10 Reflections on the 2013 Alabama Football Season

Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prior to kickoff of a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2013 Alabama football season in the rear view mirror, we’ve had a change to catch our breath. It’s time to take a look at a few thoughts on the past season.

1. Thank you, Auburn. And I mean that. The fluke end to the Iron Bowl that dashed our national title hopes did us a favor. Sure, we got trounced on the medium-size stage of the Sugar Bowl. But that’s far better than getting our heads served on a platter by FSU in the title game. Despite our perceived dominance, we clearly had some major league chinks in the armor, and there is no reason to think Jameis and company wouldn’t have exploited those.
2. We can have all the five-star studs we want. But if they think they can exist on their raw talent alone, we’re not going to climb back to the top of the mountain. They need heart and smart. And they need a role model. Paging Vinnie Sunseri. This thought comes to mind: “I’d rather have a two-star recruit with a five-star heart than a five-star recruit with a two-star heart.” – Bear Bryant, in a quote I just made up.
3. While our recent body of work will probably get us a top 5 preseason ranking, I’d prefer to be situated back around 15. A little chip on our shoulder would be a good motivator.
4. Remember that in our deep sorrow over an 11-2 season, Steve Spurrier is touting the Gamecocks’ greatest run in school history, with three straight 11-2 campaigns. Just a little perspective.
5. Thank goodness the playoff is coming next year, a mere 60 years too late and lacking four additional teams. But gotta start somewhere.
6. Remember Jay Barker’s last game? It was the 1995 Citrus Bowl, against Ohio State. While he didn’t stink it up, Barker didn’t exactly have a signature performance in his final game. And neither did AJ McCarron. When his history is being written, McCarron will be remembered as one of the greats of Alabama football, as he should.
7. I was watching the Colts-Chiefs game on Saturday, and I saw Trent Richardson fumble with no one even touching him. I thought, “So that’s where they learned it.” My suggestion to solve the fumbleitis running rampant: Saban gives every running back a ball dipped in olive oil. First one to drop it loses an arm to a swift Saban katana swipe. You see, it’s positively reinforcing those who don’t drop the ball.
8. I know that Auburn didn’t go to a bowl game after their disastrous season last year. But during our previous two title runs? I have no clue what bowl game they were in, because I paid them no attention. And that is the reason I am even more perplexed about the insane interest Auburn fans have in our Sugar Bowl loss. Note to looking like a champion: When the next game on your schedule is the title game, focus on that. It’s all that matters.
9. I stumbled across a program from 2011, which featured an article entitled “QB Who?” on the upcoming QB battle between AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims. I have a sneaking suspicion that 2014’s QB toss-up could end up the same way, with one long-term champion emerging and another fading into the college football woodwork.
10. Let’s not forget: three national titles in four years. A disappointing end to this year, sure. But let’s have faith in the smartest staff and the most talented athletes in the country to put us on track for four in six come next year. After all, “The true sign of a champion is learning from defeat and using that as fuel for your next victory.” And who said that? That’s right, Bear Bryant, in another quote I just made up.