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Could USC be toughest opponent in season opener
Posted on 1/21/16 at 8:32 am
Posted on 1/21/16 at 8:32 am
That Bama has had in the Saban era? I know Michigan in 2012 was good, and Wisconsin ended up having a pretty good year
But if USC gets it right with their new HC, they have the talent to pose a challenge
But if USC gets it right with their new HC, they have the talent to pose a challenge
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Posted on 1/21/16 at 8:36 am to The Silverback
What are they looking like in terms of returning starters for next years team?
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:09 am to The Silverback
I doubt it. They aren't losing anyone but Cravens, but they aren't bringing in a lot of high profile guys either. They don't stop the run well and overall their defense is average. They are tough though, but don't have as much depth. I look for this game to be much like Michigan State and other pro style teams we face.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:14 am to The Silverback
Could go a lot like the game vs Virginia Tech in 09. Alabama might struggle a little but early on offensively, but get it really going in the 2nd half, let whoever the QB get a rhythm going, and hopefully have a solid running game with Bo and Harris.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:17 am to MontyFranklyn
It will be a tough tough game most likely. We are usually not great at OL early in the season. We are breaking in a new QB. We often give up big plays in special teams early in the season. They gave talented players. And depth usually isn't a huge concern early in the season. We usually find our groove and identity after 5-6 games. The games in the past we played against significantly lower talent level rosters. USC has the potential to beat us. Sometimes we are lights out in the first game, sometimes not. VT, Wisconsin, and West Virginia we didn't play well. They just weren't very good. Clemson and Michigan we dominated. If we play bad USC can beat us. I think it's by far the toughest opener we have had.
P.S. Not a very well thought out paragraph there. Give me a break no coffee yet yo.
P.S. Not a very well thought out paragraph there. Give me a break no coffee yet yo.
This post was edited on 1/21/16 at 9:23 am
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:25 am to MontyFranklyn
quote:
I doubt it. They aren't losing anyone but Cravens, but they aren't bringing in a lot of high profile guys either. They don't stop the run well and overall their defense is average. They are tough though, but don't have as much depth. I look for this game to be much like Michigan State and other pro style teams we face.
All they recruit is high profile players.
Even while under sanctions they still produced top recruiting classes because they only signed 4 and 5 start guys.
Last year, 247 had their recruiting class ranked higher than ours. They were #1 and we were #2.
It will easily be the most talented team we've face in an opener for years.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:32 am to The Silverback
Depends on how our QB develops between now and then. My guess is that Kiffin would like to put 50 on them 
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:00 am to 3down10
I was referring to this years class. They don't have class filled with high profile guys. They are a good team, but I saw them get owned by Stanford twice and Oregon. Hype them if you want, but I'm not buying it. With what we have coming back and improving in several areas, we should dominate them. I mean Utah did for Christ's sake.
ETA: Changed Utah to Oregon. USC beat Utah, but was pounded by Oregon.
ETA: Changed Utah to Oregon. USC beat Utah, but was pounded by Oregon.
This post was edited on 1/21/16 at 10:33 am
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:04 am to Ol'DirtyCam
We played well against Wisconsin.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:20 am to The Silverback
Neither Va Tech in '09 nor WVU in '14 were pushovers, especially WVU. They lost some key players to injury after the season opener, but they played Bama tough.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:27 am to MontyFranklyn
quote:
They are a good team, but I saw them get owned by Stanford twice and Utah
They owned Utah last year 42-24.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:31 am to Gary Busey
VT was the first one I thought of (was at that game too). That was a pretty good team.
USC might be the 4th or 5th best opener tops. They lost Kessler which is huge and have little depth. They have a few stars, but not a complete team yet.
USC might be the 4th or 5th best opener tops. They lost Kessler which is huge and have little depth. They have a few stars, but not a complete team yet.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:31 am to Gary Busey
You're right. I'm thinking about Oregon. Utah kicked Oregon's arse, but Oregon kicked USC's arse.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:35 am to The Silverback
I'm gonna say no because they are losing Kessler and had to hire a new head coach halfway through the season. With who we return (Including Saban) I don't see USC knocking us off in a neutral site opener. However it's still a big name opponent and they do pretty well in recruiting. We'll see.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:44 am to ConnorTide
I mean, they will be really talented, but they haven't been really good in a long time and Helton isn't going to scare anyone as a head coach.
2009 : 9-4
2010 : 8-5
2011 : 10-2
2012 : 7-6
2013 : 10-4
2014 : 9-4
2015 : 8-6
I mean, Alabama doesn't generally lose to teams like that. And they lose a bunch of guys, too.
So, they will be talented, but I don't expect anything extra special.
2009 : 9-4
2010 : 8-5
2011 : 10-2
2012 : 7-6
2013 : 10-4
2014 : 9-4
2015 : 8-6
I mean, Alabama doesn't generally lose to teams like that. And they lose a bunch of guys, too.
So, they will be talented, but I don't expect anything extra special.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 1:04 pm to The Silverback
quote:
Could USC be toughest opponent in season opener?
Possibly, but I think Va Tech in '09 was the toughest...they ended up finishing in the top 10 by the end of the season. While I think USC will be improved from last year, not sure if they'll end as a top 10 team...
Posted on 1/21/16 at 1:18 pm to OldPete
breaking in new HC and a new QB. I like our chances. We will probably be a 14 point fav.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 4:54 pm to OldPete
They have top 10 talent(recruited as well as anyone outside of us and 1 or 2 others) ...a few superstars Juju , Adoree and maybe one or two more.
Hard to say right now. The talents there it's just a question of will they be able to put it together . Qb and coaching biggest ??'s
Hard to say right now. The talents there it's just a question of will they be able to put it together . Qb and coaching biggest ??'s
Posted on 1/21/16 at 5:48 pm to MontyFranklyn
quote:
I was referring to this years class. They don't have class filled with high profile guys. They are a good team, but I saw them get owned by Stanford twice and Oregon. Hype them if you want, but I'm not buying it. With what we have coming back and improving in several areas, we should dominate them. I mean Utah did for Christ's sake.
ETA: Changed Utah to Oregon. USC beat Utah, but was pounded by Oregon.
Well I think we are going to win and I think we opened as 14 pt favorites.
However, as I said - this will be the most talented team we've opened with in years. If they are able to get it all together remains to be seen, but they do have the potential.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 5:51 pm to 3down10
Yeah this will be the most talented team Bama has opened with in a long time. May be the most talented team Bama plays in the regular season in 2016.
I hope the team plays all of 2016 with the same focus they had for most of 2015. I'm guessing Kiffin will definitely have the O focused for USC.
I hope the team plays all of 2016 with the same focus they had for most of 2015. I'm guessing Kiffin will definitely have the O focused for USC.
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