Posted on 12/01/2016 1:35:52 PM PST by blam
Bill Connelly
December 1, 2016
This might be Nick Saban’s best team ever. But some of college football’s best teams ever have dropped games before.
Is it possible for an Alabama team to be underrated? Have we just gotten bored with talking about Nick Saban's Tide?
Most of the talk regarding college football's Championship Weekend has centered around the fun matchups in Penn State-Wisconsin, whether Colorado or Virginia Tech has a shot at an upset, or what the Playoff committee might do about Michigan.
But we haven't had much to say about Bama, defending national champion and winner of four of the last seven titles. The Crimson Tide are heavy favorites to roll against Florida to their third consecutive conference title. And they would be significant favorites against whoever they might play in the semifinals of the CFP.(College Football Playoffs)
What else is there to say? Bama has recruited and developed players better than any team in the sport, and the Tide are on a magnificent run because of it.
But that doesn't go far enough.
This isn't just a good Bama team. This might be the best Bama team. This might be the best team, period, since World War II.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at sbnation.com ...
and the skill players to elevate enough to upset
Alabama had one of the 5 toughest schedules in the US in 2016. That will continue in 2017. But anyone playing Alabama has the toughest schedule that week.
I wouldn’t pick anyone at only +4 vs. Alabama. My best guess is that Wisconsin and the Ohio State have the best chances. Ohio State does pick 6s, and Wisconsin played both #2 and former #2 within 7 points, and beat LSU. Aside from an overtime loss to Ohio State, Wisconsin has given up a maximum of 20 points.
Ohio State has outscored opponents by 512-170. Alabama is 473-137, which is even more dominant. Alabama has given up more than 14 only twice, vs. Mississippi and Arkansas. So maybe Washington can beat Alabama with offense. Doubtful, as Washington’s defense hasn’t been tested much.
Penn State played Ohio State on week 8 of the schedule. At that point in time, their record was 4-2 (after losing to Pitt and Michigan). The ranking was not even in the top 25. The week AFTER they beat Ohio State, their 5-2 record got them ranked 24.
Maybe so, but the man who wrote the song took any mystery out of that particular lyric a long time ago.
Have you never heard of Dixie Howell, Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Jeff Rutledge, or Scot Hunter? All Alabama QBs.
Unless the Clemson pass offense is top notch, be ready for pick 6. And forget about establishing the run game. That said, the Ohio State defense (and offense) are very young. 19 first-year starters. Ken Anderson (Bengals) did very well with the short pass.
J.T. Barret destroys weak defenses, both passing and running. Inconsistent against top defenses, so Alabama will be tough - if Ohio State beats Clemson. If if Clemson ends up a #4 seed, Ohio State-Washington would be a boat race.
My older brother (bless his soul) played against Stabler when he was still in Foley High School.
I meant modern times. I’m thinking McElroy, Cocker, McCarron, and Croyle.
Two big Ten teams plausible - Ohio State and winner of Wisconsin-Penn St. (Wisconsin for short). And it only takes a loss by Washington for Wisconsin to get the nod, as beating LSU on the road is a bit more impressive than beating Rutgers at home.
Even if Clemson loses, their schedule is a bit tougher than Michigan’s, and neither would be a conference champion. For political reasons, I don’t think Michigan will get in - as that would make it Alabama vs. the Big Ten.
I’d happily take Wisconsin and 17 1/2
OK, well, I hope so because I love good playoff games between really good teams.
The Browns would probably open as a 10 point underdog, and I doubt they could cover that.
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The Browns would slaughter the Tide. I’m just being a smart ass.
My Uncle played against Johnny Mack Brown. Brown played for Dothan and my Uncle must have played for Geneva County as he was from Hartford Alabama.
“I’d happily take Wisconsin and 17 1/2.”
Not me. But I’d take Oklahoma and 12 1/2.
Cleveland.
Ole Sis built their entire season around beating Bama, and it cost them in the rest of the season, including week 1 against FSU. Everyone wants to knock off Bama, and often the letdown after the loss causes problems for the rest of the year.
Best opponent would be Ohio State because urban Meyer is best game tactician.
Alabama has the highest rated schedule of the possible playoff teams. That’s the truth, whether you like it or not. Or do YOU know more than the experts? Why don’t you apply for a job at ESPN since you’re the expert?
In fact, you sound quite bitter & angry. With your little crack about “Deacon Blues” you also sound like an Anti-Southern bigot.
Why don’t you tell me the team you pull for so I can denigrate them? Your ranting makes you sound like quite the little snowflake.
Roll Tide.
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