Poll: 2009 Season - Page 3

buzzincuzzin · June 29th, 2009, 08:43 PM

	Quote:	tusks_n_raider
	We will have a very nasty and stingy defense this year. I don't see us giving up more than 10-14 points to anybody. Yes the O'line will be new but I have confidence in this coaching staff having these guys ready by game one against VT. The offense will be anchored by the running game again but I also see the passing attack being vastly improved with Gmac's ability to run through his progressions and checking down to the right play. If we sustain no major injuries and our guys come out ready everyweek, then I don't see why we can't have another shot at making it to the BSCCG.

The weakness G-Mac is working on is pre-snap reads. His post-snap checks are really his strong suit.

CaliforniaTide · June 30th, 2009, 01:33 PM

	Quote:	JPT4Bama
	OK..who chose "8 & 4"?? Has Moorav sneaked back on here??

Might the be Alabama fan that I know who thinks Saban is a "one hit wonder" and that last season is a fluke.

bamanick57 · June 30th, 2009, 01:37 PM

I'm pretty anxious (worried) about the opener; haven't (and probably won't) swallowed the kool-aide about Ole Miss; LSU could be a bug in the ointment, but if we get back the Hokies could be a nice ride the rest of the way. I believe - deeply - that the defense will be scary good.

BamaMoon · June 30th, 2009, 02:59 PM

I never expect Bama to lose! Even during the "dark years" I always expected a win (but was disappointed so often).

I voted 11-1 just because of how hard it would be to go 12-0 two years in a row in the regular season schedule.

Not saying it will happen, but the schedule sets up for us to lose one early without it hurting us too bad at the end. So, if we have to lose one, VT would be the logical choice.

At the end of the year I'd take 13-1 with a BCSNC trophy!!!

red55 · June 30th, 2009, 04:29 PM

I could see two losses for Bama with this schedule. Hard to see three, but losing to an unexpected team in the SEC happens more often than anybody is comfortable with. A lot depends on how quickly the new quarterback develops. I think the chances of repeating 12-0 is slim with only four returners on offense, but 8-4 is even slimmer with nine returning on defense. So between 11-1, 10-2, and 9-3 . . . 10-2 seems the safest bet.

AngryEwok · July 1st, 2009, 12:19 PM

VT, Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU... I'm afraid we lose one or two of these... but the season looks very runnable. If we had a veteran QB, mama-mia!

glasscutter256 · July 2nd, 2009, 05:57 PM

I'm saying 11-1, but still make it to the SEC championship game. I'm just praying and hoping we don't pull another season like when we were preseason #3. The big difference is Saban is here instead of Dubose and I don't see us imploding like we did that year.
I think Ole Miss will lose a couple of games.
I think VT beats us only because the O-line hasn't had a chance to gel yet and the running game hasn't had a chance to establish itself.

Bamafan P.T. · July 2nd, 2009, 06:06 PM

	Quote:	red55
	I could see two losses for Bama with this schedule.

Care to state who your picks for losses would be? Bet I can figure out one.

red55 · July 3rd, 2009, 05:18 PM

	Quote:	Bamafan P.T.
	Care to state who your picks for losses would be? Bet I can figure out one.

As far as big West Division games, I think Bama splits LSU and Ole Miss--LSU is stronger, but Ole Miss is at home. Then I think Bama splits the big SEC road games at Tennessee and Auburn. Other than that it looks like clear sailing, barring upsets by VT or Carolina.

CapstoneGrad06 · July 5th, 2009, 12:39 AM

	Quote:	red55
	As far as big West Division games, I think Bama splits LSU and Ole Miss--LSU is stronger, but Ole Miss is at home. Then I think Bama splits the big SEC road games at Tennessee and Auburn. Other than that it looks like clear sailing, barring upsets by VT or Carolina.

Tennessee is at home this season. Alabama's road schedule is very managable, with Ole Miss, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Auburn being the foes.

TIDE-HSV · July 5th, 2009, 11:32 AM

Safe to say our 8-4 guy is either a joker or a ringer...

bigmammal · July 5th, 2009, 04:14 PM

My guess is 11-1 if we lose to VT and 12-0 if we don't.

In many respects, to me, this team looks like a near carbon copy of our '92 team by having potentially the best defense in the country and an adequate offense with a propensity to run the football.

Best I can remember the '92 defense was ranked no. 1 in points allowed and in defense against the run. Probably in another coupla catergories as well. Given the 3-4 is a different animal, I still think if Kareem or maybe Dre becomes truly a lock down CB; and if we develop at least one rusher who can put relatively consistent pressure on the QB, we could be '92 material by the heart of our schedule. I'm hoping that between Hightower, Upshaw, Square and others our pass rush will improve. Dareus already appears ready to create some pressure.

Our '09 offense could very possibly, by midseason, become better than in '92 with the seasoning of the O-line and of Mac at QB. I pray he stays healthy.

Possibly our special teams may turn out to be a cut above.

Even in '92 we let Miss. St. almost sneak up and beat us, and something similar or worse is always possible.

Considering our early schedule should give us breathing room to develop our question mark areas before our toughest SEC games come, I'm guessing:

11-1 or 12-0 and another barn burner against FL. Hopefully a win there and a come out of nowhere upset of a TX, OK, USC or OSU--deja vu '92. Please don't wake me up.

mkb193 · July 5th, 2009, 05:55 PM

I predicted 11-1 simply because it seems too hard to go undefeated two years in a row.

But I have a question about our O-Line, specifically Vlachos. How good is he really? Is he a pure center? I just was wondering because I heard some very good reports on him after the Spring regarding him holding his own against Cody (which is a feat unto itself), and it seemed like he could be something of an x-factor on the O-line and come out and surprise some people with his skill.

I asked if he was a pure center because then I wouldn't be surprised that he would be sitting behind a senior all-american, as opposed to playing somewhere else on the line.

Basically I'm asking those with a keener eye on player development who saw him what they think about his performance, or am I just being crazy?

I'm asking in this thread because of how many people have stated that the O-Line is a determining factor in the upcoming season.

thanks