MUST win for Shula and our program.

[ihatefulmer]

This,by far,is Shula's biggest game since becoming Head coach.everyone knows we win this game we go bowling.I think if we lose we will be home come bowl season.
We lose and Shula will get ripped in the press and on this site.It could be the start of the end of Shula.We dont go bowling this yaer and have a bad season next year the heat will be on Shula.I know Shula is probably not worried about what the press and fans say but those who dont think Shula is the right coach will have a lot more people on their side today with a loss.

We win and getthat 6th win I think we set our selves up for a run to the SEC title game next year.With the extra pratice that comes with a bowl game that would be huge in giving some of the younger players,espically on offense,a lot of reps in pratice leading up to a bowl.

It want go down as one of those "signature" wins if we win tody but it might be the "signature" loss that Shula or our program doesn't need.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Be it right or be it wrong, I think this game (for Shula's sake) is the biggest game of the year. If we lose to Auburn it won't be a devastating one because we pretty much are expected to lose that one (not saying we will though).

However, this game goes far beyond just who "wins and loses" on the field. This game goes all the way up to the AD as a vindication of "see, we did hire the right man" compared to if we lose, our administration getting bombarded with unwanted media attention and having to defend the Shula hire all over again. Which is something Mal Moore and our athletic department probably don't want to go through. That is why I think that it is important that signs of Mike Shula getting "out coached" need not show up in todays game. Fans, independent spectators, the media etc. will all be watching like hawks to see which coach seems to be more in touch with what's going on and makes the right moves when and if the situation presents itself.

And I guess another reason that this is the most important game of the year is because if we somehow come out on the short end today what will we the fans think and how will we react? I don't want to have to address that issue and I'm sure other fans don't either.

I don't expect to have to address the issue and see us coming out on top 35-20.

 

[TommyMac]

In all fairness to Coach Shula, I think we gotta give him more time to fairly evaluate him and the progress of the program. I'm 63 years old and I can't recall anybody ever taking over a program with as many challenges as he's faced.

On top of all the obstacles he faced from the get-go, he has also had to battle some incredibly back luck with injuries. Not just regular run-of-the-mill injuries, but season ending injuries to key personnel. Basically, you could regard Brodie's shoulder last season as season ending because it definitely effected the rest of the season for him. Losing Big Wesley was also devastating and we all know what a disaster this season has been regarding injuries.

Althoughhe had a great recruiting class last year, he hasn't really been able to enjoy it that much. The strength of the class was the receiver corps, but with the QB situation, he hasn't been able to take full advantage of their skills. We appear to be well on the way to another great class this year, but it's a huge step from Fridays in HS to Saturdays in the SEC.

We had a lot of posters last season screaming for wholesale coaching changes, but Coach Shula wisely disregarded them and stayed the course. We're realizing the benefits of that decision now.

Getting bowl eligible is really big, not just for the prestige of going bowling, but for the extra practice time for all the young'uns. I'm very comfortable with our future under Coach Shula, but we gotta give him enough time to compete with a level playing field. If we show him enough patience, I think the bowl games will become automatic again.

 

[BamaNLouisville]

Great post, TommyMac. I agree completely.

 

[jdpas29]

werd

 

[RedWave]

Right on, Tommy Mac. It is still way too early to judge Shula. You can clearly see that he is improving as a coach. Given that we have lost our 3 best weapons on offense, I doubt anyone could blame him for not getting it done this year. I think if he manages to get us into a bowl, you have to take your hat off to him for finding a way to overcome adversity.

All that said, it would be nice if Shula could go ahead and get a win tonight versus MSU. I do not necessarily think it would be a validation of his selection over Croom, as both coaches have teams still in recovery (one from probation, another from poor coaching over the last few years).

Regardless, Roll Tide

 

[CapstoneTider]

I agree, like it or not, a huge amount of fans will be judging CMS on this game because it's head to head.

We'll win anyway.