W ith every mediocre performance, win or loss, Auburn University is slowly shutting the door on the public’s perception that its football program is a nationally competitive BCS performer. On the other side of the State, the University of Alabama – under the guidance of Nick Saban – is winning hearts and gaining the nation’s respect with each passing game.
The memory of Auburn’s magical 2004 undefeated season is getting further in the rearview mirror, and the momentum it created is fading fast. Head coach Tommy Tuberville has been unable to sustain the dominance his team displayed that year, and the Auburn “family†continues to take a wrecking ball to its own program.
This past Spring Tubby made a seemingly desperate move by converting to a “high school†offense (the spread) and hiring a small college coach to run it against big time competition.
Couple that with the fact that Alabama’s Nick Saban is proving that the “process†is for real, the pressure to win may be wearing on the Tiger’s head honcho. Tommy knows that Nick’s plan seems to be progressing at break-neck speed, and the Crimson Tide’s return to prominence may be a year or two ahead of schedule.
Auburn has had its chances to rid itself of the image that it is Bama’s little stepbrother and the second-rate status that comes with that title. Yet, they can’t seem to escape their self-created nightmare.
Once again, the Tide is aiming high and in a position to meet the legendary expectations that form the base of its winning tradition. National and SEC championships are now realistic goals and will surely come in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Auburn nation self-imposes its own barrier to any type of championship by allowing their ultimate accomplishment to be beating Alabama. Did their last six years of dominance over an NCAA-crippled Crimson Tide mean anything last Saturday when LSU came to their house (The Jungle), and took the lead in the race to appear as the 2008 western division champion in Atlanta?
Actually, the rest of this year’s campaign could go up in smoke for the Tide, but the evidence on the field doesn’t suggest that will be the case. Alabama has developed a team personality that exudes toughness, consistency, and a relentless nature. If the team continues to sustain its high level performance, it has a chance to be great. This Saturday in Athens against highly-ranked Georgia will provide the ultimate test and will serve as an excellent barometer of the near future for this year’s Crimson Tide.
In direct contrast, down on the Plains Tommy Tuberville has to be second-guessing his radical off-season maneuvers – at least the entire Tiger fan base is voicing its doubts and displeasure with the new system.
Coaches rarely like to leave their comfort zone, in terms of how they approach the game of football and manage their team. They make changes only when they suspect that they may need to do something different to gain an advantage. This is a sign of fear.
Georgia’s Coach Richt (black-out) and Auburn’s Tuberville (spread eagle), both balked on Bama when they initiated changes that simply do not fit their normal character. If they weren’t apprehensive, then why did they make the changes?
Every SEC football program benefited from Alabama’s years in the wilderness, but that is about to come to an end. Saban has Alabama back in the game and the big elephant is getting his feet back underneath him. Once the big bull gets rolling at full power he will be very hard to stop.
Finally (no pun intended), Tommy Tuberville and his nagging wives (ex-coaches, trustees, boosters) are locked in a bad marriage. With rumors that he wants out churning during every off-season and the water cooler talk of bad blood between Tubby and some members of the Auburn “familyâ€, it’s a miracle that he finds time to prepare his team to win.
Of course only time will tell if the situation has truly changed, but Saban appears to be walking on water, while Tubby holds the weight of the world on his back.
Bama in NY. God, please stay there!!
Well if you read my posts yesterday you will see that I’m a Clemson fan. Okay there, I said it.
Nawwww…… Nobodys really a Clemson fan are they ?
Hey UA4Life If I was you I would read the posts before me by tmcZero you ignorant bafoon! and stay outta grown folks business…. becuase your right I wouldnt even be the 2nd one gone and the 1st two are bammaers sissy boy!!!
Mr.4Life were you a hall monitor too? did ya tell on your brothers and sisters?
And why are you concerned with the language?, Have you noticed the advertisments on the front page before you read the posts??? NICE HUH?
First RTR!! Second who cares about Auburn. Sure I watch them on TV and pull for whoever they are playing but we can worry about what they are doing after the State game. We have a huge game Saturday to go win. All this chatter means nothing until the season is over, then we will see who was over rated starting the season and who was under rated.
OMNIPRESENT Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I know I didnt read that damn thing, ANYWAY tmcZERO …FUK U!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thats what you came here for isnt it OMNI/ballplay/julio.? To try to redeem some of your social shame of being such a uberloser. I know your type. You want to be respected but you have never done anything to earn it… (Much like Auburn U.)
So you take every cheap shot you can and yell “LOOK AT ME!” like a spoiled little child. (Much like Auburn U.)
You are the type of low life that will accept the win and brag on it when the other side couldnt compete because of a broken arm. And then you glory in your default victory. (Just like Auburn U)
So here you are Little man… ONLINE talking shit, because your back is too pitiful and weak to talk it in person.
OMNIPRESENT = WEAKLING.
I dont know who printed this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tmc1 Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I would love to jiggle OMNI’s BAlls…
ANd one day (if hes young enough)BY God I will!! ROLL TIDE ROLL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“(If he is young enough)” You are one sicko perv…..
Is this your best?
You aint shit.
I wrote it tmcZero,You dont know me at all. Im not that person im on the other end of the spectrum dude I defend the Little man. BUT if you strike at me I strike back hard like a PITBULL dude! NOW THATS PART OF ME!
SO you dont want none with me keep my name out of your mouth and I will Stop with You….
Oh and if your honest with yourself and US you ll know you struck first But thats it like i said YOU stop I stop!
WAR POLYTECH BABY!!!
tmc1, that sounds fair to me, how about it? I have followed you two for a while and all that personal shit is not worth it, post what you want about Aub and be as nasty as you want to because sometimes it just feels good, but I also had to get away from the personal stuff with people like Finebaumjunkie and Omni and others and now I just pick mainly at Ballplay because believe it or not he takes it pretty well, it is just like Ballplay said, he just likes to argue, so let everybody on here see who is the bigger man from this point and let it go with the personal stuff, I swear you will feel better about it.
Naw, Omni…I wasn’t a “Hall Monitor” I was always in trouble. Secondly I never said I was “concerned” about the language. I just get sick of you talking shit that sounds like it’s a sixth grader makin’ insults, so I hardly believe it’s “grown up business” because grown up’s don’t say “sissy”. It was just an after thought to you post. I wasn’t serious. Surely you can see that by reading it. I don’t want to get nasty on here and misrepresent my university. Please, don’t make me. I’ll hurt your feelings and make you feel about 1/2 inch tall. I’d rather be a grown up (unlike you) and talk real. I don’t hide behind a key board. Let’s face it, I’ll never know who you are and you’ll never know who I am so it don’t matter. It’s like talkin’ shit to a tree…just dumb.
And Bamaman, I agree…I haven’t gotten personal with anyone on here. It’s really pretty stupid to do anyway. Pretty childish (OMNI). Ballplay and I talk well together. We take shots and stuff but rivalry will do that to fans. I think your right, Ballplay, a long with me take’s it pretty well. It does, however, to get nasty at times because (like I have done before) people who go for the other team get you passionate about it. Thats what suppose to happen… we are all fans in the end.
Onoe more thing, if you don’t think every team in the top ten has a shot at going all the way, check out the USC v. Oregon State score. I may be crazy but I think Vandy’s D is rough enough to beat USC. haha, what a thought!
Mississippi State could hang with Ohio State and SoCal.
YO, PEOPLE! How about some predictions? The Aubies will have a reason to celebrate this weekend and I must confess that I hope they beat the s–t out of the Vols. Nothing against UT, just Fulmer. Anybody who gets a head coaching job the way he did it gets NO RESPECT from me. Anyway, i say AU 29, UT 19. And now, as I gaze into the crystal ball I see through the haze Alabama jumping out to a substantial lead only to hold on at the end and leave Athens with a 28-25 victory. ROLL TIDE FOREVER! Later!
USC loses baby. They are over rated. Not because of talent mind you. Nor coaching. But they do not play as a team. They are a bunch of individual super stars. Im am glad thay lost.. Or could you tell ?
Ya know Mr.4LIFE dont mistake my wanting to squash the beef with tmc1 as a weakness AND I LL SAY IT come on with it CLEATUS!!! i ll bet you cant bust a grape
and your right we will never see each other and if you want a WAR OF WORDS
Im Your HuckleBerry. Hell you took the chance to go after me When I was trying to be sincere with someone.
Hmm…I dont know what your probelm is…but I’m going to bet it’s really hard to pronounce… SO Dont come after me again or we will see who leaves.
WAR POLYTECH BABY!!!
UA4life I was trying to make peace between Omni and tmc1 because it has gotten so nasty and then you get after him, c’mon dude, you are telling him not to get personal as you are getting personal.
This is gettin like the days of our lives. Everybody needs a little thicker skin up in here.
Shane,
Do you actually consider yourself a journalist? This is garbage. I hear you call into Finebaum occasionally and make an ass out of yourself with your Bammer homer B.S. I heard that you wrote a column. For some reason, I decided to check it out. Big mistake.
Auburn is not going anywhere. When you have recruited for a West Coast offense for 4 years, and switch to a spread, you do not necessarily have the athletes in place to run the spread. There will be growing pains this year as we adjust and grow into this offense.
The most ignorant part of your column is your comments about it being a “high school” offense. Tell that to Florida, who won a national title 2 years ago running the spread. Do you think Urban Meyer is an idiot for running the spread? As I recall, he has never lost to Alabama… and he has never beat Auburn!
In all seriousness Shane, just wait and watch tomorrow night. Bama’s reality check will come tomorrow in Athens. Georgia is going to bring Bama, yourself and the rest of the Bammernecks back to Earth.
I did not waste my time reading Shane’s blog.
I am sure it was the same “Shane†different day stuff you REDNECKS love to read. You know the pipe dream. The Bama has overtaken Auburn dream that you Bama losers love to pretend is real. The same BIG TALK that flows from this blowhard like the putrid breath that flows over his nicotine stained teeth. However, Shane seems to have you BammerNeck Losers eating this stuff up.
Let me get this delusion straight. Bama Fan’s confidence has grown because a Top 5 and Defending BCS Champ LSU beat Auburn in a close ballgame. Now through careful reasoning, BAMA fans can now crow,”Bama’s Back!” Yeehaw!
If my delusional neighbors don’t mind, I’ll wait until Bama has accomplished something. Then I will declare the REDNECK Criminal Nation back. I don’t think I will have to wait very long for this ego bubble to burst. When UGA puts a beat down on Bama this weekend, I am sure the excuses will fall like rain next week.
Let me ask you a question.
When are you Bama fans going to Quit taking credit for the accomplishments of others? Stop being a steaming pile of pathetic losers.
Do something against a real team, then crow about it! Only then will you Bama fans not look like a bunch of marauding idiots. Bama has not won the SEC, or the SEC West, nor will they. Bama has not beaten UGA, UK, UT, LSU, UMst, Ole Miss or Auburn. Bama has to come out a winner in these games to consider their return to glory. The road gets tougher from hear on out. IMO, Bama will be lucky to win 2 out of their 7 remaining SEC games. A 3rd win might come from the remaining directional school you have on the schedule. That’s a 7-5 record. This record will be an improvement over last year for sure, but back? NO.
Now here is a reminder.
When Auburn comes to Tuscaloser and puts number seven on your 7-4 candyass team, then you might just realize that Bama STILL has a long ways to go.
War Damn Eagle
UGA 31 – Bama 17
Hey Bamaman This is why I got personal YOu guys please read what is wrote to me before you hang me
UA4Life Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Naw, Omni…I wasn’t a “Hall Monitor†I was always in trouble. Secondly I never said I was “concerned†about the language. I just get sick of you talking shit that sounds like it’s a sixth grader makin’ insults, so I hardly believe it’s “grown up business†because grown up’s don’t say “sissyâ€. It was just an after thought to you post. I wasn’t serious. Surely you can see that by reading it. I don’t want to get nasty on here and misrepresent my university. Please, don’t make me. I’ll hurt your feelings and make you feel about 1/2 inch tall. I’d rather be a grown up (unlike you) and talk real. I don’t hide behind a key board. Let’s face it, I’ll never know who you are and you’ll never know who I am so it don’t matter. It’s like talkin’ shit to a tree…just dumb.
SOUND LIKE A BELITTLEING THREAT TO ME BRO!!!
WPB!!!
Hey Bamaman This is why I got personal YOu guys please read what is wrote to me before you hang me
UA4Life Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Naw, Omni…I wasn’t a “Hall Monitor†I was always in trouble. Secondly I never said I was “concerned†about the language. I just get sick of you talking shit that sounds like it’s a sixth grader makin’ insults, so I hardly believe it’s “grown up business†because grown up’s don’t say “sissyâ€. It was just an after thought to you post. I wasn’t serious. Surely you can see that by reading it. I don’t want to get nasty on here and misrepresent my university. Please, don’t make me. I’ll hurt your feelings and make you feel about 1/2 inch tall. I’d rather be a grown up (unlike you) and talk real. I don’t hide behind a key board. Let’s face it, I’ll never know who you are and you’ll never know who I am so it don’t matter. It’s like talkin’ shit to a tree…just dumb.
SOUNDs LIKE A BELITTLEING THREAT TO ME BRO!!!
WPB!!!
Omni, That is why I was asking him why he was going there with that?????
Tom Sawyer, you might want to check those facts again on Meyer never losing to Bama, as I “recall” it was a beatdown by an inept Shula
Ballplay Indian,
I’m glad to see your still typing your little finger’s off after a devastating loss to LSU last Saturday.
We haven’t heard from many Aubie’s on the Finebaum show this week. Oh sure, a “few” of the Aubie cockroaches came crawling out Wednesday and Thursday after licking their sores.
The rest of the Aubie cockroaches will come back out next week if Aubies win and Bama loses, somethings never change.
The spread will come through for the Aubies, leave Otis alone.
Shane, it’s amazing to me how you get these General Robert E. Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
Sixdownyouwish7, let me ask you one question, what has Auburn put in the trophy case in the last ten years that Bama hasn’t? Not a damn thing but your in state NC’s for 6. When the Auturds beat a team that is for real this year then you can come on here and crow yourself, until then go back under your rock with your one sec in fourteen year coach
Crimson Bro…..Where have you been dude ? After this week youll disappear for even longer. Have fun getting stomped by the bulldogs this weekend.
Bwahahahahaaaa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Crimson Brother’s need to settle down a bit.
Did you forget Georgia is wearing “BLACK” jerseys Saturday night?
Georgia might even wear “BLACK” helments.
My Crimson Brother’s, that should be just enough to scare the “Jesus” out of Alabama. We should just go ahead and forfeit the game.
wink , wink
ROLL TIDE BABY!
Aight Omni, the only reason I said what I did about people reporting others on here was because of the things you right about tmc. It was just an after thought to what I had seen on al.com. Nothing more. Sometimes, the stuff is actually funny. Like I said, I wasn’t seroius. BUT, you did come at me first, for no real reason. AND you’re right it was a threat but I also said I wouldn’t take it there because I don’t do kid’s stuff like that (it’s like an aol chat room or something haha) I’m a grown man, as I’m sure you are (hopefully, althought sometimes it really doesn’t sound like you are but thats ok) so I’m not going to get in that with you. If you want to have a conversation, thats cool. I was just simple saying type something worthy of a response instead of all that mess you type to tmc. I’m a professional in everything I do with my life, thats why I think I have been so successful (and I try to really be that way with everyone no matter what) so I’m not going to get in a “word war” (which made me laugh like hell when I read that) with you. Come on, this is a second rate sight with a third rate “writer”, surely you don’t take it that serious? It’s no big deal to me. Everything you write makes me laugh, I was just gettin’ sick of the crap between you and tmc…I’m sure others would say the same.
Bamaman: I had a reason to say what I said. Don’t worry about it…you can play peacemaker but I said what I said for a reason.
Ballplay: I got those predictions comeing up after I get out of here. I think you’ll appreciate them.
Ballplay Indian,
I’ve been with Kodi Burns trying to figure out Otis’s spread offense.
I bet you missed me and Kodi, Ballplay Indian. LOL
Shane, it’s amazing to me how you get these General Robert E. Lee County cockroaches out from under their rock’s.
And I do have reasoning behind what I said but your right dude SOMETIMES I go a lil far so lets just get on with it becuase I too am way to GROWN and way to PROFESSIONAL for personal vendettas.
anyway I accept your apology and I to Sir Apologize to YOU
And Im also way to GOOD
WAR EAGLE!!! ROLL TIDE!!!
WAR POLYTECH BABY!!!
AND Bamaman IM FLIPPIN BLIND BRO!
YA OWE ME 2
WPB!!!
C.B……..Otis ? Whos Otis ? If your refefering to Tony Franklin, ha ha. Real funny.
If Tony Franklin looks like or acts like Otis. Then The Saban looks like professor on Gillagins island.
You need to give tvland a break.
How’s that sociology thing working for you these days, Shane? What about Chette Williams? Has he brought the program down yet? Shane, you are truly a guru.
Bama”Girlie”Man:
When has Bama done anything to keep Auburn from that trophy? N-O-T-H-I-N-G!
This article just proves that Auburn is always on the little brains of BammerNecks like yourself. Auburn is what you necks aspire to be again.
Go win a few games against respectable competition and quit claiming the victories of more capable teams like LSU. Bama is not Back. Bama fans are embarrassing themselves claiming they are back.
No matter how much you want to believe it, Beating Auburn is the only way Bama will overtake Auburn. I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Sixdown….Theyve never kept us out , thou we have hurt ourselves at times. I do remember beating an undefeated Bama team in the late 80s. Gary Hollingsworth anyone ?
Sixdown, you didn’t answer the question, what have you got in ten we don’t? Not a damn thing. We haven’t had to do anything, you are taking care of being a one in ten by yourself. It is killing you that we are ranked 8 in the country in year 2 with Saban and the turds are, well not in the top ten. No one I know has proclaimed Bama is Back except the Aub’s, that is just the national publications getting in your minds. And like I said whenever you match ANY of our records, wins, streaks, bowls, most points, hell any of them, then and only then can you open your pie hole.
Sixdown, and that is real cute with the girlie man, I will be happy to meet with you and prove you wrong, but then again considering you are an aubseesed wantabe on a Bama site not vice versa, what’s the point?
Sixdown: I think everyone would agree that after last year, with Bama being ranked so were they are and with the performances thus far, thats a big step in the right direction to “being back” I mean what this program has been through the past 10 years, you gotta look at it all.
Omni: See, thats what I mean. I accept as well sir.
Predictions:
I have yet to pick an upset game. All the picks I have made this year have been what is “supose” to happen. I think this weekend (especially being a Bama fan) gives me a good opportunity to pick one. After all, it’s a good upset pick anyway, no matter who you go for. So here they are (and if you would like an explanation, I’ll be happy to give you one)
UA 23 UGA 20
AU 24 UT 6
Texas 35 Arkansas 14
LSU 31 Miss. State 7
Florida 38 Ole Miss. 21
UK 28 Temple 3
S Carolina 21 UAB 10
Enjoy it now, Bammers. We’ll be seeing you later in the year for the seventh a$$-whipping in a row. I personally am glad to see UAT competing this year. It’s better for us when we beat you.
PS…TrueCrimson, good to see you back. AU’s still the better school.
UA 23 UGA 35
AU 31 UT 10
Texas 49 Arkansas 6
LSU 31 Miss. State 7
Florida 42 Ole Miss. 17
UK 35 Temple 7
S Carolina 36 UAB 14
WPB!!!
sorry I got lazy and copied 4life and just changed my predictions….. GL to all WAR DAMN EAGLE…..
Shane should be elected president of the bammer loser club..You bunch of losers say that the iron bowl dosesn’t mean anything? You are a stone cold LIAR ? I am glad that so many of you love living in the past!! You are correct when saying that Saban will bring the bammer nation back.I agree! Is Bama back yet ? NO- Please post your excuse filled,whiny comments after Georgia hands you your behind sat night !! Then tell me that Bama is back!
AuburnMan,
I don’t know why I come back sometimes.
Best of luck against the Big Orange.
War Eagle & Roll Tide !!!
UA4Life,
Your comments have some truth and if the situation was on the other foot I would feel good too.
Bama fans just need to leave Auburn out of their premature “Bama’s Back” preception. Win an Iron Bowl and beat someone before boasting that Bama has over taken Auburn. So, when Bama falls, the Auburn fans will have every right to rub salt into thier wounds.
Bama prematuely jumped in the polls by beating an over rated Clemson. I am not saying Bama can not be a top ten team. But based on Bama’s opponents they have not earned their #8 ranking.
The problem I have with Bama Fans like BamaGirlieMan is that they constantly compare themselves to Auburn . Yet in the same breath they say they don’t.
I believe in Karma. Bama fans are messing with their Karma and probably will have a sub-par season.
LMAO AT SIXDOWN/////////ROLL”””’TIDE
WEll I just secured a Bama Losing season!
I bet another Aubbo 20 dollars Bama would win 9 games this year!
YW everyone
And I always lose, I open my door with a LSU house key