Question: How should we feel about the LSU game and beyond? - Page 2

GrayTide · November 5th, 2009, 07:02 AM

Good thread NYBF. I want to be like the Phillies, but afraid I am more like the Yankee fans. If you put everything that has happened over the past 10 years in perspective it should be easy to be thankful for where we are now NC or not.

I agree with bayou, if we don't win we need to do so with class and dignity. To be in the NC chase every year is what we should expect and if we fall short then we should be disappointed for a day or two and then move on.

JD95 · November 5th, 2009, 08:02 AM

I'm feeling like the Yankee fans these days. It seems like every week Bama struggles a bit more than the week before, and every game turns into an exercise of gut-wrenching survival rather than pleasant excitement.

I really think the struggles of the Dubose-probation-Fran-Price-Shula era have taken a mental toll on the fanbase, or at least on me. In the early 90's under Coach Stallings -- heck even with Curry -- it didn't matter if Alabama played poorly or fell behind in a game, I just knew deep in my heart they would dig deep and find a way to win. It didn't always work out that way, of course, but I expected it to. After the Great Dark Period of 1997-2007, it seems like I can't enjoy the team's success because I'm just waiting for the wheels to fall off. Kind of sad, but I'll be in B-D on Saturday, pulling with the rest of you for another trip to Atlanta!!

TidePrideGA · November 5th, 2009, 08:08 AM

I try not to get too uptight about things. I try to enjoy each game and not think past that game. Hey I enjoy Alabama football to the max. That's why I love this forum so much.

GrayTide · November 5th, 2009, 08:26 AM

	Quote:	JD95
	I'm feeling like the Yankee fans these days. It seems like every week Bama struggles a bit more than the week before, and every game turns into an exercise of gut-wrenching survival rather than pleasant excitement. I really think the struggles of the Dubose-probation-Fran-Price-Shula era have taken a mental toll on the fanbase, or at least on me. In the early 90's under Coach Stallings -- heck even with Curry -- it didn't matter if Alabama played poorly or fell behind in a game, I just knew deep in my heart they would dig deep and find a way to win. It didn't always work out that way, of course, but I expected it to. After the Great Dark Period of 1997-2007, it seems like I can't enjoy the team's success because I'm just waiting for the wheels to fall off. Kind of sad, but I'll be in B-D on Saturday, pulling with the rest of you for another trip to Atlanta!!

Well put JD. I think there are an awful lot of Alabama fans who share the same feelings. I also feel that there are many fans who take exception to every article, email or media conversation that does not give us the respect we feel we are entitled to. I refuse to listen to those "talking heads" or read much of anything unless it is on this site. It is not easy being a Bama fan.

BleedCrimson33 · November 5th, 2009, 08:51 AM

I have to agree with BAMAINBOSTON... I love watch our guys win and I think they have plenty of room to grow because overall we are a very young team... but after a year like last year I think certain fans start to expect something and they forget what position we were in about 4yrs ago... I would be lying if i said I wouldn't be dissappointed if we didn't win the national championship but the biggest thing I would like to see is at least getting to the SEC champ game and getting that win over FLORIDA!!!

ROLLTIDE!!!

oh by the way BAMAINBOSTON GO BO SOX!!! Sucks they weren't in it this year.

trenda · November 5th, 2009, 08:57 AM

	Quote:	BamainBoston
	I think you want to be in a position to win championships every year. It takes some luck, it takes some breaks, and it takes winning some close games, but if year in and year out you are in the chase, you are bound to win some eventually. Just look at LSU. For the past decade they have been in it every year. In that time they have won two national championships and 3 sec championships. That's the model. I think we are there now. In fact, I think Alabama will only get better. Do I want to win it this year? Yeah. But I am happy where we are no matter what happens.

Totally agree.

You know, before the season, knowing we were going to be breaking in 3 new OL, a new starting QB, and a new RB (albeit one with experience), and replacing Rashad on defense, if you had told me that we would be undefeated going into the LSU game with a few tight games under our belt, I would say that I would take it in a heartbeat.

I feel no different right now.

mittman · November 5th, 2009, 09:46 AM

I love the fact that Bama fans have the reputation of being like Yankee fans in the way described. It is a frame of mind that can only be gained with domination over a long period of time. That said, I don't believe most of us are really the stuck up, spoiled, egotistical characters that those who look at us in this way see.

Like all fans we cheer when our expectations are met or exceeded, we are frustrated when they are not. Our expectations are to win it all every year. If that is not the case for a competitive sport, why compete? Each individual fan has their own thresholds determining whether they are disappointed, satisfied or elated. When your team struggles or dominates those thresholds get adjusted, but the ultimate goal is still there.

So my answer to the question would have to be a measure of where my thresholds are this year. Do I believe we have the goal to win it all? Absolutely! Listen to the coaches; they speak in terms of championship mentality. Listen to the players; they confidently speak of earning their way into championship games. Our recent success leaves me with cautious optimism that the goal will be reached. Will I be disappointed for awhile if we lose the chance to play for it, or lose in the game? Again absolutely! However, while I see correct goals being set, progress toward those goals, competitive spirit, and great effort, I will continue to be somewhere between the satisfied and elated states.

Honden · November 5th, 2009, 10:43 AM

I think that there are 2 distinct groups of true Bama fans ( bandwagon and fair weather fans not included ). These 2 groups have differing attitudes and perspectives due to age and memory.

Some of us have been blessed. The rest of us are about to be.

tidedog67 · November 5th, 2009, 10:48 AM

As an Alabama grad and a life-long Phillies fan w/ season tickets.....the analogy is complete drivel. I suppose Kurt Russell was and is an avid Yankee supporter.

A lot of empty season at Yankee games this past season. Phillies sold-out over 90% of their home games.

Yea....just happy to be there.

Roll Tide.

twofbyc · November 5th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Bama wins, I'm happy; Bama loses, I'm sad. Either way, feeling only lasts a day or two, because there is another game coming up.
After the last game, it will be determined how I will feel the rest of the year, and an NC is not required to be "happy" (but it's a heavily-desired prerequisite

).

exiledNms · November 5th, 2009, 11:13 AM

	Quote:	bayoutider
	I'm old school Bama I expect to win but think I have enough class not to go off on some stupid rant if we get upset. After any loss I focus on starting a new winning streak and at 8-0 I'm going to ride this streak till it ends.

This.

bobstod · November 5th, 2009, 11:41 AM

NYBF, you are sailing closer to the "touchy-feely" line than I ever remember seeing you. Maybe you are growing moderate in you middle years! I have noticed that many of your posts on the FB board are startlingly in line with my own opinions; some of them absolutely spot-on.

No doubt we still occupy opposite sides of issues on Non-sports. I haven't been there in months, and have no intention of going back anytime soon.

For my own part, I don't seem capable of choosing to feel one way or another. If we win, I am filled with joy and optimism for days afterward. If we lose, I will be crushed and disappointed and unfit company for my new and cherished wife for several days.

Thankfully, at some level I realize that it's only a game, and there is always next week or next year. I am never rocked completely out of my normally sanguine and optimistic character. But I confess that Saturday's game has a very great effect on my mood, both before and after the fact. I will be tense and abnormally uncommunicative until we get two touchdowns ahead. I will be euphoric if we win, and downcast and grumpy if we lose.

beb4bama · November 5th, 2009, 12:43 PM

As coach Bryant always said, it's about winning and winning with class. We could all try to remember what the greatest coach ever had to say about winning. Here are a couple that I think are very relevant to this thread:

"If wanting to win is a fault, as some of my critics seem to insist, then I plead guilty. I like to win. I know no other way. It's in my blood." -- Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

"It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose you won't know how to act. If you lose with humility, then you can come back." -- Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant