Started By
Message
Perceptions of Alabama
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:02 pm
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:02 pm
The general consensus among college football analysts and fans seems to be that Alabama is one of the top teams in the country--at least top 6, if not top 4 (or even the best team in the country, as Lou Holtz said this morning). I even tend to believe this myself. What, though, is the objective case for this being true? It can't be based on the actual outcomes of games this year. They have one win against a top-25 opponent (#25 West Virginia in the opener), and their loss was to a team now out of the top 10 (#13 Ole Miss). They have covered the spread in exactly two of their eight games this season (Florida and Texas A&M). There are definitely lower-ranked teams with more impressive resumes (TCU, to name one). They can't, like Florida State, be getting the benefit of the doubt because of last year, since they lost their last two games (including getting blown out by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl).
So why are we all convinced that Bama is so good? In my own case, I guess it comes down to a combination of recruiting rankings and respect for Nick Saban's coaching prowess. You just figure that a team with great talent and a great coach is likely could put it together and be truly elite at some point. Is that enough for everybody to be giving them the benefit of the doubt despite a slim resume? Should it be?
And to be clear, I'm not trying to rip Alabama. If I had to bet my house on the game in Tiger Stadium this weekend, I'd probably take the Tide and give the points. It won't surprise me at all if they win the national title. I'm just not sure how much of that is based on cold, hard, factual analysis and how much is based on the Bama "aura."
So why are we all convinced that Bama is so good? In my own case, I guess it comes down to a combination of recruiting rankings and respect for Nick Saban's coaching prowess. You just figure that a team with great talent and a great coach is likely could put it together and be truly elite at some point. Is that enough for everybody to be giving them the benefit of the doubt despite a slim resume? Should it be?
And to be clear, I'm not trying to rip Alabama. If I had to bet my house on the game in Tiger Stadium this weekend, I'd probably take the Tide and give the points. It won't surprise me at all if they win the national title. I'm just not sure how much of that is based on cold, hard, factual analysis and how much is based on the Bama "aura."
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:03 pm to profwilson
LSU will change the perception this week.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:03 pm to profwilson
We will be given the benefit of the doubt until we regularly start to screw the pooch Georgia style.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:04 pm to profwilson
This happens every single year. No matter how well Alabama plays in any given game, we get no credit. It is what it is. If we win out, there will still be doubters.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:05 pm to HempHead
quote:
We will be given the benefit of the doubt until we regularly start to screw the pooch Georgia style.
This....and y'all have earned that advantage IMO.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:06 pm to profwilson
Lots of aura, and inference based on previous years results. Plus when we look good, we look really good. Just gotta cut out the dumb mistakes - fumbles, penalties,etc.
But strictly speaking, lower ranked to teams have done more to this point. The next month is a gauntlet though and we will have to prove it.
But strictly speaking, lower ranked to teams have done more to this point. The next month is a gauntlet though and we will have to prove it.
This post was edited on 11/2/14 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:06 pm to Neako27blitzz
quote:
This....and y'all have earned that advantage IMO.
I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I genuinely believe that we are capable of beating every team in the country with an A- game (and most of them with a lesser performance). On the other, I'd prefer the team to be doubted and maligned so that the players don't feel as if they will win simply because they are wearing crimson and white.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:06 pm to alabamabuckeye
quote:
No matter how well Alabama plays in any given game, we get no credit. It is what it is. If we win out, there will still be doubters.
But Alabama hasn't played well this year.
And are you really complaining that Alabama doesn't get any credit?
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:08 pm to HempHead
Ya, this team should not have been ranked so high preseason with all the new faces and question marks. I think that pressure had a lot to do with our slow start.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:08 pm to Retrograde
quote:
But Alabama hasn't played well this year.
wut
The UF, A&M, and the UT/WVU games to a lesser extent were all good performances.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:08 pm to alabamabuckeye
quote:
This happens every single year. No matter how well Alabama plays in any given game, we get no credit. It is what it is. If we win out, there will still be doubters.
Look at the bright side. Even if you lose, you can always claim another bogus championship.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:09 pm to SavageOrangeJug
quote:
Look at the bright side. Even if you lose, you can always claim another bogus championship.
oh wow you have such a comedic insight and sharp wit
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:11 pm to allin2010
quote:
LSU will change the perception this week.
Allin2010 is so predictable. I bet you'll be nowhere to be found to admit just how wrong you are when the game is over Saturday night.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:11 pm to profwilson
Alabama should be ranked about 6th right now, based on what they've done.
TCU and Oregon should be ahead, for sure.
The media is stupid and goes by their "eye test," but those polls are irrelevant now.
The committee actually makes you earn your ranking, so it will take Alabama longer to move up the polls in that one.
TCU and Oregon should be ahead, for sure.
The media is stupid and goes by their "eye test," but those polls are irrelevant now.
The committee actually makes you earn your ranking, so it will take Alabama longer to move up the polls in that one.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:13 pm to BayouBengals03
quote:
TCU and Oregon should be ahead, for sure.
I can see your point with Oregon, but TCU and Alabama share a common opponent (WVU), and Alabama looked much better against the fightin' hillbillies than TCU did. Granted, TCU has better wins on their schedule.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:16 pm to HempHead
quote:
I can see your point with Oregon, but TCU and Alabama share a common opponent (WVU), and Alabama looked much better against the fightin' hillbillies than TCU did. Granted, TCU has better wins on their schedule.
It was a true road game for TCU
The committee values that.
TCU has three wins over ranked teams, and two good to great wins overall.
Alabama has one good win.
TCU will be ahead of Alabama in the CFP poll.
This post was edited on 11/2/14 at 4:17 pm
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:16 pm to allin2010
quote:
LSU will change the perception this week.
Posted on 11/2/14 at 4:18 pm to BayouBengals03
quote:
TCU will be ahead of Alabama in the CFP poll.
Probably. That's okay with me. If Alabama wins the rest of their games, they'll be in the playoff (should they beat whatever shitnado wins the East).
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News