NO, the difference is that some Alabama fans actually think they can play for a title with three loses by winning the SEC Championship which quite honestly has been the playoff game for the NC. The media helps to mindphuk the fans by running that "dominant" tag. Bama will have a QB battle, as will LSU. And we have already learned that Arky's third string is better than it's second and it's fifth string is better than it's fourth.
All I know is I thought we could get to nine, possibly ten wins with Trotter, a returning OL, Bynes, Byrum and some breaks. Today it looks like I would have needed some Elmers and popsicle sticks to make it presentable. I never thought the cover problems would ever be so magnified, we never got the OLB production I think we expected to mesh with Bynes; the safeties played gingerly upon coming back, then were forced to help keep both the OLB's and CB's from getting burned so often. Auburn safeties are always tremendous and these guys get my respect.
Nick Fairley WAS a three tackle / game DT before the 2010 season started or workmanlike. I will never be able to explain the transformation, and have seen none like it before. It's one thing to hone your game but something otherworldly to become the centerpiece of every DC's nightmares and the perfect counter to the villianous Cam, the guy who would not lose.
I think we knew Auburn would run the ball but we had reservations about durability and youth and Cam probably allowed those things to temper a bit around the third game when it became apparent that this offense had it's calling card. We knew that Adams was very reliable and that T-Zac was scary mainly on reverses but had no true deep threat and mostly inexperience, which brings me to the core of the team, the OL.
After watching this years group of veterans I am convinced that without their stellar play none of this could have been possible. And I can only say that because it was the Bama OL that determined it's fate as well. LSU had a defense but they had to put up some scoring drives and Arky had to give Mallett time for it to basically outscore it's opponents.
Look I have no doubts that this staff (led by Chizik) can put a hard playing team on the field in 2011, especially bringing in a very good group of freshmen. But realistically I will have to say that with all the gaps to fill, we might resemble a 2010 Clemson or FSU team only with more going for it as CHAMPIONS. That helps along with the fact that the SEC is just tougher, nastier and more competitive than the others.
And we will expect our guys to suit up knowing the score going in. The staff has remained constant and Grimes might trot out the '66 Green Bay Packer OL ('67 being the champs) and Trotter might click with the run game and Parkey might become a hit but there are just too many what ifs to address to compare with Saban/Bama, Miles/LSU or Petrino/Arky. And I say this because I have no earthly way of knowing what to expect from this defense to next season's invention with possible early departures and that beleagured bend but don't break moniker that the 2010 unit had. Plus we have a 2011 schedule of tough road games ahead with inexperience.
I think Saban is the best Head Coach in cfb overall. Ohio State fans will swear that the sweater vest is tops and he might be relative to all the ingredients that a position like that calls for with the ability to adapt to so much constant change where KIDS are the focal point. But that doesn't mean Chizik can't surpass anyone given the fact that he stated he was building Auburn for the longhaul upon arrival. Something about this man (something intangible) tells me that Auburn is in it's best shape ever and I take a lot of comfort in that as a fan.
The difference for me now as opposed to other years prior is that neither program is suffering or is potentially suffering despite all of the "Auburn's gonna get their's" catcalls. That day will never come for those people. And I'm as confident of that as I am that the sun will set in the west this evening and rise over the plains in east Alabama in the morning.
I know that was long-winded but I can only drop by in short spurts around meals.
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