I'm one of those who brought up the recruiting angle but I also don't think an AU win or loss hurts or helps them, or us for that matter, next year. Each team is different. Coach Saban reminds us of that all the time.For the record, this post has nothing to do with recruiting. Some have read that into it, but in the OP I wasn't talking about that (or else, like a well trained poster, I would have added post on the recruiting board).
The extra motivation that the Barn might get if they lost, that I thought I made clear, was extra determination for next year. For those of you stating this doesn't affect us (in that we have to play them next year) do you not think us losing will hopefully have a positive affect on our determination and focus next year as we play the Barn and other key opponents???
So for that reason, if they lose it may in fact make them harder to deal with next year. If they win they have a bigger target and more expectations (they'll be talking repeat) because they have a fairly good nucleus coming back and there will be natural complacency like we fought this year IMO.
Perhaps the biggest win/win tonight is the Barn gets beat so bad that they feel unvalidated, they question their abilities/schemes and maybe believe their "luck" finally ran out and then next year they implode with self doubt!
As for AU, whether Mason declares for the draft will have more of an impact on how they do next year than winning or losing this game.