POLLSTERS GIVE TIDE TREMENDOUS RESPECT...
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| Nick Saban will have 'Bama ready |
How many teams in the NCAA could garner a #3 in the preseason rankings when they return only three starters? One of the missing 8 is the all time leading offensive quarterback in Tide history. That's quite an accomplishment for any quarterback given the history of Alabama football. Is that ranking realistic? I have no idea which quarterback will start against the Badgers of Wisconsin. I also think it doesn't matter. Sooner or later a quarterback will emerge who can do more than hand off the football to Derrick Henry and company. You remember that the Tide wasn't sure who their starter would be in game number one last season. Then the sky opened up and heaven delivered Blake Sims via the help of Lane Kiffin. Do not minimize the effect that Kiffin has with the offense.
THE LONGEST WEEK OF THE YEAR...
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| Compliments of the Birmingham News |
I don't know about the remainder of Crimson Tide fans but the next two weeks will be the longest week in history. The countdown to kickoff seems like an eternity from today. But we all know that Nick Saban will have the team ready. Ready by Alabama terms means you are about to have your number taken and your body turned into sawdust. The sports Guru's on the SEC network had a final consensus that Alabama would finish 10-2 in the regular season. 10-2 by other school standards is exceptional. At Alabama that would be considered mediocre even though it isn't. Alabama fans don't have high standards. They have the highest standards that the most avid football fans could imagine. One publication said that Alabama fans are a combination of "stupidity, arrogance, and unlikeability" That was attributed to the blog with the name of THE FIFTH QUARTER. Alabama fans may be a lot of things but stupid is not on the list. Arrogant? Perhaps. Unlikable? Alabama fans are very generous to the opponent. They realize that those opposing fans are on their way to a funeral. One thing that that blog left out is the Alabama fans understanding of football history. Alabama is the most storied program in NCAA history, and if the school were located anywhere but the State of Alabama, the football writers would bow and pray to the program. The predictor of history is past history. That gives the Tide a huge leap over secondary programs like Wisconsin and Auburn.
I think that the AP voting to give the #3 spot with only three starters, an unsettled quarterback situation, and a defensive backfield which haven't proven they can play, is very generous. It also shows a great deal of respect to Alabama, the players, and the coaching staff. My bet is that Wisconsin won't be able to score unless there is a turnover, a field goal, a fluke, or a heavenly saint has a bet on the line. I'm going to say - Bama 28 Wisconsin 0. My bet is that Jake Coker has earned the right to succeed or fail at the starter at quarterback. One thing that Alabama fans love to do is argue with their fellow fans. The other thing fans like to do is pull together when things get tough. Wisconsin loves to run the ball. Alabama loves to stop the run. It's going to be an interesting game. In the long run the Tide has better depth on the line, and better skill players. Isn't it great being a Tide fan?
