Bo Scarborough tells it like it is.

The Ex-Bama players see the same decline we do. Its not the same as when they were there. They are just, to a degree, trying to contain their thoughts in public. But based on what they are saying publicly on youtube's Bama Standard, there is no telling what they are saying to each other when the camera is off.

I’ll also say this is the first time since Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa that I can recall former players publicly critiquing and criticizing the program. That’s telling in itself.

This will be the first Iron Bowl since 2007 with nothing on the line for both teams.

I think McElroy had the best take on everything after the LSU loss. I know people have strong opinions on his show with Cubelic but stuff like this you have to listen to him on...

He basically said our practices don't look like they use to when he goes to watch. Players don't practice hard. Don't go full speed. Way more guys in black jerseys or on the side with the trainers or not helmet. Guys goofing around. Not playing through the whistle.

Then you go watch UGA practices and it looks like 2009-2016 Bama practices.

That's the big difference. The whole culture has shifted. And the biggest place it festers and presents itself, as with any team, is on the practice field.

As big of a problem as the coordinators are, and they are a big problem, I think it is absolutely true that we just have a culture problem at Alabama. The team lacks toughness, grit, passion, and the desire to dominate. Obviously, it is up to Saban to bring that culture back.

I feel like a lot of that attitude and culture is instilled during the summer when its just the players and the S&C staff. Perhaps our current S&C staff isn't doing a good job of making players feel passionate or be tough. Maybe we need a screaming guy like Cochran was.

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Now hopefully he can identify why his program has lost that identity and recover it.

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It all starts with the head coach. I'd love to see him bring in a group of former players as "analysts" to put this thing back on the rails.

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I think it is absolutely true that we just have a culture problem at Alabama. The team lacks toughness, grit, passion, and the desire to dominate.

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not so sure, the 2020 team had that stuff. I think the nil and transfer portal has really damaged the game, and I think you see it in bama first because we are the team that's been at the top the longest, have to play tough teams more frequently than the other perennial contenders (Ohio st, Clemson, Georgia, etc). I think we mostly have a coordinator problem. Even with this teams deficiencies we are 2 plays away from being undefeated.

Kirby has the gang back together and they’re doing what they learned from Saban. Think about it, every good player Georgia has would’ve been at Bama if UGA never hires Kirby. Kirby goes after the same type player Nick does and Kirby is getting them. That’s it. Nick hasn’t lost it, he just lost the best coaching staff and they’re not coming back. I don’t know if Saban can match the energy and intensity of what’s happening at UGA. It fricking sucks.

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Kirby has the gang back together and they’re doing what they learned from Saban.

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They are younger, more energetic, and probably better at evaluating coaching talent. Saban literally needs to look at paying people, I prefer old players, that's all they do is energetically challenge current players and get them excited.

Saban on Byron Young's big day at Ole Miss: "When these guys have these kind of games, the first thing that comes in my mind when I went to their home for a home visit. His mother's a great lady, and it was like Thanksgiving on the home visit."

Interesting.