2007 Outlook?

[rolltide8755]

9-4?! Who are we going to lose to???

agreed

 

[jps1983]

I think there are 3 gimmie games: West. Carolina, ULM, and Vandy

There are 3 that we should win: Ole Miss, MSU, and Houston,

I think we could win the rest and expect us to beat Ark. and at least 1 of the remaining games. Expecting more than 8 or 9 wins in the regular season is asking a lot for a team that is replacing many starters from defense, learning a new system, and already thin (as previously mentioned) at DL. Whoever starts at NT has not seen significant minutes in college football. Past Greenwood and Gilberry, our DEs are very green as well. I don't mean to sound so pessimistic, but I don't want grumbling or booing coming from the stands if we don't win a national title this year.

 

[Crimson Elite]

I am optimistic about this season. but I don't want to throw out the number of wins I think BAMA will have just yet.

A-Day game hasn't been played as of yet, and most of the time you can't judge how our season will go based on that ONE game.

I believe our toughest games will be the road games. I think we will be at MUCH BETTER place than we were last year. I want us to win EVERY game!!

Many of our opponets are in desperate need of a MAJOR POUNDING..and I hope BAMA gives it to them!! :BigA:

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!

 

[LCN]

Bama WILL NOT lose to lsu . Curry ... uhhhh I mean clm will have 10-12 panic attacks en-route to TitleTown .

 

[Probius]

W. Carolina - WIN
at Vandy - WIN
Arkansas - LOSE
Georgia - WIN
FSU (Jax) - WIN
Houston - WIN
at Ole Miss - WIN
Tennessee - WIN
LSU - LOSE
at Miss. State - WIN
La-Monroe - WIN
at Auburn - LOSE

Bowl game - Toss-up

= 10-3 or 9-4

UGA will be much better than Arky this season, so if we are to lose to either of those teams I expect it will be UGA. And I am a bit tired of hearing my fellow Bama fans acting scared of the barn. The one thing I can assure you of regarding this season is that we will beat the barn.

 

[Mussofan22]

I'm making no predictions. We certainly don't have the players to go 14-0. I don't have the confidence in a 10-win season simply because Saban doesn't have all the players he needs to get there. I hope I'm wrong. Once he brings ALL the right players into the program, Alabama will be back.

But as far as I'm concerned, as long as we are winning games we should win plus a game or two we shouldn't win, and are competitive for the entire 60 minutes, it will be a successful season. I just don't want to see any more weak 4th quarters. And I don't think that will happen under Saban.

 

[Vinny]

Bama should have more wins than last year and less losses.

 

[NYBamaFan]

I predict that 2007 will bring Bama one step closer to her next NC...

 

[red55]

Bama WILL NOT lose to lsu.

I'll take LSU and I'll bet you a six-pack of Corona. :wink:

I won't bet on Auburn, though. I think you can take those guys.

 

[bamaslammer]

I really need to see if any of the true freshman are going to be game ready come fall. I think we need two or three to be able to play in the front 7 in order to have the debth we need down the stretch. Shula didn't do us any favors with his weak recruiting in this area. With our experienced secondary I think the teams that can line up and run it are going to try and do so against our undersized defensive front. If they can we will have to outscore them to win and that means very little margin for error on offensive production.

 

[yellowhammer13]

8 or 9 wins with one of those being over "The Barn" and I'm a "Happy Crimson Camper"!!!

 

[deliveryman35]

I think a 9+ win season would have to be deemed a great success, considering the situation that Coach Saban has inherited. As has been pointed out, our '07 schedule is nothing short of brutal. An 8-4 season with great improvement shown is what I predict.

 

[BamaSkins]

I say 12-2 in 2007

 

[BamaScooter16]

Many of our opponets are in desperate need of a MAJOR POUNDING..and I hope BAMA gives it to them!!

I couldn't agree more. Let's go down the list of SEC teams which need to be pounded by CNS and the Tide:

Vanderbilt: after a close game last year, expect another close game with Bama coming out on top in the 4th. This is the game where CNS's Fourth Quarter program will really be apparent.

Arkansas: with last years meltdown and Mitch Mustain up in the air, Bama will be a clear favorite to win. However, the piggies always play Bama tough and get very physical, especially with McFadden in the game. Again, CNS will have the Tide ready to play Arky just as physically, if not more. Add to that the memories of last years loss, and I think the Tide will send the piggies home roasted.

Georgia: this will be the first real test for the Tide. While CNS will have the Tide ready, Georgia is just too deep, especially on defense. The Tide will keep it respectable, but look for a loss on 9/22 at Bryant Denny.

FSU: even though this isn't an SEC team, I thought I would include it anyway. FSU had a serious meltdown last year, and just like Bama, look for them to resurge with the addition of a competent OC and CNS protege, Jimbo Fisher. Both Bama and FSU are pretty equally stacked, so injuries and off the field issues (on FSU's part :biggrin: ) will probably play a major role in who wins this game. I'm gonna be a pessimist and say Bama will lose it on a last minute field goal by the 'Noles. Prove me wrong Bama!

Ole Miss: Coach Ogre has this team on the rise, even if it is with questionable deals and player transfers. As always, the Rebs will play the Tide tough. However, by this point I think both the offense and the defense will begin to gel, while the Rebs continue to sputter around. Look for this one to be over by the 4th quarter with the Tide winning by at least two TDs.

Tutorsee: this game, as always, is an important one for both teams. However, this year is different in the fact that fat Phil wil be wearing a diaper throughout the week and the game. Old fatty has always chalked this game up as a win, with the exception of 02 and 05. This year will be different. Oh yes, it will be different. By this time the Tide will be ranked, especially if we pull out a win againt FSU. Add to the fact that Ainge should not be 100% and most of fatty's playmakers on offense have graduated, then the Tide should win and win big. While the defense will give up some big plays to the viles, the offense will put up some big numbers and last year's breakdown in the 4th quarter will be avenged.

LSU: this game will have the national spotlight over any other game that week, I guar-an-tee (fake cajun accent ). While we all want to beat the tigers at home, LSU just has too much depth at every position. Even though Russell and his receivers have left for the greener pastures of the NFL, the offense is still pretty stout. The LSU defense however, worries me in its sheer depth and tenacity. Add the LSU grudge againt CNS, even though he came from Miami and not straight from Baton Rouge, and LSU will be meaner than a drunk on Friday night. While the Tide will keep it respectable, look for five in a row against the Bayou Bengals. At least Les Miles won't stick up his hand like Tubby did, we hope.

MSU: while Croom continues to rebuild this program into a shadow of its former self, look for the Tide to go into Starkville and stomp a mudhole into the bullies. By this point the Tide will be angry and have a chip on their soldier due to losses at home to Georgia and LSU at least. Last year's loss to Croom will weigh heavily on their minds, and the Tide will roll like it used to under CPB. Look for a blowout or even a shutout in Wade Davis stadium, where the cowbells will fall silent once again.

The barn: this is the game that CNS was hired to win. By this point the Tide offense and defense will both be solid units, but so will the barn's. This game will just be too close to call until gameday. While Bama will clearly be on the rise, Tubbs is just too unpredictable. Barn faithful say Tubbs will make another run at the MNC, while more rational barners say Tubbs will falter and sputter out like he did last year. I personally feel it will be the latter. If Brandon Cox goes down the barn is done, and with away games at Arky, Florida, and LSU that is a distinct possibility. With that add the barn's problems at OL and WR, and the Tide defense should keep the Barn offense down. The barn defense, however, will be stout and ready to play. I think that CNS personally does not like Tubby, and if this things go like I hope, CNS will tie up his series with Tubbs at 3-3.

9-3, with a possible BCS bowl bid if the tide pounds the barn. Everyone take a big old drink of the Crimson Kool Aid!! It tastes good doesn't it!! :biggrin:

 

[bamabryan]

No offense to anyone, but some of my fellow Bama fans need a reality check.

8 to 9 wins is realistic considering the schedule, but it is a tough schedule although we have most of our big games at home. IMHO 10 wins is possible, but very unlikely. Anything beyond 10 wins next year ain't gonna happen in 2007.

For whatever reason it seems our teams always struggle the first year they are learning a new system. This is a proven fact through the years. Our offense and defense are both learning new systems and on defense in particular, we have players that will be playing new positions.

And as much as it pains me to say this, LSU and All-Barn have just been better than us the last several years. Until we go out there and prove to everyone we are better by actually beating them and shutting them up, we're not better. Both LSU and All-Barn are at a point where they red-shirt their linemen. This is huge for them. We've had to depend on our linemen to come in and play as true freshmen and in 2007 we need defensive linemen to come in a play immediately.

I am as die hard as anyone here on Tide Fans and I am so sick of losing to All-Barn, LSU and UcheaT, but we have to be patient with the new coaching staff. CNS will get our program turned around and we can all expect huge things, but let's be realistic.

 

[red55]

I am as die hard as anyone here on Tide Fans and I am so sick of losing to All-Barn, LSU and UcheaT, but we have to be patient with the new coaching staff. CNS will get our program turned around and we can all expect huge things, but let's be realistic.

I think you are right. Nick came in and had an 8-4 season his first year at LSU, but everybody was enthusiastic because we could see the team get better all season. The next year, LSU won the SEC.

 

[rolltide8755]

I really need to see if any of the true freshman are going to be game ready come fall. I think we need two or three to be able to play in the front 7 in order to have the debth we need down the stretch. Shula didn't do us any favors with his weak recruiting in this area. With our experienced secondary I think the teams that can line up and run it are going to try and do so against our undersized defensive front. If they can we will have to outscore them to win and that means very little margin for error on offensive production.

amen

 

[Bamabuzzard]

And as much as it pains me to say this, LSU and All-Barn have just been better than us the last several years. Until we go out there and prove to everyone we are better by actually beating them and shutting them up, we're not better. Both LSU and All-Barn are at a point where they red-shirt their linemen. This is huge for them. We've had to depend on our linemen to come in and play as true freshmen and in 2007 we need defensive linemen to come in a play immediately.

I am as die hard as anyone here on Tide Fans and I am so sick of losing to All-Barn, LSU and UcheaT, but we have to be patient with the new coaching staff. CNS will get our program turned around and we can all expect huge things, but let's be realistic.

You're totally right on everything you say. But the game is still decided on the field. The "best team" doesn't always win the game. The "best team" THAT DAY usually wins the game. I'll concede that LSU, Aw Barn, Tenn etc. have been simply better teams than us for quite a number of years now. But I've watched all of them have bad games (more than one I might add), not execute perfectly and make their share of stupid game changing mistakes over the past few years.

Talent/depth wise LSU is head and shoulders above us right now. But LSU also has been the most talented and loaded team in the SEC for two years running and at the end of the season wasn't at the podium holding any SEC Title. They fumbled their way to a loss against Florida and couldn't make enough adjustments offensively to score against Auburn (though the home cooked calls didn't help either). I've watched them sluggishly win games (see Ole Miss).

They are the "better" team but aren't above making enough mistakes to lose games they should win. We need to look no further than our game against Miss St in 2006. Oddly enough that game should give anyone hope.

Let's see how it plays out on the field. We might be surprised at the outcome.

 

[ElkhartTider]

You're totally right on everything you say. But the game is still decided on the field. The "best team" doesn't always win the game. The "best team" THAT DAY usually wins the game. I'll concede that LSU, Aw Barn, Tenn etc. have been simply better teams than us for quite a number of years now. But I've watched all of them have bad games (more than one I might add), not execute perfectly and make their share of stupid game changing mistakes over the past few years.

Talent/depth wise LSU is head and shoulders above us right now. But LSU also has been the most talented and loaded team in the SEC for two years running and at the end of the season wasn't at the podium holding any SEC Title. They fumbled their way to a loss against Florida and couldn't make enough adjustments offensively to score against Auburn (though the home cooked calls didn't help either). I've watched them sluggishly win games (see Ole Miss).

They are the "better" team but aren't above making enough mistakes to lose games they should win. We need to look no further than our game against Miss St in 2006. Oddly enough that game should give anyone hope.

Let's see how it plays out on the field. We might be surprised at the outcome.

All very true, especially the last couple sentences!

 

[bamabryan]

You're totally right on everything you say. But the game is still decided on the field. The "best team" doesn't always win the game. The "best team" THAT DAY usually wins the game. I'll concede that LSU, Aw Barn, Tenn etc. have been simply better teams than us for quite a number of years now. But I've watched all of them have bad games (more than one I might add), not execute perfectly and make their share of stupid game changing mistakes over the past few years.

Talent/depth wise LSU is head and shoulders above us right now. But LSU also has been the most talented and loaded team in the SEC for two years running and at the end of the season wasn't at the podium holding any SEC Title. They fumbled their way to a loss against Florida and couldn't make enough adjustments offensively to score against Auburn (though the home cooked calls didn't help either). I've watched them sluggishly win games (see Ole Miss).

They are the "better" team but aren't above making enough mistakes to lose games they should win. We need to look no further than our game against Miss St in 2006. Oddly enough that game should give anyone hope.

Let's see how it plays out on the field. We might be surprised at the outcome.

I agree with everything you said BB, all excellent points.

I have high hopes that we will beat All-Barn this year. I think we will get much better as the year goes along. I don't think anybody is going to want to play us by the end of the 2007 season and All-Barn is of course the last regular season game.

The LSU game is going to be very interesting. I think all of us are expecting an all out war. I may change my mind as we get closer to the season, but I believe this will be our toughest game.

Looking at the UcheaT game now and considering what they lost along with the fact the game is at BDS, I like our chances.

The main thing I was pointing out is we have a pretty brutal schedule and there are no gimmes in the SEC. Throw in F$U and consider we have a new coaching staff, new schemes on offense and defense along with a very thin front 7 on defense, we have to be realistic.

I think we are going to surprise a team or two this year. I just don't see a season any better than 10-3 at the very best considering our schedule, but as you pointed out, let's play the games on the field and see what happens.