Remember we were also completely and utterly EMBARRASSED at home in the loss to UAB that year. I really think its hard for a team to be completely successful in the first year of a new coach and I'm not going to lie, I think this season will in some ways be a real challenge for us. However, at the same time, it is my opinion that this year's team has both the talent AND the experience to jump over the hurdle of a first-year coach.
Florida, Tennesse & LSU fans all have reasons to believe in their team. LSU's got question marks at QB & Coaching. Of course, most that have done that research think that both of these questions will be answered come fall, but they are still there right now. The talent & experience are one of the best in the country, not exaggerating & not being a homer. Tennessee has a proven coach that people doubted last year with freshmen QBs and they managed to win the SEC East. They return a good amount of starters & have some skilled position players and are overall very talented team. However, you can't look past their QB questionmarks & off the field issues. Florida has every reason to believe in their coach right now. Meyer has shown he can turn around programs in a hurry - although not in a BCS conference, much less the SEC. Some people think that Florida is very talented & was just poorly coached, but I believe that's more hype than anything. There are lots of questionmarks throughout their team's talent level. Georgia, Alabama & Auburn all have reason to believe that they could have special seasons as well. Right now, none of it means anything. It's all about how the teams respond & how bad they want it. I like LSU's chances because I think Miles has taken a good attitude telling the players that this is their team & to take ownership of it. Many of the players have come in to the weight room with personal best records & there hasn't been many off the field issues.
I don't think comparing our 1999 season to UF's or UT's season last year is a very good comparison and here's why... UT went 10-3 last year and made it to the SEC championship game. UF went 7-5 last year and gave us a scare. LSU went 3-8 in 1999. Not the same situation at all. One other difference in our situation in 1999 and UF and UT no is that Urban Meyer did go undefeated last year and Phil Phulmer is a proven winner, we were getting a coach (Saban) who was yet to prove himself. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see where them being optimistic about next year makes them delusional.
