We and the rest of the college football world can learn a lot from the San Antonio Spurs.
The rest of the world needs to know that the same things win today that always did. The offense du jour is just that -- the best way for an outmanned team to upset a better team. In my lifetime, the wishbone had it for a while. Then defenses adjusted. The finesse passing game had it, and defenses adjusted. The HUNH has it today, and defenses are adjusting.
Meanwhile, a fundamentally sound team that is unselfish and plays with unity and purpose can beat a more talented team [this is important] in a series, not just one game.
For the portion of the college football world not residing in Tuscaloosa or Palo Alto, this is bad news. The clock is ticking on the advantages gained by sleight of hand, and the best minds in the game are accelerating that time frame.
The lesson for the Alabama fanbase is that, after reaching the requisite level of physical ability, six inches -- the distance from one ear to the other -- is the deciding factor.
In 2010 and 2013, there was not much question that we had the most talented team in the country. But we later learned that for a lot of reasons, stemming primarily from attitude, the talent didn't lead to performance. We have only to look east about 300 miles for the best example. For more than a decade, UGA has under-achieved its talent level to the point of being the poster child. The difference between UGA and us is that we performed mentally a whole lot more often than they have. That, and we have a more fundamentally sound approach to the game.
For the college football world: enjoy it guys. This won't last.
For Alabama fans: A four-star talent who believes beats a five-star who spends half his time looking in the mirror. Every time.
We don't need to change philosophies or approaches. We might need to change some 'tudes. Even some highly talented ones.
The rest of the world needs to know that the same things win today that always did. The offense du jour is just that -- the best way for an outmanned team to upset a better team. In my lifetime, the wishbone had it for a while. Then defenses adjusted. The finesse passing game had it, and defenses adjusted. The HUNH has it today, and defenses are adjusting.
Meanwhile, a fundamentally sound team that is unselfish and plays with unity and purpose can beat a more talented team [this is important] in a series, not just one game.
For the portion of the college football world not residing in Tuscaloosa or Palo Alto, this is bad news. The clock is ticking on the advantages gained by sleight of hand, and the best minds in the game are accelerating that time frame.
The lesson for the Alabama fanbase is that, after reaching the requisite level of physical ability, six inches -- the distance from one ear to the other -- is the deciding factor.
In 2010 and 2013, there was not much question that we had the most talented team in the country. But we later learned that for a lot of reasons, stemming primarily from attitude, the talent didn't lead to performance. We have only to look east about 300 miles for the best example. For more than a decade, UGA has under-achieved its talent level to the point of being the poster child. The difference between UGA and us is that we performed mentally a whole lot more often than they have. That, and we have a more fundamentally sound approach to the game.
For the college football world: enjoy it guys. This won't last.
For Alabama fans: A four-star talent who believes beats a five-star who spends half his time looking in the mirror. Every time.
We don't need to change philosophies or approaches. We might need to change some 'tudes. Even some highly talented ones.