Our OCC games are Clemson (50/50), Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Arkansas State.

ULM ULM ULM ULM ULM........I know, we got it. But to the original question...........

quote:
Now I am not looking for stupidity, but a reasonable Bama fan (steve4bama) answer me. How much improvement do you see this year from Bama. JPW is still the QB and unless he improves decision making I think will cost you a couple games.
We have our boneheaded QB but his stupidity comes off the field.
Would 8-5 or 9-4 be under achieving?

Well, hard to say. I will admit that year 2 should be better. It is always hard when a new coach comes in to get everyone on the same page. After learning more about the way Saban runs things, it should be an interesting year. I really don't see us loosing any that we shouldn't this year and I really feel like we will win 1 or 2 that maybe we are not favored to win. With that being said, here are the so called "BIG GAMES" to look at.

Clemson at the Georgia Dome to open the season. Should be VERY INTERESTING and at least the fans will be split 50-50 (although I feel like it will more than likely be @ 60-40 in Bama's favor as we find a way to get tickets for these games like we did with FSU last year). This game will tell us ALOT about how the season my go. I call a toss-up right now since it is the first game and noone knows what either team will look like.

Arkansas at Fayetteville, 4th game of the season. I will go out on a limb and say we should have a W this weekend because I feel like right now, we are the better team. I don't know much about their strengths and weaknesses but we should have never allowed them to get back into the game like they did last year.

Georgia in Athens the following week. Even though we took them to OT last year, #1 we should have never even been close at the end of the game and #2 they got better the 2nd half of the season where we fell from grace so to speak. They will be coming off of 2 weeks on the road at South Carolina and Arizona so they may be a little tired but have more talent right now. I call a L in this one BUT, will be a close game in my opinion like last year.

Tennessee in Knoxville week 8. Last year was WILD and RARE !!! We CRUSHED them in Tuscaloosa 41-17 and NO ONE would have thought that. I mean, we're talking about the team that won the east and took LSU down to the wire in the SEC CG. Being in Knoxville and the REVENGE they will have for us, could get ugly if they get a big lead, but it's a game that many Alabama fans want to win more than Auburn. Although Auburn is our biggest rivalry, UT is most HATED my many Bama fans. I don't know much about what they have this year but will call it 50/50 with a probable L.

I'm sure you have been waiting to hear this one. Nov. 8th, at LSU for what MANY of you only care about is Saban's return trip to Baton Rouge and not really playing Alabama. By the time we play each other, you guys will have been on the road at Auburn and Florida and had Georgia at home. Will be interesting to see where both schools are at when we play. 2 of the last 3 years, our game was to decide which team took over 1st place in the west. Not sure if that will be the case this year because of both of our schedules. I will call it 85% LSU.........but as we all know, the 15% can sneak up on you. I will also call a closer game on this than most on here are saying. I have read a few people's posts that are already saying a 3-4 touchdown loss for us. A confident Tiger team wins. A COCKY, NO WAY IN HE** BAMA BEATS US attitude, and it could be like Arkansas last year. I will call a L this game.

Auburn in Tuscaloosa. Our BIGGEST rival. 6 in a row for Auburn. Never have beat them in Tuscaloosa. Tubby owns Saban. So on and so on and so on. I actually feel good about our chances this year. Bama is PISSED about the streak. Pissed we can't beat them in our house. Will be a WILD day and atmosphere when they come to town. It is another 50/50 but I am actually calling a W in this one.

This leaves us with Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Miss State in Tuscaloosa. As LSU found out, Kentucky can surprise you. As we learned, Ole Miss took us down to the wire and State has a 2 year streak on us. I feel like the LSU loss last year KILLED us going into Starkville last year.

I will say this and shut up for now........I feel like we could get away with 3 L's this year. 2 would be HUGE, but a stretch and 4 is VERY possible. Like I said, it's hard to say. JPW had his moments last year (UT) by had his disasters too (LSU, MSU) so I think after the Clemson game we should know alot more and then after back to back weeks at Arky and UGA, we will know what the season will look like !