🏈 2013 Season

[PhillyGirl]

2013 season and beyond, I should say.

For the record, I have NOT given up on THIS season, but for discussion purposes I think it would be interesting to look into what's possibly ahead.

The 2013 recruiting class looks fabulous on paper. Currently ranked 5th on rivals.com, under USC, LSU, Notre Dame, and Michigan. QB Cooper Bateman is 4-stars, and ranked 7th among QBs. Harrison and Barrett's little brother Walker Jones, a LB, looks good. There's also bunch of solid 4-star defensive players (as always). Not to mention 5-star TE OJ Howard. Also, gotta rep Anthony Averett, a 3-star commit from Woodbury, NJ (a town a few miles from my hometown; South Jersey pride!).

How do you guys think this class will mesh with the team dynamic, Saban, etc? Saban really is a machine with the recruiting, there was an interesting article in SI a few weeks ago detailing the 'Sabanization' of college football.

 

[bamaraider]

I think the 2013 class will bold to be pretty well, not overly as talented as the past few recruiting class, but there will be some good "no name" stars..Looking forward to OJ Howard, a TE is something I haven't seen much of (receiving wise).

Do we have any JUCO commitments?

 

[PhillyGirl]

Not sure, but it looks like Leon Brown (3-star OL from Brooklyn) is from some sort of alternative college: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASA_The_College_For_Excellence

They play a lot of JUCOs in their division so I guess it is an alt-JUCO school. http://asacollegeavengers.com/landing/index

 

[PhillyGirl]

I wonder if/when Saban will get on the Belichick train in using TEs as receivers more often. OJ looks like a real promising candidate for that. It would be nice to see a more dynamic offense, with some new tricks up its sleeve.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

When we have a good receiving TE/H-Back (like Smelley), I think we'll use them more in receiving.

Regarding 2013, I believe we'll be a better team than this year (with the exception of O-line, and it will still be good). I love the way the schedule sets up. We should handle VaTech, aTm is a big early challenge, but the schedule is certainly manageable.

 

[JoshB]

I wonder if/when Saban will get on the Belichick train in using TEs as receivers more often. OJ looks like a real promising candidate for that. It would be nice to see a more dynamic offense, with some new tricks up its sleeve.

I think I heard Terry mention OJ as a guy that the H-Back position is MADE for.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I think he will really flourish under this offense.

Weird to say, since this season is certainly not over, but I am really looking forward to next season. I love seeing new faces.

 

[Billie Bob]

I am not as optimtistic as others on this board for the 2013 season. It will probably be our first truly rebuilding year under Sabear. We may end up winning 10 games, but I bet we lose 3 or 4.

 

[psychojoe]

I have heard a little speculation that Fluker might stay and move to Warmack's position next year. Just my opinion, but I think that he projects better at the NFL level as a guard.

 

[PhillyGirl]

According to the schedule now:

I see us beating Virginia Tech, coming out with a vengeance against TAM (though it is away), and beating the next 5 opponents with relative ease (Ole Miss, Georgia State, Kentucky, Arky, and UT; 4 of those 5 are at home, too). It's the home game with LSU that worries me. LSU is going to have a serious vendetta against us this time around, and would love to knock us off at home (especially if we are highly ranked, which I imagine both of us will be). I am not too concerned with an away game at Miss State, because I think Miss State has shown a lot of weaknesses and it just doesn't look like a future top 25 team to me (at least right now), but again, anything can happen and this could be a trap game out in Starkville. Next two are Chattanooga (lolz), and away at the 'barn.

I think a 1 loss, or even undefeated season is not out of the question as long as we maintain a high level of play throughout. Gotta work on the secondary as well.

 

[bamaraider]

Ready to see what our TE's will be like next season.

Very big group, lots of potential, and with a 5* coming in, it will just make it stronger...

 

[bamaraider]

I have heard a little speculation that Fluker might stay and move to Warmack's position next year. Just my opinion, but I think that he projects better at the NFL level as a guard.

I agree, not overly quick in the tackle position, has been getting beat a lot this year. Hell of a run blocker though.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Ready to see what our TE's will be like next season.

Very big group, lots of potential, and with a 5* coming in, it will just make it stronger...

Agree 100%. TE has always been the most intriguing offensive position to me. It will be interesting to see how/if this changes any schemes.