One thing I respect about Kelly’s postgame press conference . . .

is that he says his team’s psyche after the loss is not about the playoffs per se. Thank God! We college football fans, of whatever school, shouldn’t make everything about the playoff standings. Don’t get me wrong; I’m tickled that Bama is still in the hunt and has a great chance to be in the Top 12 if we keep winning. As a Bama grad, I naturally believe that is where we should be. But, playoff status, or the lack thereof, should never be your prime lament if you don’t play your best, for whatever reason, in big games against your rivals. Team focus (and, in my opinion, fan focus) rather always must be playing to your standard, whether real or idealized. When you fail to do that, it is that regret that matters the most, and it is that shortcoming which must be addressed honestly if success ever is to be realized. Quite simply, it is the driver of whatever success you will achieve. “Process,” if you will.

Failure to advance to the playoffs of course is a prime indicator (for the elite schools like Bama and LSU) of a season’s failure to play to your standard. But, it is an indicator, not your raison d’etre. From where I stand, beating LSU is always going to be great in and of itself, regardless of where the playoff race shakes out. Ditto against Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia, et al. Some things are much more visceral, and more important, than checking a playoff box. I believe that, I believe that Bama thinks that way, and if Kelly and his team really believe this too, then I respect them all the more for that.

Also, for what it’s worth, when I close my eyes and ponder “big time” college football, in my mind’s eye, at least, I see Crimson and White lining up against Purple and Gold. That, my friends, is cream rising to the top. May it always be so.

Roll Tide!

Bama 76
Vandy 79