What would it take to make this season a good one for you?

[Redwood Forrest]

We all want an undefeated season and another National Championship, after all, this is Alabama and we are accustomed to these things.

But if you were to set a goal for this season, one that is realistically achievable, what would it take to make you happy?

There are three things that would make me very happy in 2004:

1. beat Tennessee
2. beat Auburn
3. go to a bowl and win it

Ole Miss? LSU? Arkansas and the rest of our schedule? Well, they are not in my top three list, but we would have to beat enough of them to go to a bowl.

I think 'my' goal is achievable. What would it take to make the season a good one for you?

 

[TommyMac]

Instead of using the W/L record as a barometer, I just want to see steady progress, I want to see a team that steadily gets better week to week. That will tell me that we're on the right track as far as the coaching staff is concerned and it's just a matter of getting our numbers back up until we're BAMA-like again.

 

[1BamaNita]

More wins than losses, and finally beating the barn at home so they'll shut up!

 

[svtider]

steady improvement and consistent play...oh yeah and 10 wins

 

[bamanut_aj]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TommyMac:
Instead of using the W/L record as a barometer, I just want to see steady progress, I want to see a team that steadily gets better week to week. That will tell me that we're on the right track as far as the coaching staff is concerned and it's just a matter of getting our numbers back up until we're BAMA-like again.</font>

Amen, Tommy! I didn't see much team improvement last year. Maybe some individual improvements, but the team seemed to digress.

 

[jdpas29]

WIN the close games.

 

[TexasTideFan]

This season would be good if we could win 8-9 games, crack the top 10, go to a good bowl, and win.

Exceptional, win the SEC.

Unreal, win #13.

I really want to beat Auburn at home, though. I mean a good woodshed whipping like OU put on the Aggies last year because the out of state Auburn fans' smack talk only gets worse when they leave Lee County.

 

[JohnD]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TommyMac:
Instead of using the W/L record as a barometer, I just want to see steady progress, I want to see a team that steadily gets better week to week. That will tell me that we're on the right track as far as the coaching staff is concerned and it's just a matter of getting our numbers back up until we're BAMA-like again.</font>

I hear where you're coming from, but I'm not sure that's a good barometer considering the lack of players. If we have several nagging injuries, which always seems to happen as the season rolls along, we don't have enough quality subs to accomodate that. Great coaching can only go so far to fix that problem. Depth had a lot to do with the droppoff last season. We lost too many players to injuries. So while we may be progressing as a team, it could be hard to see it if we have alot of injuries. Also, the coaches used too much of an NFL approach regarding substitutions. They've got to do a better job of substituting this year.

 

[mooblybama]

1) Most importantly, more wins than losses
2) Not fading late in close games
3) Strong showings (preferrably wins) at the big games, like LSU and Auburn.
4) Minimal number of stupid penalties
5) Positive turnover ratio (kept vs. lost)
6) On a strictly numbers basis, a seven-win season would be good. Hoping for more is a given, but expecting more might not be realistic right now. A bowl game would help next year's recruiting - we have to be thinking forward, toward rebuilding Bama to its status as a football powerhouse.

 

[FAYETTE4BAMA]

Effort, pride, execution and a win or two as an UnderDog! I like it when nobody gives us a chance, it usually is good for a great performance from us and some shut-up juice for the "haters".

 

[bnhonest]

I'll be happy with a bowl game. NCAA got the best of us. We are in a rebuilding mode. A bowl invitation would be a big step in the right direction. If we get a bowl invite, then that means we likely will have won 4 SEC games, which is a tall enough order these days.

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"Old Mexico...that sounds like the test of all test if you ask me....I'm in!"

 

[HighTide333]

TommyMac is right.

If the coaches aren't able to coach fundamentally sound COLLEGE football to these young men, then it doesn't matter if the line-up is four deep with All-Americans.

The post-season ban is over, and that alone will take some of the poor play off the field.

 

[BamaSully]

I'll try a different approach. Here's what will tickle me pink.............

Brodie does not miss any SIGNIFICANT PT due to injury.

Hudson/Darby/Castille combine to average 190+ per game on the ground.

We are in the top 4 of the SEC in turnover margin and penalty yardage.

The defense plays an attacking style and forces plays to happen quickly.

We are known as a very solid blocking and tackling team.

The kicking game is not a huge liability.

The coverage teams are feared by opponents.

The return teams are at least respected by opponents.

The coaching staff seems to make the right calls at the right time and never gets us beat by simply being outcoached.

If all that happens, I will be thoroughly pleased, regardless of the win-loss record. The win-loss record will take care of itself, and it is dependent on so many other factors that I did not mention.

Just my opinion.

-Sully

[This message has been edited by BamaSully (edited 06-16-2004).]

 

[RollTideNAlbertville]

First, win 7 games and get to go to a Bowl.
Beat the VOLS!
Beat Auburn!
Stomp Ole Miss in the GROUND!

 

[FitToBeTide]

1. A return to a punishing, fearless, confident defense that gets deeply depressed because someone has scored a TD against us.

2. Win the games we are supposed to and win one or two we aren't supposed to.

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The author of the Iliad is either Homer or, if not Homer, somebody else of the same name.
- Aldous Huxley

 

[BamaFan in Germantown]

I don't care about wins I want to see progress, as other have mentioned, also BEAT THE VILES and ALLBARN

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To accomplish great things, we must not only act,but also dream;not only plan,but also believe.
Anatole France

 

[CrimsonBloodn62]

Win all of our HOME games would be a good start to rebuilding Bama back to where it once was. Any more wins than that would be much more sweeter. And of course, win our bowl game.

 

[Bowens]

Lead the SEC in defense.
Pass defense is just as formidable as rush defense.
Top 10 in NCAA in defense.
Top half in SEC in offense.
Lead SEC in Rushing offense.
Top 25 in NCAA rushing offense.
Gain a top 25 ranking and don't lose it.
Beat tennessee.
Beat aubarn.
Limit penalties.
Win the turnover stat.
No matter the score, Bama wins the 4th quarter.
If we are leading going into the 4th quarter, we finish the game with a win.
60% or better 3rd down conversion.
40% or lower 3rd down conversion rate for opponent.
Win time of possesion.
Take it one week at a time.
HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[BamaSully]

........I forgot about time of possession and 3rd down conversions. With depleted depth, we will certainly need to sustain long drives to maximize the chances of the defense being fresh in the 4th quarter.

Of course, I would love to see quick strikes by way of long TD passes from Brodie and long runs by Hudson/Darby/Castille, but it would be more beneficial to the defense for them to get LONG breaks on the sidelines between possessions.

-Sully

 

[mlh]

I'm in agreement with TommyMac. I also hope we beat UT and AU. But mostly I'm looking for steady improvement that gives me confidence that CMS is the man who can and will rebuild our program to where we all want it to be.