🏈 COMMENTARY: Let the campaigns begin

[planomateo]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090927/SPORTS0401/909270356

September 27, 2009

COMMENTARY: Let the campaigns begin Column by Josh Moon

Column by Josh Moon

TUSCALOOSA -- I think it's time we start talking about entertainment value where this Alabama football team is concerned.

Because the Crimson Tide has everything else -- talent, depth, coaching and discipline. The 35-7 dismantling of Arkansas on Saturday showed Alabama has all the elements that make up a national title contender.

Except for one: Glamour.

Let's face it, in terms of entertainment, this Alabama bunch is about as sexy as a rock.

Outside of one or two trick plays, there's no flashy offense. It's just a bunch of guys lining up and running standard formations out of one-back and I-formation sets. Defensively, there's very little trash talking and chest bumping, just guys who are better than whoever they're playing.

Sure, they beat the absolute stuffing out of people with those old-timey formations and those better players, but that's just not good enough in today's college football world.

Don't believe me? Ask Auburn.

That 2004 Auburn bunch looked a whole lot like this 2009 Alabama team. The talent disbursement is a little different, but overall, they're pretty close. Very balanced offensive attacks. Strong defenses. Solid all the way around.

That AU team, though, made a big mistake thinking it was enough to go out, embarrass teams early and then coast home. They thought it was enough to just win games.

They were wrong. And I don't want the same to happen to this Alabama team.

Because it's not about winning games -- well, it's a lot about winning games. But it's also about impressing voters, because in the college football world that we've created, the opinions of people like me matter.

I know, I think it's insane too.

But that's the world you're in. You can either play the game or get played.

And it's never too early to start playing.

Sure, there's a chance that this Alabama team will lose -- it does play in the SEC. But by getting out front on the marketing campaign now, you set up a scenario where one loss -- maybe even two -- doesn't necessarily hurt you in the long run.

Perfect example: USC.

The Trojans continue to get beat by awful teams year after year, yet all you hear is how USC is the best one-loss team out there. And every year, despite losses to teams like Stanford and Washington, USC ends up in the national discussion at the end of the season.

Look at this season. A week after losing to Washington, they'll be back in the top 10, approaching a top-five ranking.

Why? Because they know how to play this game.

So, here's what Alabama can do.

First, we need an all-out, Heisman marketing campaign for Julio Jones, or any other player on the team. Doesn't matter if they're worthy. You're just looking for perception. (See: Every quarterback who has ever won the trophy.)

Next, the coaches and players need to emphasize during every news conference that they didn't play their best, but that they're getting there. This gives the impression that you're even better than you just showed. Nick Saban started down this path in Saturday's presser, when he told the media that there was still much to work on.

Finally, you have to tack on a late, meaningless TD from time to time. The trick here is to not venture into "running it up" territory, because that could hurt. But a second-stringer going in late for one "what are you gonna do" score is acceptable and could make all the difference.

Look, I realize that this system is absurd, and doing things like I've mentioned above might seem nuts. But just as nutty is the fact that if the national title game were held tomorrow Alabama wouldn't be in it.

I'd hate to see that happen. Because I'm pretty sure that I saw the best team in the country on Saturday.

 

[Big_Fan]

:shock:

Barner Moon said Alabama is the best team in the country.

The end times are upon us.


Comparisons to barn 2004 are not valid though. If we win out, we could not possibly be lower than #2...probably jumping to #1 from beating Florida in the SECCG (if not sooner). We are only 20 points below UTex in the ratings as it is.

 

[rick4bama]

I like the way the team is playing. We don't need anyone showing off after each play. A couple of chest bumping is enough for me. let the fans do all the fan waving(like captain crimson, are whatever he is call). By the way I would read it but nothing right now is loading for me to read.

 

[BAMA74]

ROLLTIDE ROLL...:elephant::a::elephant:

 

[planomateo]

I like the way the team is playing. We don't need anyone showing off after each play. A couple of chest bumping is enough for me. let the fans do all the fan waving(like captain crimson, are whatever he is call). By the way I would read it but nothing right now is loading for me to read.

i put the whole article at the top so you can read.

 

[PointnLaugh]

You just knew going into that article that a comparison to the 2004 boog team was going to be made. He neglected to point out that one of those teams, USC, had thumped the boogs the two previous years. And the other team, Texas, was just better than the boogs. And more importantly, as Trev Alberts one said on ESPN, "And that's why Auburn is, well, Auburn."

 

[jdpas29]

that's funny i don't recall any plays out of the I formation.

 

[TerryP]

that's funny i don't recall any plays out of the I formation.

Ssshhh, people will realize—well, those that don't already—Moon doesn't know the difference in a pistol formation and the I-formation.

Then again, I heard the CBS guys call it the shotgun a few times Saturday as well.

 

[Crimsonblood82]

what team is that guy watching? It's not the same Alabama that i've been seeing.

He talks of running it out the I formation and one back set...pardon me, but didn't we just go shotgun and pistol offense for nearly the entire game yesterday?!

As for sexy...whatever.....we're not here to win a popularity contest, we are here to win some damn football games and that's all that matters.