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We outgrew Auburn but they didn't outgrow us
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:19 am
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:19 am
Auburn has now won 3 of the past 4 games @Auburn, despite the fact our team has been superior to their's on paper every game.
Even discounting all their good fortune in several of those games, 3 out of 4 isn't just luck.
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
There's undeniably an enthusiasm/motivation gap. They get WAY up for us, they squeeze every ounce of effort, intensity, and enthusiasm they can manage. Beating Alabama is still the corner stone of their program and it shows on the field when they play us vs. their performances the rest of the year. It's a goal that they have a shot at every season. Doesn't matter if they are 8-3 or 11-0.
Alabama has played in 4 straight national championship games, has won 5 recent national titles, and has contended for the national championship pretty much every season 12 season running. While most fans all remember the passion of the Iron Bowl, most of the players on the team do not see it as a program defining game. I seriously get the feeling that our players view Auburn as almost no different than any other SEC road game.
The coaching staff needs to somehow impress upon the players they will be playing a team with an unmatched ravenous desire to beat them. That sort of intensity and effort if unmatched will usually win the day.
Even discounting all their good fortune in several of those games, 3 out of 4 isn't just luck.
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
There's undeniably an enthusiasm/motivation gap. They get WAY up for us, they squeeze every ounce of effort, intensity, and enthusiasm they can manage. Beating Alabama is still the corner stone of their program and it shows on the field when they play us vs. their performances the rest of the year. It's a goal that they have a shot at every season. Doesn't matter if they are 8-3 or 11-0.
Alabama has played in 4 straight national championship games, has won 5 recent national titles, and has contended for the national championship pretty much every season 12 season running. While most fans all remember the passion of the Iron Bowl, most of the players on the team do not see it as a program defining game. I seriously get the feeling that our players view Auburn as almost no different than any other SEC road game.
The coaching staff needs to somehow impress upon the players they will be playing a team with an unmatched ravenous desire to beat them. That sort of intensity and effort if unmatched will usually win the day.
9
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:26 am to PEPE
I don't disagree with your point but a shifting mindset toward that game goes against Saban's "process" and it's hard to argue with the results.
This post was edited on 12/3/19 at 11:27 am
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:27 am to PEPE
How many times do we see a kid from the state of Alabama that wanted that Alabama offer never happened? They go to auburn and they end up being a difference maker in the game.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:29 am to CapstoneGrad06
I honestly can't recall any recent examples of this.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:31 am to PEPE
Maybe the conference will move them to the East and we can play them on a rotational basis. We can keep Tennessee as our annual East game.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:31 am to PEPE
quote:
Auburn has now won 3 of the past 4 games @Auburn
To be fair here, our opponent in those games were ranked #4, #6, and #15.
It's not totally uncommon for teams bearing that ranking to beat their arch rival at home. 2017 is the only year they've really taken it to us in the last decade. It's not an excuse to say that they've been the beneficiary of some very fluky plays against us over there lately. The plays still happened and we didn't overcome them, but we're talking about a things like 6 inches and 1.5 seconds here. A ball strikes the inside of the upright and it bounces in. A ball is placed a foot in front of the guy and he catches a touchdown. A game is officiated properly at the end of a half and 3 points are off the board. That's just football sometimes though.
We dominated that game when you look at the stat line. The self inflicted wounds killed us, but that wasn't unique this season to the auburn game.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:32 am to Bham Bammer
Did we offer Seth Williams out of Tuscaloosa?
Nick Fairley out of Mobile?
Nick Fairley out of Mobile?
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:34 am to Riseupfromtherubble
Yes and yes.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:46 am to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
To be fair here, our opponent in those games were ranked #4, #6, and #15.
yeah, I am not all that worried about it, especially considering one of those losses to them, we ended up winning an NC that year anyway.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:48 am to Riseupfromtherubble
Seth Williams wanted to be at Bama, but Bama wanted Ross instead.
Williams never had the green light to commit to Bama, so he signed early to Auburn. Ross went to Clemson and Bama missed out on 1 great receiver and 1 good one.
Williams never had the green light to commit to Bama, so he signed early to Auburn. Ross went to Clemson and Bama missed out on 1 great receiver and 1 good one.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:50 am to remaster916
Williams wouldn't have started at Bama anyway the last two seasons.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 11:59 am to PEPE
quote:
There's undeniably an enthusiasm/motivation gap.
I don't think it's necessarily that. The last two losses, there was a pressure gap...Auburn was playing for nothing other than the joy of beating Bama, while Bama was playing with pressure of getting in the playoffs. And this year they probably not only needed to win, but win big.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 12:01 pm to remaster916
And Pickens and Nico Collins at Michigan
Posted on 12/3/19 at 12:06 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
How many times do we see a kid from the state of Alabama that wanted that Alabama offer never happened? They go to auburn and they end up being a difference maker in the game.
The Carlson brothers spring to mind. How much of a difference would Legatron and Legatron II have made?
Posted on 12/3/19 at 12:07 pm to PEPE
We’ve held significant streaks over every team in the SEC except for Auburn. That included wins in some very tough venues. Gus Malzahn has more wins against us than any other coach in the last decade. They’ve cost us a shot at two titles and almost did it a 3rd time in 2017. The 2015 team should’ve blown them out but needed 4 quarters and a record performance from Henry to put that game away.
Don’t think it’s just a coincidence that could be chalked up to “Well, they’re just a good team.” They come into that game with their hair on fire. The problem is that our side sees winning that game more as a relief than as the “mountain top.” Unfortunately, that won’t change unless we get back to Shula levels.
I’ll say this though, if we have a chance to put our foot on their throat next year at BDS, f’in do it. I’m still angry that we let up in 2012.
Don’t think it’s just a coincidence that could be chalked up to “Well, they’re just a good team.” They come into that game with their hair on fire. The problem is that our side sees winning that game more as a relief than as the “mountain top.” Unfortunately, that won’t change unless we get back to Shula levels.
I’ll say this though, if we have a chance to put our foot on their throat next year at BDS, f’in do it. I’m still angry that we let up in 2012.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 12:28 pm to Funky Tide 8
Agreed, but he would be on the Bama bench instead of beating Bama.
He would have been a solid player for Bama the next two seasons.
He would have been a solid player for Bama the next two seasons.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 12:36 pm to PEPE
Agreed but Auburn has only won once in Tuscaloosa since the 2008 season and that was the year they bought Cam. The media never seems to look at that stat. It's hard to win on the road in the rivalry. I hope that continues in 2020. Saban needs a beat down of them after Saturdays debacle.
Posted on 12/3/19 at 1:20 pm to PEPE
quote:
There's undeniably an enthusiasm/motivation gap. They get WAY up for us, they squeeze every ounce of effort, intensity, and enthusiasm they can manage.
I just think they out-execute us top to bottom when we play over there. They are mentally tougher, they coach better and they play better.
We mentally melt over there. Players and coaches. Think about all the chances we had to put away the 2013 and 2019 games.........we always found a way to screw it up. Penalties, missed field goals, giving up drives late. And Auburn capitalized. Until we stop shitting our pants when we go over there we'll continue to lose crazy games.
This post was edited on 12/3/19 at 1:26 pm
Posted on 12/3/19 at 1:24 pm to remaster916
quote:
Seth Williams wanted to be at Bama, but Bama wanted Ross instead.
Williams never had the green light to commit to Bama, so he signed early to Auburn. Ross went to Clemson and Bama missed out on 1 great receiver and 1 good one.
Because we've been hurting at the WR position?
Posted on 12/3/19 at 1:25 pm to 3down10
Yea, Seth Williams wouldn't be playing right now, so I'm not sure what we lost there other than that he is at Auburn.
In 1963 we would have just signed him anyway. Can't really do that now.
In 1963 we would have just signed him anyway. Can't really do that now.
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