Well they should beat Ark. With all the "hype" the Hogs have gotten as of late (and to a degree rightfully so ala McFadden), the whole world saw how to beat Ark yesterday at the hands of Tenn. If you just slow that running attack down a bit they're in trouble. McFadden with all his talent, isn't a one man wrecking crew, nor can he carry the weight if his whole team. Bama takes this game! As far as the Job approval rating for Nicky, the schools still out, hasn't been enough football to judge (first year and all). I have a feeling he,s gonna give some folks fits before its over...Gump fans included in that comment! :tigereye::tigereye::tigereye::tigereye::tigereye:
I hope you meant that in jest, as in tongue in cheek. If you didn't you really understand little about Alabama. Sure, part of it does. But, there is a lot more than just hype attracting these players. You won't find a staff that works harder on the recruiting trail than this one does. A good number of them are former recruiting coordinators or were the "closers" on their former staff. Scroll down about halfway down the page 'til you get to the brick story...good laugh You've lost me with this post. Alabama already has played Arkansas. Perhaps, you were referring to another team playing Arkansas?
Cornbiscuit, thats one I'll definitely agree with you on. Bamas gonna be a real challenge in the SEC, but its gonna have to take some time to develop.
Agreed, not sure if it was his first year or not but I remember losing to both UAB and Ole Miss at home in the beginning of the Saban era. That kinda reminds me of the Bama loss to MSU even if it was on the road.
This season kind of reminds me of his first in LSU as well. Two steps forward, one step back, two steps forward, one step back... It's been 3 wins, 2 losses where play has leveled off. 3 wins followed by 2 losses.
Due to twists and turns during the season, Saban has dealt with some expectations he might have been wise to play down. If he wins 7 games this season, the guy has more than done his job.
The fact is Saban has a habit of losing games he shouldn't lose. he did it here constantly and looks like it will continue in Bama. You take the good with the bad because he is a great big game coach, and a great recruiter. I think he's got at least one more loss in him this year, and next year they will be a five loss team. In my opinion. I think 2009 will be a breakout year and could include an SEC championship.
As alluded to before, one of Saban's strength is in recruiting. With the nice crop of recuits from Alabama that committed to Bama, that will provide Saban with the foundation to build up the team. I can see Bama as a serious rival in a year or two. Obviously the success will also depend on his choice of assistent coaches and offensive coordinator.
That characteristic trait is something I always felt should have gotten more attention. Many times then I believed it to be, in part, attributable to the prevent defense or the Fisher-era conservative offense. The talking heads rarely mention this. Had Les lost the games Saban did, he would have been run out of town.
