🏈 Maybe I'm being cynical, but...

[252BAMA]

One has to go back as far as I do to remember when Bama had to rely on it's QB to win a game and keep the team undefeated. Recently the only requirement has been to not lose the game.

The last I recall was Joe Namath limping onto the field at GT in 1964. Inserted into a scoreless game with 90 seconds left in the half after a GT punt with Bama's 8-0 record in serious jeopardy with the way the game was going. He had not played in over a month since being injured in the fourth game against NCSU. 0-0 with 90 seconds left, 14-0 Bama at halftime on the way to a 24-7 win over GT and an undefeated season.

 

[shipley00]

One has to go back as far as I do to remember when Bama had to rely on it's QB to win a game and keep the team undefeated. Recently the only requirement has been to not lose the game.

The last I recall was Joe Namath limping onto the field at GT in 1964. Inserted into a scoreless game with 90 seconds left in the half after a GT punt with Bama's 8-0 record in serious jeopardy with the way the game was going. He had not played in over a month since being injured in the fourth game against NCSU. 0-0 with 90 seconds left, 14-0 Bama at halftime on the way to a 24-7 win over GT and an undefeated season.

As for the entire season, yes. Good point. For individual games, I'd say the 2009 Iron Bowl would qualify. AU sold out to stop Ingram. It was on McElroy to win it.

 

[Hoos4Tide]

You're not peeing at all; you're a realist, and I think 10 wins is a solid bet and sound prediction.
I'm just looking at last year, when the offense and defense were better, and then team equally highly rated with over anticipation of prestigious placing and big bowl chances. Sadly... a few last minute boo-boos here and there (LSU), and a disastrous Iron Bowl kept the Tide from proving they were the best in the country easily (The Sparters learned the hard way).

Now.. without Greg, Julio, Hanks, Ingram and others... well.... you do the math in contrast with this years team vs last year's team and their final placing. To say the 2011 squad is a bet for #1 or #2 or even #3 this year is extremely generous. But as another board member pointed out... Bama = business, and the business of prediction in the media generally has to include the Tide whether it adds up or not.

As for Porter's "who's better than us on paper?" question.... well in terms of QB? I can think of a dozen or so guys I'd rather have at the helm, and who would give the Tide a infinitely better shot at the big one. Y'know, in Vegas it's always the betting mantra to go "with the better QB".

Question: When was a the last time a rookie QB took his team to the BCS bowl and won? Without checking I'm thinking Tebow? But.....????

Yeah, I know I'm late responding to this but I just have to, even if someone else has corrected Mr. Silvermetalflake... 1st, 10 wins is, as I believe Terry said, grossly underachieving. We did that last year and our schedule is much easier this year with honestly more talent from top to bottom-- and yes, I believe that even w/o Ingram and Julio-- top to bottom better talent. 2nd, Last year the offense and defense (especially) were most assuredly NOT better. That's ridiculous to think our defense last year was better than this years. I mean how much knowledge do you have to have to know that 9 (right???) returning starters makes a defense better than the year before. 3rd, Hanks comes back but it doesn't matter b/c I guarantee Duron Carter is our #1 receiver this year and he'll be a star. 4th, Neither AJ nor Phil Sims will be considered a "rookie" so to speak simply b/c they've both been on the team a year, so your question has no place here but if you want the answer to the question you meant-- Look at the last TWO YEARS!! GMac and $cam.

With your thoughts will you take my thousand dollar bet that says Bama in a BCS bowl this year?

Roll Tide.