All Things Alabama

[Bishop2b5]

Are you truly satisfied being an Alabama fan? Grown weary of losing one game only to still win the title? Do you want something more genuine, something more believable from your college sports besides pro-level performers preying on every other run-of-the-mill student-athlete? Are you sick and tired of watching your team dominate game after game, time after time with freaks of nature at every position on the field?

It stopped being funny to me.

Weary? Are you serious? No, winning doesn't get old. As I said, I and every other Bama fan remembers wandering in the wilderness for most of the 25 years between Bear and Nick. We remember not having a single All American, a single player drafted, suffering through 20+ years of mediocrity and worse, and the program being a complete dumpster fire. People forget that by 2007, ESPN constantly slammed us, almost every talking head said that NO good coach wanted to come here, and we were delusional to ever think the success of the Bear years was ever coming back. No, we're not weary. We're just enjoying this while we can.

It's not just limited to Bama, though. Kirby, Dabo, Urban and Stoops/Riley are operating at close to this level. USC, Texas, ND and a couple of others have the ability and resources to achieve the same success.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Then on to Dabo Sweeney.

I hope, and I used to think so, but there's a growing consensus that Dabo is happy at Clemson and not likely to come home when Mama calls one day. Of course he could decide he wants to come home and show he can work his magic at more than just one place, but I'm starting to believe he may not ever leave Clemson.

 

[ND88]

Weary? Are you serious? No, winning doesn't get old. As I said, I and every other Bama fan remembers wandering in the wilderness for most of the 25 years between Bear and Nick. We remember not having a single All American, a single player drafted, suffering through 20+ years of mediocrity and worse, and the program being a complete dumpster fire. People forget that by 2007, ESPN constantly slammed us, almost every talking head said that NO good coach wanted to come here, and we were delusional to ever think the success of the Bear years was ever coming back. No, we're not weary. We're just enjoying this while we can.

It's not just limited to Bama, though. Kirby, Dabo, Urban and Stoops/Riley are operating at close to this level. USC, Texas, ND and a couple of others have the ability and resources to achieve the same success.

No, I’m not serious. That’s why I italicized my words. The thought got into my head of an infomercial marketing help for an Alabama fan who is tired of too much winning.

 

[Bishop2b5]

No, I’m not serious. That’s why I italicized my words. The thought got into my head of an infomercial marketing help for an Alabama fan who is tired of too much winning.

LOL, my bad. You did italicize it all and I just zoned out. As to the infomercial you saw, we have two funny things going on the past few years related to Bama: SEC Shorts and FunnyMaine (you can find both on YouTube). SEC Shorts are pretty funny short clips about SEC football in general, but the guys doing them are Bama fans. Some are great, others are so-so, but the great ones are a blast. FunnyMaine is a professional standup comedian who does a "How Bama Fans Watched Week..." that come out every Sunday during the season. He's usually very good and pretty funny. Last week for the first time, he made a cameo appearance on SEC Shorts. They were talking about coaches on the hot seat and FunnyMaine is just staring at them in confusion and asks, "So you're saying there are teams out there who aren't happy with their coach??? Hmm."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTPG6jccjSM

 

[TheIrishAre#1]

I can very easily see UGA beating Alabama, even after watching UGA struggle to put Mizzou and Drew Lock away. I think Ohio State would be a competitive matchup as well. Of course Bama is on one of the most impressive runs of all time, but they're not invincible.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I can very easily see UGA beating Alabama, even after watching UGA struggle to put Mizzou and Drew Lock away. I think Ohio State would be a competitive matchup as well. Of course Bama is on one of the most impressive runs of all time, but they're not invincible.

Absolutely! All it takes is one off day, a key injury, or another team having a great day and we're definitely beatable. UGA came within a hair of it last year. Auburn caught us without most of our LB corps last year and just flat out whipped us. UGA and Clemson are both built to beat us and absolutely can, along with several other teams on the right day. We're far from invincible.

 

[Junkhead]

Saban won't be there forever, they should enjoy it while it lasts. For most of us, we are ready for the start of their downfall.

 

[ACamp1900]

I can very easily see UGA beating Alabama, even after watching UGA struggle to put Mizzou and Drew Lock away. I think Ohio State would be a competitive matchup as well. Of course Bama is on one of the most impressive runs of all time, but they're not invincible.

They’ll have to lose twice, we’ve seen numerous times they don’t even have to win their fucking division to just walk in the playoffs, it’s a fucking joke right now.

 

[Bishop2b5]

They’ll have to lose twice, we’ve seen numerous times they don’t even have to win their fucking division to just walk in the playoffs, it’s a fucking joke right now.

I know this is a sore subject for you and a couple of others, but the playoff committee's mission is to select the 4 best teams. Not the 4 best resumes, the 4 best conference winners, the 4 best division winners, or the 4 best anything else. Just the 4 best, period. To the best of my knowledge, there's nobody on the committee associated with Bama. They aren't trying to find the best matchups or select teams that will pull in the most viewers from across the country. SOS, record, resume, division & conference championships, and etc. are each only PART of the equation, not the only things they look at. They take into account a key injury that led to a loss. They've clearly stated (and shown in their selections) that winning your conference is important, but not a guarantee, nor does not winning it mean you're automatically out. Lots of stuff they look at. None of it is the be all, end all... just another part of the equation. Theoretically, you could have all 4 best teams from the same conference or even the same division. If they are, so be it. Put all 4 in.

 

[ACamp1900]

Not wasting my time reading that clearly horseshit response... win your conference or fuck off, if you can’t win your DIVISION then wtf is the point of having conferences if you can win a natty. Period. We’ve made a mockery of cfb over this... Fuck those who can’t get that through their heads. If you’re ‘the best’ win your fairly average, small, division.

 

[Irish YJ]

Not wasting my time reading that clearly horseshit response... win your conference or fuck off, if you can’t win your DIVISION then wtf is the point of having conferences if you can win a natty. Period. We’ve made a mockery of cfb over this... Fuck those who can’t get that through their heads.

By that rule, we can never go to the playoffs. Just saying... lol

 

[MNIrishman]

I know this is a sore subject for you and a couple of others, but the playoff committee's mission is to select the 4 best teams. Not the 4 best resumes, the 4 best conference winners, the 4 best division winners, or the 4 best anything else. Just the 4 best, period. To the best of my knowledge, there's nobody on the committee associated with Bama. They aren't trying to find the best matchups or select teams that will pull in the most viewers from across the country. SOS, record, resume, division & conference championships, and etc. are each only PART of the equation, not the only things they look at. They take into account a key injury that led to a loss. They've clearly stated (and shown in their selections) that winning your conference is important, but not a guarantee, nor does not winning it mean you're automatically out. Lots of stuff they look at. None of it is the be all, end all... just another part of the equation. Theoretically, you could have all 4 best teams from the same conference or even the same division. If they are, so be it. Put all 4 in.

If you're not the best team in your division, you're definitely not the best team in the country. Full stop. Alabama is the only team in the country that gets do-overs and tries to act like they make sense.

 

[ACamp1900]

By that rule, we can never go to the playoffs. Just saying... lol

I’m all for joining a conference, just saying

 

[Bishop2b5]

Not wasting my time reading that clearly horseshit response... win your conference or fuck off, if you can’t win your DIVISION then wtf is the point of having conferences if you can win a natty. Period. We’ve made a mockery of cfb over this... Fuck those who can’t get that through their heads. If you’re ‘the best’ win your fairly average, small, division.

Take that argument up with the committee, not me. I gave you a valid, reasonable explanation about what the committee's said about it all.

 

[ACamp1900]

Take that argument up with the committee, not me. I gave you a valid, reasonable explanation about what the committee's said about it all.

And you can shove it, it’s a self fulfilling prophecy... just like tOSU over TCU, give a good team with no valid reason another life and watch out... doesn’t mean they have any actual business... honestly this is why I’m moving from cfb. It fucking pathetic

 

[Irish YJ]

I’m all for joining a conference, just saying

If you're a one loss team, that lost a close one on the road, to a top 10 intra-div/conf team, I'm OK with you not winning your conference and getting a shot at a 4 team playoff. I'd prefer an 8 team playoff where the 5 P5 champs get slotted 1-5 with the three at large getting 6-8. Just because it sucks that it can happen (a non-conf, non-div champ, gets in), doesn't mean Bama wasn't the best, or didn't deserve it.

 

[MNIrishman]

And you can shove it, it’s a self fulfilling prophecy... just like tOSU over TCU, give a good team with no valid reason another life and watch out... doesn’t mean they have any actual business... honestly this is why I’m moving from cfb. It fucking pathetic

Total lack of logic from the committee. It's infuriating.

 

[MNIrishman]

If you're a one loss team, that lost a close one on the road, to a top 10 intra-div/conf team, I'm OK with you not winning your conference and getting a shot at a 4 team playoff. I'd prefer an 8 team playoff where the 5 P5 champs get slotted 1-5 with the three at large getting 6-8. Just because it sucks that it can happen (a non-conf, non-div champ, gets in), doesn't mean Bama wasn't the best, or didn't deserve it.

That's exactly what it means. They played the game. They lost. No do-overs. If you aren't the best in your division, you cannot, in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, claim to be the best in the nation. That's just basic logic.

 

[Bishop2b5]

If you're not the best team in your division, you're definitely not the best team in the country. Full stop. Alabama is the only team in the country that gets do-overs and tries to act like they make sense.

So any wild card team in the NFL that wins the Super Bowl doesn't count?

 

[TheIrishAre#1]

They’ll have to lose twice, we’ve seen numerous times they don’t even have to win their fucking division to just walk in the playoffs, it’s a fucking joke right now.

Personally, I think Bama's only shot at a title that left a bad taste in my mouth was the rematch with LSU, and that was the BCS. I haven't disagreed with the playoff selections yet in regards to Alabama. You mentioned OSU over TCU, and that's where I'd agree a snub definitely occurred, even though we know the results of that season. I still don't understand how you can win by 50+ points and drop, what, 3 spots?

 

[irishfan]

Personally, I think Bama's only shot at a title that left a bad taste in my mouth was the rematch with LSU, and that was the BCS. I haven't disagreed with the playoff selections yet in regards to Alabama. You mentioned OSU over TCU, and that's where I'd agree a snub definitely occurred, even though we know the results of that season. I still don't understand how you can win by 50+ points and drop, what, 3 spots?

I’ll go to my grave thinking Baylor was deserving of the #4 spot that year.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

So any wild card team in the NFL that wins the Super Bowl doesn't count?

Every point you made was well-articulated, and right on point. There's no valid argument that any Bama team shouldn't have been in (I mean, obviously, they win most of them). I think it's moreso that other fanbases are ready for their turn. It's obviously not you, or any other Bama fan's fault, but it definitely gets old seeing the same team clean house practically every season.

 

[Bishop2b5]

That's exactly what it means. They played the game. They lost. No do-overs. If you aren't the best in your division, you cannot, in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, claim to be the best in the nation. That's just basic logic.

I'll respectfully disagree. No MLB or NBA team goes undefeated. Only one NFL team ever has. Few if any (without looking it up) college BB teams ever have. Losing a game doesn't mean you aren't still the best team in the country. Sometimes a loss just means you had a bad day and the other team played lights out. Clemson got in last year with a loss to UL. OSU got in a couple of years ago with a loss. Heck, most teams who've gone to the playoffs had one loss. What difference does it make if that loss is to an OOC opponent, an in conference one where you still win you conference, or one where it costs you your conference or division title? The committee doesn't care. They're tasked with selecting the 4 best teams overall. No more, no less.

 

[Circa]

No ones beating this team.. first of all.

The most impressive thing is the size of these players up and down the roster. I don’t know what they’re doing (deer antler spray 😆) but holy hell.

We’re dealing with ELITE size and speed at EVERY position.

How are they compiling a roster unlike ANYONEelse in the nation?

I was bigger after college too. 25-28 year olds tend to be fully developed. The crazy people think they could beat the Bills[NFL). Juco transfers are about as shitty as charma.

 

[Irish YJ]

That's exactly what it means. They played the game. They lost. No do-overs. If you aren't the best in your division, you cannot, in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, claim to be the best in the nation. That's just basic logic.

I disagree. CFB is the only sport where you can try and use that logic. If you have a playoff, you have a playoff. I for one don't want a return to the days where there's no playoff, and talking heads pick the champ off the field. Two teams, one with a home field advantage and a very close win, doesn't mean they are necessarily the better team, or would win on a neutral field (the true contest in determining the best). It just means they were slightly better that day with home field advantage.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

That's exactly what it means. They played the game. They lost. No do-overs. If you aren't the best in your division, you cannot, in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, claim to be the best in the nation. That's just basic logic.

What? Then why have they won the championship so routinely? Who cares about the championship game? The dude is right on point, the committee is tasked with slotting the 4 BEST teams in, regardless of conference champions, although that is a determining factor.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

Long story short, I wanna see the 4 best teams compete for the title, and there's no argument that can be presented where Bama hasn't been one of those teams for the duration of the CFP.

 

[MNIrishman]

I'll respectfully disagree. No MLB or NBA team goes undefeated. Only one NFL team ever has. Few if any (without looking it up) college BB teams ever have. Losing a game doesn't mean you aren't still the best team in the country. Sometimes a loss just means you had a bad day and the other team played lights out. Clemson got in last year with a loss to UL. OSU got in a couple of years ago with a loss. Heck, most teams who've gone to the playoffs had one loss. What difference does it make if that loss is to an OOC opponent, an in conference one where you still win you conference, or one where it costs you your conference or division title? The committee doesn't care. They're tasked with selecting the 4 best teams overall. No more, no less.

For many, many different reasons, you cannot analogize CFB to professional sports.

I wasn't stating an opinion for you to disagree with. What I stated wasn't subjective. I was giving a logical conclusion which is obvious to just about everyone.

Here:

1. x∈A
2. y∈A
3. x < y
4. y = max A
5. A⊂B
∴ x != max B

Which part do you have a problem with?

 

[MNIrishman]

What? Then why have they won the championship so routinely? Who cares about the championship game? The dude is right on point, the committee is tasked with slotting the 4 BEST teams in, regardless of conference champions, although that is a determining factor.

They are a very good team that is often the best, which leads to them getting the benefit of the doubt, which gives them more opportunities than anyone else, which leads to them winning more, which leads to more benefit of the doubt...

Begging the question. For example, do you really believe Bama was the best team in 2011, when LSU not only won against a much tougher slate but already owned the head-to-head coming into the game? What if we applied the same rules to OSU and Michigan in 2006? Would the winner of the rematch be the national champion?

 

[Bishop2b5]

Two teams, one with a home field advantage and a very close win, doesn't mean they are necessarily the better team, or would win on a neutral field (the true contest in determining the best). It just means they were slightly better that day with home field advantage.

This is something I've thought a lot about. Team A beating Team B does not mean Team A is the better team. It usually does, but sometimes it just means Team A was better that day. We've all seen cases where a 4-7 team upsets a 10-0 team. Sometimes a bad call or a bad break decides the game and the better team loses. Sometimes Team A plays their best game of the year and Team B their worst. Sometimes Team A will get worse as the season goes on and Team B gets better. By the end of the season, there's little doubt that B is the better team. They just weren't 3 months before. Sometimes B is better than A overall, but A presents matchup problems. Sometimes B has 3 key players out that day or is dealing with half the team being sick with the flu. We've all seen cases where A beats B who beats C and C beats A. No logical way each is definitely better than the team it beat. Every year there are teams ranked in the final poll ahead of teams they lost to.