| FTBL Perspective from a Bama fan!

[Tidefan]

A few weeks ago I read some things (elsewhere) that indicated Bama would be lucky to get in the winning column this year. People were blaming lack of discipline, our tough schedule, who's recruits we had...etc, for all the bad things that are sure to happen to us this year.

But when I take a closer look at Bama this year, I see things a little differently. (Even when i take off my Crimson Shades). 8)

I look for our O-line to be much improved. 2 all-American Outland Trophy candidates there. This almost always helps the QB and RBs. If the RBs can run, they take a lot of pressure off the qb...which should help tremendously.

D-line should be improved. I'm not panicking over the linebackers or secondary situation yet either. Ro McClain was a stud Freshman last year and I'm looking for some more freshmento step up to help. Brandon Fanney will be there, plus Prince Hall still aint out of it just yet. Lets hope he gets things turned around.

We lost to the National Champions last year by only 7 pts.(and scored the second-most amount of pts (34) against them). And we killed UT!!!

So imo, we werent that far away from being a pretty darn good team! I look for Bama to be much improved. Only problem is...our schedule is a lot tougher, with road games against Ga, UT, and LSU. Clemson may as well be a road game, but its also the 1st game of the year and (no offense intended) I think the Tigers (and media) are over-confident. Clemson may have some fine players, but I'm hearing that they have some problems here and there too. Furthermore, Tommy B hasnt exactly been dominating the ACC during his tenure. And the ACC is NOT the Sec. I realize that sounds arrogant, but seriously... can we really put the ACC in the SEC's class right now?

I see no reason why we cant beat Clemson this season.

People may laugh, but I see at least 9 (maybe more) wins this year. We should be able to beat Clemson, Tulane, W. KY, Ark, KY, Ole Miss, UT, Ark St., MSU and Auburn. If we can beat Clemson, why not UT? Why not Auburn? How many wins is that?

Possible losses at LSU, and Ga.

That ain't half bad folks!

 

[TerryP]

9 is not out of the realm of possibility, at all.

 

[BigAl]

I like the way you think and i think we can do it. But we need to stay injury free.

 

[Tidefan]

Yep. Assuming we stay relatively injury-free this season...who will we lose to in yall's opinion?

 

[MobileBama]

Here's what I think happens:

Clemson- W
Tulane- W
Western Ky- W
Arkansas- W
Georgia- L
Kentucky- W
Ole Miss- W
Tennessee- W
Arkansas St- W (scares the hell out of me could go either way; see NIU, Duke, ULM, Houston)
LSU- L
Miss State- W
Auburn- W

10-2

 

[Guest]

I agree. In my view, the Clemson games comes down to the battle in the trenches.

They have some great skill players, but if we can dominate the line we should be able to cause some trouble for the skill players.

Good DL play can take alot of pressure off of our inexperienced LB's.

Our OL should be able to open up running lanes and provide JPW with enough time to make good decisions.

It think it all comes down to OL/DL.

 

[Chuck-E-Cheeze]

The only game that I see a true mismatch for us this season is UGA. I know we played them close last year, but I think they are clearly more talented than us. The other big games I see as a toss-up. In a toss up you have to look no further than who has the better coach. For the first time in many years, that would be us.

 

[shipley00]

I believe 9 is possible as well. That said, both Clemson and UT will probably be better this year than last, A good chance both will finish in the top 15. So at this point, neither game is a given. Definately winable, but not a given IMHO.

 

[Guest]

In my most honest opinion:

Clemson- L
Tulane- W
Western Ky- W
Arkansas- W
Georgia- L
Kentucky- W
Ole Miss- W
Tennessee- L
Arkansas St- W
LSU- L*
Miss State- W
Auburn- L*

* I do have a gut feeling we will win either the LSU or Auburn game this year.

7-5 is a definite possibility. I see us ending up 8-4 most likely with a chance of being 9-3 at the most. These records of course do not account for the bowl game. This is still a young team with holes to fill.