 

[TideMan09]

Win or lose we're still Bama & Im proud of our boy's no matter..

Now this coaching staff needs too rethink things, we're becoming or have become a finesse style football team..

That's not what we are & I truly hope Coach Deboer puts an emphasis on upgrading our S&C Program too a more physical style of play..

 

[arthurdawg]

They just pounded us. Both lines dominated.

Hill and Riley had 8 carries for 15 yards... Can't win running the ball like that.

 

[rolltide_21]

When do you think we'll start to see DeBoer-tree coaches in the playoffs?

NAIA playoffs? Probably already happened

 

[teamplayer]

At Alabama you dont lose a game in this fashion and your job not be in question. Completely embarrassing for the university and the fans. Staff ought to be utterly ashamed.

Again!

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I can’t stand IU fans.

But it’s hard not to respect a hard nosed well coached team like that who just flat whipped us.

They look like the Best team for sure.

They will beat Oregon again.

NCG will most likely be IU vs UGA

Two teams who still play bruiser ball… who would have thunk it?

As for us… We have a Coaching Staff Problem.

BIG ONE.

 

[Elefantman]

I was hoping to see fundamental improvements this year with execution, discipline, and effort. The FSU game exposed what was Bama's culture deep down. They said this isn't us, went on to win several games. But deep down, you could feel that it wasn't reality. Our program hasn't had true leadership in the past three years. CKD needs a long look in the mirror and ask himself "do I have what it takes to define a goal, provide a path, and gather a group of young men to trust me, believe in me, and who follow me"?

At the moment, I don't think he has what it takes.

 

[Stonecoldtide]

I think that Byrne should hold off on an extension. I think most of us have the same questions about Coach that we had this time last year. If they are still unanswered at the end of next year, you better have a solid plan B.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Indiana just proved that discipline and execution beat 'talent' every time.

If Bama had been able / allowed to play to potential the score likely would have been the opposite.

But Indiana, despite having lesser talent across the board, out-performed and out-executed Bama all night long.

Kudos to the Hoosiers for an excellently executed game plan.

 

[BamaMoon]

I had a lot of time to think about this, because this was a dreadful game to watch.

I don't want to hear anymore about "fits" to DeBoer's system and instead I want to hear about fixes. The problem is not that Alabama isn't finesse enough. Alabama was thoroughly manhandled by a team that has demonstrably smaller, lower ranked players and a coaching staff that makes about half as much money. Cignetti hasn't had more time to develop this team, he has had far less resources. One team was just far better coached than the other.

I'm not saying DeBoer is a bad coach though, I think the problem is he developed a flawed philosphy (I don't think the issues are all just Milroe, or Grubb, or the favorite wipping boy of the day). I think his formative period at the FBS was his time at Indiana. That Indiana team was 8-5, DeBoer was the OC and Wommack was the DC and they showed real improvement over the previous year (5-7). He beat power conference teams with a bunch of 3 stars. He doesn't' try to physically dominate, he doesn't try to be the tougher team, he tries to outsmart the other team. He doesn't try to have a balanced offense, he lets a few play-makers on offense influence the game that's run through the QB. Their passing yards went up, their running yards went down (rushing average dropped by .7, a common theme with DeBoer) and it seemed to work.

This allowed him to overcome the 3 star liability. He's outsmarted a lot of good coaches, and he's won quite a few games he shouldn't have. Cignetti's formative FBS years were at Alabama under Saban, and what he seems to have done is demand his teams play like they're Alabama, play like they're 5 stars, even if they are just 3 stars. He doesn't draw up things as though they are 3 stars trying to overcome deficiencies, he just demands they play like 5 stars. He has a high standard and he holds them to it. They are a demonstrably smaller, weaker team that play demonstrably stronger and tougher.

DeBoer is neglecting Alabama's talent and ability to recruit by trying to overcome a weakness that he's played a part in creating. They don't need to play cute, they're big, they're physically strong. They don't need to rely on the QB entirely (at every stop he's let the run game degrade while relying heavily on the QB), they have the resources to have a good ground game. He needs to adapt to that instead of trying to overcome it, stop trying to outsmart everyone and start punching other teams in the mouth.

This is the second time on a big stage that DeBoer's team (Washington vs. Michigan) was thoroughly physically dominated, and this time it was against a team that had no business being a team that plays tougher football. He's a smart coach, but he is basically outsmarting himself at this point. He has big guys playing soft and Cignetti has small guys playing hard.

This might sound like a tale of woe though, but it's not. If DeBoer can just make the necessary changes to his system and approach that leverages the strength and power of the type of athletes Alabama can attract, this team can go from being occasionally great to consistently great.

/rant

While you are normally long-winded and I always don't agree...I think this is a great post!

 

[CoolBreeze]

I had a lot of time to think about this, because this was a dreadful game to watch.

I don't want to hear anymore about "fits" to DeBoer's system and instead I want to hear about fixes. The problem is not that Alabama isn't finesse enough. Alabama was thoroughly manhandled by a team that has demonstrably smaller, lower ranked players and a coaching staff that makes about half as much money. Cignetti hasn't had more time to develop this team, he has had far less resources. One team was just far better coached than the other.

I'm not saying DeBoer is a bad coach though, I think the problem is he developed a flawed philosphy (I don't think the issues are all just Milroe, or Grubb, or the favorite wipping boy of the day). I think his formative period at the FBS was his time at Indiana. That Indiana team was 8-5, DeBoer was the OC and Wommack was the DC and they showed real improvement over the previous year (5-7). He beat power conference teams with a bunch of 3 stars. He doesn't' try to physically dominate, he doesn't try to be the tougher team, he tries to outsmart the other team. He doesn't try to have a balanced offense, he lets a few play-makers on offense influence the game that's run through the QB. Their passing yards went up, their running yards went down (rushing average dropped by .7, a common theme with DeBoer) and it seemed to work.

This allowed him to overcome the 3 star liability. He's outsmarted a lot of good coaches, and he's won quite a few games he shouldn't have. Cignetti's formative FBS years were at Alabama under Saban, and what he seems to have done is demand his teams play like they're Alabama, play like they're 5 stars, even if they are just 3 stars. He doesn't draw up things as though they are 3 stars trying to overcome deficiencies, he just demands they play like 5 stars. He has a high standard and he holds them to it. They are a demonstrably smaller, weaker team that play demonstrably stronger and tougher.

DeBoer is neglecting Alabama's talent and ability to recruit by trying to overcome a weakness that he's played a part in creating. They don't need to play cute, they're big, they're physically strong. They don't need to rely on the QB entirely (at every stop he's let the run game degrade while relying heavily on the QB), they have the resources to have a good ground game. He needs to adapt to that instead of trying to overcome it, stop trying to outsmart everyone and start punching other teams in the mouth.

This is the second time on a big stage that DeBoer's team (Washington vs. Michigan) was thoroughly physically dominated, and this time it was against a team that had no business being a team that plays tougher football. He's a smart coach, but he is basically outsmarting himself at this point. He has big guys playing soft and Cignetti has small guys playing hard.

This might sound like a tale of woe though, but it's not. If DeBoer can just make the necessary changes to his system and approach that leverages the strength and power of the type of athletes Alabama can attract, this team can go from being occasionally great to consistently great.

/rant

History dictates that we are in for a steady decline into mediocrity after a legendary coach retires no matter who follows. CKD may or may not make it at the Capstone but our best days are behind us. At least, that is what it is looking like right now. DeBoer needs to earn his cash and right the ship over the offseason or be gone. This embarrassment cannot be tolerated.

 

[smokies1]

A lot of teams could have beaten Alabama today, looking weaker, slower, and softer than quite a few teams this year doesn’t have me feeling all warm and fuzzy moving forward

 

[countrytider]

Good season, bad finish.

Indiana is as good as advertised and our offensive line is bad as advertised. I hope Indiana wins it all and we use this as motivation for 2026.

So Saban finishes up 12-2 , SEC champions and he’s slipping.

Two 4 loss seasons in a row by DeBoer and it’s “Saban’s fault” and “good season”.

Can’t make this up.

 

[Special K]

I can’t stand IU fans.

But it’s hard not to respect a hard nosed well coached team like that who just flat whipped us.

They look like the Best team for sure.

They will beat Oregon again.

NCG will most likely be IU vs UGA

Two teams who still play bruiser ball… who would have thunk it?

As for us… We have a Coaching Staff Problem.

BIG ONE.

Indeed we do, starting at the top. Sure looks like IU got the better hire, lol.

 

[CoolBreeze]

They need to really look at the transfer portal and upgrade on the lines. I think the talent is there on the outsides but if we are going to compete the lines need an overhaul.

Need to find better staff and philosophy in the portal as well.

 

[rolltide_21]

No way would I want a third B1G team win a championship

I couldn’t care less about conference affiliation. Good football is good football. I respect that. IU has all the tools to win it.

 

[Methylred]

What sad is Byrne blew this hire so bad. He had the opportunity to hire Kiffin. I don’t care if he introduced himself as Joey Freshwater or how many rich boosters feelings he hurt.

He was the obvious choice even at that time.

But just like the clowns on here blaming Saban for DeBoer’s utter failure, we were too good to hire Kiffin.

Saban being paid as an advisor of the University of Alabama didn’t want Kiffin at Alabama.

But by God he advised him to take the LSU job while an employee of Alabama.

I hope all you guys are happy because I can honestly say you were and still are WRONG.

Roll Tide anyway.

DeBoer ain't the guy. I'm with you there.

But I don't understand this take on Kiffin at all.

 

[Bpilktree]

What sad is Byrne blew this hire so bad. He had the opportunity to hire Kiffin. I don’t care if he introduced himself as Joey Freshwater or how many rich boosters feelings he hurt.

He was the obvious choice even at that time.

But just like the clowns on here blaming Saban for DeBoer’s utter failure, we were too good to hire Kiffin.

Saban being paid as an advisor of the University of Alabama didn’t want Kiffin at Alabama.

But by God he advised him to take the LSU job while an employee of Alabama.

I hope all you guys are happy because I can honestly say you were and still are WRONG.

Roll Tide anyway.

The boosters are the ones with the money and if you don’t have that in the new NIL era you become Mississippi State football.