🏈 Look...here is the reality regarding Utah and Alabama...

[Guest]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, so I will. A Bama win gives this team 13 for the season. Only one other Bama team has won 13, the 1992 NC team. If for no other reason, the chance to be alongside that team should make it mean a lot to our guys.

 

[Rick in New York]

Now that was a hell of a cool post...

Let's face it, there is not a single program from high school through college that would not love to read that kind of respect for the senior class!

Very nice!

Some of you guys that have this notion that a win here means nothing for Alabama really need to watch yesterday's press conference with Coach Saban.

By the simple implication this game means nothing does a great disservice to the Sr. class on this team, what they've done in terms of leadership, and the legacy they seek to leave about the turning point of Alabama football.

This game has huge implications on both sides of the fence.

Just as an example, even though it was Georgia vs Hawai'i last year in the Sugar the way the closed out their season along with their bowl win did a lot to catapult them into the position they were in the pre-season. While they didn't meet the challenge in 2008, you can't take a thing away from the football they played to close out the '07 season.

There's not a damn thing about this game, in terms of importance, that I lay at the feet of the Utah team. There is a hell of a lot of importance for what it means to this team. Now, this year, and for the next few years.

I see far too many that need to back away from the tree they are staring at and look at the forest.

Seriously, a win in this game very likely puts us in the #2 spot finishing the season. #3, at worst.

And that means little?!?!

 

[Rick in New York]

Re: To LBS...

I can totally understand where you are coming from, Especially when you were at the top until Florida.

You will always have a bulls eye on your back when you are at the top. Thus any school that is ranked below you really does have nothing to lose.

Fortunately for Alabama, your one loss was a fantastic game that could have gone either way.

You lost...that is not a slam because I just loved watching the great play of that game.

As far as I am concerned, basically Florida, Alabama,
Texas, USC and Oklahoma always have a lot to lose.

Yeah,some years they are not as good as the legendary name...hell, even you guys but you still have much more to lose when you are playing teams that may be excellent but do not have the resume and legacy of an Alabama.

Utah really has little to lose and a lot to gain.

You know, after this years team, I think we've heard this brought up against pretty much everyone we faced this season.

_______ (<-enter favorite team) has little to lose and much to gain.

_______ (<-enter favorite team) backs are against the wall. Heads are going to roll.

Nothing against your post Rick. I just find it amusing that this year we've had the luxury of having other teams' fans say pretty much the same thing when it comes to playing us.

I hope its a great game. But I also hope we stomp the Utes. Roll Tide!

 

[TerryP]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, so I will. A Bama win gives this team 13 for the season. Only one other Bama team has won 13, the 1992 NC team. If for no other reason, the chance to be alongside that team should make it mean a lot to our guys.

Just think about some of the teams that have played in the Sugar Bowl along with that...we'll have an article coming out this weekend looking back on our history in the Sugar.

Hopefully, it'll put a lot of this in perspective.

 

[Guest]

 

[Outlaw]

Utah has a lot to gain, and a lot to lose, I believe.

If they win, they are pretty much a fix as a program that has to be taken seriously by these fans who view anything out of their conference as "weak."

If they lose and lose big, then they lose any "respect" or "notoriety" that they have gained over the years.

This talk of "this game doesn't mean much" is pretty silly I think.

 

[SkinyUte]

Utah has a lot to gain, and a lot to lose, I believe.

If they win, they are pretty much a fix as a program that has to be taken seriously by these fans who view anything out of their conference as "weak."

If they lose and lose big, then they lose any "respect" or "notoriety" that they have gained over the years.

I agree. Remember that Utah is carrying the mantle not only for themselves and the MWC, but for all of the non-BCS schools. If we get blown out, it will somewhat invalidate their (and Boise's) previous BCS wins, and will validate the "you never belong with the big boys" crowd even further. Utah must show well in this game. I don't think they necessarily have to win, but the absolutely need to play well. I think they can, although I'm extremely nervous about both the OC and DC being mentally checked out for the game.

 

[Outlaw]

Utah has a lot to gain, and a lot to lose, I believe.

If they win, they are pretty much a fix as a program that has to be taken seriously by these fans who view anything out of their conference as "weak."

If they lose and lose big, then they lose any "respect" or "notoriety" that they have gained over the years.

I agree. Remember that Utah is carrying the mantle not only for themselves and the MWC, but for all of the non-BCS schools. If we get blown out, it will somewhat invalidate their (and Boise's) previous BCS wins, and will validate the "you never belong with the big boys" crowd even further. Utah must show well in this game. I don't think they necessarily have to win, but the absolutely need to play well. I think they can, although I'm extremely nervous about both the OC and DC being mentally checked out for the game.

I think it will be a solid game. I think it's possible that we might pull out quite a bit in the latter parts of the game due to play in the trenches. I don't think it will be 41-7 like I hear from other people, though.

PS - love the sig.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

This game should be re-named The R E S P E C T Bowl, because it damn sure seems to be THE overriding issue
..........for everyone involved! :lol: Seriously, there are actually a lot of similarities between the two programs regarding this issue. Even when undefeated, & #1 we hardly got the kind of respect normally afforded the only undefeated major conference team in America. Utah is now undefeated & because of the perceived lack of "strength" of their conference, are also trying to establish that elusive commodity known as respect. Bad thing is, BOTH teams need a win to validate their claim. Sadly, one has to lose, but hey, only Utah can gain a measure of respect by losing a close game. Cleared that right up, didn't I? :roll: ^^CO

 

[Guest]

Kind of tired of hearing the word respect...

 

[Guest]

HUGE IMPORTANCE!!!

Since Utah and Florida run similar systems, this opponents gives us weeks to re-evaluate where we failed, rescheme, and another chance to attack that system in getting ready for next year for what the whole plant is anticipating will be a rematch of this season's SEC CG.

If we can have success now, imagine the benfits that it will pay out next December.

Like I said, HUGE!!!

 

[TerryP]

HUGE IMPORTANCE!!!

Since Utah and Florida run similar systems, this opponents gives us weeks to re-evaluate where we failed, rescheme, and another chance to attack that system in getting ready for next year for what the whole plant is anticipating will be a rematch of this season's SEC CG.

If we can have success now, imagine the benfits that it will pay out next December.

Like I said, HUGE!!!

While I understand what you are pointing out here, a thought or two.

We didn't lose to scheme, didn't lose to a system. That UF game was lost in the 4th quarter, specifically with their ability (or our inability to stop them, you choose) to convert on 3rd downs.

Their offensive approach isn't much different than other teams, besides Florida, we've faced this year.

I know the coaches are working on our game plan, but I do have a bit of a hesitation when I see people talking about "weeks for the team to prepare." We'll start working on Utah when we get to New Orleans. The fundamental work the team is working on now does include some techniques that'll be used against Utah, but hardly specific to them.

 

[Guest]

HUGE IMPORTANCE!!!

Since Utah and Florida run similar systems, this opponents gives us weeks to re-evaluate where we failed, rescheme, and another chance to attack that system in getting ready for next year for what the whole plant is anticipating will be a rematch of this season's SEC CG.

If we can have success now, imagine the benfits that it will pay out next December.

Like I said, HUGE!!!

While I understand what you are pointing out here, a thought or two.

We didn't lose to scheme, didn't lose to a system. That UF game was lost in the 4th quarter, specifically with their ability (or our inability to stop them, you choose) to convert on 3rd downs.

Their offensive approach isn't much different than other teams, besides Florida, we've faced this year.

I know the coaches are working on our game plan, but I do have a bit of a hesitation when I see people talking about "weeks for the team to prepare." We'll start working on Utah when we get to New Orleans. The fundamental work the team is working on now does include some techniques that'll be used against Utah, but hardly specific to them.

Tebow did not hurt their chances either. He took control when he needed to.

 

[TerryP]

Tebow did not hurt their chances either. He took control when he needed to.

Agreed.

After that missed FG in the 3rd, he didn't have another incompletion the rest of the night.

On a couple of those scoring drives...the pass was what, a foot off of the ground? Not an incredible "play," but an incredible "play maker" making a throw and a catch.

 

[Guest]

Tebow did not hurt their chances either. He took control when he needed to.

Agreed.

After that missed FG in the 3rd, he didn't have another incompletion the rest of the night.

On a couple of those scoring drives...the pass was what, a foot off of the ground? Not an incredible "play," but an incredible "play maker" making a throw and a catch.

I know what you are saying, and I have said as much in other posts explaining why Utah will not be able to duplicate what Florida did --i.e. they don't have teh personnel. However, When one considers all the times we hear coaches speak of the significants of players getting reps, this game doubles our guys reps against this brand of the spread. Further, it gives the youngsters that chance to get the reps that could not be afforded them in the prep for the Florida game. I consider that HUGE. for example, do you suppose that McElroy will see more reps in the Bowl prep than he did for SEC CG prep. I suspect he will. Which should pay off next year.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Tebow did not hurt their chances either. He took control when he needed to.

Agreed.

After that missed FG in the 3rd, he didn't have another incompletion the rest of the night.

On a couple of those scoring drives...the pass was what, a foot off of the ground? Not an incredible "play," but an incredible "play maker" making a throw and a catch.

I know what you are saying, and I have said as much in other posts explaining why Utah will not be able to duplicate what Florida did --i.e. they don't have teh personnel. However, When one considers all the times we hear coaches speak of the significants of players getting reps, this game doubles our guys reps against this brand of the spread. Further, it gives the youngsters that chance to get the reps that could not be afforded them in the prep for the Florida game. I consider that HUGE. for example, do you suppose that McElroy will see more reps in the Bowl prep than he did for SEC CG prep. I suspect he will. Which should pay off next year.

Kinda like a plus bonus besides the extra practice time a Bowl game gives us.

 

[RollllTide!]

On paper BAMA wins, however we are not playing on paper. We know what BAMA's limit is because we have been beat once. however, we do not know what the Ute's upper limit is because they have not been beat this year. Yes they have played teams that have a weak perception but they beat them all. Their upper limit will be challenged in this game.