🏈 A lot you could say, but

[imported_porkchop]

...all in all I have to give Utah credit. They executed and BAMA didn't. They came in with a solid game plan. Again, I give Utah full credit for the victory because I thought they outplayed us and deserved it.

Having said that, part of me keeps wondering if BAMA was really ever in it last night from an emotional standpoint. The intensity just didn't seem to be there. You can attribute some of that to Utah, but one has to wonder if the Tide was still thinking about what could have been?

There was a lot of talk about how the Tide would respond, and I think we found out last night. It's surprising too, because you don't expect that out of a Saban team. Maybe a Shula team, but not from this coach.

Congrats Utah, your team earned it. You deserve it. As far as the BAMA fans go, if you would have told any of us at the beginning of the season that the team would finish 12-2, be ranked 1st in the country for 5 weeks, would have beaten LSU, AU, and UT, they would have taken it no questions asked. The loss hurts, but BAMA is on the right track, and apparently, well ahead of schedule. There's a lot to be positive about.

Roll Tide, and congrats Utah on a superbly executed game plan.

 

[laurajmoss]

Having said that, part of me keeps wondering if BAMA was really ever in it last night from an emotional standpoint. The intensity just didn't seem to be there.

I thought Javier Arenas was fired up and ready to play. My brother and I commented on it every kick return -- "HE showed up for this game."

Kudos to Javi for playing his heart out regardless of what his teammates were (or weren't) doing around him.

 

[Bama Bard]

I couldn't agree more. Utah knew what they wanted to do and were ready to go out and do it. Kudos to them. But as the day grows on I get more and more disgusted with the effort by our team. Unenthusiastic, would be complimentary. Lethargic, undisciplined, confused, and eventually scared seems like better choices of words. I just never imagined that the entire team (coaches too) would look so bewildered. We were dominated on every level, especially on the line of scrimmage. I am struggling to find one positive performance from any player on the squad last night. Aside from the hustle of Bobby Greenwood no one seemed ready to go. For a team that worked so hard to get to where we were, who focused on being tough, disciplined and putting an emphasis on finishing, last night was shocking.

 

[Guest]

As previously stated, we have zero depth on the OL.

Additionally, we have little quality depth on the DL. There is zero speed rush from our current guys. As Saban mentioned in the post game, we have to substitute "jack rabbits" and then we are hurting in other areas. Recruiting will fix these problems, but it takes time.

The truth is, we probably were not good enough in 2008 to be a 12-2 team...but our guys played their hearts out and we did it. We beat Auburn and LSU. We beat Clemson and UT. We handled Ole Miss and MSU. UGA blackout was a blowout.

As much as I wanted to end the season with a win, I am happy as it is, and we will be better for it.

RTR

 

[BigAl]

We werent prepared to play and we had to many distractions. Utah played a great game.

 

[LAmike]

We were never physical last night. The most physical "hit" in the game by Bama was Julio Jones-turned DB when he had to break up that ill-advised pass JPW threw up for grabs. All season we were physical, downright nasty at times. Not last night. All season I worried about three things about this team:

1. Quality,experienced depth(not there yet)

2.Pass rush(not there yet,from the DL anyway.)

3.JPW having to carry the team(we got there last night, folks-didn't happen).

All three of these, in my opinion,reared their ugly heads against Utah. Quite frankly, I had expected a game like this during the regular season. No doubt this team is special. Not pretenders-overachievers.
So, congrats to the Utes on a game well played.Special thanks and congrats to our Tide. By all rights this team should have maxed out on experience and talent at 8-4, 9-3 regular season.This team's heart carried the season, which is what makes them special. We won't soon forget the 2008 Crimson Tide: the team that turned Bama around!

God bless and here's to '09!

 

[TennTide]

I hate to say it, but I told my Wife "If I didn't know better, I would swear that Shula and his staff had returned to coach this game."

We didn't attack in any phase of the game, we were always going backwards. Even when we thought we had the run stopped at the LOS the pile would move forward for three or four yards. If Utah made a five yard catch, they would get 10 yards or more on the play.

When JPW was under center, the line moved backward as fast as JPW would drop back.

Truly a sad display of football for what this team had accomplished this year.

 

[Guest]

I concur with everything post previously in this thread.

I'm shocked at the Seniors, in that there was not more passion out of this bunch with it being their last game.

I can't decide if it more true to say (Utah deserved to win this game" or "Bama deserved to lose this game".

Frankly, I would like another shot at them, Home-and-Home would be nice. Anyone else for this?

 

[Guest]

I concur with everything post previously in this thread.

I'm shocked at the Seniors, in that there was not more passion out of this bunch with it being their last game.

I can't decide if it more true to say (Utah deserved to win this game" or "Bama deserved to lose this game".

Frankly, I would like another shot at them, Home-and-Home would be nice. Anyone else for this?

I think it was a little of both.

 

[SkinyUte]

Frankly, I would like another shot at them, Home-and-Home would be nice. Anyone else for this?

Man, that would be awesome. From a fan perspective, my only thought is not not just yes...but HELL YES!! I imagine the first "revenge" game in such a series would be one of the meanest games either team would see in a long time.

 

[Guest]

Frankly, I would like another shot at them, Home-and-Home would be nice. Anyone else for this?

Man, that would be awesome. From a fan perspective, my only thought is not not just yes...but HELL YES!! I imagine the first "revenge" game in such a series would be one of the meanest games either team would see in a long time.

First, not that I mind good company like yourself there Skiny, but what are you still doing hanging around this bunch of losers? :lol:

Second, Bama does pick up trans-regional games on a regular basis (e.g. UCLA, Oklahoma, Hawaii, and Penn State coming up) If the athletic directors were impressed enough, and there is enough mutual benefit, one of them may just pick up the phone. Bama fan travel very well (like there is anything else to get fired up about in Alabama), so it could be a ESPN Gameday caliber weekend.

 

[SkinyUte]

First, not that I mind good company like yourself there Skiny, but what are you still doing hanging around this bunch of losers? :lol:

LOL. I told ya man, I'm a Bama fan from here on out. After virtually hanging with your fans - both here and at Utefans.net - I've come to the conclusion that y'all have the best fanbase of any team we've ever played. While they were cool after the game, you should have seen the Michigan trolls before we played them this year. Ugh. And don't even get me started on the Pitt crowd before our last BCS game. :roll:

I'd like nothing more than to see Bama roll through the SEC next year on the way to the title game. Who knows, maybe we could see a rematch there. :wink:

 

[Guest]

First, not that I mind good company like yourself there Skiny, but what are you still doing hanging around this bunch of losers? :lol:

LOL. I told ya man, I'm a Bama fan from here on out. After virtually hanging with your fans - both here and at Utefans.net - I've come to the conclusion that y'all have the best fanbase of any team we've ever played. While they were cool after the game, you should have seen the Michigan trolls before we played them this year. Ugh. And don't even get me started on the Pitt crowd before our last BCS game. :roll:

I'd like nothing more than to see Bama roll through the SEC next year on the way to the title game. Who knows, maybe we could see a rematch there. :wink:

Most of the Utah fans I have talked to are class acts. You are one of them SU.

 

[gumboman]

Utah came to play. Somebody forgot to tell them that they can not match up with Alabama. All of the trash talking got us exactly where I thought it would...in the loss column. Any time you under-estimate a bunch that can execute and make vitually no mistakes, you will get beat. EVERY TIME! In the future, I suggest we be careful of what we write on these forums. It was obviously used as motivation, and Friday night, it got shoved right up our asses. Utah came to New Orleans to play football....Alabama went to New Orleans to play. Lesson learned (I hope).

 

[Rick in New York]

I would love a home and home with Bama...

I live in NYC but I am all Ute. Not only would it give me the perfect excuse to go back but it would be a great time to show the really excellent and realistic Alabama fans that beautiful part of the country and a wonderful football game in as beautiful a stadium setting in the country.

Utah is on the rise and have been for awhile. It would be nice to have an OOC game with someone that is not Arizona or Washington State.

More than a few really excellent programs have scheduled home and homes and Alabama would be a welcome breath of excellence.

I really enjoyed coming here. You know, I often work in NO and I do love that city. I travel a lot but I have never been in Alabama. I now have a reason. Y'all seem like excellent fans and people. I had to use Y'all at least once in my life.

Go Utes!!! and Go Crimson Tide!!!...You now have a fan that will root for you and follow you every season!!!

I hope you do not mind if I drop in here from time to time to see how you are doing and to cheer for Bama!

 

[Guest]

Re: I would love a home and home with Bama...

I live in NYC but I am all Ute. Not only would it give me the perfect excuse to go back but it would be a great time to show the really excellent and realistic Alabama fans that beautiful part of the country and a wonderful football game in as beautiful a stadium setting in the country.

Utah is on the rise and have been for awhile. It would be nice to have an OOC game with someone that is not Arizona or Washington State.

More than a few really excellent programs have scheduled home and homes and Alabama would be a welcome breath of excellence.

I really enjoyed coming here. You know, I often work in NO and I do love that city. I travel a lot but I have never been in Alabama. I now have a reason. Y'all seem like excellent fans and people. I had to use Y'all at least once in my life.

Go Utes!!! and Go Crimson Tide!!!...You now have a fan that will root for you and follow you every season!!!

I hope you do not mind if I drop in here from time to time to see how you are doing and to cheer for Bama!

Glad to have you visit, Rick. Drop in any time.

 

[MDBtrumpet04]

Re: I would love a home and home with Bama...

I live in NYC but I am all Ute. Not only would it give me the perfect excuse to go back but it would be a great time to show the really excellent and realistic Alabama fans that beautiful part of the country and a wonderful football game in as beautiful a stadium setting in the country.

Utah is on the rise and have been for awhile. It would be nice to have an OOC game with someone that is not Arizona or Washington State.

More than a few really excellent programs have scheduled home and homes and Alabama would be a welcome breath of excellence.

I really enjoyed coming here. You know, I often work in NO and I do love that city. I travel a lot but I have never been in Alabama. I now have a reason. Y'all seem like excellent fans and people. I had to use Y'all at least once in my life.

Go Utes!!! and Go Crimson Tide!!!...You now have a fan that will root for you and follow you every season!!!

I hope you do not mind if I drop in here from time to time to see how you are doing and to cheer for Bama!

I hope you and other Ute fans do contribute to the forum every once and awhile. You haven't seen a fanbase where football is talked about 365 days a year. This place is certainly it.

 

[UAgrad93]

Porkchop, you hit the nail on the head with your post. Utah came ready to play and was the better team. I would like to see a home and home series too.

 

[Fish Happens]

I say kick Washington out of the pack-10 and put Utah in there!!!!!