Alabama fans are traumatized. Alabama was hammered over a signature on a napkin, a rogue booster paying for a non-contributor, and a really big deal made over friggin' textbooks (which ironically set Alabama up now). So, it's hard not to be hysterical, because when we hear Alabama, and the NCAA, we know that the NCAA has a special way of treating Alabama...
On the practical side of things, Fluker, Cam and Johnny are not comparable. Fluker was homeless, if there's any poster boy for stipends and the like he fits the bill. I am not justifying breaking the rules, however, Fluker is the one person who had moral justification out of the three. He had a prior relationship, and a need. The case could be made there was no violation, although it would appear that what went on was at least a violation of the spirit of the rules.
The saving grace in this situation could also be a bit of a weak point. This isn't just Alabama. This is also Miss. State, and Tennessee (which also means extra chances to find proof of wrong doing). Slive has gone to bat for other SEC programs, he's not likely to want to throw three of them under the bus. So, you have to think the whole lawyer up thing is coming. It needs to, because now it is as simple as this. Other programs have gotten away with worse, even if guilty, Alabama shouldn't do time while worse offenders are walking around free. There's no justification for that.
Alabama can't give an inch here. Logically, rationally, if the NCAA actually chose to behave this way, Alabama might admit wrong doing and the punishment would be something along the lines of the loss of a couple scholarships or something. But, the NCAA doesn't seem to be in the habit of that sort of offering. What they would offer, is a longer probation period, vacated wins and titles, and that sort of thing. Even with no knowledge of wrong doing on the part of the University.
Alabama only has one choice. Lawyer up, fight this tooth and nail. I wish the NCAA was logical and rational, I really do. Because, in a case like this Alabama could do the work for the NCAA, own to to any wrong doing, and get a modest punishment. That's just not how the NCAA works though. If Alabama lawyers up completely, they probably get 0 punishment, and that's a lot more fair than to get hammered while other offenders face no punishment at all.
So, Alabama has 0 evidence of wrong doing. Alabama talked to the athletes and they told Alabama there was 0 wrong doing. Alabama believes this is a complete fabrication, etc... that's all there is to it. Alabama hasn't seen any proof, and until the NCAA shows them proof, then none of this occurred.
