Agree for the most part with the conversation but the problem as I see it is with recruiting.
YES we have tremendous skill players but think back to what was returning on the offensive line after Cam left for the NFL.
And beyond that if you recall, we soon found out that we sucked at linebacker and defensive tackle.
Now we have the same situation occurring again where we lack a push in the run game, especially creating seams for longer gains that extend drives.
I honestly believe Gus alternately cheats position groups in order to stockpile offensive skill players, mostly wide receivers.
It can work HOWEVER if there are injuries, transfers or kids leaving that just exacerbates the problem.
Interested in knowing what the rest of you think because I say it's the main reason we lack overall consistency as a team.
Played golf with two guys from Salt Lake City today. Fans of the Utah Utes.
Some perspective:
1. They had no idea who Auburn's coach is.
2. They remember Bama won the title, but don't know who the quarterback was.
3. They think Alabama won the SEC the last four or five years
4. They know Auburn is a "pretty good" team but weren't sure if we were ranked or not.
5. They didn't know who LSU's coach is and were unaware Auburn had lost to them. "Really? LSU? That's a surprise."
6. They are aggravated with their coach because all the Utes do is play defense and they can't score points. I was surprised because I assumed they scored lots of points and didn't play much defense at all. Utah is currently first in total defense nationally. We are 40th. Not as good as they thought last year. They were 39th. AU was 11th.
7. They are perfectly happy with a coach that wins 8 or 9 games a year and occasionally hits the jackpot. Can't believe any program wouldn't be satisfied with that.
8. Their current coach, Kyle Wittingham, beat Alabama in 2008/09. They claim the 2008 National Championship due to finishing 13-0 and dominating the Tide.
9. Wittingham has been coach since 2005. They said he'd won at least nine games in eight of his seasons. I looked. Seven. And two eight win seasons.
10. Said they struggled the first two years in the Pac10 but were much better since. This is true.
11. Blown away that the SEC stadiums hold 80k plus. Utah's home field is 45K. Oregon only holds 54.
Biggest thing? They watch football, have a pretty good team most seasons and enjoy the game for what it is. I hate Nick Saban for robbing us of that.
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