Editorial Cartoon: Fire When Ready, Aight?

I continue to be utterly amazed by the job Nick Saban has done and continues to do at Alabama. When you stop and think about what he’s accomplished in just three short years, it is staggering.

First, there was the change of perception. Momentum and buzz stepped off the plane with him that cold January day in 2007, and has never left. Even a ho-hum 2007 season suggested a strong foundation was being laid for the future. Few programs get beyond the “buzz” of a new hire to actual on-the-field success.

Then there was his first full recruiting class in 2008, a consensus #1, which to this point has gone unmatched in this state by anyone but himself the following year.

Then there was the 12-2 season in 2008, which included an undefeated regular season, an appearance in the SEC Championship game, and prolonged national recognition that Alabama was again a contender.

His second “mythical” national championship in recruiting soon followed in 2009, ridiculed by our rivals as being much ado about nothing. After all, rankings and stars don’t matter (remember that line?).

Then, of course, arguably the most decorated season in Alabama history…the state, not just the university.  No other program in the yellowhammer state, Crimson or other, has ever gone 14-0, won the west, won the conference, won the Heisman and won the BCS National Championship in the same year. Crystal, baby.

Time to rest, right? After all, we currently sit atop the college football world. Alabama has replaced the USC’s, Texas’s and Florida’s of the world as the most dominate program in the country. Truly a force to be reckoned with. A team you’ll need more than luck to stay in the game with, let alone defeat.

And Saban made that happen after only two full recruiting classes on the job. But then, he does it again.

The 2010 class again ranked in the top five, coming in at #3 or #4 twice, depending on which major recruiting service you’re paying attention to (ESPN, Scout and Rivals, respectively). Coupled with our back-to-back  #1 classes, 2010’s class appears larger than normal. We’re not adding talent to a good team. We’re adding a layer of gold to a foundation of platinum.

It’s amazing that just four years ago…four years…if we could just land talent that would get us mentioned in or near the top ten programs in the country, it was a bright day. There was hope. The Tide was turning. But now, if Alabama doesn’t finish first in recruiting, the Alabama media…especially in Birmingham…paints it as an epic fail. If you listen to talk radio or read the garbage otherwise known as the Birmingham News, you’d think we didn’t even bother this year.

I love it. We are back.

I echo our BCS National Championship coach who indicated that he doesn’t give a Chizik what anybody thinks. We are the enemy, we are the target, and baby, we got the artillery to do whatever we want to whomever we face.

Take Abarn.  Abarn is the consummate example of the fat kid down the street who’s never done or been anything, but one day experiences some good fortune.  It’s a feel good story.  Everybody looks at one another with a goofy smile and utters “awww”.  The fat little guy you usually feel sorry for had something go his way.

Abarn had a great class this year, there’s no doubt. But all but one recruiting service still has them looking at our backs, and yet the spin afforded from the Scarbinsky’s, Goldbergs, Marshalls, and Matthews of the world leaves you dizzy and a little nauseous.

In contrast, with his usual dose of reality, I like the way Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News put it on the Finebaum Show Wednesday afternoon:

“Auburn didn’t gain ground on Alabama, and Alabama didn’t lose ground to Auburn. Auburn simply didn’t lose ground to the Alabama’s and Florida’s of the world this year.”

And as he said on another occasion on the same show, “Auburn is chasing a target (Alabama) that itself isn’t standing still.”

Cecil’s take on Florida may be partially incorrect, as Florida’s class in 2010 can only be described as unprecedented.  But consider that 2009’s haul for the Gators was ranked in the vicinity of eleventh by most services, and that after winning a National Championship.

There is such a thing in recruiting as “championship hangover”, as essentially you lose two weeks of being able to focus on recruiting, thanks to the championship games you’re preparing for. And most hurtful, the “big one” comes one week after every else’s bowl game, roughly a month before signing day. Saban lightly mentioned this in his presser on Wednesday.

But that Alabama is seven or eight places better than where the Gators were a year ago, just a few weeks after stashing our hardware from ’09, I’d say we’ve shed the hangover to reload and get ready for battle. The early indications of what’s coming for 2011 suggest a similar recruiting tsunami, as National Championships usually pay higher dividends on high school juniors than they do seniors.

A few recruiting stories of note…

  • I’m so glad that the days are gone where we used to have to cater to a prima donna recruit and take a family member too in order to land him. Take a hike bro. Homey don’t play that. Oh, and enjoy watching us play for the Crystal while you’re back home after your Outback Bowl.
  • We didn’t get an offensive lineman that we courted only eight days, and that after realizing we weren’t getting a more desired target. Though the press has tried to inflate this story…after all, it’s fodder for another Scarbinsky article, I’m sure…this was really the lone disappointment. But disappointment likened to realizing that there are only six layers in what you thought was a seven layer chocolate cake. In a year where the OL wasn’t particularly a high priority, we missed out on a plan B after courting him about a week.
  • I thought Saban’s barbs on the negative recruiting used by our rivals was particularly amusing. Does anyone else get the idea that he regards them as complete bullChizik?
  • Again, I’ve already alluded to it, but this class stacked on top of our previous two classes makes it that much more devastating for our opponents. It’s like putting a Rottweiler on the backs of two Pit Bulls, whereas by itself it’s an ill-tempered German Shepherd. Alone it’d still have bite, but coupled with the others, it’ll kill you.
  • What is more difficult…convincing top talent to come to your program where they’ll see the field next fall, or convincing like or better talent to come to your program where they likely won’t play till their sophomore or junior seasons? Yep, I agree.

In short, Bama fan, what you are witnessing now is simply amazing, unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your lifetime, or at least since the 70’s. Pick a year from our illustrious history and chances are none of the players from that team could displace any of the starters on our current team.

And my only advice both to friends and foe is this: Get used to it. In his own words a few weeks ago, Saban said himself “This is only the beginning.” It tickles me when the delusional rival mutters “Saban will be gone after (insert year or scenario here).” This is the way it’s going to be for a long, long time. Top five classes are the norm, not the out-of-the-shoes-swing it is at some programs. Revisiting this topic a year from now will be interesting.

We have reloaded. We’ve filled our needs. We’re still hungry. And we’re getting ready for battle again. Fire when ready, aight?

88 thoughts on “Capstone Saturdays: Fire When Ready, Aight?”

  1. Very nice piece.
    And very true also.
    Bama is just plain loaded. The way that LSU was.
    Lester Miles looked like a great coach thanks to the groundwork laid by Saban. But when Saban’s legacy graduated he ….well…. you can see for yourself what has happened to the Mad Hatter. They are starting to call for his head. And if LSU does not put up a serious fight for the SEC Championship this year Miles will be gone.
    Yet anothr Coach who has lost/left his job because he couldnt live up to the standards that Nick Saban sets.
    Let the Birmingham press smooch the Auburn backside all they want. At the end of alot of Bama and Auburn games the scoreboard is going to make them look foolish, incompetent and (worst of all) like a bunch of biased asskissers that have sold thier credibility.

    BTW Phillip Marshall is the King of Media Douchebags.

  2. ITK….This was just an aticle writtten by you,,,, to you, to make yourself feel better about coming in 2nd in the state of Alabama in recruiting ….Its o.k. man, like you said, this is your third great class. You know , “championship hangover” (rolling eyes),being a “target”, and all those other well thought out excuses as to why Auburn out recruited the mighty Saban with 5-19 Chizik. Its all good. Keep telling yourself that. Its all good.

    Naw , I take all that back. We just straight up beat your coach at his own game. Excuses are for losers man. Grow a pair and admit it. It will make you a better person.

  3. So three out of the four major recruiting services rank Bama ahead of Abarn, but you “straight up beat our coach.”

    Oh, I get it…you were close. Chalk up another moral victory for the barn! That case is gettin full!

  4. Honestly,the B’ham papers have to have a spin to get the conversation started.If the headline read “Both Teams Did Well”…well,topic closed.
    I am thrilled with this class and the prospects of 2011.We just won our 13th title and our coach is coveted by any one who plays the sport.
    The cannon drawing is spot on and really sums it up. Bring it !

  5. Alabama used to have a lot of moral Victory’s when Mike Shula was coaching!! Great article and as a person who wears crimson
    colored glasses I will take it hook line and sinker!! RTR

  6. ITK’s mantra on Auburn recruiting in a post from last May: “But one thing I do know is this: Just keep doing what you’re doing with Captain Cheese at the wheel, and CNS will continue doing what he’s doing. We’ll compare the crop next February.” So now you’re saying that what you meant by that was that Auburn would only beat Bama in one service, would finish one spot behind in the other 2 services, and not in ESPN where signing the top rated JUCO player in the country isn’t even considered in the final ranking. Interesting. (BTW, who is this 4th service?? The Tuscaloosa News??)

    You think it’s just Scarbinsky and Marshall that are “spinning” AU’s class. Gee, you might want to check out Stewart Mandel’s SI article about AU’s class and ESPN’s half screen photo of Chizik and Trooper on the its website at the end of signing day. Oh, but the ever objective editor of the Tuscaloosa News thinks otherwise. Gee, has Cecil Hurt repaid all his loans to Bama booster Ray Keller yet??

    You’re beginning to sound like the boy who cried wolf, ITK. Your predictions of a humiliating beatdown on “Black Friday” and annhilation on the recruiting trail just don’t seem to be coming to pass. WHATEVER you do though, do not speak one complimentary word of the job that Chizik and his staff have done. Just keep retroactively amending your warning and predictions and pretend that no one will notice.

  7. “Abarn had a great class this year, there’s no doubt.” I think I covered that, actually.

    It was a great class; at best tied with Bama’s, though most think slightly behind. But can the cheese replicate this success year in and year out? That remains to be seen, and that’s what will separate Abarn from being the flash-in-the-pan they have been historically to an annual contender.

    History is all we have to go by, and history points out that your coach has one winning season, 24 losses, 13 wins, 1 nail biter of a bowl win over Vandy north and one stellar recruiting class in his decorated career. I still feel more comfortable with Nick Saban on our side.

    What isn’t speculation is that this kind of class IS the norm in Tuscaloosa. What you guys are celebrating, some in Crimson are disappointed in. Indeed, things are back to normal.

    Crystal, baby.

  8. Your article says it all ITK. I dont have to even make a case. Just read your excuse laden B.S. above. The best one of all……Wait till 2011……BWAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHH!!!!!!!

  9. Yep, see how B.I. can’t answer to the fact that 3 out of 4 recruiting sites rank Bama ahead of the Barn. He quickly changes the subject after he was called to back up his bogus statement about “straight up beating” our coach.

    It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Also notice how Rivals is suddenly the Word of God after being accused of being a “Bammer site” for years. Since it has Auburn ahead, it’s legitimate all of the sudden. Barner hypocrisy at its zenith.

  10. Auburn has a right to be thrilled. They don’t have much to be thrilled about.

    And yes Ballplay, wait till 2011. You haven’t been paying attention long enought to understand how it rolls. (Take a look at Florida). You can see past what is going on in the state of Alabama.

    We beat Auburn – AGAIN!

    LOL, I love it. Bama has haters again!

  11. BAMA BACKED OFF COLEMAN B/C OF RED FLAGS 6’7″ AND UNDER 300#S AND POOR WORK ETHIC – HAD STONE TIL KIFFEN LEFT AND LOST JUWAN JAMES – COLEMAN WAS BAMA SCRAPING THE BOTTOM OF THE BARRELL

  12. MONSTER 2011 CLASS SAID CLASS IS ALREADY 100% DONE – BUT WE WILL FINISH AT 120% – ARIE K BRO REGION ETC…….2011 TOP 100 BAMA IN ON 28 OF THEM ….SABAN SAID THIS WILL BE THE BEST CLASS IN HISTORY BY FAR IN ALL OF FOOTBALL

  13. DO NOT BE DECEIVED – AU HAD 3 4/5 STARS FROM STATE OF BAMA – BAMA HAD 6…BAMA DOMINATES STATE AS ALWAYS MINUS PROBATION….AU’S 3 STAR ARE MEDIOCRE …BAMA’S 3’S ARE 4’S IN AT LEAST ONE OTHER SERVIVE…WILSON LOVE IS 4 W/O INJURY ….CHAD LINDSAY A 3 B/C OF WT – HE IS ENROLLED EARLY ….DEOIN BLUE A 3 WITH WORLD CLASS SPEED …..BARN IS JUST QUANITY NOT A LOT OF QUALITY …

  14. Keep decieving yourselves, you excuse making bammers.

    Rivals ( the only source that mattered to yall before this year) rankings for the state of Alabama……

    Auburn : 11 commits from in-state
    5 four star athletes
    5 three star athletes
    1 2 star athlete

    Bama: 9 commits from in-state
    1 five star athlete
    5 four star athletes
    2 three star athletes
    1 two star athlete

    So , Im trying to figure out how you obliterated us in the instate recruiting war, but Im just not seeing it. Please enlighten me.

    Yes, the 5 star prospect was great, but , other than that, no noticable advantage..

    I understand that a staff has to work on recruits 24/7 365. I aint even saying that yall dont have a better class than us. We really wont know till they play the game. What Im saying is that its pathetic that the defending national champs feel the need to make excuses as to why they lost the instate recruiting war according to ONE source.

    Kinda pathetic raally.

  15. “Great article and as a person who wears crimson colored glasses I will take it hook line and sinker!! RTR”…bamadon, I think that just about sums up every bammer on this site.

  16. Ballsack idiot, it is quite clear that you have no class (I’m retracting a previous statement). This article is a statement, not an excuse. 6 Of the TOP 10 Alabama recruits isn’t coming in 2nd in the state. Once again in the “big picture” the barn came up short. Bama had more 5-stars splitting time on the bench in ’09 than is currently on the entire roster at the barn. If you want star ratings, 2010 Bama 3.6, barnie 3.5. I’m glad to see ya’ll got Gussy a new Mitch Mustain to ruin. Bama likes scrmabled QB (Timmy n Colt), so let him run, caus he sure as hell ain’t gonna pass on the secodary we got. Bring it on chop-block U, it’s gonna fuckin’ hurt either way.

  17. Ballplay Indian, Auburn pulled a miracle out of its ass!! I can’t
    wait for Saban and Kirby to have the defense ready for the high
    school offense that the cow college uses!! You boys played a great game against Bama when Bama was all ready looking a head to the gators!! I truly believe that will not happen this year!! Only a beat down like 36-0 will make this Bama fan
    happy this November!! RTR

  18. Give me your address julia, and I’ll mail ya some tampons and duct tape so you can stop oozing from both ends.

    Well I’ve gotta go take a chizik and wipe my gus. See y’all fuckers later.

  19. BI-I agree it is actually pathetic for us to argue over whos class is better. What matters is on the field and we will dominate on the field. WE are the 2009 BCS National Champions! We only talked about recruiting because we couldnt talk about championships at that point. Now all we should be talking about is championships, seeing as how we wont have to worry about AU trying to participate in THAT conversation!

  20. I hope the BARN does continue to recruit at a level that is slightly below/possibly equal/possibly slightly ahead of us. I hope that because then our superior coaching abilities will be very apparent. I hope you guys get enough talent to become a better football team that can be more competitive in the SEC. I am sick of everyone talking about how tough the SEC is…..we have not lost a game in 2 years in our conference, there arent many teams that can say that in their own BS conferences ….and here we are straight dominating…..gonna take a lot more than Aubbies class this year to step in the ring with us and ACTUALLY win.

  21. Big Red A, what disturbing revelation came over you in the 5 minute span between your post at 12:43 and 12:48 that made your mind wander off to a combination of tampons, duct tape, body ooze, and defecation? On second thought, in the name of all things good and holy, please don’t answer that…

  22. BARN VERMIN – BAMA 4 OUT OF THE TOP 5 IN THE STATE OF BAMA………….LOOK IT UP

  23. Another classic, InTheKnow72!

    I loved the “Saban doesn’t give a Chizik what anybody thinks” line – and the repetition of “Crystal, baby!”

    Good stuff!!

  24. You do realize that you posted “Capstone SATURDAYS” on a Friday? I guess bammers aren’t even smart enough to know the day of the week now.

  25. chappaslappa, “Capstone Saturdays” is the name of the cartoon. There have only been 39, so no big deal you not knowing that.

  26. Big Red A-hole….Good to see your reason is back on planet earth. At least about The Indian anyways…..

    Another question….Why do you Bama people continually bring up who won the “in state” recruting war (and yes, you won it, but not very convincingly) ??? Maybe because we indeed did win the national recruting war. #1 in Louisiana. Mississipi. and Arkansas….I see right through your flawed arguements and shoot you down accrdingly. Its what I do.

    In all seriousness, I think Bama had a great class. Just not as good as ours. And here is the entire point of my posting on this topic. Listen close mulletts , cause I dont want to repeat myself…….. You guys did win the BCS. You have three consecutive top 5 classes. Two of wich are #1 classes. So Im not getting the excuse making that yall are doing. Its not very becoming, but quite expected. Kinda reminds me of the whole “probation” garbage. May I remind you that TT left us with only 75 schloarship players ? That is far worse of a crippling effect than you had at the heighth of your probation. You didnt hear us whining …And you still dont. Yall just cant help but make excuses. Its who you are.

    ITK is the master of double speak. Its almost too easy to put the boy in his place. Fish in a barrell, so to speak.

    ITK comes back with a “intellegence” cutdown in 5.4.3.2.1…….

  27. All we have to ask is this…..THE CURRENT AND DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS is?

    I’ll give the aubies a few minutes to think about this one…

    Answer: The University of Alabama

    With that, not even sure why we even talk about Auburn or the Aubies.

    Anytime a fan base makes a statement like “Honestly, I don’t even know why Bama even shows up. They barely even won this year”, you have to just roll your eyes. They’ll take anything they can get. Fact is, they have never won anything, they have no tradition, and their best years were Alabama’s probationary worst years. Past 10 years – Auburn- 1 West Championship, 1 SEC Championship

    Alabama – 2 West Championship, 1 SEC Championship, 1 NATIONAL TITLE.

    Bring on the Auburn selective memory, stats, and history…

  28. Thanks for making my point for me 13. I hope that was directed at ITK and not me. Why? Becasue he is the one that needs to hear it , not me.

    You wont hear me berate Bamas tradition, or history. If I did , I would look like and excuse making loser. Facts dont lie. Thats the heart of my arguement. Act like champions , instead of excuse makers.

    And yes, our class is better than yours.

  29. ITK
    Straight up (almost) beat Saban at his own game. (sorta) …..(you know)……

    That thought process has always been enough to keep the Auburn appetites satisfied. It is the calling card of their mediocrity.

    I have a theory,
    I think that when Tubbs split, Jimmy, Bobby, and Pat saw this as there opportunity to seize power in Lee County. They leaned on Jay Jacobs (who is feckless) and got him to hire Mr. 5-19. Because they knew that Tha Chiz had just about worked himself out of a paycheck in Ames and was the perfect Pinnochio.
    Next they avoided scheduling games with national exposure against above average foes for the likes of Arkansas State, In a double wammy of dumbing it down so that even a toddler could have a winning record Auburn schedules 8 home games, play a pushover out of conference schedule, and then buy there way into a minor New Years’s Day bowl. (BTW Wasnt that just an eyesore of a game?)
    Now we all know that Auburn does not have the stroke to pull marquee players locally much less from the National scene. They(the current Auburn coaching staff) havent exactly been worldbeaters at recruiting anywhere they have been. To me, it appears that Pat Dye and Co might be up to their old tricks. A little diaper money payment here, a car payment there, a little contribution to a needy parent/coach/family member/player to help them through a rough transitional period (wink… wink). Who knows? Auburn might have even learned a trick or two and recruited a few “hostesses”?
    I know…this is just a theory. But given the sums in this equation, the total just doesnt add up.

    I (too) believe we live in a practical world and given the evidence of past behaviors by Dye and others associated with Auburn Football, The most practical conclusion is that A poisonous snake doesnt change its ways because it got a little older.
    Luckily we dont have to worry too much about the likes of Pat Dye, because Nick Saban is a one man Snake stomping army.

  30. I have a question for brother 13.
    How do you barely win 14 games, (including VT, Florida and Texas) the SEC west, the SEC Championship, the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, and THE HEISMAN TROPHY?
    I might be wrong….BUT HAS ANY TEAM EVER DONE THAT?

  31. Oh I forgot the TWO #1 recruiting classes and that the recent top 5.

    13 I agree with you….. I dont think the sky is falling here.

  32. SABAN DESPISED TUBBY AND THUS THE 36 – BEATDOWN ,,,,SABAN HAD NO PROBLEM WITH CHEEZSHEET TIL THE MORAL VICTORY CRAPOLA…NOW BEATDOWNS ARE PENDING EVERY YR ….52 – 0 BAMA

  33. Ballplay, Why do you Aubies like to tell BAMA fans like ITK “to grow a pair?” Are y’all into checking balls? Sounds like faggotry to me. Just in case you don’t know. BAMA doesn’t have to grow balls. We got 13 National Championships. Thats equivalent to ” Crystal Balss” Y’all got 1 in’57. So either you quit checking for our balls or win your own. BAMA don’t bend over for nobody. Recruiting wars are not won in 1 year. BAMA has 67
    4 stars on their current roster. It is like BEAR days again. Our bench warmers could start at most other SEC schools now! They prefer to come to BAMA for a chance at CRYSTAL BALLS. When you get one you can run your mouth. Otherwise Shut it or Suck it up and admit your LOSERS and will be nothing but losers. Sore losers at that like last year. You got beat and you are gonna get beat again and again and again. I don’t care about your whining, but it is music to my ears to hear you Aubies whine. Losers and whiners that is what you are.

  34. NAME A TEAM BESIDES AUBURN THAT A LOSING RECORD IN CONFERENCE IS CONSIDERED A GREAT SEASON.

  35. NAME A FAN BASE THAT HAS LOWER STANDARDS THAN AU THAT SHOWS UP ON RIVALS MESSAGE BOARDS BUT WILL NOT SHOW UP IN THE STANDS.

  36. I have some big round nuts.

    I think I’ll let my nuts swing as I stand and reflect on enjoying yelling the Rammer Jammer during the closing moments of the SEC Championship Game and the National Championship Game. You know those games, right Barners? It’s the games you didn’t attend because your team was 7-5 and shitty.

    The bottom line is that the snake oil salesmen in their rented limo don’t have a National Championship.

    As for Chiznik, he only won a National Championship riding the coattails of Mack Brown and Vince Young. As I recall, his defense was torched all night in that Championship Game. Furthermore, if Reggie Bush doesn’t showboat and fumble his lateral, USC wins that game.

    The bottom line is this. Sure, Abarn signed “some” nice players. Even with your class, Tom Lemming and Tom Lugenbille, both think Abarn’s class is not as good as Bama’s class.

    Although you signed a lot of players, you don’t really think they will all qualify, do you? We just lost Devonta Bolten for the third time due to grades. The barn is bound to lose as up to five that will never qualify.

    Another thing that gets to Alabama fans is that Abarn fans think that one class will make you a winner. It will not. It takes several years and class after class of players. It took the recruiting of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 to win Bama’s National Championship in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.

    Cecil Hurt is the most pragmatic, honest journalist in the State of Alabama. He was being honest as the day is long by stating that AU has a long ways to go to even “catch” Alabama. And like I said the other day, you won’t ever catch Florida.

    And, let’s review Abarn’s Five Star Players since 2002, per Rivals:

    Ben Obamanu (who?)
    Brandon Jacobs (run off by coaches)
    Trey Blackmon (Fulmer Cup participant)
    Greg Smith (who?)
    Raven Gray (not to be glib, but WHO???)
    and
    Jermaine Johnson (now at The U)

    Forgive me Barners, but there is a clear pattern here. None of your recruiting successes have translated into a single All-American, nor have any of these players made a major impact in SEC play. Obamanu is the only one that finished his career at Abarn and played in the NFL.

    There will be no impact of this recruiting class at AU. There will be no championships in Lee County. Keep making fun of the Trophy being at Wal-Mart. Hell will freeze over before it ever makes it to Abarn.

  37. And don’t make fun of the Ball Player for asking about nuts.

    After all, I’ve called him “Plays with his Balls”, his real Sioux name, for months now.

  38. It really is amazing that you guys just can’t admit that you were wrong. For some reason, perhaps cognitive dissonance (look it up), you are ignoring reality and refuse to admit the truth. I just read all the posts and not one AU fan suggested UAT wasn’t a good team or didn’t have a good class. The only point is this: For years UAT fans, such as yourself, argued that AU was subpar and we would never have any chance of even competing with UAT with regards to recruiting. Had you guys not made such claims, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation. You can’t have it both ways: You can’t toot your own horn and claim a recruiting national championship, and then argue that it doesn’t matter when you are beat. Similarly, you can’t argue that Rivals is the best recruiting site (or as many of you suggested, the only site that matters), only to change your mind after you fail to pass AU. Surely, you will concede that such behavior appears ridiculous. How freaken’ hard is it for you guys to simply say something like, “Auburn had a great year recruiting and their staff has done exceptionally well… much better than expected. I guess I was wrong to suggest they would have no chance with Saban in the state.”Incidentally, I think Saban is a great coach… see, it’s not that hard to acknowledge the truth.

  39. AUTiger, it isn’t our contention that Abarn didn’t have a good class. While some are questioning their methods of doing so, others here are merely pointing out the hypocrisy of your fans, taking the one recruiting service who thinks Abarn slightly edged Alabama and heralding it as the unquestionable truth.

    For years…decades, really…Abarn fans have questioned our National Championships…13 now…citing that before the AP came into being, we would accept and claim a NC from any service who would offer it to us.

    It just appears now Abarn fans are quick to do the same, taking ONE service and holding their opinion high, when the majority of services have them looking at our back, again.

    All this really doesn’t matter; it will all be played out on the field, and as my cartoon suggests, we’re fairly confident we’ve got that base covered.

    It’s just a fun annoyance to tangle with you Abarn fans, listening to your oral flatulence. Your entire program, as almightytmc1 and Alex Hamilton pointed out, is a complete sham. A facade. Empty accomplishment, carefully manufactured to ensure success. It’s the Upward mentality. That’s why you schedule Ball State, Furman and La.Tech at home in the same year, and why no one in Lee County wants to remember you could do no better than 3-5 in the SEC.

    But admit we were wrong? About what?

  40. Buttplay, get over it! You delusional fuckers will grab at anything to try and outdo Bama. We didn’t come in second to auburn in Alabama or anywhere else. We got more in state top 10’s including #1 and #2 and the states top RB and sprint champion right out of your back yard. We won the state fool. And nationally we finished ahead of you in 4 out of 5 rating services and we didn’t need Rap Limos or Big Cat Weekends. What we did have is our coaching staff occupied with a National Championship procees during the time that Bama normally makes a big haul of superstars. Still we would have finished ahead of you even in Rivals if Allen hadn’t reniged. I was hoping the bastard would choose Penn St so we could whip his ass later this year. Regardless dumbass, it’s auburn who came in behind us in state and everywhere else overall and in every respect. So suck a big one barners. RTR!

  41. IS THERE A TEAM BESIDES AU WHERE U CAN HAVE A LOSING CONFERENCE RECORD AND BE CONSIDERED A GREAT SEASON.1000 POINTS TO THE POSTER WHO CAN COME UP WITH AN ANSWER BUT IT COULD BE A TRICK QUESTION.

  42. NICK SABAN HAS NEVER WON BACK TO BACK 10 WIN SEASONS HAS EVOLVED UP TO SABAN HAS NEVER WON BACK TO BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

  43. tmc…This isnt Tubberville , in case youi didnt get the memo…I knew I could get egg to come around . Im like the pide piper. That may be a new sig name for ,me.

    The point of the arguement is this. Why are yall so worried about us getting a top 5 class ? Why devote an article to it ? I thought yall were back ? If you are , why are you so worried about little ol Auburn ?

  44. WHO GIVES A RATS AZZ ABOUT REGION 3 STAR 13 TH BEST IN STATE….NOT WORTH OF THE BEST CLASS OF ALL TIME BAMA 2011 – LET DYE PAY TH

  45. WHO GIVES A RATS AZZ ABOUT REGION 3 STAR 13 TH BEST IN STATE….NOT WORTH OF THE BEST CLASS OF ALL TIME BAMA 2011 – LET DYE PAY THE PUNK

  46. For the love Hammah, learn what hte caps lock bottom is. Im no english major , but you make me look like Ernest freekin Hemingway…..

    The point he was making, is that all world recruiter Saban liked the kid enough to offer a scholly. But, Im sure he “didnt want him anyway”, being that he offered him a scholarship. Yeah, thats the ticket.

  47. U STUPID IGNORANT SLUT = STOP FOLLOWING SOME FAG IN SAN FRAN THAT SAID CAPS MEAN THIS OR THAT – IT MEANS BIGGER PRINT EASIER TO READ – PERIOD. THIS IS NOT ENGLISH – THIS IS INTERNET SHORTHAND – USIS. AND YES SABAN MISTAKENLY OFFERED THIS KID FOR DEPTH ONLY AND ONLY TO BE ATTRITED IN HIS JR YR….REGIONS DID A SMART THING IN TAKING DYES MONEY ….

  48. AND WHO BESIDES BARN VERMIN CALLS A LOSING CONFERENCE RECORD A GREAT SEASON>>>>>>>>>???????????????????????????????????????????????

  49. BARNERS THINK IF A HALF BLACK FOOL CAN BE PRESIDENT — THE MOST SHAMEFULL CHEATINGEST PROGRAM IN HISTORY CAN BUT IT’S WAY TO A BREAK EVEN RECORD IN THE SEC ….NOT SO FAST – IT DON’T WORK THAT WAY

  50. InTheKnow72 (and most everyone on this site)

    You are clearly missing the point. I truly believe that there is probably no real difference in classes between #4 and #5. However, when it was convenient, you guys exclaimed that Rivals was the only site that counted. Now, when Auburn has a better ranked class on Rivals, your posters are suggesting that it doesn’t matter because Rivals is the only site that rated us that way. Also, when you crow every year about having a better class than AU, and make statements such as, “AU will never be able to compete with UAT in recruiting as long as Saban is the coach”, you should expect that AU fans (and Alumni) are going to respond when AU has a better ranked class. The fact that you and every other UAT person I have talked is now making excuses just makes you look silly. Put it this way, I’m ecstatic that AU had a great recruiting year and seems to be on an upswing. The only reason I care about Rivals’ stupid rankings is because you guys have crowed about it for so long, it’s fun to rib you a bit. Why don’t you try to act like a man instead of a sore looser?

  51. That whole Spender Regions drama is extremely strange. His dream was to play for Alabama, this was the offer he wanted, dream to play at Bryant-Denny, etc, etc. He was ready to commit all the way up to 90 minutes before he was set to announce he would commit to Alabama….and he chose Auburn? Because family is important to him, and Auburn felt like family? Not sure what is going on with this kid, but something strange is definitely is going on. Maybe this is a statistical outlier. Good thing is, the real story will eventually come out.

  52. REGION KNEW HE WOULD NOT SNIFF THE FIELD EVER AT BAMA – SO HE DECIDED TO TAKE
    DYE’S MONEY – PLAY SOME FOOTBALL – AND GRADUATE – AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ATTRITED AT BAMA – AND CAN STILL ROOT BAMA ON TO A 10 PEAT.

  53. The Region kid is going to paid for this fucking bullshit telling
    Saban one thing and trying to make Alabama you back in the press. FUCK YOU Spencer Region!! RTR

  54. WHO CRIMSON DAT HAMMAH Says:
    February 6th, 2010 at 11:19 am
    IS THERE A TEAM BESIDES AU WHERE U CAN HAVE A LOSING CONFERENCE RECORD AND BE CONSIDERED A GREAT SEASON.1000 POINTS TO THE POSTER WHO CAN COME UP WITH AN ANSWER BUT IT COULD BE A TRICK QUESTION.
    ______________________________

    Maybe Kentucky, South Carolina, and (maybe) Arkansas.
    (I SAID MAYBE)
    But then again, none of the above schools try to bullshit poeple into believing they are a Powerhouse program either.

  55. To anyone who is claiming that auburn is doing as well as Bama at recruiting.
    According to scout.com.
    Auburn had 32 signees which is 3 more than anyone else in the top ten. Can you imagine how Bama would have finished with 3 more signees?

  56. And about the Regions kid.
    It is funny how a lot of top highly rated players are doing the same thing. (By passing their Dream School to play

  57. And about the Regions kid.
    It is funny how a lot of top highly rated players are doing the same thing. (By passing their Dream School to play in Lee County.
    Why? If you compare Auburn, Troy and Bama….auburn has been the 3rd best team in the state for the last few years. So what is so exciting about Auburn?
    Oh, I know (Standard stock answer to explain off something that stinks like fish…) The Family factor.
    That is bullshit. Alot of programs have a family feeling.
    Or is it the type of “Family” where Daddy is constantly shelling out $$$ to make sure the kids are happy?

  58. almightytmc1,

    A couple of points: (1) Your comment about AU signing 32 players is based on faulty logic (i.e., that more is better). Rivals only counts the top 22 toward a class’s ranking. (2) We at AU don’t expect anyone at UAT to understand the importance of the “Family” setting at AU. I can tell you, without doubt, that I chose to attend AU over UAT for that very reason. Why did you choose to attend UAT?

  59. ABOVE – KY BASKETBALL MATTERS AND COACH RUN OFF – SC.SPURRIER ON HOT SEAT …PETRINO – ARK FANS ARE ONLY EXCITED ABOUT MALLET AND POTENTIAL FOR 10 – NOTHING ELSE

  60. AU IS A FAMILY… LIKE THE GREAT OLD MAFIOSO FAMILIES OF YESTERYEAR THAT ARE BURNING IN HELL AS WE SPEAK…..

  61. AUMP AU AT MANURE PILE DOES NOT HAVE A WINNING RECORD VS VANDY AND IF THE TOP TEN AUMP CROOTS KNEW THAT – THEY WOULD TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

  62. I wanted to be the best; wanted to be a champion. That’s why I went there.

    And AUTigger, for the record, I’ve never made that assertion about Rivals. Find a quote from me on here; been here about 3 years. Go on and look.

    What really matters is what happens on the field. We have that checkbox checked.

    You have the one checked that says “Coaching staff has less than .500 record in the conference.”

    Until your Chiznik does something, shut your hole. He’s had four years to prove he can coach, but never finished with a winning record in his conference.

    Our coach has several conference CHAMPIONSHIPS and TWO NATIONAL TITLES.

    I rest my case, and I rest in those facts.

    But maybe the NCAA will let Abarn sprinkle a few more 1-AA’s on the ole schedule. Buy a bowl game!

  63. AUMP HAS BACK TO BACK LOSING SEC RECORD AND IT IS A GREAT SEASON – AND I DON’T EXPECT A AUMPIE TO UNDERSTAND HOW ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTINGLY SHAMEFUL AND ABHORENT THAT IS A TO A TRUE CHAMPION…U WILL FIND OUT IN THE IRON BOWL HOW ABSOLUTELY PIZZED SABAN IS AT THE MORAL VICTORY ATTITUDE AND A 52-0 BEATDOWN AWAITS….IT IS THE SAME RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION A MAN HAS TOWARD A HOMOSEXUAL

  64. EXACTLY BARN DID NOT BUY A BOWL GAME BUT THEY BOUGHT A NEW YEARS DAY BOWL……WITH A 3-5 RECORD THEY WERE IN NASHVILLE

  65. IT IS SO FREAKY – ALABAMA IS THE DALLAS COWBOYS EARLY 90S AND INGRAM IS EMMITT SMITH

  66. intheknow72,

    Saban’s first year: 7-6, lost to LaMonroe… may want to consider that before trying to envoke the .500 thing. Of course, I am sure Saban would have won the MNC at Idaho State.

    Also, I love the comment “What really matters is what happens on the field. We have that checkbox checked.” Again, I agree with you. I am just playing by the rules of you cohort (i.e., Rivals is the best recruiting site). It just cracks me up that you guys are unwilling to admit that you were wrong about our coaches’ ability to compete with old Nicky? Does it really mean so much to your egos that you can’t suck up and be a good looser. Nobody here is questioning your MNC (at least in this discussion), coach, or current class. We are just calling you out on something that you have been crowing about for the last 3 seasons.

  67. THE PIECE OF DOG CRAP IS CHEATING OUT OF HIS BUTT – A LOSING RECORD IN THE SEC ….AND THE MORAL VICTORY BS …THE BAMA FANS AND SABAN HAVE THE SAME RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION A REAL MAN HAS TOWARD HOMOSEXUALS….ABD A 66 O BEATDOWN AWAITS AND I WOULD BET THAT TROOPA THUGA GETS INTO IT WITH BAMA FANS AND GETS BEAT TO A PULP AND CAM CRAWLS AWAY WITH A SPLIT SPLEEN

  68. 12 2 14 0 2 SEC WEST 1 SEC TITLES AND A NATIONAL TITLE…..AND A AU AT MANURE PILE FAVORITE – THE ALL IMPORTANT PRESEASON #1 AND 2 RECRUITING TITLES

  69. Let’s just come out a say it… Auburn is paying for recruits. There is no other way to explain their last recruiting class and this weird Regions last minute turnaround. His excuse for his decision is really lame. On the ride over they promised some cash if he changed his mind. His parents needed a little extra cash and bingo, we have an Auburn commitment. The grass is always greener over the septic tank, and eventually someone digs.

  70. Autiger47
    The point is that Auburn bagged more recruits this year than Bama. Do the math and you will see that Bama could have finished even better. (Than their current finish)

    As far as your remark about a “family setting” at Auburn. (And a perceived lack of one at Bama or other schools,) er…how do you know?
    You attended Auburn. Dont try to impress me with the things you dont know about other schools.
    Don’t play the moral superiority card and act as though Auburn is the only place with high standard’s and ideals either. It only goes to prove that Auburn people are gullible enough to believe their own propaganda.

  71. ABSOLUTELY SAD THAT WILL RUIN IB S A FEW YRS FROM NOW …BUT THE NEXT COUPLE SHOULD BE FOR BLOOD

  72. Yall are a bunch of titty babies. Get the titty out yalls mouth and smell the coffee. These kids are the begining of a trend that will continue from now on. Quit your whining and go polish your crystal….BWAHAHAAHAHAHAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!

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