My positive take...

[Cox036]

We did not lose the game.

We have not fallen into this years catagory of losing a game we should win. Even though many people picked Houston to beat us. Examples: Michigan, Auburn, Louisville, USC, I mean this seasons list is endless, it will probly only get worse.

We are learning to win in ways that were lost in seasons before this one. Our offense did nothing against UGA too, but we still took them to overtime. Getting the points when we absolutely needed them.

This Houston team is no slouch either. The school is located in the heart of one the most coveted recruiting locations in the country, they are building a successful program. The evident parity that is spreading like wildfire in college football only strengthens this sentiment.

We could have looked better but I think it was good for the players to see first hand that even if your up by a couple of scores, the game is still not over. You must keep the intensity level up.

Shame on us for not sticking around the whole game. I am shocked that people were leaving after the first quarter. That is ridiculous, especially after all of the efforts made by the Sabans to make this a special place again.

In Saban's first year at LSU he lost to UAB. Think about that. Now look at LSU, they are the best team in the country, without a doubt. IT IS A PROCESS!

If we are going to have a chance to beat Tennesse, Auburn and LSU then it will be done in very close games that go down to the wire. I think it is good to put these kids through that kind of hell so that they have the confidence to do it again, regardless of who the opponent may have been.

 

[ashleync]

Good points. Thanks for writing this.

 

[chris]

be careful.....you're making too much sense!

 

[NatchezTider]

ditto!

 

[wintrader]

Excellent post. My thoughts exactly.

 

[BamaSC]

We could have looked better but I think it was good for the players to see first hand that even if your up by a couple of scores, the game is still not over. You must keep the intensity level up.

Seems like they would have learned that after the Arkansas game.

Things aren't all bad right now and "The Process" is still young, but the inconsistency of our offense is alarming. I wasn't excited at all yesterday after we got up 23-0 in the 1st quarter. I had a feeling we'd have to hang on for dear life and that's how it played out. I'm not clairvoyant, but this has become a very predictable pattern that continues to hold true.

We knew the defense was going to be thin and not as dominant, but at least they're showing some improvement and doing about all they can. Without a LOT of improvement by the offense, we'll do good to get 6 wins and a bowl berth this year.

 

[CrimsonJag]

Post of the season, thus far, imo.

 

[BamaCorvin]

great post! i needed that

 

[Alabama Larry in Ky]

Some people actually left after the first quarter?

I was hoping to see some players who haven't played very much and by the time it was over...well I had to leave the room on the last play again.

 

[GA Bamafan]

COX036

I agree with you. Before I opened Tidefans this afternoon I was trying to write something positive.

We are playing multiple folks on offence and as many as we have on defense. I think we are gaining experience and CNS is looking for some play-makers. I hate to look so mediocre but we are winning and building is a process.

Roll Tide!

 

[Vinny]

Nice post. There are some fans don't realize that a championship will come overnight. Guess what? It aint going to happen. Give it time and it will happen.

 

[TruCrimson]

Ageed.....100%

Everything is going to be just fine, but it is going to take some time....just have to be patient and support what we have and get ready for a bumpy ride that will be awarding in the future. You cannot be a USC, or a LSU overnight.....if so, then everyone would be great. RTR!!!

 

[ChattTide]

Anybody that has worked with kids can appreciate what we are seeing. I know we are not dealing with young teeenagers, but we are still dealing with a team that is learning something new (and I'm not just saying a new system).

It is tough to watch this team struggle, but they need to learn how to finish. Mentally, I think we got up so quick that we, as Jess said in his article, lost every bit of intensity because we were up by so much and had moved the ball so freely in the 1st quarter. (Unfortunately I have to bring up Fran here. If you feel sick, please stop reading now.) I remember when Bama played UTEP about 5 years ago and Fran was staying on the team on the sideline. He said, "Stay after their butts! Don't let up!" I think this team needs to be reminded every now and then that they need to stay after it.

I enjoyed the win yesterday and I took solice in that we are 4-2. We could have easily have been 2-4. We will be successful, but it's going to take time. We all want the instant gratification. That apparently is not happening. We aren't clicking on all cylinders right now.

But when we do start clicking, I can't wait to see it!

Roll Tide!!
ChattTide

 

[TommyMac]

Excellent post. We're just going to have to be patient, we didn't get this way overnight and it's going to take time come out of it. We've had too many years of substandard recruiting to overcome in just a few months. We have to seriously upgrade out talent level to get where we want to be. The best thing though is that Coach Saban probably wants it even more than we do.

 

[CrimsonGriff]

Post of the season, thus far, imo.

I agree

 

[Tide&True]

After watching a replay of the game I thought we played better than I did initially.

 

[Ark-Tider]

Thanks. I'm gonna look at the positives going forward. I'm tired of trying to figure out whats wrong. I'd rather spend my time figuring out whats right. CNS will right the ship in due time and until this happens, I'll just be looking for the small steps in that direction like Glenn Coffee blasting his way through the line.

 

[wastedmason]

Being positive is part of the rebuilding "process" coach Saban had in mind for us fans to do. We hurt the "process" if we do anything otherwise like complaining, griping, and putting down our team and coaches. Not that they care what we say so much about them personally but as to how we are percieved by our competition and nationally, media and future recruits.

By being positive and realistic we are part of the "process"! Even by being unrealistic we hurt ourselves and the "process". How? Because anyone who knows anything about our past few years, knows we are not NC calibre this season or next. To think otherwise is to be percieved as dillusional and they will laugh at us and mock us. That could hurt us in recruiting as well as our image.

Being positive in hard times is the "process" for us fans! Are we up to the task? Don't ask more from our coaches and players if we are not even going to do our part.

 

[Cox036]

I appreciate yalls opinions about the thread.

Things are good now and they will be great soon. Have faith...

 

[deliveryman35]

I agree, and great post. This is a transitional year that most of us predicted would end up conservatively with 7-8 games in the "W" column, and that's currently what we are trending toward. So there's really no reason to get all upset or bent out of shape over the way things have gone, it was really to be expected, for the most part. Rest assured Coach Saban and his staff will get the maximum out of Shula's players, but to get this team to the next level will require a massive stimulus package and infusion of blue chip talent--which will start next season. Until then we're all going to just have to settle in, be patient, and persevere in our enthusiastic support of the program. Good times are ahead...