Looking Ahead to the 2020 Regular Season Schedule

[ROTYDE]

It's easy to say that only focusing on ourselves, but as you point out, Georgia is going to lose some folks. USC, LSU, and Auburn will as well. Where are your 3 losses coming from?

I'm going to look on the bright side with that A&M game because Lord knows playing an FCS before Auburn hasn't necessarily helped us any, if we look at our record vs. the barn. Playing MSU and Tennessee back to back isn't optimal though. Seems we get guys hurt against them more than any other teams.

As long as 5 and 3 are gone I'm fine.

 

[Tideflyer]

My guesses right now would be v. UGA, @LSU, and Auburn as losses but as illustrated by you and I: those teams are losing folks just like us.

If we were to lose to two of these three, much less all three, would it be safe to say that the conference power structure has “officially “ shifted away? That’s assuming that it hasn’t already.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

If we were to lose to two of these three, much less all three, would it be safe to say that the conference power structure has “officially “ shifted away? That’s assuming that it hasn’t already.

Those three teams lose a few valuable players as well next year........ don’t think the power structure has shifted

 

[Tideflyer]

Those three teams lose a few valuable players as well next year........ don’t think the power structure has shifted

I`m assuming that`s true as well. Not saying that it`s actually shifted. Personally, a big concern I have is CEO at LSU marrying elite talent with a stable coaching staff. I think Dabo`s almost uncanny ability to do that at Clemson has been a big reason for their ongoing success. Well, that and the clown car of a conference of which they are a part. It`s hard to look at CNS` tenure and not come away with the impression that we`ve had the coaching equivalent of a greyhound bus station by comparison ( that sounds more critical than I really intended. I think. ).

 

[trenda]

Kent State, Georgia State AND UT-Martin?????? Murderer's row. Hope our young guys can grow up quickly.

Oh, we play USC, Georgia, UT, LSU and Auburn as well? I guess they're okay too.

 

[mlh]

We have 3 tough games next year. UGA may be a loss, but it's early in the season and we can recover from that one. LSU won't be the same next year without Burrow, and we could have beaten them this year. I think they'll have more of a drop-off than we will, so I'd call this a coin toss. Auburn won't be nearly as good on defense next year. Their offense will be about the same. And we get them at home with a chip on our shoulders after this year's IB.

I don't see USC, UT, or aTm as losses. They'll be tough games, but we'll win those. That puts us at 11-1 or 10-2. Depending on how we finish, that will put us back in the SECCG and most likely in the playoffs.

Sorry, folks, but the dynasty is not over.

 

[BamaMoon]

Sorry, folks, but the dynasty is not over.

That was not the point of this thread, even if others are indicating that in other threads.

 

[mlh]

That was not the point of this thread, even if others are indicating that in other threads.

Understood. That comment wasn't aimed at you or anyone on this board. But it's a common theme among the media pundits and talking heads every time Bama doesn't win the NC.

I just feel like, after this year with all they hype and attention about Tua and our great receivers and injuries and playoff 'placeholder' status and so forth, that next year we come out and just quietly take care of business.

 

[trenda]

I think with Sark and Mac together for another year (and the young guys pushing Mac), our offense will be okay. It most likely won't look like the Tua offense of the past couple of years, and that may end up helping us somewhat. Waddle is poised to be a star. If Sanders is as good as he says he is, we should still be productive in the run game (considering the Robinsons should improve as well). OL play is obviously paramount.

I'm excited to see the defense. Does CNS make any philosophical changes to the D? With a year of experience under their belts (and another year in the conditioning program), are these young guys a little saltier next season?

We seem to fare better when we have a bigger, marquee type opponent in the opener. I think the guys get focused in a little more. Having Georgia early on as well means you can't let up or coast at all.

I think the schedule sets up well. We'll have our work cut out for us. If we go 12-0, 11-1 or even 10-2, no one will question our record, our schedule or our deservedness (is that a word?).

 

[Mke4Bama]

I think with Sark and Mac together for another year (and the young guys pushing Mac), our offense will be okay. It most likely won't look like the Tua offense of the past couple of years, and that may end up helping us somewhat. Waddle is poised to be a star. If Sanders is as good as he says he is, we should still be productive in the run game (considering the Robinsons should improve as well). OL play is obviously paramount.

I'm excited to see the defense. Does CNS make any philosophical changes to the D? With a year of experience under their belts (and another year in the conditioning program), are these young guys a little saltier next season?

We seem to fare better when we have a bigger, marquee type opponent in the opener. I think the guys get focused in a little more. Having Georgia early on as well means you can't let up or coast at all.

I think the schedule sets up well. We'll have our work cut out for us. If we go 12-0, 11-1 or even 10-2, no one will question our record, our schedule or our deservedness (is that a word?).

Yes
de·serv·ed·ness [dih-zur-vid-nis] , noun

 

[Bamaro]

Hopefully we find our defense by then since they seem to go AWOL in big games.

 

[BamaMoon]

I think with Sark and Mac together for another year (and the young guys pushing Mac), our offense will be okay. It most likely won't look like the Tua offense of the past couple of years, and that may end up helping us somewhat. Waddle is poised to be a star. If Sanders is as good as he says he is, we should still be productive in the run game (considering the Robinsons should improve as well). OL play is obviously paramount.

I'm excited to see the defense. Does CNS make any philosophical changes to the D? With a year of experience under their belts (and another year in the conditioning program), are these young guys a little saltier next season?

We seem to fare better when we have a bigger, marquee type opponent in the opener. I think the guys get focused in a little more. Having Georgia early on as well means you can't let up or coast at all.

I think the schedule sets up well. We'll have our work cut out for us. If we go 12-0, 11-1 or even 10-2, no one will question our record, our schedule or our deservedness (is that a word?).

Good post.

Agree about the defense.

I'm not sure about the offensive direction. If going more conservative is what you are talking about then it is going against the trend of the top teams (excluding Georgia, who I think will get outscored against LSU despite their good defense).

I think Mac Jones can be a very good QB, but whether he is the man next year comes down to can he be more like Joe Burrows than AJM? AJM is my favorite Bama QB under CNS, for obvious reasons, but I'm not sure he's the type of QB we'll need for where the game is now.

Even if our defense improves, there will usually be a game or two a year (this year it was like every game) when the offense just has to go out and win it. We've "cast our lot" with young dynamic QBs in recent years seeming to choose the guy who is less experienced but has more potential. That's why I think Young can't be ruled out at this point.

 

[Tideflyer]

Good post.

Agree about the defense.

I'm not sure about the offensive direction. If going more conservative is what you are talking about then it is going against the trend of the top teams (excluding Georgia, who I think will get outscored against LSU despite their good defense).

I think Mac Jones can be a very good QB, but whether he is the man next year comes down to can he be more like Joe Burrows than AJM? AJM is my favorite Bama QB under CNS, for obvious reasons, but I'm not sure he's the type of QB we'll need for where the game is now.

Even if our defense improves, there will usually be a game or two a year (this year it was like every game) when the offense just has to go out and win it. We've "cast our lot" with young dynamic QBs in recent years seeming to choose the guy who is less experienced but has more potential. That's why I think Young can't be ruled out at this point.

No offense at all to Mac, but I think QB is wide open.

 

[81usaf92]

11-1 but 10-2 at worst. A 9-3 is possible, but only if there is a total failure on both sides of the ball.

I just don't see our defense taking that major step forward at this point. I think it is going to be like the last two years in that it will be "how far can our offense take us".

 

[B1GTide]

11-1 but 10-2 at worst. A 9-3 is possible, but only if there is a total failure on both sides of the ball.

I just don't see our defense taking that major step forward at this point. I think it is going to be like the last two years in that it will be "how far can our offense take us".

If all 3 of the juniors stay and Josh gets his waiver approved, I think that your defense will be better than this year's version. If you lose all three - I just can't see how it will be better overall. We have to see what players will be available.

 

[rgw]

Two bad defenses in a row. Don’t see it changing without some unexpected returns and some staff shake up.

 

[bigjue24]

No offense at all to Mac, but I think QB is wide open.

I agree with this. In years past without a returning entrenched starter the QB position has been a wide open competition, and I can guarantee that it will be wide open this year too. Also the winner of the competition has often not been who the fanbase and media thought it would be. AJ and Philip Sims wasn't cut and dry, and many thought Sims would win it. Blake Sims and Jake Coker wasn't supposed to be a real competition. Coker was going to be the guy, but turned out Sims won the day, and who thought Jalen would beat out Barnett and Bateman for the starting nod. I think everyone that thinks Mac's the guy is wrong. He may win the job, but CNS is going to take a hard look at everyone and his decision hasn't always lined up with everyone else. As a matter of fact it usually doesn't.

 

[jashleyren2]

Sorry, folks, but the dynasty is not over.

Bingo. To me, the dynasty is still intact as long as Saban, who built it, is in Tuscaloosa. I personally don't think he leaves before he gets one more title. However, after that one, I do think he retires. You can effectively say the "Saban Dynasty" is over at that time. But as long as he is here, even in a down year, we are going to be a tough out, and probably a play or two from being right there competing for it.

 

[Redwood Forrest]

Going to be a brutal season. It will be interesting to see how this team shapes up with the offensive losses we will have.

This schedule worries me as much as thinking how bad will we play in this upcoming bowl game. I know we are 10-2 but we look like a Mike Shula coached team.. To be honest I am dreading the bowl and next season.

 

[B1GTide]

This schedule worries me as much as thinking how bad will we play in this upcoming bowl game. I know we are 10-2 but we look like a Mike Shula coached team.. To be honest I am dreading the bowl and next season.

I feel the opposite. The schedule will challenge your players and coaches. There will be better practices in the spring and summer, knowing what you just went through and what you will face immediately in 2020. IMO, that schedule will help this team prepare for the season, and championships are won in the off-season.