If you haven't seen todays press conference of Spurrier it is hilarious. Not what he said exactly but the fact that he did it, knowing the Garcia suspension was coming. He played it off on some reporter who wrote negative things and untrue things about the program. As Scarbinsky points out (and I can't believe I am agreeing with him) Bama is so much better off with Saban than Spurrier. I think the 'ole ball coach is losing it. I just hate that Garcia's one good game was against us. He played like Aaron Rogers against us and like Steven Garcia the rest of the time.

Does anyone have, or know anyone who has Tenn game tickets? I found a site with a chat room a few years ago and was able to buy some for the Arkansas game. Does anyone know a site where I can hook up with someone and try to buy some? I would like to have two or three if possible. I did a search and was not able to find a site with a chat room or a post about tickets yet. If anyone knows anything about them, please let know. Roll Tide Roll and lets finish the Gators.

I know that Cory Grant left and went to the 'Barn this year. I have a question though, what happened to not releasing a player from his scholarship to another school in your conference or especailly your division? I remember the day when Bama or any other school would never allow that. What happened? Did the rule change? If someone knows, please explain. I just want to know what has changed and maybe when did it change? It doesn't sseem that long ago that this was not allowed.

After watching the coverage the last couple of hours I have to say that I think Urban Myer has done a pretty good job as a commentator. Randy Shannon has done pretty good as well, but I like some of the insite that Urban gave on some of the players (Pagan especially) and some explanation on how players are evaluated. I think it is pretty interesting to hear how a coaching staff evaluates players and not just how recruiting sites evaluate. Also I think Urban gave a honest answer to the question of whether recruiting class rankings matter. Urban said they do matter because they matter to the fans and to the preception of the team, but in the overall success of the class, they don't matter.   So overall, I think he did good. Any thoughts?

Rivals lists 21 and ESPN has it at 23. Rivals does not list Wilson Love or Ronald Carswell. Anyone have a definite word on this?I know these sites use different rating methods but I have never noticed them to be off on the number of commits this late in the season. Maybe some of you know what is going on. It might be an oversite by rivals, and they have Bama with the #1 class.

al.com is reporting Brent Calloway will announce his commitment today and since he has been committed to Bama for awhile the word ishe will switch to the 'barn. Any other insight into this? How big a loss would be this be? It seems the 'barn is going to let him play RB. I know they are having a hard time getting a good running back to commit to them. Also does any one have any other recruiting news?

Just read that Pitt fired new coach Mike Haywood after the domestic violence charge. This is the cost of bad behavior. This is the 3rd coach (Mike Price and George OLeary) in recent years who has been fired before ever coaching a game. I felt this was coming. Now I wonder what that does to the coaching situation for those already interviewed? Could effect Bama if Sal goes, but if not this will the first year Bama hasn't had to replace a coach in the off-season.

This will not be the worse year in my life as a Bama fan. Just in recent years we have endured 3-8 seasons (Dubose last year) 4-9 (Shula) and a few 6-6 years. But with losing to LSU and Auburn the way we did, and knowing the Barn will most likely be national champs (puke, puke), it is close to the worst year we have had, so a bowl win would be a nice way to finish. It wouldn't heal all the hurts and disappointments, but it will help us to move on to 2011.

I know everyone will make Cam Newton and Auburn out to be the greatest things to ever play football, and I do not want to take anything away from their effort and the fact they did not quit. But this is not about Auburn, this is mostly about Bama not finishing, not executing, not keeping the foot on the gas in all phases. The lack of intensity in the 2nd and 3rd quarters showed and we gave the game away. I think I would have rather lost 35-0 than like this. Maybe in the bowl game we will play a complete game, although I doubt it. If we play a whole game today we win by at least two TDs. Auburn deserves some credit for their play and effort, but we choked!

As this season began we all thought our offense would be a juggernaut and score at will. We thought there would be season and career records for players and for the team. Because our defense lost nine starters and thirteen contributors our offense would have to carry our defense. While this is true, it should have sent some redflags to us and the experts. We are a defensive team, with a defensive coach and a defensive identity. Saying that our offense was to carry us is like saying Oregon must rely on its defense to win. While our offense may be improved(may...) it has not been able to offset the defensive setback. Our offense is not dynamic, even at its best we have never had a dynamic offense and we have instead struggled. Our philosophy is to pound people, wear them out and take advantage of that in the fourth quarter, which has not really happened. Our line has been whipped at times in both the passing and rushing games and we have not executed all around on offense to carry the team to greatness. I have been surprised how mich love we have received in the media. Our main struggle has been our defense. Our front seven never dominates, our secondary is always a play away from a TD and we struggle to get off the field on 3rd down. LSU converting on 3rd and 13 reminded me of the Shula years (sorry). Our weakness (offense) could not carry us to greatness when our strength (defense) is strugging and not executing. Now I would like to see us shift our offensive philosophy a little by adding some speed rushing to outside, maybe use an athlete (Blake Sims????) in a wildcat/ throwing package mixed with our power game and improving our passing game. Next year should be interesting with the loss of so much talent (Julio, Ingram, Dareaus, Hightower, Barron??) and what we will do. I hope our defense will return to being our strength and I have confidence in CNS that he will fix it this year or next.

With the situation unfolding in Dallas the thought entered my mind that they might try to get CNS. Then today I saw a post that Tim Brando was discussing the possibility. I know he would love it because he is a big LSU man, but someone tell me it anit going to happen! I don't think it will happen because Jerry Jones is too much of a control freak, but it would be hard to turn down the Cowboys job. Here is hoping Cower or Gruden take the job because we know Wade Phillips is done.

The SEC boasts of the best football in America but it consistently has some of the worse officiating. The officials called the Fannin fumble a TD then the replay official does n't have enough sense or enough courage to overturn the call. Auburn and the officials an unbeatable team. Now Mallet is hurt, Auburn gets all the breaks. But the Officials are pitiful. There is no excuse in the era of replay to miss calls like this.

I know most of us think this game is a sure win but I  am not so sure. I think this game may determine much about our season. First, I do not think it will be an easy win. Second, this is the first loss we have had to respond to in 2 + seasons. Third, I think the S.Carolina game proved that if our defense doesn't improve our offense is not good enough to outscore people. So if we do not see marked improvement in our defense (not perfection but noticable improvement), we may be in for a long season. If our defense doesn't improve we could be looking at an 8-4 season and if we improve we could (and should) go 11-1. Just my thoughts! 

Pete Carroll made a great prediction when he said the first few minutes of the game would be crazy and was he ever right.

1)The fake punt interception - the fake was totally out of character for us, especially with the field position

2) Colt McCoy getting hurt on the fifth play.

3) The botched kick-off and turnover.

The first few minutes were crazy and then the game settled down. Bama took the game over mid-way through the first quarter through the end of the half. I have to admit if McCoy doesn't get hurt we are probably down at least 10 after the two turnovers. But then the TD by Dareus at the end of the half also sort of messed us up more than it did Texas because we lost our intensity. I thought even the defense lost it when we gave up the two big plays on the slip screens.

It is true that losing McCoy effected both sides of the ball for Texas but it also effected BOTH TEAMS. Bama went conversative in playing calling and got relaxed and almost blew the game. But in the end the game was won by the same way most of games were won - defense and the running game. The defense making the big play at the end with the sack and Ingram powering it for the win. (Gladly the defense and running rose up because our passing game was pathetic Thursday night - South Carolina game pathetic!!)

Glad to be a Bama fan and thankful for a national championship. Hope we are all rejoice and not worry about next year right now. Lets enjoy this one for a while.

I know that Bama did not play very good at all yesterday. The coach said we didn't play with much passion and emotion and neither he, nor, I could understand that. Yet with the bad start, the defensive breakdowns, the lack of our usual power running game, and Auburn's early success, the team persevered. We took Auburn's best shot, emotionally, defensively, offensively, all on the road. The 'Barn pulled out all the stops, the '89 team on the field before the game, the trick plays, the 14 point lead, yet we continued on. This team didn't win because of better talent or even more depth, this team won because of character and heart. This is the stuff champions are made of. It reminded me of the way we played when Bear was coach or when Gene was coach and Barker would lead us on clutch drives to win games. Often we (Bama fans) complained about close games and not being flashy, and then we went through the Dubose through Shula years, and I am proud of this team for being a team and persevering and coming out on top. I have more confidence that we can beat Florida than I did a year ago, but no matter the outcome I am proud of this team.

Does anyone have two or three Bama/Arkansas tickets. to sell? I would love to go! Please let me know as soon as possible and I will be gald to take them off your hands. I want to take my two teenage sons who have never been to a game since we live in Kansas and it is hard for us to get to the game. Email me at donandrews@sunflower.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

I do not live in state and have not heard anymore on the Siran Stacy situation. I was wondering what is the latest?

Also the Coach Fran saga has been good so far. This also made me wonder if you could do a "where are they now" series on former players. Maybe like Barker, Tarrant Lynch, etc...just to give some updates and kill time until football season starts!

I am thankful 'BAMA won. It was a typical game for this season as we were never able (with the exception of the Tennessess game) to put teams away. I am also thankful this season is over. I was not very optimistic about our chances to win and felt sick as I was watched Colorado come back. But the interception in the 4th quarter by Mustin was big mainly because it gave us the ball and we used some clock and got points. Also I have to give Wilson credit on the 3rd down run. If he doesn't get it I don't know if we win. Now on to the next season (recruiting) and hopefully we can start building a SEC and National Championship contender.RTR.

I know I ask alot lately. ( I asked for a post of the press conference after the Auburn game). But I was looking for next seasons' schedule. I know the Clemson game is up in the air but I cannot find a schedule on any website and wondered if anyone had it. I know we play Ar-kansas, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee on the road. Who at Alabama allows us to have that many tough road games in a season? I know we have all the home games the next year but look how that helped us this year! So if someone has a link to the schedule because I am looking ahead!

Does anyone have a link to Saban's Auburn post game press conference? I cannot find anything.I am interested in his comments. I heard it was actually very positive about the future direction of the program.
Also noticed all these coaches dropping like flies. Who would have thought Bower at So.Miss? I bet he ends up at Ga.Tech or even Arkansas. It would be funny if he ended up at Ole Miss!

Just listened to Saban's press conference from today and it was great. He revealed some of the problems on this team. It is obvious there are character issues on this team. The last 4 yrs of losing close games are caused by a lack of resolve to do the right things. Even though I am disappointed in the season I know Saban is the right man because he will not accept less than the best from the players. Instead of hugging them when they don't put out the effort needed he will chew them out and not make excuses and tell us how close we are. Alabama is not close but I think we will turn the corner.

After today's total worst loss in Alabama history I apologize to Mike Shula. I wanted Shula gone and I thought we would impove by 2-3 games. It is obvious that Saban has lost this team. We are no better than last years' team, in fact we maybe worse. We have about as much chance of beating Auburn as we would the Patriots. We are the laughing stock of the SEC. We are pathetic and if(when) we lose to Auburn I hope we are not invited to a bowl game. Miss.St deserves a bowl much more than we do. It is time to pack 2007 up and hope things get better in 2008.

P.S. This is not Shula's fault and his easy/lax training. This is Saban's team and it is pathetic. This team and the QB is lost and needs a good foot in the rear!

Several thoughts on the teams and game.
1) LSU has the better talent and team and in the end they won the game. We could not handle their front 7 on defense or their offensive line.

2)Alabama is at a level of play that we have not seen this late in the season in several years.

3) Saban and the staff are helping this team to compete for 60 minutes- something that has been missing.

4)I expect the two teams to switch positions in the next two to three years.

5) Replay officals - the game was over officated from the replay booth. If the crew on the field misses that many calls (4 were over turned) they need to be fired. I am suspicious of this. LSU made many mistakes and kept the game close but I would say the replay officals bailed them out where they could. First,the fumble then the 41 yard catch. To over turn a call you need indisputable evidence- neither one of those plays were that clear. Why was this? I don't know but I have a suspicion that may sound sore loser-ish, but here it is. LSU is the last chance the SEC has for a BCS champion game and if they lose it is over. This is probably not right, but both those calls should not have been overturned because there was not enough evidence.

6)Bama was the better coached team.LSU is undisciplined and allows teams to stay with them.

7)BAMA is on the right track and I hope we can win out!

It is an understatement to say this was our best game of the year but this is easily our best game since 2005 FLA. This is the game that marks the turning of the Tide. It reminds me of 1990 Tenneesse game and how it helped turn the season. Tide played the first complete game of the year and we are still in it for SEC West. I also want to say good job to JPW for the best game of his career at the right time!

I was watching FSU-Wake last night and thinking about Xavier Lee. He played the best he has ever played at FSU against 'Bama. I thought about how many teams and players do that. Vandy almost always plays one of their best games against us. Last year Miss.St did, Ole Miss probably did as well. Look at Georgia this year, the best game they played was against 'Bama. Last week against TN they looked like zombies.(Matthew Stafford so far this year has not played better) Then think about other years as well. Remember Rohan Davey in 2001? He looked like a heisman winner against us. I don't know if they rise to the occasion or if we just make other players look that good.

Hopefully Ole Miss will play like Ole Miss Saturday and we get a win!

After today it is obvious that this team does not have the maturity/intensity/talent or something to be a strong team. There has been something missing for the past few years and it is still missing. We are looking (at least now) at a 4-5 loss (or more) season. I hope I am wrong.I see improvement, but not the amount of improvement that I had hoped. We are not in the same caliber as LSU, Florida (who is putting it on LSU right now), and other good teams. The past weeks have brought a reality that we are still in the bottom half of the SEC. Lets hope we can get it turned around and are able to compete against TN,LSU, and Aubie, I not taking Ole Miss and Miss.St for granted either.

Alabama looked terrible. We played Shula-esq and had no fire, and looked as bad as last years team. Then to top it off Aubie just kick the winning FG! We are in trouble and without quick improvement we might go 7-5 or worse! All this talk about beating Tennesee, Auburn, etc.. we need improvement or we lose 3-4 more games. Sports-wise this day could not get much worse!

There is much talk about Saban and the hope he brings to the Tide. Tide fans have suffered through 10 yrs of ups and downs. Saban's hiring came just at the right time. With what Urban Myer is doing at FLA we needed a big time coach to move us back into the top programs in the conference and the country.

I tried to rate the coaches in the SEC and here is what I personally came up with. This puts my personal dislike for the teams and coaches aside and tries to rate them on performance and overall career coaching.

1. Spurrier- best in the league
   
2. Richt- consisent and a class act
   
3. Fulmer- can't stand him but he has proven he can win
   
4. Tubby- He has proven it the past few years
   
5. Meyer-
   
6. H.Nutt -
   
7. Miles- talent but his coaching has not seemed to put them over the top.
   
8. Brooks- Ky is bowl bound
   
9. Croom-they have made improvement
   

I know many may disagree but Shula can't be much higher than this, maybe as high as 8th but do we want the eight best coach in the conference?

After watching the Iron Bowl I hope the 2006 season is over. I can not bear another game. The team was competative, but as usual cannot win. As my brother said over the phone, Shula's teams can could play with the cowboys but they just couldn't win. This team does not deserve a bowl game. I did not think the effort was lacking, but so many little things are left undone each week. The coaching staff looks lost at crucial times (4& 15 and no field goal, instead burn a timeout). The thing that dicourages me is that each year Alabama looks worse as the year goes on and not better. As bad as I hate to admit it Auburn is a better program with better coaches and a better future right now.