Before the season, there was a discussion on here about what our expectations were, and what we would consider "progress" under CMS. It was an objective, and I believe fair discussion. Much was made about the realities of #'s of scholarship athletes on the team and the fact that we would "bottom out" on our numbers before beginning to rise again next season.
I noted the records from the first and second seasons under CMS and with that in mind and the number of scholly athletes, I considered positive progress to be one win higher than last year. My prediction was 7-4. 8-3 if Brodie stayed healthy.
This season has far surpassed my best hopes. Sure we are just one win higher than my best scenario, but we spanked S. Carolina and the old ball coach in front of their home crowd, SI screamed "Bama Is Back" after we thoroughly thrashed Florida and its "wonderboy" coach, we beat Phat Phil, we soared to a #3 ranking in the BCS, there was talk in the media (local and national) of a shot at the National Championship, we have won 5 Pontiac Game Changing Performances, many 4 and 5 star blue chip recruits have been attending our games and several of them appear to be changing their prior leanings to place us in the lead for their services, CBS sports has practically set up an annex in our athletic offices.....
In short, CMS clearly and unequivocally returned Alabama football to a place of honor among the nation's elite programs, and he did it two years before most of us thought possible. For that I say to CMS, staff, and players "Thank You!" To Dr. Witt and Mal Moore I say, "Open the checkbook and contract wide boys!"
:che :che :che :che :che :che