If we had not won the NC last year would we be a better overall team? I really thought this year the top three through most of the season would have been LSU, OU, USC and in no particular order. I thought those three teams would dominate. Granted we did have a very tough early road schedule but I'm surprised LSU fell back so far. Is it because as Saban said that the team is resting on the fact we are defending national champs? The whole inherited issue he has spoken about? I know Saban is one of the best coaches in the nation but I need further insight as to why we are struggling so much. Is it just a qb issue? Team leadership issue? We have outstanding talent although young I know but USC isn't having these problems. Are they doing good because of Leinart? Had Mauck stayed would we still be up there? I'm really needing help here. I'm not complaining. Just trying to understand.
Team leadership and character I know there are studs on this team, but the team and work ethic that M. Clayton and others brought to this team were immeasurable. See his continued success in the pros. Also guys like Jack Hunt who endured endless ridicule during his jr. year only to come up with a fabulous sr. year. Talent alone will get you more wins than losses, talent + real leadership will get you to the promised land. That was then, this is now. I don't think this team will max out until J. Russell gets it together from a leadership perspective. As I have watched the replays, all the skill players look to him for "at-a-boys" after a good play. I think he's a leader to them because they recognize his high skill level, but to Saban, he's got far, far to go. When it happens, and it will as all immature young men eventually grow up, we'll be lights out. Strong willed children, while a pain to raise, make great leaders when finally broken to the system.
I think you have to look at the totality of the circumstances of last year vs. this year. 1. Great Leadership at QB position 2. Experience at WR position 3. Leadership by Lavalais and Hunt on the defense (esp. Hunt) 4. Strength of the D-Line 5. Favorable schedule 6. More youth this year than last 7. A little more luck last year I expected this team, as well as most people, to lose 2 this year. I am very proud of the tigers and saban so far this year. If everyone remembers 2 years ago we were going through the same growing pains as this year. Next year will be a special year in which I expect us to return to the SECCG.
Remember how disappointing the 2002 season was? Capped off by the embarrassment at the Cotton Bowl in the Roy Williams show? We suffered humiliating losses to Alabama and Auburn and a heartbreaker to Arkansas. I think that set the stage for a very hungry, motivated team in 2003. Coach Saban said he didn't even have to get on to those guys to work hard. That hasn't been the case this year (and he's said he had trouble motivating the '02 squad, as well). Hopefully, our guys who gained experience this year will be starved to dominate next year... But remember, we still have a chance at a ten-win season--not shabby by any standards. And most of us predicted, realistically, at least two losses before the season started--and we predicted them to come during the murderous four-week stretch, which they did. My main disappointment has been our close calls OOC.
If we win 10 games this season, its a success. We are so young and with our schedule that is very respectable. Next year we will have matured, hopefully gotten some leadership and the schedule is favorable. Watch out for next year, because the Tigers will be after another NC!
Would we want to trade the NC for a great year this year? I would rather have the NC followed by a rebuilding year(which we have), than have and also ran followed by a 'hungry' team.
Absolutely! I wouldn't trade that NC for anything this year. Besides, the line forming of undefeateds vying for the Orange Bowl is looking pretty long. We could've been kept out if we were undefeated at this time. Around this time last year, some members of this forum suggested that we not worry about making it to the Sugar Bowl because '04 "was going to be our year." We know how that panned out... I guess we could question whether or not Clayton, Mauck, and Hill would've gone pro if we hadn't won the NC last year, but who knows if they'd have saved us or not?
No way I would trade the NC for this year. I was just wondering if the NC may have caused some let down this year and if that is the norm for most teams after winning an NC. That seems to be the case. I'm sure next year we will start getting all pistons firing.
Yeah, winning the National Championship definatley led to let down this year. I mean, when we entered this year, everyone was gunning for us. Even the fans expected nothing less than another Championship. If we win out, and right now that's a HUGE "if", we'll finish the season with 2 losses. Five years ago, what would you have given for a 10 - 2 record? That's let down enough as it is. The players know what the fans are thinking. How many do you think over hear the fans talking while at the store? They know that the majority of fans are disappointed right now. That's why we need to stand behind the team no matter what.
Why does Saban seem to have so much trouble motivating the team? We typically don't play well after a bye week because he can't keep the team focused... A year after a national championship and he can't seem to motivate them to do better.... Is it just me? Maybe we need an official team motivator>?
