What's the truth? How good will we be? (predictions/merged)

[bamabryan]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

As long as we don't have a lot of injuries, Bama will go 8-4 at worst and 10-2 at best.

The game at Arkansas is going to be a huge game for us.

 

[teamplayer]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

I was just reading my Sport's Illustrated this morning, and they picked us to finish 7-5. I really think 7 wins is a worst case scenario and 10 wins would be about the most we could reasonably hope for. We do have more talent these days, but the lack of experience in certain areas will probably bite us in the butt a few times. Personally, I have been thinking 8-4 for a few months now, but I am getting closer and closer to picking 9-3 for the regular season. We shall see starting two weeks from today. Roll Tide.

 

[TerryP]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

To quote my college professor who taught me public relations:

"There are lies, there are damned lies, and then there are statistics."

.

who is quoting Mark Twain...or, is quoting Earle who is quoting Mark Twain.

 

[tru2thaduce]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

A return trip to the Cotton Bowl wouldnt suprise me at all.Nor would a short trip to the Liberty Bowl.I think 8 wins going into the Auburn game is realistic.

 

[Nolan]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

If we win the Ark game, split the UT and FL games, it really comes down to how we play Auburn and LSU - and how they play each other. Last year we were so close to the SECCG and I think this year, even with 2 or 3 losses by season's end, we could be in Atlanta.

Imagine that, one game away from a huge BCS bid. Anyway, our team learned last year how to pull out some tough wins, we could suprise some folks this season.

 

[PDL]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

You want a reality check?

No one really knows 100% as to what any team is going to do in college foootball.

They're just best-guess estimations, for Christ's sake.

Want to really enjoy college football and Bama football?

Let each week take care of itself. Enjoy each game as it comes, because it will be January before you know it.

Pollls are not an exact science. They are based on stats and human emotions.

To quote my college professor who taught me public relations:

"There are lies, there are damned lies, and then there are statistics."

I could care less about the stupid polls. I quit caring after they ranked Bama #3 pre-season in 2000. Polls do not factor in injuries, in-fighting, and other turmoil.

Again, let each week take care of itself. The last poll is all that matters.

Thanks for your insight, TiderinMiss. I would have to say I'm in agreement with you. I love college football and my favorite team happens to be the Crimson Tide. I just want to relax and enjoy the games. I certainly want to win very badly but not so badly that I lose sight of why I watch the games in the first place...because football is the greatest game on earth and it's only around for a portion of the year, so enjoy it! RTR!!!

 

[wastedmason]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

I don't know what the hell is gonna happen this year all I know is I want to see a whole lot of Darby! We got us a horse so lets ride him! He, along with the defense will determine our outcome this year I predict. If he stays healthy thru-out the season and gains in the neighborhood of 12 to 15 hundred yards I believe our offense will be productive. Darby is our senior leader on offense along with Castille and McClain. How they do is how we will do on offense.

JPW needs to keep from beating us as much as anything he can do in my mind. The O-Line needs to get mean and physical, and with Britt and A. Smith added this year I think we will see that happen. The recievers just need to improve from last season and they will be ok I think. A few more pass plays to the tight ends would be a welcome sight if they can catch.

I love "Money", and It sure brings back lots of memorys with a Tiffin on the team again but I really don't want to see them winning games for us this year.
I have confidence though in them if need be but I hope to see them kicking extra points not fieldgoals.

If we are to win 10 or more games again this year our "D" will have to not skip a beat from last year either. I believe the schedule sets us up to where by the time we get into the meat of the schedule we should have gelled defensively. If the "D" is clicking on all cylinders by the Hog game we will have a great chance at winning every game we play this season.

We came close last season of doing just that. The injury bug could change everything though and we will not be so lucky as to win 3 games again on last second fieldgoals this season. We need TD's! I hope to see Darby with close to 400 yards rushing by the time we go to Fayetteville. I don't see anyone on the schedule up till then that can slow down our running attack.

I have a feeling this years team will remind us of a team from years ago. Wasn't Jay Barker a Sophmore when he led us to the '92 NC?

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

1. One who expects a favorable outcome - Optimist, that would be me.

2. One who expects literal truth and pragmatism - Realist, that is I also.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Should the Tide have a complete meltdown from injuries or confidence I do not see this team less than 9-3 worst and 11-1 best. JMHO.

Coach Stallings said it best. What is wrong with expecting the best. Absolutely Nothing. He will always be right up there with the best of the best.

"The expectation level is high at the University of Alabama and it should be. What's wrong with people expecting excellence?" -- Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings. :BigA:

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

Looks like Coach has concentrated on the O-line. That's good. I feel like JPW is smart enough to to be good. My worries have increased about the middle LB position and the defenses ability to not get caught out of position. It was hard to fool our D last year.
IM more optimistic about this years team now, than I was a few months ago mostly due too increased competition on the O-line. I like our first 11 on each side of the ball.
Barring injuries, by the time the Iron Bowl rolls around it may just come down to coaching and game planning. I think we'll match up talent-wise better than I thought at the end of spring.

:conf2: Can't we compare our QB's to anyone besides Jay Barker? Am I the only one old enough to remember past him? I like Jay, think the world of him, but defense and a strong running game led to victory most of Stallings tenure.

I hope with Tiffin on the team the competition helps our kicking game, but punting needs to be solid also. So......we loose a couple of heart-breakers to Fl. and LSU.....a few breaks and we win more or loose more.
:BigA:

 

[kwftide]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

After watching the August 14th scrimmage on Crimson Tradition, I think we are going to surprise many people this season.

 

[TiderinMiss]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

who is quoting Mark Twain...or, is quoting Earle who is quoting Mark Twain.

My public relations professor was named Orville, but not Reddenbacher.


He was my favorite prof, though. Always insightful, full of wisdom, a distinguished gentleman, and someone who helped give me confidence in life.

 

[LCN]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

Over/under of about 8.5 . :eek2:

RTR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :redface:

 

[drjamesm]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

IMO,after watching the two practices I am optomistic that this team could win 9-10 games if JPW can make it through the season healthy and we get some breaks. However,after watching the back up QB's, and if we have to depend on them I afraid we will not get much production ie SP in 2004.Yes, I afraid if God forbid JPW gets injured maybe 6-7 wins.IMO none of our back up QB's seem to be able to move the team .Therefore,6-7 at worst 9-10 at best.

 

[major tidefan]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

well,obviously the first road game for jpw as a starter at hogland will be a key early season game,but let's not overlook the warriors.alot of people are picking hawaii to give boise and fresno a run for their money in the wac.they have 9 starters back on a high powered offense with the qb brennan that will certainly test our secondary in a hurry.it's a cliche,but let's take them one game at a time.

 

[southern tide]

Prediction for 2006

If we can win 6 games this year it will be a good year. To much inexperience at alot of key positions. I hope that one day we can get back to the point where year in and year out we just plug the new person onto any postiion and watch the tide roll.

 

[rgw]

Re: predication for 2006

So you think we're going 6-6? I think - from what I've seen - that Alabama should go no worse than 7-5.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Re: Prediction for 2006

If we can win 6 games this year it will be a good year. To much inexperience at alot of key positions. I hope that one day we can get back to the point where year in and year out we just plug the new person onto any postiion and watch the tide roll.

I think you have been watching the wrong team!!!

 

[GrantM62890]

Re: What's the truth? How good will we be?

We need TD's! I hope to see Darby with close to 400 yards rushing by the time we go to Fayetteville.

I really hope Darby has more than 400 yds after 3 games....but 400 is good. I would like to see him rake up a ton of yards with the cupcake teams, so that when we are in the meat of the season, he will not have to be getting a ton of yards hoping to break the record. I know the that wins are a ton more important than breaking a record or two, but I want to see Darby break the record soooo bad!:BigA:

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I say a win one way or the other of 8-4.

Should win the 4 non-conference games, though Hawaii is a little scary.

Should beat both Mississippi schools, though Ole Miss plays a type of game we don't match up well against.

Should beat Vandy.

That leaves one win against Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn.

Losing record -- Anything's possible in college football, but this would be a huge surprise.

6-6 -- not likely unless there's some sort of off-the-field implosion or a rash of key injuries.

7-5 -- That would imply (1) a loss in one of the "should win" games -- Ole Miss or Hawaii seem the best candidates to me, or (2) 0-5 against Arkansas, UF, UT, LSU and Auburn. Possible, but we'd have to have more bad luck than good (referee calls, breaks of the game, or injuries) for this to happen.

8-4 -- My personal most-likely case.

9-3 -- That means we win all seven of the "shoulds", beat Arkansas, and one of the UF/UT/LSU/Auburn murderer's row. Possible, but would require the breaks evening out in the key games, an OL improving to average in the SEC, and not many injuries. Florida strikes me as the best chance to pull this off.

10 -2 or better -- Shula gets national coach of the year, winning all the games in which we have equal or better material, and splitting the tough road games. The OL is a pleasant surprise, and we have no injuries that cause key players to miss time against the big 5.. Again: possible, but not likely.

So sez me. The next game I coach will be my first.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Re: Prediction for 2006

If we can win 6 games this year it will be a good year. To much inexperience at alot of key positions. I hope that one day we can get back to the point where year in and year out we just plug the new person onto any postiion and watch the tide roll.

You obviously haven't been reading much of this site or following what has been happening at the practices. 6 wins would almost be a worst case scenario IMO. We have at least 7 games on the schedule were we should be the favorites (some by a larger margin than others). Of the five remaining games, they are all within our reach and winning two or three of them is not out of the question. I really believe 8 or 9 wins is likely with this team with the possibility of 10 or more if everything goes our way.