Here we go. W/L record for '06, post spring thoughts...

[AndyBama]

Optimistic: 11-1
Realistic: 9-3
Worst case: 7-5

I voted for 9-3. This team should shoot for no less than another 9 win regular season and a chance to hit double digits for the second straight year in a NYD bowl game.

 

[OrleansDawg]

I don't see UT rebounding. I think they are in the midst of a Dubosesque breakdown that starts from the top and rolls down.

I somewhat agree and disagree.

On one hand, UT should improve as Cutcliffe returns and is a step up from Sanders and I think Ainge improves

On the other, UT losses a lot of major parts.

But, maybe that is a good thing for them.

 

[bayoutider]

I usually hate preseason polls but I voted 10-2. I voted for a 9-2 season last year and was right on the money except I misssed which teams we would lose to. Many people vote in these polls expecting only good or bad things to happen to Bama and only good or bad things to happen to the opponent. We aren't the only team with talent and we aren't the only team with problems. It should be a fun season.

 

[i26bamafan]

Come on Terry P......Get with it.....Go out on a limb.....

It goona be.......

14 - 0 this year

 

[TerryP]

Come on Terry P......Get with it.....Go out on a limb.....

It goona be.......

14 - 0 this year

I came pretty close to saying 10-2...with loses to Auburn and UF. Hopefully, like last year, my opinion will change each and every week!! :biggrin2:

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

12-0. That is always the GOAL. I do expect this year in year out. No excuses.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

I believe our OFFENSE (not a mis-print) yes, OUR OFFENSE, will suprise about everyone that has said/written/commented on the subject. I believe the O will start to show a bit of the balance CMS has worked so hard to achieve. Mistakes brought about by youth will be our achilles. Like someone else said, look out for '07!

 

[BamaFlum]

9-3. The attitude that we can win will continue to reverberate in the lockerroom instead of why can't we win the close ones. Last year was just a stepping stone. All this still can't overcome a brutal road schedule, inexperienced QB, and a REAL young OL. Prove me wrong Bama! Go 14-0!

 

[rollntider]

after I voted 10-2 I began to look over the schedule again I only see LSU and Auburn games that are potential losses.

Granted we arent full of starters, but we are better in depth.
UF will be starting Tebow, I think Kines can pull out the hoover play book and get us a win. plus after watching the spring game, I don't think there isnt a ball Hall can't catch. We can grind the ball on the ground with those RB's. Stover has potential that he is finally here. JPW looked better than I expected, if he gets hurt I think we are in for a long season, because Barnes ....well ...I am a fan of any bama player

On defense our DL will be very capable and our LB will be better than expected. Waldrop isnt getting any respect even from our fans and Terrance Jones was more than adequate playing sparingly last year. Prince hall looked very good in spring. No need to mention Simpson, we all know him.

Our DB's are inexperianced as starters, but dukes and castille has played. I think we will be better than average.

Auburn loses a top OL a few good Defensive players and 99.9% of the WR starters. I think we can hang with them and beat them, i am not ready to concede defeat to them (we win)

LSU has me worried and yet I am also hopeful because Les Miles will be gone in a few years, his career will remind you of Mike Archer down there. One or 2 good years then it falls apart (see UT game) Can LSU beat Bama on Saban's recruiting or will Miles bumble the game away. (we lose)

UF - If Tebow is the starter look out this team will have issues. He is talented enough to play, but he has only faced high school teams. Florida will be good and loaded with talent, but they drop a few big ones. (we win)

Arkansas - Houston Nutts swan song, will the Bama game be the one that finally lops his head off? Of Course (we win)

Tennessee - Last year was no fluke, last year was the begining of the end, I see UF go 6-6 to 8-4 this year. Phil has lost control of his team(i.e. Mike dubose 2000) Only difference no probation rumors. (we win)

I wanna change my vote to 11-1, I think Saban recruited a monster at LSU that will keep them afloat for a while. While Olemiss helps us get into the SEC CG with them upetting Auburn/LSU. Ole miss does worry me a little.

 

[LSUray]

LSU has me worried and yet I am also hopeful because Les Miles will be gone in a few years, his career will remind you of Mike Archer down there. One or 2 good years then it falls apart (see UT game) Can LSU beat Bama on Saban's recruiting or will Miles bumble the game away. (we lose)...

I wanna change my vote to 11-1, I think Saban recruited a monster at LSU that will keep them afloat for a while. While Olemiss helps us get into the SEC CG with them upetting Auburn/LSU. Ole miss does worry me a little.

It seems that your basis for comparing Miles to Archer is that he is only playing with Saban's players and will fall off once they are gone. In his first 2 recruiting classes, he is on par with Saban in recruiting. His first year they only signed 14 players in an abbreviated recruiting season because of the late resignation of Saban and still had a great class. This is similar to what Saban did his first year after being hired. Last year, they finished top 5 nationally in recruiting by many experts and are off to a great start this year. Miles, like Saban, has Louisiana tied down. Mike Archer, on the other hand, was a terrible recruiter and did live off of Arnsparger's players for two years before it caught up with him. Archer and Hallman could not keep Louisiana talent at home.

As for the LSU-UT game last year, Miles learned a lot after that game about SEC football. I will also say that LSU's players were so emotionally and physically drained after the 1st half that it had a big effect on losing the lead. And no, they were not physically drained because of poor conditioning, but rather the unusual routine with lack of sleep and average 9 lbs lost per player after the storm and before that game. All of that is neither here nor there. I guess all I am saying is hold on before writing Miles off.

By the way, I think the SECW comes down to LSU and Bama. The love affair with Auburn by the national media ends Sept. 16.

 

[OrleansDawg]

To be fair, we have no idea if Miles first 2 classes are anywhere near Saban's usual classes.

They have had time to actually produce.

Saban was a hell of a solid recruiter

 

[TerryP]

To be fair, we have no idea if Miles first 2 classes are anywhere near Saban's usual classes.

They have had time to actually produce.

Saban was a hell of a solid recruiter

While that is an accurate statement, I think the biggest question mark isn't on the recruits, but on Miles himself.

During his attempts (2X) to get the job at Bama when we were in search of a coach I took the time to watch his program at OSU in a lot of detail. I'm not convinced...

 

[LSUray]

To be fair, we have no idea if Miles first 2 classes are anywhere near Saban's usual classes.

They have had time to actually produce.

Saban was a hell of a solid recruiter

I agree, but I meant based on recruiting rankings alone and the fact that Miles locked down every top 10 in-state prospect the made an offer to this past recruiting season.

 

[numbersman]

Looks like we should get to 7-5 without breaking a sweat. I'll give them one more and call 8-4. I wouldn't be surprised at 7-5, but 9-3 or better could happen, too. I hate to raise expectations any higher. If :biggrin: :biggrin2: we beat AU, I'll take 6-6 and smile.

RTR

 

[BamaNation]

ttt

 

[Proxigean Tide]

I voted 9-3, but I think 10-2 is a real possibility barring major injuries. Bama is still very young and 2006 was calculated to be most negatively affected by sanctions. However, I think Bama will be better along offensive line about the same everywhere else, except defensive backfield, which may be a weakness. RTR.