Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[IrishSteelhead]

Miami:

 

[greyhammer90]

Meanwhile at Michigan...

say what you want, the kid has good form.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Max Browne bulking up before SC:

 

[arrowryan]

Greg Bryant getting his pre NSD workout in.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Hahaha these all made me lol.

 

[RammerJammer91]

"Moving forward, Alabama will certainly be good next year, but I don’t think they’ll be close to this year’s team after they lose 3 O linemen and multiple D linemen to the draft. Becoming a great team takes a combination of experience and talent – my prediction is that they’ll take a step back next year, despite their soft schedule."-Autry_Denson

False. Totally false. Trying doing some research and watching Alabama more than 2-3 times before making an idiotic statement. Bama will be SIGNIFICANTLY more talented and deeper than in 2012. 8 deep at RB, 9 deep at WR, and 2 solid Tight Ends. Defensively, 7 starters are back. Bama will have the best LB core in the country next year. Despite losing 2/3 starters on the DL, the unit won't be an area of concern, or even a question mark. Far from it. Pagan will likely challenge for an All-SEC type season, replacing Damion Square. And the DE position will be deeper than it was this year, with some of the younger guys who got reps, in addition to adding a 5-Star recruit and another highly touted player at the position.

As far as NT is concerned, I will miss Williams, but Brandon Ivory did a terrific job this year, we have a 5-Star DT coming in, and other very talented players, most notably, Dakota Lake, waiting in the wings.

OL? Entering 2009, everyone said that the OL unit, which returned just 2 starters, would prevent Bama from being successful. What happened? The unit was pretty good and Bama won the National Title. The depth and overall talent among the returning OL is much greater than those in 2009. Our new Center, Kelley, could probably start for the majority of teams in the country. Cyrus' brother, Arie, Chad Lindsay, and Kellen Williams all looked impressive in reserve action, and Bama has the best strength and conditioning coach in the country. Will the unit be as talented as the 2012 unit? Likely not, but they will be solid and achieve success this fall.

 

[GoIrish41]

"Moving forward, Alabama will certainly be good next year, but I don’t think they’ll be close to this year’s team after they lose 3 O linemen and multiple D linemen to the draft. Becoming a great team takes a combination of experience and talent – my prediction is that they’ll take a step back next year, despite their soft schedule."-Autry_Denson

False. Totally false. Trying doing some research and watching Alabama more than 2-3 times before making an idiotic statement. Bama will be SIGNIFICANTLY more talented and deeper than in 2012. 8 deep at RB, 9 deep at WR, and 2 solid Tight Ends. Defensively, 7 starters are back. Bama will have the best LB core in the country next year. Despite losing 2/3 starters on the DL, the unit won't be an area of concern, or even a question mark. Far from it. Pagan will likely challenge for an All-SEC type season, replacing Damion Square. And the DE position will be deeper than it was this year, with some of the younger guys who got reps, in addition to adding a 5-Star recruit and another highly touted player at the position.

As far as NT is concerned, I will miss Williams, but Brandon Ivory did a terrific job this year, we have a 5-Star DT coming in, and other very talented players, most notably, Dakota Lake, waiting in the wings.

OL? Entering 2009, everyone said that the OL unit, which returned just 2 starters, would prevent Bama from being successful. What happened? The unit was pretty good and Bama won the National Title. The depth and overall talent among the returning OL is much greater than those in 2009. Our new Center, Kelley, could probably start for the majority of teams in the country. Cyrus' brother, Arie, Chad Lindsay, and Kellen Williams all looked impressive in reserve action, and Bama has the best strength and conditioning coach in the country. Will the unit be as talented as the 2012 unit? Likely not, but they will be solid and achieve success this fall.

Damn dude, take it easy. A bit aggressive for your second post.

 

[koonja]

"Moving forward, Alabama will certainly be good next year, but I don’t think they’ll be close to this year’s team after they lose 3 O linemen and multiple D linemen to the draft. Becoming a great team takes a combination of experience and talent – my prediction is that they’ll take a step back next year, despite their soft schedule."-Autry_Denson

False. Totally false. Trying doing some research and watching Alabama more than 2-3 times before making an idiotic statement. Bama will be SIGNIFICANTLY more talented and deeper than in 2012. 8 deep at RB, 9 deep at WR, and 2 solid Tight Ends. Defensively, 7 starters are back. Bama will have the best LB core in the country next year. Despite losing 2/3 starters on the DL, the unit won't be an area of concern, or even a question mark. Far from it. Pagan will likely challenge for an All-SEC type season, replacing Damion Square. And the DE position will be deeper than it was this year, with some of the younger guys who got reps, in addition to adding a 5-Star recruit and another highly touted player at the position.

As far as NT is concerned, I will miss Williams, but Brandon Ivory did a terrific job this year, we have a 5-Star DT coming in, and other very talented players, most notably, Dakota Lake, waiting in the wings.

OL? Entering 2009, everyone said that the OL unit, which returned just 2 starters, would prevent Bama from being successful. What happened? The unit was pretty good and Bama won the National Title. The depth and overall talent among the returning OL is much greater than those in 2009. Our new Center, Kelley, could probably start for the majority of teams in the country. Cyrus' brother, Arie, Chad Lindsay, and Kellen Williams all looked impressive in reserve action, and Bama has the best strength and conditioning coach in the country. Will the unit be as talented as the 2012 unit? Likely not, but they will be solid and achieve success this fall.

So you admit that your DL and OL will both be weaker than last year, but Alabama willl be significantly more talented this year? It's like you don't know the SEC at all...

 

[RammerJammer91]

^Not true. I've only posted twice before this current post. Also, what did I start? In my 2 posts I responded to a Bama fan in the Early top 25 thread, and my second one was the post above.

 

[RammerJammer91]

@Kuehnja, No. Read what he said. He said Bama won't be "close to this year's team." Which is false. The DL will be just as good (and deeper), the OL won't be quite as good, but as I said, they will be deeper and more talented/experienced at virtually every other position. Wouldn't one take that to mean they'll be more talented, and that the poster I responded to was incorrect?

 

[koonja]

@Kuehnja, No. Read what he said. He said Bama won't be "close to this year's team." Which is false. The DL will be just as good (and deeper), the OL won't be quite as good, but as I said, they will be deeper and more talented/experienced at virtually every other position. Wouldn't one take that to mean they'll be more talented, and that the poster I responded to was incorrect?

No, it won't. You're losing a first-round NT and banking on a guy who played sparingly throughout the season and an incoming freshman to fill his spot.

Not to mention, you're losing an all-american type MLB, corner, and RB. I'm bias, but I do not expect Alabama to be nearly as good as what we saw on January 7th.

 

[autry_denson]

"Moving forward, Alabama will certainly be good next year, but I don’t think they’ll be close to this year’s team after they lose 3 O linemen and multiple D linemen to the draft. Becoming a great team takes a combination of experience and talent – my prediction is that they’ll take a step back next year, despite their soft schedule."-Autry_Denson

False. Totally false. Trying doing some research and watching Alabama more than 2-3 times before making an idiotic statement. Bama will be SIGNIFICANTLY more talented and deeper than in 2012. 8 deep at RB, 9 deep at WR, and 2 solid Tight Ends. Defensively, 7 starters are back. Bama will have the best LB core in the country next year. Despite losing 2/3 starters on the DL, the unit won't be an area of concern, or even a question mark. Far from it. Pagan will likely challenge for an All-SEC type season, replacing Damion Square. And the DE position will be deeper than it was this year, with some of the younger guys who got reps, in addition to adding a 5-Star recruit and another highly touted player at the position.

As far as NT is concerned, I will miss Williams, but Brandon Ivory did a terrific job this year, we have a 5-Star DT coming in, and other very talented players, most notably, Dakota Lake, waiting in the wings.

OL? Entering 2009, everyone said that the OL unit, which returned just 2 starters, would prevent Bama from being successful. What happened? The unit was pretty good and Bama won the National Title. The depth and overall talent among the returning OL is much greater than those in 2009. Our new Center, Kelley, could probably start for the majority of teams in the country. Cyrus' brother, Arie, Chad Lindsay, and Kellen Williams all looked impressive in reserve action, and Bama has the best strength and conditioning coach in the country. Will the unit be as talented as the 2012 unit? Likely not, but they will be solid and achieve success this fall.

You seem totally reasonable and impartial.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

^Not true. I've only posted twice before this current post. Also, what did I start? In my 2 posts I responded to a Bama fan in the Early top 25 thread, and my second one was the post above.

Mea culpa, went back and checked and it was a different Bama fan. Carry on.

 

[KPENN]

Next person to bump this awful thread deserves a ban.

 

[RammerJammer91]

Obviously you're not a Bama fan, and you don't know the ins and outs with regards to depth chart and talent waiting in the wings, just like me with regard to ND. But Bama will be deeper on the DL. They really only played 2 reserves this year-Pagan and Dial. Next year, the 3 starters will likely be: Stinson (DE), Pagan(DE), and Ivory (NT). For reserves that will likely see meaningful snaps: Lake (NT), Ball (DT/NT), Allen (DE), and likely one of: Robinson (DT) or Liner (DE). That's deeper.

Pagan will be an upgrade of Square, and Ivory isn't quite as good as Williams. There will be more depth next year, and the unit will be just as good. Ask quite a few Bama fans who watch the games and know the talent on the roster, most of them will agree.

Here is a position-by position look:
QB: Same
RB: More talented/Deeper (Remember, we lost 2 backs for the season, and we bring in 4 studs, Kenyon Drake who played well in a reserve role, in addition to getting the 2 other guys back).
WR: More Talented/Deeper (9 Deep. They will get better, too.)
TE: More talented, and Bama will likely use two TE's in the passing game as opposed to Williams.
OL: Not quite as talented
DL: Deeper, just as talented
LB: Deeper/More Talented (Nico Johnson isn't really a huge loss. He was a terrific talent, don't get me wrong, but Trey Depriest actually got more snaps than him on the other ILB spot as the season went on, and for someone who watched the games, made more of an impact. Bama returns everyone else, and gains arguably the top LB recruit in the country, in Reuben Foster. De all also tore it up during the last few practices, and some fans feel he will steal Hubbard's spot)
DB: Not as talented. Milliner is the only loss, but he was a heck of a player. No one has his talent on this roster, then again, no other player at the DB position in the country did. The good news? This is Saban's area of expertise, and he will have Fulton and Geno Smith ready to be productive, albeit not at the same level, in Milliner's spot.
S: More Talented. The only loss is Robert Lester, who was a heck of a player. Sunseri returns as a starter, and Clinton-Dix saw starter type snaps in 2012. Landon Collins, the #1 Safety in the 2012 class, was fantastic on special teams and will be in the rotation, if not as the starter. Nick Perry who can play both Safety and Corner, will play a bigger role in 2013 and will be called upon as a leader, as he will be the only player in the rotation who is in their 4th year.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I don't care what you say, if your OL is inexperienced you are vulnerable in the NFL--errr, I mean SEC.

 

[autry_denson]

I don't care what you say, if your OL is inexperienced you are vulnerable in the NFL--errr, I mean SEC.

^ This.

No one is denying the fact that you have waves of talented players, many of whom are not felons. But replacing a cohesive unit of linemen is not as easy as plugging in new players, even if they're talented. My hunch is that this will become clear throughout the season - although maybe not, considering your schedule is a joke. Georgia State and Chattanooga probably aren't in a position to exploit the weaknesses in your line(s).

 

[FLDomer]

My question about Bama's weight room is, are those built in mats underneath their squat racks?

I would assume that it is a rubberized floor.

 

[gcashwell]

^ This.

No one is denying the fact that you have waves of talented players, many of whom are not felons. But replacing a cohesive unit of linemen is not as easy as plugging in new players, even if they're talented. My hunch is that this will become clear throughout the season - although maybe not, considering your schedule is a joke. Georgia State and Chattanooga probably aren't in a position to exploit the weaknesses in your line(s).

It's not easy, but these guys do already know each other quite well, both on the field and off.

We know the schedule is not a joke. I think we had this discussion before the title game. I believe the title game gave answer to that debate.

Alabama should be better than they were last year. Notre Dame should be too. Maybe we will meet again.

 

[Bishop2b5]

It's not easy, but these guys do already know each other quite well, both on the field and off.

We know the schedule is not a joke. I think we had this discussion before the title game. I believe the title game gave answer to that debate.

Alabama should be better than they were last year. Notre Dame should be too. Maybe we will meet again.

I'm still not convinced. I think we'll be more experienced and talented overall, but our OL scares me. We're losing too many starters for me to feel confident. I thought we'd be hurting on D this past season after losing 8 starters and 4 AA's, but they really surprised me. I hope I'm just as wrong about the OL in '13, but I'll have to see it to be convinced. If we can't open holes and protect McCarron, I don't care how much talent there is at RB & WR, we aren't going to move the ball.

 

[Emcee77]

It's not easy, but these guys do already know each other quite well, both on the field and off.

We know the schedule is not a joke. I think we had this discussion before the title game. I believe the title game gave answer to that debate.

It's a minor point, but still I want to disagree with the bolded. The title game hardly proved that Alabama played a tough schedule last year. It proved that Alabama is too athletic and skilled on offense and too well-coached to play straight-up--which we did all season due to the inexperience in our defensive backfield, and were very fortunate to have success doing prior to the NCG--ESPECIALLY when our LBs and DBs forget how to tackle.

In other words, Alabama was the better team on January 7th, and that's all the title game proved.

Alabama should be better than they were last year. Notre Dame should be too. Maybe we will meet again.

I want to strongly AGREE with this bold. Alabama should be better next year ... yeah, there are some question marks on the OL and I could see that being an issue, but I could also see the Tide keep rolling like nothing's changed. On ND's end, Teo, Motta and KLM are huge losses, but the 8 starters returning will be that much better and stronger, and there are plenty of promising prospects to fill the open spots. Plus, perhaps most importantly, a more experienced secondary will allow us to gamble more. I still expect our defense to be better. I'm already hoping for a rematch.

 

[Booslum31]

I think Alabama will be about the same as last year (which was good) and ND will be a bit stronger. I also think that the success of next season will be determined by how fast the offense gels. As stated above losing two OL men is big. Seeing who ultimately replaces Wood and Riddick will be interesting.

 

[rolltide76]

I think Alabama will be about the same as last year (which was good) and ND will be a bit stronger. I also think that the success of next season will be determined by how fast the offense gels. As stated above losing two OL men is big. Seeing who ultimately replaces Wood and Riddick will be interesting.

I've been reading all of these posts regarding what both teams will be next year. It is impossible for Bama fans to make a definitive statement about what ND will be next year as we don't follow your team enough to know what the heck is going on (ie recruiting, player updates, off season work outs, player development, spring practice, etc.). The same goes in reverse for ND fans to make assumptions about Bama. I'm not ragging on you; just making an observation of fans from both team's posts.

It makes for good conversation, but for people to reply back and forth trying to disprove the opposing fan about their own team is comical. It makes for better forum discussion when hard facts are brought to the table versus opinion and / or biased assumptions. Carry on .....

 

[koonja]

I've been reading all of these posts regarding what both teams will be next year. It is impossible for Bama fans to make a definitive statement about what ND will be next year as we don't follow your team enough to know what the heck is going on (ie recruiting, player updates, off season work outs, player development, spring practice, etc.). The same goes in reverse for ND fans to make assumptions about Bama. I'm not ragging on you; just making an observation of fans from both team's posts.

It makes for good conversation, but for people to reply back and forth trying to disprove the opposing fan about their own team is comical. It makes for better forum discussion when hard facts are brought to the table versus opinion and / or biased assumptions. Carry on .....

This is college football, which operates in the BCS system... Hardly anything is available as a 'hard fact'. I know personally, I totally expected last year to be a 8-4 year for ND, and this year to be a BCS year. Last year's title game was house money, imo.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I don't know how this is even a debate. Sure one can say Bama will be SLIGHTLY better or worse than last year, but you know what you're getting either way: a top 5 team that will be in the picture all season.

ND is the wildcard here. 11 wins wouldn't shock me, but neither would 8.

 

[rolltide76]

Mississippi State:

Actually, here is Mississippi States' facility. You'll need to click on the View Photo Album link after entering the one below as I can't get it to link properly here. Not too bad in my opinion .....

Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex - Mississippi State University Bulldogs Official Athletic Site - HailState.com

 

[tadman95]

I've been reading all of these posts regarding what both teams will be next year. It is impossible for Bama fans to make a definitive statement about what ND will be next year as we don't follow your team enough to know what the heck is going on (ie recruiting, player updates, off season work outs, player development, spring practice, etc.). The same goes in reverse for ND fans to make assumptions about Bama. I'm not ragging on you; just making an observation of fans from both team's posts.

It makes for good conversation, but for people to reply back and forth trying to disprove the opposing fan about their own team is comical. It makes for better forum discussion when hard facts are brought to the table versus opinion and / or biased assumptions. Carry on .....

I would suggest that even talking about our own teams this time of year is more speculative than fact. We're all hinging our thoughts on our guesses of player improvement, etc...

So I doubt you can use a lot of facts in any discussion in February.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Actually, here is Mississippi States' facility. You'll need to click on the View Photo Album link after entering the one below as I can't get it to link properly here. Not too bad in my opinion .....

Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex - Mississippi State University Bulldogs Official Athletic Site - HailState.com

Still prefer their outdoor facility.

 

[RammerJammer91]

Our schedule is a joke. We only play 2 teams that had quality seasons in 2012 (LSU, A&M), but let's not act like ND's schedule is murder's row. Far, far from it. Oklahoma, Stanford and Michigan are the only teams that ND will play in 2013 that were quality teams in 2012. ATM and LSU are better than any 2 teams ND will play in 2013. But, the beauty of CFB is that anything can happen and there are always teams that are a surprise and have a good season, or rebound off of a bad season and achieve success. Ole Miss certainly has that capability on Bama's schedule, ditto with Michigan State on ND's schedule.

 

[Emcee77]

I've been reading all of these posts regarding what both teams will be next year. It is impossible for Bama fans to make a definitive statement about what ND will be next year as we don't follow your team enough to know what the heck is going on (ie recruiting, player updates, off season work outs, player development, spring practice, etc.). The same goes in reverse for ND fans to make assumptions about Bama. I'm not ragging on you; just making an observation of fans from both team's posts.

It makes for good conversation, but for people to reply back and forth trying to disprove the opposing fan about their own team is comical. It makes for better forum discussion when hard facts are brought to the table versus opinion and / or biased assumptions. Carry on .....

I'm not sure how much you read this board, but most of the people talking about whether or not Alabama will be better next year are Bama fan visitors, and I think we are mostly agreeing, at least in the last dozen posts or so, that Bama will likely be better or as good in most areas except maybe the OL, which is something of a question mark. That's not my judgment ... it's RammerJammer's.

Basically, I'm not sure the failed dialogue you seem to be referring to has actually occurred. On the contrary, I think the recent dialogue between Bama fans and ND fans in this thread has been quite productive.