| FTBL Alabama is The Best Team In The SEC

[Guest]

As I looked over the Coaches poll and the AP from last week and think about this week's results, I realized something.

On paper, as far as quality wins go, Alabama is the best team in the SEC. Yet, we are ranked beneath Georgia, Florida, LSU, and the AuNecks.

That will tell you what the polls really mean and how much value they have.

So far, no matter what one may think of 'Bama's potential, as of this very moment, Alabama has the most impressive victory of the year in the SEC.

We are also undefeated and have done just as well as any other team in the SEC, if not better. All the SEC teams have struggled against opponents they should have handled easily. 'Bama is in no worse shape than any of the others.

Right now, unfortunately this is just how polls are, voters are still voting on what they believe a team's potential for future success is.

The thing is, forgetting about Alabama's past and only concentrating on their performances on the field up until this Sunday afternoon, Alabama is the best team in the SEC.

Hopefully, with another win or two the polls will start to reflect this.

 

[TerryP]

I don't agree, but I have to point one thing out that stuck out to me here.

I'd say, starting off on the cusp of the top 25 and being 11th in the AP (as of this hour) shows that Alabama is getting some attention from voters.

We are 13 in today's Coaches poll.

 

[Guest]

I don't agree, but I have to point one thing out that stuck out to me here.

I'd say, starting off on the cusp of the top 25 and being 11th in the AP (as of this hour) shows that Alabama is getting some attention from voters.

We are 13 in today's Coaches poll.

Which part don't you agree with Terry? Has there been a more impressive win, in the SEC, this season than the smoking of Clemson?

Has every SEC team not struggled with either an unranked SEC opponent or a sure win type opponent from the Sun Belt, etc...

If you take away all preconceived expectations, which include pre-season rankings, and judge the teams as if you didn't know them or their history, 'Bama should clearly have the best ranking in the SEC in the national polls.

 

[TerryP]

I don't agree, but I have to point one thing out that stuck out to me here.

I'd say, starting off on the cusp of the top 25 and being 11th in the AP (as of this hour) shows that Alabama is getting some attention from voters.

We are 13 in today's Coaches poll.

Which part don't you agree with Terry? Has there been a more impressive win, in the SEC, this season than the smoking of Clemson?

Has every SEC team not struggled with either an unranked SEC opponent or a sure win type opponent from the Sun Belt, etc...

If you take away all preconceived expectations, which include pre-season rankings, and judge the teams as if you didn't known them or their history, 'Bama should clearly have the best ranking in the SEC in the national polls.

Best team in the SEC.

LSU has yet to struggle with anyone. Top to bottom, still a more talented team.

The East is as hot and cold as we've been from game one to game two then back to game three.

It was a low scoring effort with UGA vs S. Car., they had some weaknesses exposed, but that game is always a low scoring contest.

UF had their hands full for a half from Miami. But, pulled out the W. I'd dare say Miami is a better team than Tulane.

We are through week 3 and I still see the West the same as I did before the season started.

The East, almost the same. I thought USCjr would claim their place as 4th in the division but I didn't see Vandy as a team able to pull out a W in that game. UT I didn't see losing to UCLA either, but I still see them as good enough for the 3rd spot in the East.

 

[Guest]

I don't agree, but I have to point one thing out that stuck out to me here.

I'd say, starting off on the cusp of the top 25 and being 11th in the AP (as of this hour) shows that Alabama is getting some attention from voters.

We are 13 in today's Coaches poll.

Which part don't you agree with Terry? Has there been a more impressive win, in the SEC, this season than the smoking of Clemson?

Has every SEC team not struggled with either an unranked SEC opponent or a sure win type opponent from the Sun Belt, etc...

If you take away all preconceived expectations, which include pre-season rankings, and judge the teams as if you didn't known them or their history, 'Bama should clearly have the best ranking in the SEC in the national polls.

Best team in the SEC.

LSU has yet to struggle with anyone. Top to bottom, still a more talented team.

The East is as hot and cold as we've been from game one to game two then back to game three.

It was a low scoring effort with UGA vs S. Car., they had some weaknesses exposed, but that game is always a low scoring contest.

UF had their hands full for a half from Miami. But, pulled out the W. I'd dare say Miami is a better team than Tulane.

We are through week 3 and I still see the West the same as I did before the season started.

The East, almost the same. I thought USCjr would claim their place as 4th in the division but I didn't see Vandy as a team able to pull out a W in that game. UT I didn't see losing to UCLA either, but I still see them as good enough for the 3rd spot in the East.

I see what you are saying, Terry. I agree with you partially, but my point was really that "on paper", 'Bama is the best in the SEC as of now.

Instead of applying all of what we think and know about all the SEC teams and figuring that into rankings, just look at performance.

 

[reger60]

Hey, don't forget, Vandy is 3-0! :wink:

 

[joeman546]

We aren't the best team in the SEC until we prove we are.

 

[TerryP]

I don't agree, but I have to point one thing out that stuck out to me here.

I'd say, starting off on the cusp of the top 25 and being 11th in the AP (as of this hour) shows that Alabama is getting some attention from voters.

We are 13 in today's Coaches poll.

Which part don't you agree with Terry? Has there been a more impressive win, in the SEC, this season than the smoking of Clemson?

Has every SEC team not struggled with either an unranked SEC opponent or a sure win type opponent from the Sun Belt, etc...

If you take away all preconceived expectations, which include pre-season rankings, and judge the teams as if you didn't known them or their history, 'Bama should clearly have the best ranking in the SEC in the national polls.

Best team in the SEC.

LSU has yet to struggle with anyone. Top to bottom, still a more talented team.

The East is as hot and cold as we've been from game one to game two then back to game three.

It was a low scoring effort with UGA vs S. Car., they had some weaknesses exposed, but that game is always a low scoring contest.

UF had their hands full for a half from Miami. But, pulled out the W. I'd dare say Miami is a better team than Tulane.

We are through week 3 and I still see the West the same as I did before the season started.

The East, almost the same. I thought USCjr would claim their place as 4th in the division but I didn't see Vandy as a team able to pull out a W in that game. UT I didn't see losing to UCLA either, but I still see them as good enough for the 3rd spot in the East.

I see what you are saying, Terry. I agree with you partially, but my point was really that "on paper", 'Bama is the best in the SEC as of now.

Instead of applying all of what we think and know about all the SEC teams and figuring that into rankings, just look at performance.

On paper, I'd still have to give that nod to LSU. All except for a few areas on defense, rushing for one.

 

[BigAl]

We aren't the best team in the SEC until we prove we are.

I'll go along with that.

 

[elbatider]

We aren't the best team in the SEC until we prove we are.

I'll go along with that.

I'll give it a third and I also don't think we are the best team in the SEC. I do think we are capable of beating any team in the conference but still think we have a year or two to go to get to the point where we have the best talent and team in the conference. Right now, we are in great shape and have the makings of a special season, but that all has to come to be with hard work and effort on our team's part. Let's take them one at a time and revisit your question at the end of the season.

Roll Tide

 

[Duggan27]

I wouldn't say BAMA is the top team in the SEC, i agree with Terry on the fact that LSU hasn't struggled with anybody yet. Though they haven't really played anybody that good. Florida looks pretty strong in their wins vs. Miami and Hawaii, and i think GA is still pretty damn good even though they struggled against S. Carolina but they always play GA tough. Right now i'd say BAMA is the #4 team in the SEC. We won't be able to tell though for at least another 3 or 4 weeks if we are for real or not.

 

[Guest]

We aren't the best team in the SEC until we prove we are.

I'll go along with that.

I'll give it a third

#4 here No way we’re the best. Just let everyone keep thinking we're a middle of the pack team. Until we prove other wise, let’s just take the teams one at a time. If we do that we will be playing the DAWGS "IF" we beat the hogs and that should be a great game. "IF" this is a huge "IF" we beat the hogs and play the dawgs would that not be the opportunity we are looking for to prove if we belong on the top tier in the SEC.

 

[TerryP]

We aren't the best team in the SEC until we prove we are.

I'll go along with that.

I'll give it a third

#4 here No way we’re the best. Just let everyone keep thinking we're a middle of the pack team. Until we prove other wise, let’s just take the teams one at a time. If we do that we will be playing the DAWGS "IF" we beat the hogs and that should be a great game. "IF" this is a huge "IF" we beat the hogs and play the dawgs would that not be the opportunity we are looking for to prove if we belong on the top tier in the SEC.

IF we beat the 'Backs? While no win is guaranteed, I'm still of the opinion Arkansas will struggle to win a single SEC game.

 

[Guest]

Let me present another scenario. If every team in the SEC was formed at the beginning of this season, brand new programs, which one would be ranked higher?

Say all other conferences stay as they are with all of their history, rankings, etc... No SEC team was ranked in the top 25 during preseason because they are all new teams.

Which team from the SEC, based on quality wins, would be ranked the highest in the national polls?

I know all about taking one game at a time, guys. The old "we can't look forward" routine. But, frankly, our little discussions here don't amount to a hill of beans. What we say isn't going to affect the team. What we say should not be material for ridicule either, all fans on other boards create "what if this or what if that" scenarios and just talk about things.

The bottom line is this:

Alabama has a victory over a #9 ranked team, no other SEC teams can boast of this.

No other SEC team has a victory over a ranked opponent, period.

LSU has played App. State and North Texas, we don't know anything about them.

Auburn has played one SEC team and scored 3 points on them.

Florida, Georgia or Auburn haven't played a ranked team.

Tennessee played a #23 UCLA and was beaten.

Arkansas came within 4 points of losing to W. Illinois and one point of losing to L. Monroe.

Even though our victory over Tulane wasn't jaw dropping impressive, 14 points is 14 points over what seems to be a stout little team this year.

Florida has beaten a Hawaii team with a new coach, new QB and a broken spirit and an unranked Miami with a crybaby as a head coach.

Georgia picked on Central Michigan and Georgia Southern and came within 7 points of losing to a clearly dysfunctional unranked S. Carolina team without a QB.

All I am saying is that if you rationally study the sEC season up to this point, in a perfect world, Alabama should be ranked higher nationally than any other SEC team.

Should we, as Crimson Tide fans, be ashamed to mention this or afraid we will be ridiculed as being irrational or crazy?

 

[planomateo]

we haven't even played a team in the SEC yet.

i would say that Clemson didn't deserve a rank of #9 first and foremost based on their level of play, so not sure the rest even matters

 

[Guest]

we haven't even played a team in the SEC yet.

i would say that Clemson didn't deserve a rank of #9 first and foremost based on their level of play, so not sure the rest even matters

What do you mean? Clemson is doing just like they always do now, beating the little teams quite convincingly.

They were ranked highly and 'Bama beat them soundly. Simply because 'Bama beat them does not mean they didn't deserve their ranking.

If we beat Georgia 45-14, does that mean Georgia was overrated also. What if 'Bama beats LSU by 30? Does that automatically mean that LSU was not really any good either?

Clemson was supposed to have the best running back tandem the known world has ever witnessed; they were held to 0 yards rushing. They were supposed to have a QB that was on the same level with Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr, yet he was contained.

If Clemson had beat Alabama, I suppose their ranking of #9 would be wholly justified, right?

 

[planomateo]

I just don't think preseason rankings mean a damn thing, sorry. not a game has been played and yet teams are ranked, so to me they are worthless.

if we can win all the west games, then yes, I will agree that we are the best, just not willing to say that until we beat them all.

if tubby gets another digit i swear i'll cut them all off, i'm tired of him holding up fingers every year. we can't continue losing to LSU and Auburn.

 

[jocephus8179]

Let me present another scenario. If every team in the SEC was formed at the beginning of this season, brand new programs, which one would be ranked higher?

Say all other conferences stay as they are with all of their history, rankings, etc... No SEC team was ranked in the top 25 during preseason because they are all new teams.

Which team from the SEC, based on quality wins, would be ranked the highest in the national polls?

I know all about taking one game at a time, guys. The old "we can't look forward" routine. But, frankly, our little discussions here don't amount to a hill of beans. What we say isn't going to affect the team. What we say should not be material for ridicule either, all fans on other boards create "what if this or what if that" scenarios and just talk about things.

The bottom line is this:

Alabama has a victory over a #9 ranked team, no other SEC teams can boast of this.

No other SEC team has a victory over a ranked opponent, period.

LSU has played App. State and North Texas, we don't know anything about them.

Auburn has played one SEC team and scored 3 points on them.

Florida and Georgia haven't played a ranked team.

Tennessee played a #23 UCLA and was beaten.

Arkansas came within 4 points of losing to W. Illinois and one point of losing to L. Monroe.

Even though our victory over Tulane wasn't jaw dropping impressive, 14 points is 14 points over what seems to be a stout little team this year.

Florida has beaten a Hawaii team with a new coach and a broken spirit and an unranked Miami with a crybaby as a head coach.

Georgia picked on Central Michigan and Georgia Southern and came within 7 points of losing to a clearly dysfunctional S. Carolina team without a QB.

All I am saying is that if you rationally study the sEC season up to this point, in a perfect world, Alabama should be ranked higher nationally than any other SEC team.

Should we, as Crimson Tide fans, be ashamed to mention this or afraid we will be ridiculed as being irrational or crazy?

I agree. Here are the SEC rankings as of now.

West: Conf: Overall:
1. Barn 1-0 3-0
2. Bama 0-0 3-0
3. Hogs 0-0 2-0
4. LSU 0-0 2-0
5. Ole Miss 0-0 2-1
6. Miss St. 0-1 1-2


East: Conf: Overall:
1. Georgia 1-0 3-0
2. Vandy 1-0 3-0
3. Kentucky 0-0 3-0
4. Florida 0-0 2-0
5. Vols 0-0 1-1
6. S. Carolina 0-2 1-2

After a few more conference games, we can really tell who's had the most impressive wins. But I have to say it's Bama simply because we buried a 9th ranked team right out the gate. IMHO, I think Vandy's been more impressive to me than Georgia. No.2 GA scrapped by to beat S. Carolina. Didn't VANDY put them away too? :roll:

 

[Guest]

I agree. Here are the SEC rankings as of now.

West: Conf: Overall:
1. Barn 1-0 3-0
2. Bama 0-0 3-0
3. Hogs 0-0 2-0
4. LSU 0-0 2-0
5. Ole Miss 0-0 2-1
6. Miss St. 0-1 1-2


East: Conf: Overall:
1. Georgia 1-0 3-0
2. Vandy 1-0 3-0
3. Kentucky 0-0 3-0
4. Florida 0-0 2-0
5. Vols 0-0 1-1
6. S. Carolina 0-2 1-2

After a few more conference games, we can really tell who's had the most impressive wins. But I have to say it's Bama simply because we buried a 9th ranked team right out the gate. IMHO, I think Vandy's been more impressive to me than Georgia. No.2 GA scrapped by to beat S. Carolina. Didn't VANDY put them away too? :roll:

Yep. While Vandy and Georgia both beat South Caro. by 7 points, Vanderbilt put more points on South Carolina than Georgia did.

24-17 Vandy over South Carolina
14-7 Georgia over South Carolina

 

[Guest]

It's too early to say who is the best in the SEC(W) at this point. But, as of week 3, until someone has a more impressive showing on the national stage, as we did Aug. 30th, I'd give it to Bama in the west. In two weeks we will find what this team is made of. Next week will be telling aswell. They have got to come to play and be very physical from the beginning. Can't take any weeks off. I haven't seen LSU play so I don't know too much about them. Auburn has been less than impressive. These next weeks will seperate the contenders, and the teams filled with hype. In the east, I think Florida is by far the most talented. But they've got to line up and run the ball with Tebow, or perfect their passing game before the SEC schedule, or their in trouble IMO.