Since their selection over Ohio State for the College Football Playoff, the Alabama Football team has faced criticism from many fan bases
When the selection show ended, haters of the Alabama football team, and the SEC in general, were in full force. Scrambling to find any piece of information they could to discredit the Tide’s selection into the College Football Playoff.
Well, regardless of the complaining, the Tide are headed to their fourth consecutive College Football Playoff.
ICYMI: Who are the Tide’s best players in 2017?
Alabama got the nod over OSU because they had a great deal of injuries at the same position and only managed to lose one game. It also helped that they didn’t suffer two embarrassing blowouts.
So, What now?
The Alabama Crimson Tide MUST perform.
The Tide have been slim at linebacker, but most will be ready to go against the Tigers. Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has a new job, but he will still be there to coach as well. There are no excuses.
Although the Tide haven’t fielded a full team since FSU, a much healthier team against Clemson is intriguing. According to Chandler Rome of AnnistonStar.com, senior punter J.K. Scott believes that a healthier Tide team will have a lot to show and prove: “Come to the Sugar Bowl. I think we’ll have an opportunity to be at our best and kind of show who we are as a team.”
There can’t be an Alabama fan that hasn’t heard the “ESPN Bama lovefest” talk or, the go to favorite, “SECSPN” complaining (although College Gameday only featured two SEC games this season).
Although Alabama has been the model of consistency since 2008, Tide haters salivate at the opportunity to label them overrated. So, if the Tide produce a dud against Clemson, prepare to hear even more talking.
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Simply put, Alabama needs to perform and perform well. Above all else, they can not produce a doughnut (zero points) like the last two Big Ten teams.
This may seem like I’m simply hoping that the Tide shows up regardless of outcome to save face, and that’s far from the truth. Obviously, Alabama has the tools to win the CFP and would not be a surprise if they did.
However, an underwhelming performance would only add fuel to the Bama hate, as if the tank wasn’t full already.
Sure, I couldn’t care less about the Alabama haters. Alabama has won more than any college football team in the last decade and show no signs of slowing down. However, the opportunity to silence haters on a regular basis is so satisfying.
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I’m sure Alabama football fans, like me, love looking at haters with a smug look and simply asking, What now?! The semi-final game gives Tide fans the opportunity to have yet another ‘what now’ moment.