🏈 I realize that I am probably going to anger my share of Utes

[Guest]

over the upcoming weeks.

To be honest, I have not felt this level of assurance about an impending smack down of an opponent, since the Arkansas game...and make no mistake, Arkansas would beat Utah. Utah has respectable defensive stats, particularly against the run, but as I posted in another thread - those are misleading. Their DL is small and not particularly strong. Their success against the run has come against teams who run to the boundary, and their speed has taken away the corners. BYU popped them for over 200 rushing. Wyoming was 20 yards away from the 200 mark. TCU and New Mexico shut down their offense.

Utah has been extremely lucky to not lose. They have had 2 teams pull defeat from the jaws of victory, with BYU outgaining them but turning the ball over 5 times in Utah territory, and TCU outgaining them by 141 yards and missing two field goals that would have won it.

Utah fans...It is not about "lack of respect." It is about rational examination of your resume'. You are the graduate of Anytown Community College with an AA in Computer Science, who is applying for an integrated systems design job - and your competition holds a PhD from MIT. What you have is nice and good...even admirable. Yea for you. I don't hate you or your team, to be honest - I am apathetic toward you. I liked Rick Majerus, but as for your football team, I honestly believe there are 8 teams in the SEC who would beat you...maybe 9. There were only 4 teams in your conference who posted winning records, and Colorado State was 3 points away from losing to Sacramento.

I realize that some of you will run back to Utefans.net and post a link or cut and paste what I have said...that is fine. I am entitled to my opinion as you are entitled to yours, but when I look at the body of work your team has compiled this season, I see a 5A high school team who beat up on a bunch of 1-3A teams.

So, if I am disrespecting you, I am really sorry. I hope you make it an interesting game...I really do. I would like to see an interesting game. What I expect to see, is an interesting half...and a complete smackdown after your defense gets tired from the constant pounding they will receive (complemented by an offense that is unable to run, and completely confused in the passing game). Florida was the first team to come back from our offensive pressure, after trailing by 3 going into the fourth quarter...and you guys are not Florida.

 

[redandwhite10]

Ute fans won't or shouldn't be offended by you

We hear this same kind of post almost word for word anytime we play a BCS school. It's really par for the course.

Utah was lucky to win some games, so was Bama. Luck is when skill and preparation meet IMO. As for 9 teams being able to beat us from the SEC? I guess we'll never know. But if we manage to beat the #2 SEC team, that argument may be false.

Your "rational" examination really has some holes in it as well. You talk about BYU outgaining Utah but fail to mention it was by 5 yards and that Utah had short fields the entire second half which limited their offensive yardage potential.

You talk about TCU dominating, but fail to mention it was for 6 1/2 minutes, with the bulk of their offensive coming on two plays. Utah outgained TCU from Q2-Q4.

There's really nothing rational about your examination at all. You are a Bama fan. You are an SEC fan. Bama football and SEC football are all that matters to you. That is all well and good and you have a right to your opinion. But please do not predict a pounding based on a "rational" look at our resume. Logic, fans, and the BCS do not mix well.

 

[Guest]

Re: Ute fans won't or shouldn't be offended by you

We hear this same kind of post almost word for word anytime we play a BCS school. It's really par for the course.

Utah was lucky to win some games, so was Bama. Luck is when skill and preparation meet IMO. As for 9 teams being able to beat us from the SEC? I guess we'll never know. But if we manage to beat the #2 SEC team, that argument may be false.

Your "rational" examination really has some holes in it as well. You talk about BYU outgaining Utah but fail to mention it was by 5 yards and that Utah had short fields the entire second half which limited their offensive yardage potential.

You talk about TCU dominating, but fail to mention it was for 6 1/2 minutes, with the bulk of their offensive coming on two plays. Utah outgained TCU from Q2-Q4.

There's really nothing rational about your examination at all. You are a Bama fan. You are an SEC fan. Bama football and SEC football are all that matters to you. That is all well and good and you have a right to your opinion. But please do not predict a pounding based on a "rational" look at our resume. Logic, fans, and the BCS do not mix well.

Which game was Bama lucky to win? I watched them all. Early in the season we let a few teams come back after jumping all over them, but we were makinag a last minute drive to win. You could make an argument for LSU in overtime, but I would say that any win in Baton Rouge is a good win. The return of Saban had a significant affect on that game from a mental standpoint. I will not argue that somehow playing a game at New Mexico is just as tough as winning in Death Valley...they call it that for a reason, you know.

Our other close calls were Ole Miss (we were up 24-3 and cruised) and Kentucky (we were up 14-0 and outgained them by over 100 yards, rushing for almost 300 - and they were ranked #13 in the nation against the run at the time).

Georgia? 31-0 at the half.

Tulane? Please. The game was never in doubt.

What you will find out is that Alabama is physically superior at every conceivable position, and executes incredibly well. We are not the most loaded team in the SEC...probably not even 2nd or 3rd...but we are the most physical, and best coached. With weeks to prepare, I would not want to be playing us. Utah would have stood a better chance against almost anyone else.

If I were a Utah fan, I would be concerned for the well being of my players. When defenders get tired, they are more prone to injury. On January 2nd, around 9:30pm, your defense is going to be flat worn out.

 

[RollTidePGH]

Simple Q&A for the Ute fans.

Q: If Bama plays your schedule do we finish 12 and 0?
A: Easiliy

Q: Now if Utah played Bama's schedule are you still 12 and 0?
A: Not a chance.


On to another point. The SEC is a tougher row to hoe than any other. Trust me I live in Big 10 / Big (L)East country, I'm inundated with that football constantly and it is sub-par compared to the SEC.

And if any Ute fan thinks that the match ups that they have played and the venues that they've played in are any where near as tough, I have a bridge that I'd like to sell you.

Truth be told Utah may give Bama a run for our collective money, but don't go thinking that you get to New Orleans playing in anything other than that weak collection of teams you call a conference. BYU, TCU, those are the imposing challenges of the year? Cincinnati had it tougher to get to their BCS game.

 

[Perdido Tide]

lol Arkansas would be destroyed by Utah.

 

[Guest]

lol Arkansas would be destroyed by Utah.

so I guess that means LSU would too?

Arkansas beat Tulsa. Tulsa vs Utah would be a good game.

 

[Perdido Tide]

lol Arkansas would be destroyed by Utah.

so I guess that means LSU would too?

Arkansas beat Tulsa. Tulsa vs Utah would be a good game.

LSU has nothing to do with Arkansas getting mauled.

Im sure I will see predictions like 40-10 like I saw all week for th LSU game. And like usual, it will be closer than most think.

 

[TerryP]

lol Arkansas would be destroyed by Utah.

so I guess that means LSU would too?

Arkansas beat Tulsa. Tulsa vs Utah would be a good game.

LSU has nothing to do with Arkansas getting mauled.

Im sure I will see predictions like 40-10 like I saw all week for th LSU game. And like usual, it will be closer than most think.

There were some zingers in that predict the score thread. About half of them were looking at a 10-13 point win. Very easily could have been that...

You and I...we've seen A LOT of zingers when it came to the LSU vs Bama game...but, most of the time the game ends up being about like the last one, close at the end...that's why I kept saying that game would be closer than most expected.

Too early for me to say how this one ends up...all I can say so far is I think we'll be able to run with success.

But, that's not stepping out on a very long plank...

 

[Guest]

Tell this much no way we score 40! :roll:
'
It will be a lot closer than that! What the hell they put in the kool aid? :lol: I called 24-10

 

[rammerjammer]

While I do feel like we have the best schemer in the game. I would hold off on talking smack just a bit.

Some of you might and some of you might not remember the 1990 season in which Bebes made his debut as our head coach. After a disastrous 0-3 start. the Tide reeled off 3 wins in a row and only lost one more game in the regular season to finish 7-4. We accepted a bid to play Howard Schnellenberger's Louisville Cardinals in the Fiesta bowl. I remember thinking....these guys don't even deserve to be on the same field as us. There was an article in my local hometown paper where the reporter went on to make the prediction that the only way Alabama loses this game is if the bus driver gets lost on the way to the stadium. After Browning Nagles 34-7 beat down of my beloved Tide.......I learned then that crow is a dish best eaten in small amounts. The sports writer did more crawfishin' than a coon-ass living on the side of a bayou.

In other words. Parity is even more rampant today than it was 18 years ago. While I have all the faith in the world that CNS will have our boys ready to play and we have faced some unbelievable talent this season.....we still have a great team to play and never....never......ever....underestimate your opponent.

 

[bamafan4ever]

While I do feel like we have the best schemer in the game. I would hold off on talking smack just a bit.

Some of you might and some of you might not remember the 1990 season in which Bebes made his debut as our head coach. After a disastrous 0-3 start. the Tide reeled off 3 wins in a row and only lost one more game in the regular season to finish 7-4. We accepted a bid to play Howard Schnellenberger's Louisville Cardinals in the Fiesta bowl. I remember thinking....these guys don't even deserve to be on the same field as us. There was an article in my local hometown paper where the reporter went on to make the prediction that the only way Alabama loses this game is if the bus driver gets lost on the way to the stadium. After Browning Nagles 34-7 beat down of my beloved Tide.......I learned then that crow is a dish best eaten in small amounts. The sports writer did more crawfishin' than a coon-ass living on the side of a bayou.

In other words. Parity is even more rampant today than it was 18 years ago. While I have all the faith in the world that CNS will have our boys ready to play and we have faced some unbelievable talent this season.....we still have a great team to play and never....never......ever....underestimate your opponent.

Probably one of the worst bowls in my memory (that and the Virginia Tech game in the Music City Bowl).

Couldn't agree more RJ. This team can play ball and no way the team will overlook a 12-0 opponent.

 

[reger60]

While I do feel like we have the best schemer in the game. I would hold off on talking smack just a bit.

Some of you might and some of you might not remember the 1990 season in which Bebes made his debut as our head coach. After a disastrous 0-3 start. the Tide reeled off 3 wins in a row and only lost one more game in the regular season to finish 7-4. We accepted a bid to play Howard Schnellenberger's Louisville Cardinals in the Fiesta bowl. I remember thinking....these guys don't even deserve to be on the same field as us. There was an article in my local hometown paper where the reporter went on to make the prediction that the only way Alabama loses this game is if the bus driver gets lost on the way to the stadium. After Browning Nagles 34-7 beat down of my beloved Tide.......I learned then that crow is a dish best eaten in small amounts. The sports writer did more crawfishin' than a coon-ass living on the side of a bayou.

In other words. Parity is even more rampant today than it was 18 years ago. While I have all the faith in the world that CNS will have our boys ready to play and we have faced some unbelievable talent this season.....we still have a great team to play and never....never......ever....underestimate your opponent.

Agreed. There's way too much of that going on here since yesterday. I would expect CNS to drive this point home in an upcoming presser.

 

[bamanaf]

While I do feel like we have the best schemer in the game. I would hold off on talking smack just a bit.

Some of you might and some of you might not remember the 1990 season in which Bebes made his debut as our head coach. After a disastrous 0-3 start. the Tide reeled off 3 wins in a row and only lost one more game in the regular season to finish 7-4. We accepted a bid to play Howard Schnellenberger's Louisville Cardinals in the Fiesta bowl. I remember thinking....these guys don't even deserve to be on the same field as us. There was an article in my local hometown paper where the reporter went on to make the prediction that the only way Alabama loses this game is if the bus driver gets lost on the way to the stadium. After Browning Nagles 34-7 beat down of my beloved Tide.......I learned then that crow is a dish best eaten in small amounts. The sports writer did more crawfishin' than a coon-ass living on the side of a bayou.

In other words. Parity is even more rampant today than it was 18 years ago. While I have all the faith in the world that CNS will have our boys ready to play and we have faced some unbelievable talent this season.....we still have a great team to play and never....never......ever....underestimate your opponent.

Agreed. There's way too much of that going on here since yesterday. I would expect CNS to drive this point home in an upcoming presser.

Amen guys. GAME ON!

 

[Volmania]

Games like these are always a lot closer than fans of the bigger school would like.

Utah will be highly motivated to prove they belong and wanting to make a statement with a win. No matter what the coaches say, Bama's players will likely be disappointed they aren't playing for the National Championship and have a difficult time getting as motivated for Utah as they should.

Last year's Georgia-Hawaii game was an exception because Georgia felt like they had something to prove after missing the SEC Championship Game and took it out on Hawaii.

 

[Guest]

I'm thinking that many fans on this site lost some credibility after picking Bama to beat Florida.

 

[Guest]

I'm thinking that many fans on this site lost some credibility after picking Bama to beat Florida.

Fans losing credibility for picking a college game? WTH.....

 

[cjaytch]

I'm thinking that many fans on this site lost some credibility after picking Bama to beat Florida.

They were right 12 times and wrong once. Come on, what were they supposed to do, pick UF? Bama was undefeated and has a great team. If Bama were 10-2 or 9-3 going into the matchup with UF then I could agree with you. But they had just as much a chance in that game as UF did. The team that made the most mistakes lost.

Now if they picked Bama to beat uf 40-0 or something like that then you may have a point.

I personally said 24-17 with the team that makes no turnovers being 24. I wasnt off by that much.

 

[Guest]

Games like these are always a lot closer than fans of the bigger school would like.

Utah will be highly motivated to prove they belong and wanting to make a statement with a win. No matter what the coaches say, Bama's players will likely be disappointed they aren't playing for the National Championship and have a difficult time getting as motivated for Utah as they should.

Last year's Georgia-Hawaii game was an exception because Georgia felt like they had something to prove after missing the SEC Championship Game and took it out on Hawaii.

They learned their lesson early this year about lingering in the past and taking teams lightly.

Plenty of time for the team to get over the loss and show people they are deserving. They have done an excellent job of taking it week to week all year. Even playing at their worst they have found ways to win.
I know a lot of other team we have played want to see us fail. All going back to the thinking...that this is the same Bama team of the last 6 years or so. They are not and the team and the seniors do not want to go out losers...
All this talk about what if's always kill me. They rarely have any supporting fact and just are big "if's".

This Bama has been fighting all year to earn respect and games. This game will be no exception.

The team will also be healthy.

 

[capooth]

I'm thinking that many fans on this site lost some credibility after picking Bama to beat Florida.

I am thinking you just lost credibility on this site.

 

[imalive1459]

Games like these are always a lot closer than fans of the bigger school would like.

Utah will be highly motivated to prove they belong and wanting to make a statement with a win. No matter what the coaches say, Bama's players will likely be disappointed they aren't playing for the National Championship and have a difficult time getting as motivated for Utah as they should.

Last year's Georgia-Hawaii game was an exception because Georgia felt like they had something to prove after missing the SEC Championship Game and took it out on Hawaii.

I beg to differ. Sure, they'll be disappointed. However, the media has continually harped on how much of a fraud Alabama is. Losing the SECCG will only serve to fuel the fire. No one expected a whole lot from this team this year, so don't let that fool you into thinking that Alabama doesn't have anything to prove.