Bama Talent Level

[red55]

Don't get me wrong, I think LSU is loaded again this year and headed for a third straight top-5 finish . . . but the legendary talent abundance at LSU is kind of exaggerated based on a couple of #1 classes that Nick signed that have already moved through the system. Les has recruited well, his first three classes were better than Nick's last three classes, but he hasn't had a #1 class yet. Worse, Florida and Georgia have both recruited even better in that time and Auburn not far behind.

LSU really ain't so far ahead in talent as some imagine. We have better depth than we are used to, but a serious depth issue is emerging on the offensive line. Since spring practice, LSU lost five OL reserves to transfer or dismissal and a season-ending knee injury this week.

 

[Tide Tales]

My point is we have the talent to beat ANY team in the SEC on any given Saturday and the games listed above are prime examples of that. Beating a team on the field doesn't mean you have to have equal or better talent but just the talent to beat them. There is a difference. We've got a lot of people with perpetual excuses why we can't win or can't compete. When YES WE CAN. Ask Miss St if they can beat a better talented team. They beat us.

Amen! Preach On, Bamabuzzard! I think you've still got some in the audience who are unbelievers! I believe...every game...every year! Roll Tide!:BigA:

 

[BamaInBham]

Bama is not even close to LSU in talent. Bama has 3 starters who would start for LSU: Smith, Castille and Caldwell. LSU has awesome talent. If her QB comes thru at least somewhat, IMO, likely, she will be a steamroller. But that does not mean Bama cannot win, but IMO, it is unlikely.

The "we are close' arguement holds no water. Vanderbilt was 'close' to a 9-3 record last year: by 3 to Bama on FG midway thru 4th qtr, outgained OM by 250 yards and somehow lost, lost by 6 to UF, missed a last second FG against Ark to lose by 2, could have beaten UK. Actually Vandy was closer to 9-3, than Bama was. The truth is that losers like Vandy and Bama (was) lose. People don't realize how far the program had really fallen.

In reality, Bama was as close to 2-11 as 11-2: Hawaii deep in Bama territory late in 7 pt loss, beat Vandy at home by 3, beat OM at home in OT, up by 2 over Duke in 4th qtr.

IMO, the only close game last year that Bama really should have won was Ark and that was only because their coaching staff was too stupid to run it down Bama's throat and continued to try and get Mustain some 'experience'. He was awful and threw 3 ints. You never felt Bama was going to win the UF and UT games - even when ahead of UT late. LSU looked like they could have scored 50 if they wanted to - but Bama was frisky and tried to make a game of it. LSU whisked her off like a gnat when it came time to win. And it never felt like Bama would beat a wounded and mentally tired AU team that played a poor game. Even when Bama went up in the 2nd half - Bama had no chance.

It was more of a sign that other programs had no fear of Bama, therefore they could play around with her like a Vandy, because when it came time to win, they knew they could.

All that has changed now. Opponents will give Bama a much more fierce battle, but Bama will be up for it, though this year the victories will not come as frequently as they will shortly.

 

[Crimson Cat]

Don't get me wrong, I think LSU is loaded again this year and headed for a third straight top-5 finish . . . but the legendary talent abundance at LSU is kind of exaggerated based on a couple of #1 classes that Nick signed that have already moved through the system. Les has recruited well, his first three classes were better than Nick's last three classes, but he hasn't had a #1 class yet. Worse, Florida and Georgia have both recruited even better in that time and Auburn not far behind.

LSU really ain't so far ahead in talent as some imagine. We have better depth than we are used to, but a serious depth issue is emerging on the offensive line. Since spring practice, LSU lost five OL reserves to transfer or dismissal and a season-ending knee injury this week.

I agree to a certain extent- but I don't think Bama is quite at that level yet to where we have talented/experienced depth that LSU does. We do have some talent (I think) particularly on offense, not so much on defense and that is a concern this year. The talent at depth we do have is young and untested and some will be called upon to contribute early. But despite this, Alabama played teams tough last year in close scoring games and this is what give us fans hope this year. How many Top 10 classes has Tenn had in the past five years? Sometimes its more than just talent thats needed. I do think Florida is overrated this year even though they won the MNC last year, they lost quite a few starters. JMO.

 

[GoBama#1]

Per RollTide.com Florida beat us 13-28. If I remember correctly, it looked as though we gave up at the end after they scored some pretty cheap TDs.

Ok, but Florida did win the MNC, and Bama played within eight points until that last INT for the touchdown late in the game. LSU was the only team to solidly beat Bama by more than 8.

IMO, Bama goes 5-3 or better in conference this season. 2006 included losses at Ark 23-24 in OT, at Tenn, 13-16 and MSU 16-24. Better coaching and/or home field advantage could give us all three of these games this year, and would have last year.

 

[bayoutider]

My point is we have the talent to beat ANY team in the SEC on any given Saturday and the games listed above are prime examples of that. Beating a team on the field doesn't mean you have to have equal or better talent but just the talent to beat them. There is a difference. We've got a lot of people with perpetual excuses why we can't win or can't compete. When YES WE CAN. Ask Miss St if they can beat a better talented team. They beat us.

I agree. Our first team will be about as good as any other SEC team. We will be lacking in depth compared to some but we should be fielding a competitive team. Just because we have positions that could use an upgrade do not suppose all the rest of the SEC couldn't use a few upgrades themselves.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The "we are close' arguement holds no water. Vanderbilt was 'close' to a 9-3 record last year: by 3 to Bama on FG midway thru 4th qtr, outgained OM by 250 yards and somehow lost, lost by 6 to UF, missed a last second FG against Ark to lose by 2, could have beaten UK. Actually Vandy was closer to 9-3, than Bama was. The truth is that losers like Vandy and Bama (was) lose. People don't realize how far the program had really fallen.

In reality, Bama was as close to 2-11 as 11-2: Hawaii deep in Bama territory late in 7 pt loss, beat Vandy at home by 3, beat OM at home in OT, up by 2 over Duke in 4th qtr.

Actually "we were close" tells two things. "We were close" in the Duke, Hawaii and Fla Int'L revealed how far our program had regressed. "We were close" in the Florida, Arkansas, Auburn games reveals that though we've obviously regressed we're not out of the race and the gap might not be as wide as some fans try to convince themselves and others.

 

[Crimson Cat]

I agree. Our first team will be about as good as any other SEC team. We will be lacking in depth compared to some but we should be fielding a competitive team. Just because we have positions that could use an upgrade do not suppose all the rest of the SEC couldn't use a few upgrades themselves.

I agree. Well said. Every team has holes to fill, and some at key positions, like QB (LSU, ARK, FL, GA). It will be interesting to see how these QB's do.

 

[TexasTideFan]

Actually "we were close" tells two things. "We were close" in the Duke, Hawaii and Fla Int'L revealed how far our program and regressed. "We were close" in the Florida, Arkansas, Auburn games reveals that though we've obviously regressed we're not out of the race and the gap might not be as wide as some fans try to convince themselves and others.

That's exactly the way I look at it as well. IMO, being able to compete with the upper tier SEC teams proves that there isn't really the void in talent some think we have. Sure, you can flip that and make the case that we didn't exactly blow away Duke or Hawaii, but that's where I really agree with you, we didn't exactly come into those games motivated and that was a coaching flaw. Bama has been famous in the last few years of playing up to the level of competition and vice versa for the teams you would expect us to cakewalk over. That's a trend that I feel certain is about to stop.

 

[Just Win]

Actually "we were close" tells two things. "We were close" in the Duke, Hawaii and Fla Int'L revealed how far our program and regressed. "We were close" in the Florida, Arkansas, Auburn games reveals that though we've obviously regressed we're not out of the race and the gap might not be as wide as some fans try to convince themselves and others.

I've tried to tell people for several years that the 25/85 scholarship rule has brought major parity into college football. There are plenty of talented players to go around, and everybody is getting their fair share. When I watched Alabama lose to Northern Illinois, I was in disbelief until I had time to think about the parity issue. If you take an average/good team and get them to play hard for 4 quarters, and then take a good/great team who only goes through the motions, the lesser team that plays like they want to win will win most of the time. Effort, execution, and heart will beat lackadaisical talent every time.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Effort, execution, and heart will beat lackadaisical talent every time.

And that's why coaching is so important...

 

[BAMAHD]

I remember last season someone sorted out the recruiting ranking for the past five years by team ranking and number of stars for players. This is what they got and i would have to agree.

1 LSU
2 Florida
3 Georgia
4 Tennessee
5 Auburn
6 Alabama

In my opinion this is what the HC's did with that talent.

1 LSU-Saban,Myles, National Championship
2 Florida-Zook,Meyer, National Championship
3 Auburn-Tuberville SEC
4 Georgia-Richt, ton of talent,overated
5 Tennessee-Fulmer, past his prime years ago
6 Alabama-Shula, we know what happend there

 

[BamaJama17]

I hope the rest of the SEC thinks we have no talent because if they do, some hearts will be broken...this team HAS talent and Coach Saban will bring it out...

You took those right out of mouth.

 

[bamachile]

Russell was very good, but certainly not the entire team. I don't think Russell played to his potential in college, but LSU relied on him heavily nonetheless.

I think they actually might get better with him gone because the offense won't stand around and wait for him to make something happen.

Nice observation, Proxy, and spot-on, I think.

I live far from home, exiled in the great southern swapland. Well, it's not so bad. They have crawfish and although I never pulled for the purple and gold growing up, I never hated them, either. Thing is, I've gotten more than a few opportunities to watch them lately, and trust me--whether it is temporary or permanent is a topic for another thread, but it is a sure fact that the LSU football team is as loaded as a painter on Friday._eek:

The NC is certainly not out of reach for the French Alligator this year. And better an SEC team than USC or some other semi-pro team, I think. Although I hope we are the spoiler:wink:

:BigA:RTR:BigA:

 

[GrandBayTider]

In my opinion this is what the HC's did with that talent.

1 LSU-Saban,Myles, National Championship
2 Florida-Zook,Meyer, National Championship
3 Auburn-Tuberville SEC
4 Georgia-Richt, ton of talent,overated
5 Tennessee-Fulmer, past his prime years ago
6 Alabama-Shula, we know what happend there

Just wanted to point out that UGA won the SEC Championship in 2002 and 2005, and played in the Championship game in 2003. Not really sure how that gets them ranked lower than AU, much less the comment about being overated. :conf2: I would sure like to see our school have a run like that, 3 SEC Championship game apperances with two Championships in 4 years is pretty impressive.

 

[jps1983]

I agree. Well said. Every team has holes to fill, and some at key positions, like QB (LSU, ARK, FL, GA). It will be interesting to see how these QB's do.

GA had a freshman start last year. He could have an Ainge sophomore year (hopefully at least when they play us). but he was a serviceable QB. I don't think that they can be included in that list.

On the main topic, we have talented players, because we are still a major D-1 program. As many have said our problems lie in the experience and depth areas, not really in talent. IF CNS can build solid depth now and in our first two games (get 2nd string guys into the game with a comfortable lead), we should be able to beat Ark. and at the very worst, give FSU and UGA a close game. If we can't get solid early leads against WC or VU, we could face a frustrating 3 game stretch.

 

[BAMAHD]

Just wanted to point out that UGA won the SEC Championship in 2002 and 2005, and played in the Championship game in 2003. Not really sure how that gets them ranked lower than AU, much less the comment about being overated. :conf2: I would sure like to see our school have a run like that, 3 SEC Championship game apperances with two Championships in 4 years is pretty impressive.

You are right Richt should be ahead of Tubberville.But i still stand by my overrated tag on Richt, I just don't think he can lead them to a NC.

 

[Alanbama27]

Bama's starting 22 are as good as any starting 22. Where we still have issues is depth with experience. We've now got our numbers back, but little experienced depth, which is our issue. Without injury and some luck, this Bama team will surprise a lot of people.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Bama's starting 22 are as good as any starting 22. Where we still have issues is depth with experience. We've now got our numbers back, but little experienced depth, which is our issue. Without injury and some luck, this Bama team will surprise a lot of people.

Thats exactly the point im trying to make... One thing you will notice thats different with this team is that we will have a stronger team in the 4th quarter and we shall get better as the season goes along. I just think people are underestimating this team and I like that.

 

[Crimson Cat]

GA had a freshman start last year. He could have an Ainge sophomore year (hopefully at least when they play us). but he was a serviceable QB. I don't think that they can be included in that list.

On the main topic, we have talented players, because we are still a major D-1 program. As many have said our problems lie in the experience and depth areas, not really in talent. IF CNS can build solid depth now and in our first two games (get 2nd string guys into the game with a comfortable lead), we should be able to beat Ark. and at the very worst, give FSU and UGA a close game. If we can't get solid early leads against WC or VU, we could face a frustrating 3 game stretch.

You're right-my bad. Stafford shouldn't be included. I couldn't remember if he started last year or not.