By Shane from Centerpoint
First and foremost, let me state this fact up front to the University of Alabama football program: there are literally millions of people who have “gotten your back” for as long as I can remember. Many have been loyal fans much longer than your current players have been alive. I am among those, with forty-plus years of solid support. In fact, I feel justified in saying that your fan base is one of the greatest in college football.
That said, what has happened to that long standing tradition of consistent success that was established by real men whose blood, sweat and tears went into making you one of the best football programs in the history of the sport?
Apparently the winning legacy of Wade, Thomas and Bryant – to accept nothing but perfection – has been lost to this new breed of Alabama player. Where is the “heart” that guys like Barry Kraus, Ken Coley, Tommy Wilcox and many others displayed every time they put on the crimson jersey?
Where is the intense drive to achieve victory that leader’s like Kenny Stabler, Pat Trammel and Joe Namath carried on the field every time they stepped on it? I’m not sure that today’s Tide has any true leaders on the roster.
I, and thousands like me are saddened by the lack of confidence we have in this teams dedication. When are all the excuses going to stop? How long are we going to have to endure these mediocre expectations, which are an insult to every former player who made the ultimate sacrifice to win championships?
Tide fans can only hope that Nick Saban can teach these young men that SEC football is not a party. I personally want the coach to convince future stars like Julio Jones, Burton Scott and Tyler Love that playing for the Crimson Tide is serious business. We need talented leaders at Alabama whose actions do their talking on the field.
It pains me, and I shouldn’t have to say this to some people associated with the program, but this is “The” University of Alabama. We win championships! We do not accept anything less! Why should we?
After only having two seasons with more than seven wins this decade and going 7-6 last year, it is high time we reach down deep as a program and find the fortitude to push everything to the limit to get back where we belong. I hope coach Saban is as hard and demanding as some might say. That is the only hope we have left.
The table is set. We have had the eleventh, the tenth, and the number one classes of recruits in the last three years. We’ve had our full limit (85) for about three years running. We have one of the best head coaches in the game. We have depth and quality competition at all positions. Like I mentioned before, there are no excuses left to make.
I remember what it was like to go into Bryant-Denny stadium and know that our opponent simply could not beat us. Let me assure you Bama, all your fans want to feel that way again. They long for their thirteenth national title.
I’m sorry if my honesty isn’t following the apparent party line of late. I’m speaking here for those who fill the stands, who buy the merchandise, and don’t have the vast public forum this commentary offers. Besides, there is nothing wrong with lofty goals and great expectations. They are the building blocks of champions.
I want all Tide fans who read this column to demand that we no longer accept the status quo. I believe that coach Saban has the positive attitude and the strength to energize this program. However, he can do nothing if the players (first) and the fans refuse to change their negative ways.
I may be pushing the process along faster than conservative fans or even Saban want. Maybe they don’t care what I think down in Tuscaloosa. Believe me, if they win only seven games this year they will.
I expect an Alabama football player to physically out work his opponents just like Wallace Gilberry. I demand that Bama players watch more film than any other team – see Demeco Ryans. I want coach Saban to drive this team as hard as Bryant drove his.
Time is growing short. The window is open. As far as I’m concerned, we’re burning daylight.
You are just plain wrong about the strength of the SEC in the 60′s or 70′s compared to today. The SEC is widely considered the top conference in the country now. It has not always been that way.
Thirty years ago the conferences would have been ranked as follows:
1- Pac 10
2- Big 10
3- Big 8
4- SEC
Why do you think the Big 10 and the Pac 10 played each others conference champion in the Rose Bowl during those times?
I stand by my comment that Alabama was good back then but they did not face the competition that is in the SEC today. Alabama was the Ohio State of the SEC back then.
Well David, why is it Florida, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee all averaged roughly as many wins as Alabama did during the period where Alabama won 3 AP titles in the 1960s? If Alabama was the “Ohio State”, then Florida, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee was only one or two games behind Alabama each season.
This is strange…
Here is a ranking of all the SEC vs. other conferences for each decade since the debut in the 1800s.
1880-1889: 13th
1890-1899: 14th
1900-1909: 7th
1910-1919: 7th
1920-1929: 5th
1930-1939: 1st
1940-1949: 2nd
1950-1959: 1st
1960-1969: 1st
1970-1979: 2nd
1980-1989: 1st
1990-1999: 2nd
2000-2007: 1st
Rankings are based on individual teams’ scoring points, win pct. points, schedule points, big 4 bowl points, and records vs. non conference opponents (including bowl) points.
I don’t mean to post so frequently, but the above ranking goes to show which conference was the most dominant during our run.
And as I said, during the years Alabama dominated in the 1960s, there were only four SEC teams with losing records, and coincidentally they’re the same four who typically has recorded losing records in modern day times excluding UGA of course, who was more mediocre then than weak, while the others all averaged about one or two wins less than Alabama did during their championship years. Another thing THEY had in common was losses to Alabama.
The weak logic could’ve been applied to the 1920s, but we found a way to win while the other teams never did. Was that coaching, or was it luck. For crying out loud, it was Alabama, one of the most uncivilized states in existence back then.
Christopherson, where did you get the conference rankings from? What is your source, I would be interested to look at it.
INSANE UAT WILL NEVER BE BACK SON. THE
GLORY DAYS ARE OVER,THE DAYS OF BUYING PLAYERS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS IS OVER. MIDGET
SABAN WILL NEVER WIN A CHAMPIOSHIP AT THE
CRAPSTONE.INSANE SHANE DID YOU KNOW UAT IS DUE A NEW COACH AFTER THE 09 SEASON.LOL
Chris and company, you should examine your opponent in argument more than once. It’s a Bama Tech fan for crying out loud. These are people who don’t consider the facts before speaking. These are people who are constantly reinventing history. These are people who ignorantly claim AP and UPI titles are “illegitimate”. These are people who claim Bear Bryant was a cheater. These are people who claim Mike Shula was a good coach. These are people who claim Alabama only defeated Miami in 92 because they “didn’t show up”. These are people who claim Alabama wasn’t worthy, SIMPLY BECAUSE BAMA TECH NEVER WAS! Their soul purpose in life is to bring Alabama down to their level, and you’re doing a good job of it by arguing with them. The facts are there, as long as y’all know their truthful, who cares about them? Let them do the researching for themselves. BTW isn’t envy a sin? You see what envy is causing them to do right?
I think he got his information on the strength of conferences through the years from
http://www.imadeitup.com
AUBURN “THE” University of Alabama.
The TIGERS are coming.
War Chicken!
Clemson 31
bammur 6
Bama 24
Clemson 17
Give them hell, fellows!
Me, Auburn Man, back from fishing with Bobbo Lowder. We did the usual yacht talk. And came to so wonderful conclusions.
1 Tony Franklin is an ignorant redneck bastard. But we like the concept of his offense.
2 Tommy Tuberville is an ignorant redneck bastard, but we only pay him $52,000 a year. And pass the savings on to our pockets.
3 Paul Rhodes is an ignorant yankee bastard, but he works cheap and as long as he has that shitty biker beard, The trailer park crowd has something to relate to.
4 Eddie Gran is retarded. And needs to find some soap and water.
5 Yox is an ignorant redneck bastard who is jacked up on steriods.
If it werent for the boosters like Bobby Lowder, Key Ramsey and myself this place would be a shitty toilet at a 7-11 in Lee County.
David, have you ever heard of a google search engine?
It wouldn’t kill you to search for it at least. I found something similar to what Chris posted and his “source” was accurate:
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/conf_rankings.php
And back then was much like today. Very seldom did an SEC team have an out of conference loss. All losses was against other SEC teams.
The top three SEC teams of the 1960′s were Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss. Plus my “source” also states the quarter century rankings.
I also took myself back in time last night to the 1950′s when Alabama had lost four consecutive games to Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute, and was perhaps one of the worst teams in the conference, just like today.
Then a man by the name of Bear Bryant was hired, and all we heard was he would never lead Alabama to prominence, or even mimic what Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas was. After Bryant went 5-4 in his first season, losing to Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute, we heard the same BS as we’re hearing today. However, when Bryant retired in 1982, facts seemed to have disagreed with the Barnies as he surpassed that of wallace Wade and Frank Thomas by winning 6 AP/UPI titles, 13 SEC titles and on top of that, he literally made Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute and Shug Jordan, their most legendary coach, a laughing stock!
In 1990, we were in a similar situation where Gene Stallings, a coach of Nick Saban’s caliber at that time, was hired and my my did we hear how he would fail on a major scale and how he would never come close to beating Pat Dye. His very first record wasn’t too impressive either, 7-5, despite him defeating UT (like Saban did) and Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute. However, we heard he’ll never surpass a 7-5 record, and he only defeated The Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute because they were due up for a win, but it wouldn’t happen to often.
In 1996, Stallings retired with a 5-2 record against our nemesis, and won 1 AP/UPI title and an SEC title!
Here we go again! 20 years from now, if I’m still around, I’ll be telling how Nick Saban came along, went 7-6 in his first season, and ultimately proved the Barnies wrong once again, after they take advantage of yet another down period of ours.
Alabama=THE University OF Alabama
Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute=A university IN Alabama.
Shane and all the rest of the delusional Bama fans……..You are not owed anything, You do NOT have the patent on winning…In fact yall suck…And have sucked for at least ten years now…You are Not going to be back..Do I see improvement with Saban ? Sure…Do I see a “return to dominance”? Hell no….Different day and time…If USC cant win it consistantly with thier recruiting and creampuff schedule, then how can Alabama do it in the SEC…Ill answer it for you.. You cant…Not consistantly. This article by Shane is an accurate representation of a typical Bama fan….Yall are just plain nuts…. NYC……You and Shane are 2 peas in a pod…Get a grip dude..
I also believe that Ol’ Shane anwered my question for me…My question was when does an Auburn Iron Bowl victory count over a “weakened state” Alabama? Shane said this year…Might I remind you , Shane that the assumption that ANY team that comes to Bryant-Tubberville couldnt win , is flawed…..I mean heck son, Yall have never beat us on that “SACRED” field……What a joke..Might I also remind you of what happened to your “winning tradition:? The NCAA happened. No more corruption happened. A level playing field happened…Sorry to burst yalls bubble, but yall aint gonna be back as long as yall cant cheat. That is the true definition of “back” for Alabama football…You will lose this year, then again next year. Then goodbye Saban. Then the cycle of delusion currently known as Bama football will continue…
If another 7 win season is unacceptable, then I guess you just dont have to accept it. But that is what you are looking at. ENJOY !!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAAA!!!!!
Thats rite ball play injun! we izzin the premeer team in tha stayte now! I bet my hole ternip farm on it. we dun had this half acorn ternip farm in my famlee 120 yurs.
1 moor thing, wear kin i by me 1 of them thar Delusion Motorcyculs you r talkin bout??
yer buddy, redneckaubie!
war eeguls!
Ballplay
So when did Auburn’s winning tradition start?
Quick! Cue up the “6 in a row” response.
Where in my post did you two jackasses read where I said any thing about Auburn bein a traditional power, that we are something that we are not?
You peckerheads just cant see it can you? That is the difference between our two fanbases. Auburn people are realistic. Sane. Unretarded. Normal. Rational , people.
Coma guy. In the last 25-30 years. Weve won considerably more games than yall. By the way , how old are you? Where you even alive during “Bammers dominance”? Im 37 and I cant remember but 1 Bama title. And thats cool. But yall backed into that one.
Tmc1, good grief, I know thats you. Your not funny, witty, or cute. Your just a bitter old delusional bammer that needs a reality check. You will get another one in November. Not that it will, or ever has , done you any good. I mean heck, if 6 in a row doesnt bring you down to earth, nothing will.
Bama fans are Insane. Abnormal. Delusional. Pscitsophrenic. Bat crap crazy. Past livin in. Jeolouse. Dum as dirt. poeple..
Get it?
Do yall really buy into what Shane is sellin up there? I would be embarrassed. Please win one on the field , or at least show the trend of change before proclaiming your “back”. Yall are FAR from back. If you are back on a level playing field,(ie the ncaa sanction effect is over). And you are no longer a “weakened giant” would an Auburn victory this year be counted as legitimite? Or, will the excuses continue to flow out of T-town like they have been for 6 years now? When Auburn loses, se just say ,hey, we lost. Bammers cant lose. So there must be something beyond thier control that made that loss happen. Yall cheated, NCAA, etc… It just gets sooo old.
Is the “Lack of Institutional Control” himself (Pat Dye) gonna start his Aubie SPIN on the Finebaum show today?
VOTE (NEW POLL)
1. Does Ballplay Indian sound as (DUMB)
as I-MAN or
2. As (GAY) as Bobby from Homewood
Shane, It’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
Crimson Brother…..I am not dumb, nor am I gay….But you are delusional..How can you read this crap and it not make you sick at your stomach? I just dont get it. I am not even an Alabama fan (shocked I know), And I am embarrassed for yall. Cant you see it? Cant you see how yall are just setting yourselves up for disappointment yet again?
Ballplay Indian,
I wouldn’t worry about the (BAMA NATION)untill your team wins more than 12 National Titles and 21 Southeastern Conference Championships.
It seems to me that would be the logical order of worrying about another teams fan base.
Shane, It’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
IS the “Lack of Institutional Control” himself (Pat Dye) gonna start his Aubie Spin on the Finebaum show today?
Shane, It’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
C.B. Your titles (except for 1) are ancient friggin history…Im not too worried about Princeton or Harvard and BOTH have more titles than your school…See how it works…Worried ? Naw….Not worried about your Piece of crap football team one bit….I am worried about having to live in the same atate as the delusional fans on this board. That scares me….
Ballplay Indian,
You dont have to live in Alabama, I’m sure we could come up with enough change to buy you a BUS ticket out.
If you want to talk about ancient times, when was the AUBIE’s only National Title?
Is the “Lack of Institutional Control” himself (Pat Dye) gonna start his Aubie SPIN on the Finebaum show today?
Shane, It’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
Crimson doosh….Im not the one bringing up ancient times…You managed that all by your lonesome…..I love the state of Alabama…I was refering to your demented fanbase. Look at the black eye yall spastics put on the state with Fulmers media day papers……Way to go Bama…The SEC will run for the hills to Atlanta , as they should….Thanks again Bama….Its not bad enough that you make asses out of yourselves, You have to make the rest of the state look stupid with you….Once again , Thanks Bama…
These 12 National Titles can you name them for me please??? not the ones ANYBODY voted on The ones that were truly decided by a game for the NC.
As we all know VOTES dont mean SHIT in this world they are like candy bars,they can be bought cheap so if there are any ( i.e 92 ) please tell us crimsonbrother please everyone else in here just wants to sling shit at POLYTECH when you ask a serious question. Thanks in advance for your comment
WAT POLYTECH BABY!!!
Crimson doosh is almost tolerable most of the tme Omni…It must be his time of the month..
No need to worry a bit, Shane. They say jail time builds character.
NYC, your comments are too long. You blow more hot air than that first POOT in the morning.
The TIGERS are coming!
AUBURN “THE” University of Alabama.
alabama “the” university of POOTville.
If Auburn is The University of Alabama, then why is UA going to admit its biggest freshman class ever for six years in a row? Why are most of the state’s top students enrolling at UA? Why does UA outrank AU in US News and World Report rankings? Why does Forbes list UA as the seventh best public university?
Why was Daniel hanging around the Quad? To buy crack from Jimmy J of course.
Daniel, Answer #1-Lower SAT & ACT Scores Answer #2-Because they can’t get into AUBURN Answer #3-Misprint Answer #4-There are only 7 in the State of Alabama.
Like Bear Byrant said, “When a professor draws 70,000 fans to watch him give a test etc…” You are really hurt that you can’t go to work each day feeling good about an Iron Bowl win. You still have to bow down to your AUBURN co-workers and watch people point and laugh at you when you start spewing about everything except football domination in the state of Alabama. It hurts and we don’t care how many National Merit Scholars you claim to have.
The TIGERS are coming!
War Chicken!
YO, PEOPLE! Here’s an answer to the so-called “Omnipresent” one. Most people who seriously follow college football will admit that the championships awarded by Dunkel, Litkenhous, etc. are debatable, but most historians do include Alabama’s 1925, 1926 and 1934 teams among some of the greatest that ever set foot on the gridiron. Let me conclude with this statement: IF YOU AUBIES HAD BEEN AWARDED A CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 1920′S OR 1930′S, Y’ALL WOULD WEAR THAT BADGE WITH PRIDE! So quit griping about ‘Bama’s 12 National Championships. If you want one, go win it! Don’t waste our time complaining about 2004, NO ONE would have beaten USC the night they ripped Oklahoma a new one! I say this because some Aubie may answer this by saying the BCS robbed them of a chance to play for the title. Remember 2003? USC 24, AU 0! What makes y’all think you would have faired any better? Maybe USC would have given up a field goal! RANT ON, AUBUMS! You know that we’re ON OUR WAY BACK!
YO! To “Shane is a Blogger;” you speak of someone being “full of hot air,” well WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK WE CARE? You Aubies are PATHETIC! As I’ve said before, you’re more concerned about the goings-on in Tuscaloosa than that little village y’all describe as “lovely.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; it’s because of your regional way of thinking that Auburn will NEVER be a serious contender on the NATIONAL STAGE. Only on occasion will you even be a “blip” on the radar. Y’all could learn something from us Bammers. We’ve been to the MOUNTAINTOP! 5 TIMES IN MY LIFETIME! Its NICE to be there and ITS GREAT TO KNOW WE’RE ON OUR WAY BACK! Worry about your own back yard. THE PROCESS has started. Its only a matter of time.
5 times huh…you must be old…
well at least you admitted it even though you found a way to Bash AUburn.
Look all I know is LOVE your team but dont hide when the coin drops. wonder what this years LOSER will whine about
REFS,PROBATION(are u still on it), TUBBS,
did the best with what he (saban) had
or your just gonna call us stepchildren or this one. sun shines on a dog ass sometimes?
I know im babbbling i just wanted to show new york city how it feels
St Clair County.
The TIGERS are coming.
Clemson 44
POOTville 12
why would auburn want to learn how to lose or how to get on the alabama prison team.
st clair why would i worry about what happened in the 20′s or 30′s , my dad wasnt even thought of then. by the way auburn doesnt want championships that were given away like a prize you win at bingo night. auburn has 7 undefeated seasons, were named champion by some poll but dont claim but one. and my thought is your really not champion if you lose your bowl game against notre dame.
Great article as usual. We could probably beat several NFL teams. The Raiders couldn’t stop Julio and JPW. RTR
“Why does Forbes list UA as the seventh best public university?”
That is best CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTES and the availability of street drugs is why it was so high.
Johns – coke & dogs
Hall – tons of pot
There is one thing all you Auburn fans should be worried about. It’s a vital thing called recruiting. Saban’s number one class of 32 players, Auburn went after almost every one of them, only to lose them to Bama. If I am not mistaken, Bama only offered around 4 or 5 of the 20 something players Auburn signed. The class for 2009 that are verbally committing now shows the same thing. Bama has 13 verbals so far, and Auburn offered almost EVERY one of them. Auburn has 22 verbal commitments. And what do ya know, Bama only offered 2 or 3 of them.If you do not believe me, check it for yourself. Most of the verbals are players that no big school is after. Is anyone getting the picture?? BIG EARS might have been able to recruit when Bama was down, but now we are back! Its going to be hard to win the SEC with average talent in your recruiting classes. Poor Tubberville is having to stop chasing the great players and settle for the decent ones now. It’s only a matter of time…….
“Daniel, Answer #1-Lower SAT & ACT Scores Answer #2-Because they can’t get into AUBURN Answer #3-Misprint Answer #4-There are only 7 in the State of Alabama”
Typical response from an Aubie. The fact is UA and AU have virtually the same ACT and SAT scores. AU’s ACT avg last fall was 24.8, and UA’s was 24.5, some big difference. And UA had a slightly higher SAT overall than AU. Auburn is not as selective as you think. You are in denial if you think AU is getting more of the best students in state. And UA was ranked ahead of AU in the most recent US News rankings, though new ones come out later this month. It was no misprint.
Daniel …Virtually the same,,,Is not the same…..Sorry….
I told you Aubies the “Lack of Institutional Control” himself (Pat Dye) was gonna be on the Finebaum show Monday.
Stop being so jealous of Alabama’s 12 Natinal Championships and 21 Southeastern Conference Championships little Aubies. I didn’t even mention Bama was the (only) major football program that was undefeated and look over twice for the National Championship.
You Aubies should probally be more cocerned about GANG Beat Downs at the Auburn practices. One on One yeah, Gang BEAT DOWNS NO! Gang Beat Downs are for COWARDS!
Shane, it’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
Shane,
I’m sure the powers in T’town are shaking now that you gave them the over 7 game ultimatum. I thought you were tired of mediocrity and now it looks like you’re hoping for just 8 games or else…
As far as the national titles go, I don’t think anybody will recognize the Tuscaloosa hardware store or the Northpointe Times as a legitimate championship anymore like they did back in the 60′s and 70′s. These are the BCS days so why don’t you wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up fastest.
Saban is really one of the best coaches in the country? Voted by who? RIVALS?
Just in case you were unaware, he is 2-4 against his biggest rival.
RTR
Shane, it’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
One on One, yeah. Gang BEAT DOWNS are for COWARDS!
Brent, if you really believed what you wrote about some of BAMA’S National Titles you wouldnt even have to write it, would you? But at least I’m helping you Aubie’s think about Natinal Title’s a little. We all have to start somewhwere.
Shane, it’s amazing to me how you get these General Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
I hear Furr wants to transfer to Tuscalooser. Word is they don’t beat up anybody…………
Just sniff a little coke, sell a little coke in the football complex parking lot, and chase a few cars down on the strip.
jack and coke, That’s funny! I bet tmc1 wished he had thought that one up.
The University of Alabama is the greatest team ever. I love the Crimson Tide. I feel these last few years have been harder on thee players than us fans. They have been criticized, laughed at, Tubby’s fingers harrassing them, etc. etc. etc. They are winners, they will be back. The only thing that I would like to see is what I saw and felt in the 1960s. When the University of Alabama team took the field, you felt it, you knew it, and your heart pounded. They were confident. They were winners. There are as loved today as yesterday, but they need to believe it. When you come on the field, know you are the best there is. Feel it and believe it.