Exactly the way I have felt. There has been way too much overreacting to the last two games. Yes it sucked to end the season like that, but in no way do we need any major changes. We will be fine.Only a fool could watch the past two Alabama games and think that there were no problems to address. Of course there are, but I personally think it is mostly execution issues, and that time will heal (literally and figuratively) a lot of those issues. I don't think radical changes are needed, but I think we just reached the tipping point in which our ability to appreciate what Alabama has accomplished clashed with some realities of college football.
Next season might not go better, there's no telling who is going to play QB, and how well they will perform, and special teams will remain a big question mark. It remains to be seen if Alabama tries to adjust to handle uptempo teams, and if that adjustment proves costly against teams like LSU. However, please... stop to smell the roses! Stop to appreciate things for a bit. Alabama is coming off the type of season that got Dubose and Shula a raise (the fact is the last former coach to win 11 at Alabama was Gene Stallings). Sure, it feels bad, but there was a time this was the best we could possibly expect!
In 2008, Alabama lost to Florida and Utah by a combined 37-62. It seemed like Alabama had no way to stop Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow, they seemed like an insurmountable obstacle. In 2009, they beat Florida and Texas by a combined 69-34. Don't for one second think that Nick Saban isn't capable of taking his same old defense out there, add a bit of talent and experience, and produce much better results.
In 2011, Alabama beat Auburn 42-14. Anyone remember their offensive coordinator that year? Gus Malhzahn.
In 2012 the top teams in the final BCS standings were:
Notre Dame (9-4)
Alabama (11-2)
Florida (4-8)
Oregon (11-2)
Kansas State (8-5)
I put their records this year next to the teams.
I don't get all this overreacting. Nick Saban is more than capable of improving his team, especially if his team isn't completely gutted by the NFL draft. He's more than capable of stopping Gus, and the only times he was unable, Alabama made key mistakes and had a major injury in the defensive backfield. Finally, it's normal to have a drop off after a great season. We're just spoiled. Would you rather be in Florida's shoes? Or, Kansas State's? Even Notre Dame's or Oregon's? I don't think so... I find it puzzling that some people seem to think Auburn is in a more desirable position. Really? A team that needed luck to win how many of their games?
I'm looking forward to next season, and I don't have a list of demands for the Alabama coaching staff. If Alabama can figure the QB situation out, they will be in the title hunt yet again.
RTR '13!