These polls are basically a waste of time until the season gets going good. The only thing the early polls prove is how little respect the media has for Bama. I mean for OU to stay in the polls after they lose their starting QB and replace him with a WR just goes to show you how far we have fallen from the media's grace. However, as Aries states, all it takes is winning on the field and that's the way it should be. We are basically in the same boat last year and all it took was a Florida win to put us in the Top 10.
First AP Poll Released
- Thread starter squib
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These polls are basically a waste of time until the season gets going good. The only thing the early polls prove is how little respect the media has for Bama. I mean for OU to stay in the polls after they lose their starting QB and replace him with a WR just goes to show you how far we have fallen from the media's grace. However, as Aries states, all it takes is winning on the field and that's the way it should be. We are basically in the same boat last year and all it took was a Florida win to put us in the Top 10.
:biga: I think it's scientific fact that the media hates Alabama. I was only 13 when they won the NC in '92 but I can remember the blasts Alabama was taking from the media the days prior to Miami's trip to the wood shed. I just don't understand the extreme bias against Bama and for Auburn.
To everyone saying preseason rankings don't matter... I'm not sure that's true. If we had gone undefeated last year would we have been playing in the title game instead of USC/Texas? I don't think so.
To truly understand the national media bias against alabama it helps to know the history of UA football. There are literally hundreds of books out there you can get. "The Last Coach" by Allen Barra(sp?) is a good one that came out recently. Basically in the early 1900's all the major media was in the northeast and of course Los Angeles. Football in the south was considered a joke compared to the likes of ND, USC, Washington, and others. It was Alabama of course who changed all of that with their invite and victory in the Rose Bowl. I think the year was 1932 or somewhere close. You should also see "Roses of Crimson" a documentary about that team.
My biggest complaint about the poll is the fact that they have Florida ranked #7. Everyone discusses how much losing so many starters will hurt Bama bt the fact is Florida has lost a ton on the OL. They have an inexperienced OL and the media is talking their O up. Also, the media has mentioned how good Florida's D is. Do they not realize that Florida's D wasn't anything spectacular last year? Where is all of this high praise coming from in regards to Florida? I know Meyer has a successful record and don't doubt that he will do well at Florida but to give them such praise this soon is rediculous.
Lest we not forget that Urban Meyer invented the AP, BCS, USA Today Coaches, and the sports media. For that matter, Urban Meyer invented the SEC, NFL, and everything else that encompasses football.
The year I believe was 1926 and Alabama was a prohibitive underdog to Stanford and the media made fun of the fact that a little team from, of all places the South, would be a worthy foe for Stanford. Standford in that day and time would be the equivalent to USC today. Yes, Alabama won and gave the country and the news media a "black eye" and somehow I think that was when the bias against Alabama started. Of course, the era of the Civil Rights movement in the 60's and the fact that Alabama had no black players also added to the media bias. I am not sure if this bias still exists, but until we start winning on a consistent basis and beat the current SEC kingpins we will continue to get no respect from the media.
I really wish they wouldn't post this poll until the at least the 3rd or 4th week. If AP's preseason #1 and #2 go unbeaten they will be in the BCS Championship game. Any other unbeatens would be SOL. At least by the 3rd or 4th game, there would be some idea of how strong the teams were and could be maybe a little more objective than the current lovefest with USC, ND, Ohio State. These teams, excl ND, have one, maybe two major conference games each year. Each team in the SEC has 5! They are bloodied and beaten up by each other that a weaker team is necessary just to survive although I detest the 1-AA teams they tend to play.
Hopefully, now the Tide is nearly back to full strength, they will continue to seek out the likes of FSU and Penn State for out of conference games.
Hopefully, now the Tide is nearly back to full strength, they will continue to seek out the likes of FSU and Penn State for out of conference games.
2004 showed us that where you start can be of critical importance. Although, this is the AP poll, but still. Starting 26th vs Starting 15th can be the difference of whether you get that "top 5" or "top 10" or not at the end of the year.
The year was indeed 1926, but Alabama's opponent was Washington, a prohibitive favorite. Alabama played Stanford to a 7-7 tie in 1927 and defeated Stanford in 1935. Alabama also defeated Washington St in 1931, USC in 1946, with the only loss against Cal in 1938.
You are correct, thought I had the right year but wasn't sure if it was Washington or Stanford, I stand corrected.
Not to dwell on the negative, but....if Michigan, ND or Ohio State went 10-2, with one loss to their biggest rival (who had a great year) and the other to a great LSU team in overtime, and won their bowl game, finished #8 and probably should have been higher than that.......would they be in the top 25 the following year?
Notre Dame & Michigan just have to finish with a winning record to start in the top 15 the next year.
This is the most disrespected team I think I can ever recall. We are the only team to finish in the Top 10 last year and not be ranked this year. We return more starters than all of the teams from the SEC that are ranked. The media points to the fact that we lost 7 defensive starters. Ohio St. lost 9 defensive starters and they are ranked #1. They also point to the fact we lost our starting QB. So did USC, Texas, Georgia, and I'm sure a few others ranked ahead of us. And while we're on the QB's, anybody who has seen John Parker in the scrimmages would know we've got a good one in him. Not the arm strength of Brodie, but has all the tools he needs to be very successful. And no one, not Auburn, Georgia, Texas, or USC can say they have a better stable of RB's than us. Mark it down, this team will be the most surprising team in the country this year. At least 9-3, and I wouldn't be surprised if we do better. Oh yeah, WE WILL BEAT AUBURN THIS YEAR!!
Regardless of where we start we NEED the 2 teams and only THOSE 2 teams to lose every week. Come December we're #1 or #2 provided we do our part, WIN!
We are never going to get any respect from the AP. We could win the NC this season and be ranked 24th at beginning of next season. They just don't care for Bama very much.
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