🏈 'Alabama is a little overrated,' ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. says

[BAMANEWSBOT]

How good is top-ranked Alabama?

It seems not every expert is ready to hand the Crimson Tide another crystal trophy just yet.

For example. ...

The question came from DeCaprio in Ohio:

Is it a forgone conclusion that Alabama wins another National Championship? They seem to be in a class of their own?
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In his live chat Wednesday afternoon on ESPN.com, Mel Kiper Jr. responded:

I disagree. I think there's an overreaction to Alabama right now. They beat a depleted Michigan team and depleted Arkansas team. Alabama has not been tested yet, even though people want to act like these were statement games. At Missouri won't be easy. At LSU. At Tennessee. Those aren't easy games. I think Alabama is a little overrated. I hate to say that, because Nick Saban is one of the best coaches out there.
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[BamaFan615]

I like it! Thanks Melvin.

 

[bamafan4ever]

I don't think they are under or over rated. How can they be? They have played and beaten 3 teams. In that same period no one has looked better. That's all you can really say right now but again, we are 3 games into the season. I am going to enjoy the ride. At least we know it's going to be a pretty darn good season at the very least.

On a side note, what did Kiper's hair say? They are under separate contracts!

 

[planomateo]

CNS is using Mel to talk to the players, love it

 

[bamaraider]

Last time I actually listened to Mel Kiper was the 07 draft when he said Jamarcus Russel was the next John Elway :crazy:

Btw this type of thing is just what the team needs to hear, too many reporters gloating over the team saying they win the N.C by default..

 

[UAgrad93]

Depleted Michigan and Arkansas? Why in the hell were people throwing their names in the hat as CONTENDERS for this years NC? I think Mel has allowed all of that hair dye to soak into his brain. Now I'm not looking through Crimson glasses and I believe that the one true test will be at Lswho. The Missouri game doesn;t worry me and neither does the UT game. I know that we have Mizzou, UT, MSU, and Lswho in consecutive weeks and it will present its own challenge. Mizzou will be beaten up when we arrive, we all saw what UT is, MSU is well, still MSU, and finally at Lswho with an untested QB.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I have zero problem w/ his comments. I absolutely think UM and the piggies were way overrated simply b/c of their lack of attack at the line of scrimmage. When CNS commented about the first half of the piggy game "we are about average" seemed rather coy but I understand what he was saying. The penalties in particular.

I also have no problem saying this team isn't last years team. Many commentators just wanna say we reload, yeah we have great depth, but there is no way this defense is the same as last years. But that is like saying that Superman is better than the Hulk but the Hulk ain't bad either. The flip side is that I have seen a spectacular offense. A spectacular O-line (that does have a first year starter), a great QB, along w/ a stable group of RB's. And the WR's are good but are clearly getting better & better. I honestly think we haven't seen the half of the formations this team is able to put together. The closer & closer we get to LSU, CNS is going to give Miles a hint here & there to make him worry & prepare. Then they'll see some even different twists much like 'Bama playing Florida in 2009 starting w/ empty set formations.

I love how CNS works the season. He does say that they deal w/ each team on a week by week basis but you cannot convince me that he doesn't have a strategy of what to show as the season progresses, in his mind at least, if not on paper. Or some type of agenda between his coordinators.

Roll Tide!

 

[Bamabww]

I have complete confidence that when we are tested, we'll pass the test.

 

[bamaledge]

I have to say that I to think that we are not so much over rated as much as a bit over hyped by the media. The media tends to do that to get their ratings up. I have seen us have a bad qtr or start slow, but if and when this team actually plays a full 60 minutes there is no stopping it. None. They could actually play some NFL teams. Mizzou does worry me a little more than LSU. MS and Tenn. does not worry me at all but we have to play a full 60 minutes in all of those game, we cannot have any let downs.

 

[TerryP]

A few things that struck me when I read then and moved it from the news forum over here.

One specifically drew my attention.

Alabama has not been tested. This is true, in a sense, but patently false in another.

Most of the national media said defending Denard was going to be a test for this defense. As it ends up, Denard wasn't a test. Or, if it was, we passed it by flying colors.

It's interesting they say "depleted Michigan team" now, but didn't before the game kicked off. It was the very theme we pointed to here in our discussions over the off-season. In fact, it was that very reason many of us said we were going to handle Michigan easily. (Remember, "I'm sure Michigan has offensive lineman and defensive lineman laying around?")

Admittedly, Arkansas lost their biggest threat when Tyler went down with his injury. Setting that aside, there's one thing I'd say to describe our season to this point. Michigan and Arkansas were over-hyped.

WARNING:

If Michigan defeats Notre Dame this weekend, these notions about Michigan around the nation will change. If they don't, we'll see "Notre Dame was under-hyped—if there is a phrase like that. :headscratch:

 

[bama29fan]

A few things that struck me when I read then and moved it from the news forum over here.

One specifically drew my attention.

Alabama has not been tested. This is true, in a sense, but patently false in another.

Most of the national media said defending Denard was going to be a test for this defense. As it ends up, Denard wasn't a test. Or, if it was, we passed it by flying colors.

It's interesting they say "depleted Michigan team" now, but didn't before the game kicked off. It was the very theme we pointed to here in our discussions over the off-season. In fact, it was that very reason many of us said we were going to handle Michigan easily. (Remember, "I'm sure Michigan has offensive lineman and defensive lineman laying around?")

Admittedly, Arkansas lost their biggest threat when Tyler went down with his injury. Setting that aside, there's one thing I'd say to describe our season to this point. Michigan and Arkansas were over-hyped.

WARNING:

If Michigan defeats Notre Dame this weekend, these notions about Michigan around the nation will change. If they don't, we'll see "Notre Dame was under-hyped—if there is a phrase like that. :headscratch:

I will be pulling for Michigan....as much as it pains me. but i dislike ND worse and a Michigan win helps us more.

 

[MunchyOs]

Dang, Mel, ole boy, at least give us until after the Missouri game before you pass judgement! :chuncky:

 

[TerryP]

If you haven't seen it yet, or are unaware that it's been launched, ESPNU has a college football show that runs from 1-4PM EST weekdays; College Football Daily.

I caught Mel on there earlier today but it was just out of ear range so I didn't hear him clearly. I made it a point when they replayed the interview in the 3 o'clock hour to pay attention to what exactly he was saying as his explanation for his statement.

To say the least; fail.

Now, as I've said, I agree with what he's saying. But, what he is saying and his reasoning lack any substance.

According to what Kiper has said, which we've discussed here, our three games this season haven't meant a thing. Every team hasn't been a test, therefore we are untested.

Now, here's where it gets absolutely ludicrous.

When asked if there is a team that has proven something this season it is Florida State because they beat up on Wake Forest. His reasoning as to why is because FSU lost to Wake Forest last year. He goes on to mention Florida States depth, etc.

Wake Forest being defeated by Florida State is enough of a victory for Florida State to prove they've been tested. Yes, read it again.

Put Michigan against Wake Forest right now. What do you have?

He was asked what happens if Bama and Florida State? His response? Alabama would be favored.

So, we are over-rated in his book because we have only beaten Michigan which would beat Wake Forest but since Florida State has beaten Wake Forest they are proven and if we met head to head Alabama would be favored but also over-rated.

Take your time folks.

When you wrap your head around this reasoning, please get back to me.

 

[bamascw]

Isn't Mel a little overrated too? :jackoff2:

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Dude needs to stick w/ his draft predictions, at best...

 

[BamaFan615]

The toughest thing that our team has had to overcome so far this season was the "big game atmosphere" surrounding the game vs Michigan in Dallas.

I hope Mel continues to share his thought on Alabama on a weekly basis, and doesn't change his tune.

 

[bamaraider]

Dude needs to stick w/ his draft predictions, at best...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZubYpplmzVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja2LQqnTDck

Some job :shake:

 

[tlsmith22]

That sounds almost like some of the auBARN fans reasoning...I agree we need to keep our feet on the ground...I feel like our talent level is close to last yr on defense but I dont feel we have a true leader or havent quite jelled yet or something...just a tad off but still really good...

 

[jacques]

The media continues to feed on itself while our boys simply keep playing the game. That's all they wanna do. So just let'm play.