With the Alabama football game coming in just a few days, we thought it would be a good day to give a warning to those that published premature articles earlier in the season.
I can’t see into the future and certainly have no means to travel ahead to see what the outcome of the game will be. I wouldn’t even guarantee and Alabama win against Clemson for the national title on Monday. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I will give a little reminder that some may have to backtrack a bit on articles that were posted throughout the season.
The national media jumped the gun as they always do, but more sensible fans were thinking,”Well, maybe this really isn’t the end” after the loss to Ole Miss near the start of the season.
Related Story: The Best Nick Saban Rants of 2015
Let’s take a look back at some of those. H/T to SEC Country
Joel Klatt: Alabama has a Nick Saban problem
Klatt as a guest on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” says:
“They have a Nick Saban problem at Alabama. They pay Kirby Smart and Nick Saban north of $8 million, and in the last 14 games they’ve given up 40 points four times… He’s turned Alabama into an old Big Ten defense. It’s a big, slow, lumbering, look at me I’m 250 pounds and linebacker. They can’t tackle anybody.”
Hmmmmm. Big, slow and lumbering? As well as they cover space, not really sure that you can go with this one but you do you, fledgling radio hosts.
Alabama’s dynasty is still dead
Clay Travis of Fox Sports writes:
“Great teams, rarely, if ever, lose. Alabama’s just a good football team. The rest of the SEC has caught up with Alabama and Nick Saban, particularly Saban’s defense. Alabama built its dynasty on defense and the simple fact is Saban’s defense is downright ordinary now…
In two weeks, when the Tide roll into Georgia and lose, it will be a perfect capstone to the rise and fall of the Tide dynasty.”
The defense is ordinary? On what planet?
More excuses as Alabama continues tumble from top of football world
Matt Hayes of Sporting News writes:
“There’s no greater indicator of a lost dynasty, no more prominent red flag, than ignoring the obvious: this is not the same Alabama program of years gone by.
Ole Miss 43, Alabama 37 simply put an exclamation point on it.
This is not the Alabama team that dominates and suffocates and eviscerates. This program, since late last season, stumbles and eventually crumbles in big games.
Then makes excuses.”
Correct that it is not the same team. Last year, they lost a regular season game and lost in the semi-finals but this season, they are playing for the title. Good prediction, Tater Head.
At Alabama, doubt replaces a football dynasty
USA Today’s Dan Wolken writes:
“For all of its No. 1-ranked recruiting classes, Alabama can no longer dictate the way games are played. For all of the defensive talent that rolls through and shuffles off to the NFL, the Crimson Tide can no longer shut good teams down. For all the time they had to replace AJ McCarron, they are now in the midst of a second consecutive season without a reliable quarterback.”
I think I would have waited until the semifinal game was played because every bit of this could have just been deleted.
FootballScoop Predicts: Biggest Coaching Surprises of 2015
Football Scoop writes:
Nick Saban will not be Alabama’s coach for the 2016 season.
I can’t support it by reportable facts, and of course there is no pressure from the administration; but from folks in the profession, I keep hearing “Nick isn’t happy,” “Nick seems miserable,” “Nick is very frustrated,” and I can foresee the very real possibility that Nick pulls the rip cord and ejects from Tuscaloosa after this season. Where that parachute will land, well, that has to play out, but I don’t suspect T-Town will be Nick’s final coaching stop.
Well, he’s made the hire for a defensive coordinator and one reputable site give a hint to his longevity in Tuscaloosa and it doesn’t end in 2016. Try again next season.
As a matter of fact, everyone should try again. If you keep putting those words out there, you are bound to get the information right sooner than later. Most have been trying now since he was hired. Perhaps Coach Saban will give you some coffee and Little Debbie cookies Monday morning in an effort to replenish your energy to try again.
More crimson tide: Alabama vs Clemson: National Championship Score Predictions
A blind squirrel will find a nut every once in a while. Don’t search too much. If everything goes as planned on Monday, I’m sure there will be plenty folks serving up some crow.