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re: The anticipation I once felt for football season is gone
Posted on 8/14/26 at 9:55 pm to BamaGradinTn
Posted on 8/14/26 at 9:55 pm to BamaGradinTn
When you have a lot of experience, preparing is easier too. You probably need fewer reps. I think they actually didn’t practice that hard from news during their run. Didn’t need to: their roster had a bunch of men who were basically pro age. They could prepare like a pro team.
Posted on 8/14/26 at 11:06 pm to BamaGradinTn
Who made an excuse for the running game? I don’t sit on this site continuously blasting the running game, there are plenty of others who do that. But along with most every other fan, I saw that the running game was hapless for the most part. It needed to be revamped which is what the HC is in the process of doing. Having a QB who can complete the deep ball will also provide a significant boost.
The running game was OK the previous year primarily because of Milroe, who was a terrifying runner and had a decent deep ball. This helped mask the weakness in the traditional running game.
As far as the staff, I was thinking primarily of DeBoer and Morgan but Wommack, Lindquist, Morrell, Grubb are good or better. It appears that all of the new additions are top notch but we will see. I would guess, may be wishful thinking, that the OL will improve this year till it reaches OK or possibly good status by the end of the year. It usually takes a couple of years to fully address OL problems. The OL has not been good for several years - probably since ‘21 - last year reaching a low in the running game (though the pass-pro was better than most think). Bryce helped mask the problem, then Milroe in a different way.
The running game was OK the previous year primarily because of Milroe, who was a terrifying runner and had a decent deep ball. This helped mask the weakness in the traditional running game.
As far as the staff, I was thinking primarily of DeBoer and Morgan but Wommack, Lindquist, Morrell, Grubb are good or better. It appears that all of the new additions are top notch but we will see. I would guess, may be wishful thinking, that the OL will improve this year till it reaches OK or possibly good status by the end of the year. It usually takes a couple of years to fully address OL problems. The OL has not been good for several years - probably since ‘21 - last year reaching a low in the running game (though the pass-pro was better than most think). Bryce helped mask the problem, then Milroe in a different way.
Posted on 8/15/26 at 7:09 am to Riseupfromtherubble
+1
quote:
Riseupfromtherubble
And I'm not sure where to place the blame. I think it's a cumulative effect really that's been amplified by getting older and having a kid.
1. I think it started with the changes in recruiting. That used to feel like a year round sport in itself. With the open transfer portal, recruiting has just become an afterthought. When you signed Landon Collins 14 years ago, it felt like you were guaranteed 3 years of Landon Collins. Sure there were transfers then, but guys were going where they wanted to be.
2. I don't recognize the product on the field anymore. This started in the later Saban years and I think it plagues all of college football, not just Alabama. Just sloppy, undisciplined play. Shoddy refereeing. Shoddy coaching. The product itself has gone downhill, again I think this is a byproduct of the transfer portal because it hinders player development.
3. I guess I'm just getting older and it doesn't consume me like it used to
This isn't a spoiled Bama fan soliloquy. My first memories are from the Stallings era, so my peak emotional investment was during some very dark years. It just feels like the overall product is a shell of what it used to be. I'll still tune in every Saturday, it just doesn't quite hit like it used to. Anyway else going through this?
Posted on 8/15/26 at 7:25 am to Riseupfromtherubble
Posted on 8/15/26 at 8:41 am to SECSolomonGrundy
quote:
Football was different because it was tied to the universities. But they've blown that all up. These players are hardly tied to the schools. They hardly go to class. They are employees paid to play football
My son graduated this spring & told me he never had a class with a single football player over the four years he was there.
Posted on 8/15/26 at 1:32 pm to AlterDWI
I had some well known atleast. Gene Jelks for one .. .. he may have dropped the course
Posted on 8/16/26 at 12:57 am to LaneB
College football has really lost the novelty that made it so special. It just feels like a gigantic money grab now by everyone involved. So much of it used to be about college kids simply having fun. Now it's like Disney World or Harley-Davidson - how to suck as much resources out of the loyal followers as possible.
Just an example of what we've lost...
Just an example of what we've lost...
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If tweet fails to load, click here.This post was edited on 8/16/26 at 12:58 am
Posted on 8/16/26 at 9:02 am to AlterDWI
After thinking over things, it seem that it might be wise for some purists to roll out of college football. They are definately not going to be happy with where it is going. Because of the success of NFL with, essentially, pay-for-play athletes, I suspect college football is going to survive under its new form. People will still watch, and even identify with their school, the way that NFL fans identify wiht their local team, even though very few players are actually local, and most are there for a pay check.
It is sad that high level NCAA sports over all have died due to NIL, but, that's reality. Folks can still go watch lower level college sports for that same old thrill.
It is sad that high level NCAA sports over all have died due to NIL, but, that's reality. Folks can still go watch lower level college sports for that same old thrill.
Posted on 8/16/26 at 2:45 pm to LovetheLord
seeing that the bears are leaving chicago. i'm curious if some of these college teams will eventually leave their universities? if some corporation decided they wanted to own a football team and targeted a college team, hmm...
Posted on 8/16/26 at 4:06 pm to LovetheLord
quote:
After thinking over things, it seem that it might be wise for some purists to roll out of college football. They are definately not going to be happy with where it is going. Because of the success of NFL with, essentially, pay-for-play athletes, I suspect college football is going to survive under its new form. People will still watch, and even identify with their school, the way that NFL fans identify wiht their local team, even though very few players are actually local, and most are there for a pay check. It is sad that high level NCAA sports over all have died due to NIL, but, that's reality. Folks can still go watch lower level college sports for that same old thrill.
All due respect, sir, but that’s a crock of shite. I used to love the NFL almost as much as I loved Bama. Then free agency and franchise tags and all that shite happened so that your favorite team could transform to your favorite team full of the worst enemies from your biggest rival overnight and I lost all love for the game. Maybe I’m different or crazy, but I really LOVED knowing that we had Shaun Alexander and Derrick Thomas and Biscuit and Tua and Julio and all those great players for AT LEAST 3 years. The guys that transferred were the disgruntled ones not seeing the field so you didn’t really care that they left.
Now we have NFL Lite on Saturdays and it sucks worse than the real thing because you can take the equivalent of the Cleveland Browns, inject some cash, raid the portal, and in 2 seasons turn the biggest losers into undefeated national champions and not a damn one of them started their career in Bloomington. I can’t even name all the starters for Bama anymore and I used to know all of the 2 deep and usually a little deeper. You loved those kids because they were busting their arse for your coach and your school and maybe a chance to go to the league, but they busted their arse regardless. They were invested in the school, just like we were. They didn’t get a paycheck and didn’t leave for a bigger one next season.
Those players don’t like this shite either. You see them talking all the time about how these new kids don’t pay their dues, aren’t tough, don’t care about the team or the school. The love of the game and representing your school or your team is gone at the college (or should I say semi-pro?) level and the NFL level and the game and the fans are the worse off for it.
Posted on 8/16/26 at 4:54 pm to phil4bama
The closer the season gets, I'm getting ready for some football. I just love the damn sport. I love watching it, I'll be glad when there is a game on almost every night and the high schools get back going.
When the heat breaks and you walk out one morning with it fresh and cool, it's football season.
When the heat breaks and you walk out one morning with it fresh and cool, it's football season.
Posted on 8/16/26 at 5:17 pm to Syd
Getting more amped up for it ngl. Have no clue how good we’re going to be but want to see
Posted on 8/18/26 at 6:04 am to Diego Ricardo
I can't help but think of the early 2000s. 1999 was such a great year (except for a PAT missed in the Orange Bowl). I had so much fun watching BAMA that year. Then 2000 came. Ouch.
I had no idea what kind of team that 1999 SECC team would be preseason. I knew #37 was special, but if you'd bet me they'd beat Spurrier twice I would have laughed my arse off before agreeing to just about any of your terms.
The seasons after Saban have been some of the most anticipated seasons for me. Just the not knowing and the absolute parity. I hate the transfer portal and think fixing that would get the course adjusted for college football. IDGAF that the players are being paid. The portal is the main problem.
Deboer is going to win a national title at BAMA if the fans don't brick his windows. I wouldn't trade him for anyone at the moment. I think the offense is going to set school records under Deboer. Passing yards in a season, TDs, receiving yards. They'll all be Deboer guys. The rings are going to come too.
But I digress. I am looking forward to not just BAMA but all the fervor caused by college football. It's still the best thing on TV. I just hope we get a 1999 and not a 2000.
I had no idea what kind of team that 1999 SECC team would be preseason. I knew #37 was special, but if you'd bet me they'd beat Spurrier twice I would have laughed my arse off before agreeing to just about any of your terms.
The seasons after Saban have been some of the most anticipated seasons for me. Just the not knowing and the absolute parity. I hate the transfer portal and think fixing that would get the course adjusted for college football. IDGAF that the players are being paid. The portal is the main problem.
Deboer is going to win a national title at BAMA if the fans don't brick his windows. I wouldn't trade him for anyone at the moment. I think the offense is going to set school records under Deboer. Passing yards in a season, TDs, receiving yards. They'll all be Deboer guys. The rings are going to come too.
But I digress. I am looking forward to not just BAMA but all the fervor caused by college football. It's still the best thing on TV. I just hope we get a 1999 and not a 2000.
Posted on 8/18/26 at 8:10 am to Refrigeraider
quote:
1999 was such a great year (except for a PAT missed in the Orange Bowl).
OT Chris Samuels was suspended for that game. The Outland Trophy winner.
Posted on 8/18/26 at 8:53 am to Night Vision
i remember that game. tom brady hit that receiver about 30 times for about 500 yards. bama had no one that could cover him, but then again, they couldnt stop SA37. that was an entertaining game. kickers, smh...
Posted on 8/18/26 at 12:30 pm to crimsontater
quote:
i remember that game. tom brady hit that receiver about 30 times for about 500 yards. bama had no one that could cover him, but then again, they couldnt stop SA37. that was an entertaining game. kickers, smh..
I have VCR coy of that .. gave one to my colleague who went to Michigan
Posted on 8/18/26 at 1:01 pm to LaneB
Roll Tide till the death.
Posted on 8/18/26 at 1:05 pm to crimsontater
I was watching it from Guam. Half jokingly told a buddy that the game wasn't over when we lined up to kick the XP in OT.
Posted on 8/18/26 at 1:22 pm to crimsontater
David Terrell
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