Well, the Crimson Tide squeaked past yet another opponent last weekend with its 24-20 win over Ole Miss.
Now, part of this is just me taking out the frustrations of Auburn’s disappointing season on our most-hated rival.
Actually, all of it is. But I just don’t think Alabama’s as good as everyone thinks.
Alabama’s a first half team this year.
They run up the score and then somehow survive after halftime, allowing the opponent to nearly come back.
Since their big upset win at Georgia, who by the way was also overrated, the Tide struggled to beat Kentucky and the Rebels.
Against Georgia, Alabama was up 31-0 at halftime and only won the game by 11 points, 41-30.
At Kentucky, Alabama went up 14-0 in the first half and then gave up two touchdowns to the Wildcats in the second half.
Leigh Tiffin’s field goal in the fourth quarter allowed the Tide to escape with a 17-14 win.
Last weekend, ‘Bama was up 24-3 on Ole Miss, only to watch the Rebels climb their way back into the game, as the Tide was outscored 17-0 in the second half and had to rely on a failed fourth down conversion attempt in the closing seconds to preserve a win.
The Tide even struggled to beat Tulane.
And their big win to open the season against Clemson does not look nearly as impressive as it did then, especially now that Clemson is in worse shape than Auburn.
I just can’t see how they will continue to win by basically not playing the second half.
I’m convinced that one or two teams will expose this weakness this year. I really don’t see Alabama going into Baton Rouge and beating LSU this year, and the other team just might be Auburn.
I know. It sounds crazy. Sure, Alabama’s better than Auburn this year. That’s obvious.
But the Iron Bowl is almost always a tight game, no matter how good each team is.
That’s the beauty of the rivalry. Since 2002, the average margin of victory has been just 7.8 points.
By Nov. 29, Auburn should at least have a few of its offensive woes figured out.
Let’s face it: the Tigers can only improve at this point.
And honestly, I hope Alabama does squeak by LSU and is ranked No.1 or No. 2 at 11-0, with everything to lose when Auburn rolls into Tuscaloosa this year for the 73rd Iron Bowl.
There’s nothing I would love more than to have Auburn ruin Alabama’s season with a late loss, knocking the Tide out of the national championship race.
Wes Sinor is the Assistant Sports Editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 844-9104.
October 23, 2008 - 3:22am
in the name of everything
in the name of everything HOLY you are absolutely rediculous!!! i stumbled upon your little rant and rave while browsing SI.com and i am quite frankly amused at your boo-hoo'ing... wow.. alabama "runs the score up and then hangs on".. let's see awww-burrrn run the score up.. wait,,,wait...they did.. against miss. state.. what a joke of a game that was.. keep crying and whining about how we "barely" beat teams.. and let's look at the W-L column at the end of the year and compare ours to yours.. jeez this is seriously the worse piece of journalism i've ever read.. i'm just in awe at the pure cry-baby-ness that is infested in this piece of article crap.. if you honestly think that the tigers are going to roll into t-town on nov. 29th and put up half the game that measly tulane did, my friend you are truly living on another planet... and you dont see bama going into baton rouge and beating lsu? wow there's a defense for you.. a team that allowed your offense to actually look non-comatose.. yeah i'm sure we'll have a really hard time with that one.. sheesh....October 23, 2008 - 5:19am
IDIOT
Well, I guess it's a good thing you're an IDIOT AU fan. If you were an actual analyst who's opinion meant ANYTHING, one might look at your article above in a different light. Alabama will prove they're not just a "First Half" team, if not against Tennessee, then either against LSU or AU or BOTH!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!October 23, 2008 - 6:15am
Hmmm..
I'm so glad that these highly qualified idiot-finders put you in your place to defend their golden team. You are, in fact, NOT a qualified sports analyst....but I'm pretty sure that you are entitled to YOUR opinion in YOUR column. These people need to recognize that and back off. (Like they weren't saying the SAME thing these last, what, 6 years?) It's just a shame one of them can't spell the word "ridiculous."October 23, 2008 - 8:32am
Roll Tide
Wes who? oh, Wes Sinor. O.K as long as you will write how your opinion was right or wrong after the game against Tennesse and Auburn then I'll read one of your 'opinions' again. Now , some lips rattled off that you have a right to your opinion, now my opinion. Auburn is terrible, not worthly to be in the S.E.C . Yes, bama was down the past 5 years because of probation, not excuse, a fact, reduced scholarships and other restrictions. Whats is Auburns cause for their lack of talent? I'll tell you, they are getting killed in recruiting and you need to get accustom to it. you aburn fans flap your jaws about 6 wins in a row...well if you wanna scream about the past, you idiots dont forget about 9 in a row by bama. One last thought - Bama's main goal is to win National championships, Auburns main goal is to beat alabama. That shows whos the man and whos the boy chasing the man. Roll tide. Alabama is alot better than people think, preseason poll ( based on thoughts, no games played ) bama was not in top 20. Bama now ranked # 2 based on games played not idiots thoughts. Roll TideOctober 23, 2008 - 11:27am
Arkansas is NOT a better team now than when Bama played them!
Wes, you are truly a dumb@ss! If you think that for one nano second that some way, some how you and your team full of bozos are going to get out of getting what's coming to you on 11/29/08, then you have bats in the belfry! Tell me something, jerk. WHO exactly has the barn beaten this year? HMM? Can't hear you. We go TO Arkansas and win 49-14. You have the SAME Arkansas team at home and lose 25-22. And don't give me this crap about Arkansas being a "better team now than when Bama played them" like some of you idiots at the barn have already done. The majority of you think ya'll are having a banner season, despite everything that has happened. Well, reality is about to wake you up! It may take until the Iron Bowl, but it will be a RUDE awakening. Even when they suck, the barners just don't know when to shut up!October 23, 2008 - 11:33am
Th gloves are off now
You are obviously a bitter Barnstormer. Bama's H2 troubles have been well publicized, and your rant is beating the proverbial horse. The deeper issue here is the fact that your state of mind reflects that of the entire meadow muffin nation. I believe Dr. Phil would call it deflection. It's basically...Hey look over there!! Pay no attention to this smoking hole we call a football program!! The hard fact is that Auburn is the college football version of Kimbo Slice. And I as a Bama fan would prefer to have 2 good quarters of football a game verses the Barn's 2 per season.October 23, 2008 - 11:36am
Gloves are off
You are obviously a bitter Barnstormer. Bama's H2 troubles have been well publicized, and your rant is beating the proverbial horse. The deeper issue here is the fact that your state of mind reflects that of the entire meadow muffin nation. I believe Dr. Phil would call it deflection. It's basically...Hey look over there!! Pay no attention to this smoking hole we call a football program!! The hard fact is that Auburn is the college football version of Kimbo Slice. And I as a Bama fan would prefer to have 2 good quarters of football a game verses the Barn's 2 per season.October 23, 2008 - 11:53am
WES SINOR FREAKIN' ROCKS!!!!
WES SINOR FREAKIN' ROCKS!!!!October 23, 2008 - 12:48pm
These comments...
are hilarious. These bama fans are quick to say how Wes Sinor doesn't have the qualifications to be judging AU, much less UA. BUT, they really are taking offense to what Wes is saying...... If it's not true, then why make a fuss? And are THESE fans qualified to say AU doesn't belong in the SEC? Doubtful. In that case, get off Sinor's back about his opinions if you're going to give your own. Everything said on this page is an opinion, NOT a fact. (and the use of derogatory words in some of these comments only makes YOU look uneducated, so why would anyone listen to you in the first place?) WAR EAGLE.October 23, 2008 - 1:24pm
Aubarn rage
funny how even on gameday, the Barners are obsessed with the University. Alabama's little brother Aubarn is back to being a 2nd tier program once again. Your "glory days" are now over. LOlzOctober 23, 2008 - 1:47pm
opinions dont need quality
Auburn does not belong in the S.E.c... My opinion just like Wes has an opinion. You understand that...read carefully. Fact ..not opinion... Alabama undefeated....# 2 in nation. Now I'll take second half let downs all year as long as winning. Talk about it all you want...dont change 7-0. Roll tide.October 23, 2008 - 2:09pm
Iron , Bowl
Wishful thinking, , Bama fans have been thinking that way for the last five yearsOctober 23, 2008 - 2:16pm
I'm not going to jump on
I'm not going to jump on this bandwagon of bashing you and calling you names for stating your opinion. After all, if I was an Auburn fan, I'd be pretty frustrated too. I would have to agree that Alabama lets off their opponents in the second half. But, when you're as dominating in the first half as Alabama has been this year, I'm sure it's difficult for players to stay motivated to play as hard in the second half. Coach Saban has been stressing this point all year. It's definitely something that needs to be improved. However, you also have to take into consideration that second and third string players were often put in the game during the second half to gain experience playing in these high profile games. Auburn fans need to focus on improving THEIR teams many flaws and not worry about Alabama. Auburn will have their opportunity to play Alabama and salvage their season in November. Unfortunately for you, I believe the streak is over and Alabama is now once again the dominant program in this state. God Bless and Roll Tide!!!October 23, 2008 - 2:19pm
classic stuff bammers
to all the outraged bama fans: chill the hell out. i'm happy y'all grew a football team out of nowhere, but i think six in a row kinda speaks for itself. don't blame it on probation or anything else. you weren't building toward this year. you got beat handily six years in a row so until you prove you can beat auburn, then stop acting like you've already won. but again i'm happy for y'all you deserve some measure of a football squad after so long without one. ...every dog has its dayOctober 23, 2008 - 3:55pm
Ahh...The bitter rants of a
Ahh...The bitter rants of a loser!!!October 23, 2008 - 4:13pm
Handily? More like barely,
Handily? More like barely, and during the worst period of 'Bama football since before the greatest college football coach of all-time heard Mama callin'. Guess what genius, we were also owned by just about every other SEC program too in that time period. We had just received some of the harshest sanctions ever for NCAA infractions(something you people should know about as it is the one area the Barn is the undisputed all-time champ) and could only get recruits who were lifelong 'Bama fans and most were average at best. Thankfully Shula got AS. Other than him all we got were a bunch of problem types. They were what they were. 0-5 against LSU, 0-3 against UGA, and 0-6 against Aubarn, and 50/50 or slightly less against everybody else. Not good. Definitely not good In truth we were building towards next year where beating your team is concerned, but fortunately yall's snake oil selling coach moved it up a year by continuing his juvenile behavior and continuing to bring in players with very little character, and with less talent. I knew what was heading his way when he started his little PR spin about always developing 2 & 3 star players, which was a a load of bullcrap. Outside of the Marks kid(and he was a 3-4 star recruit), all of his players that have went onto pro ball were highly regarded. Problem for TT, and you Aubs, is the fact 'Bama is returning to dominance, and all the border state schools have solid coaches now too, which leaves the Isle for Unwanted Students from Other States on the short end of the stick for the foreseeable future. No NC and one conference championship is all the Barn has to show for the Croom, Orgeron, Shula, Zook, etc. years. Well, those guys are gone, except for Croom, and their departure has coincided with the slide of the Barn since that glory year of 2004 when ya'll took home the People's Hayride National Championship. After tonight's debacle against WVU, you guys will come to realize that 5-7 is about as good as your team really is. I called 8-4 for the Barn & 9-3 for 'Bama when the year began. Guess I was wrong & I'm admitting it. You might want to consider doing the same.October 24, 2008 - 12:58pm
'...I just don’t think
'...I just don’t think Alabama’s as good as everyone thinks.' But one thing is for sure Auburn is as bad as everyone thinks. They're neither a first or second half team. Destined to be the ugly sister...October 24, 2008 - 1:51pm
everyone dont think bama is good, media hates it
Everyone dont 'think' bama is good, but they have no choice. Real football fans especially S.E.C fans know being undefeated in S.E.C is very hard, just ask Fla. Flordia is a better team than ole miss point blank but S.E.C football will reach out and bite you. Alabama is playing above everyones expectations even the die hard bama fans did not see bama at 7-0 before season started. Their very young, just two years off all N.C.A.A restictions, just second year with a Good coach. So, coming from a real bama fan, I'll tell you they are playing great ball, better than i expected. I had them to finish at 9-3 before season. 2 losses coming out of Georgia, L.S.U, Tennesse or Auburn. and of course one loss to inferior team like past years. So, for real S.E.C football fans, stop the hate....appreciate good football. And yes Auburn is not doing as well as I thought they would this year. And I still say thier problems are related to recriuting, you can't make chicken soup out of chicken crap, as a bama fan i know...god bless Shula, great man but not a recruiter or head football coach. Go S.E.C Roll TideOctober 24, 2008 - 2:29pm
Knocking Bama out of the NC would be sweet to you I'm sure...
Considering in "somwhat" recent years, Bama has done that to Auburn. in your undefeated season, a poor showing against an obviously overmatched Alabama team, was a major factor in Auburn not playing for the National Championship, and then a poor showing against Virginia Tech pretty much proved that the BCS people knew what they were doing. I believe it happened in the 80s as well. I know a heavily favored Auburn team lost to a 4-6 Alabama team in 1984. I was there and it was pretty sweet. Maybe Auburn should concentrate on its own woes rather than be looking ahead to Alabama. After watching them last night, they probably will be 5-6 or 4-7 heading into the game against Alabama. As you quite accurately pointed out Clemson not being as good as they were supposed to be, and Alabama blew them out, Auburn played a West Virgnia team that was not nearly as good as they were supposed to be. The difference being Alabam dismantled Clemson, while West Virginia took Auburn's manhood away. And I don't think they're giving it back.October 24, 2008 - 4:02pm
I thought I saw that-- I
I thought I saw that-- I know in the Georgia game we used our 2nd string quarterback/OL throughout the last half of the game.October 24, 2008 - 6:49pm
i'm all for being proud of
i'm all for being proud of your team if you're a bama fan, but think twice before you write things. Just some absurd comments on the message board so far: "I'll tell you, they are getting killed in recruiting and you need to get accustom to it." - we are used to it. how we still beat you with lesser recruits might be something worth looking into H. Hamby. You don't win championships with 40 times and bench press measurements "I you think that for one nano second that some way, some how you and your team full of bozos are going to get out of getting what's coming to you on 11/29/08" - ok, so i'm just confused how to think for "one nano second." we might be quick, but not that quick. "edited" - i really didn't want to repost that derogatory nonsense but this is a classic case of how not to act. grow up man. "Bama football since before the greatest college football coach of all-time heard Mama callin'." - are you kidding? "Mama callin"?! please don't bring up coaches long dead and gone RJ. "we were also owned by just about every other SEC program too in that time period" - RJ, come on man. is this really helping your cause? "You open your mouth about living in the past....lol..9 in a row remark is in response to the auburn fans living in past, talking about 6 in a row...you are educated? that is in the past" - just how is pointing out six in a row living in the past? it's a current streak that has happened within the decade. are you serious hhamby? "And I still say thier problems are related to recriuting, you can't make chicken soup out of chicken crap, as a bama fan i know" - again. auburn has not ever done better than bama in recruiting historically. somehow, some way, we survive. i don't care what star recruit you are, it's how you are coached and how you develop on campus that makes you great what are you bammers thinking? seriously. be happy you have a decent team, but if you're going to dog auburn atleast bring some decent facts along the rideOctober 25, 2008 - 7:36am
Changing the subject
Well Wes, it's obvious you want to change the subject after Auburn's record so far this year. Listening to you express your self-confessed frustrations indicates that you know no more about football that your beloved Auburn Tigers. While it is obvious to everyone who is paying attention that Alabama has not performed in the second half nearly as well as in the first half, you criticism that they "run the score up in the 1st half" is laughable. Your statement that Georgia was overrated is ludicrous. I guess if Alabama beat USC, 56-0 you would believe they were overrated too! One of the nation's most overrated teams this year is none other that the Auburn Tigers. What a pathetic effort they have put up so far! This are returning to "normal" in this state. Alabama is competing for the conference championship and possibly even the NC, while Auburn is just hoping they can win the Iron Bowl and "save" their season. How pathetic it must be to just hope to play the spoiler against Alabama! Auburn people spend lots of time trying to cut Alabama down to their level rather that trying to rise to compete. I hear you yelling the refrain "Six, six, six, ...." but that simply proves the point I am making. Auburn measures success and failure by Alabama. Even when you hold a six-win streak, you still don't rise to compete for NCs. What a sad, sad thing it must be to cheer, or should I say boo, for Auburn! "Auburn no threat anytime!"October 27, 2008 - 10:44am
Bama made you look like an
Bama made you look like an ass, didn't they? They dominated TN in the second half.October 28, 2008 - 10:15am
you are stupid and wrong
you get the facts straight , you know nothing. when shula was coach and bama was on probation...bama did not out recruit Auburn...fact..go get your facts right "anoonymous".Bama was not in top 15 recruiting for 4 straight years mr "anonymous" . maybe thats why your not man enough to put your name by your unbased comments. so, little BOY, little anonymous, heres some facts..ALABAMA 8-0....lol..I cant keep up with Auburn's losses, so I'll let you little "anonymous to get that FACT....lol...another fact from webster dictionary--- past: over, done, historty.recently completed, past events. --- Thats how i can say 6 in a row in past. You must be a Auburn student....lol..dumbass. And Auburn has not faired well ....alabama 12 national tittles...Auburn zero...lol..yeah, Auburn fairing real well....lol.. A fact for the road ALABAMA 8-0 # 2 in nation. I'll be back here with comments after BAMA/ Auburn game. WAR EAGLE......lolOctober 28, 2008 - 10:43am
My point exactly
I agree totally and said same thing in earlier post. Auburn's goal is to beat Alabama. And lossing that battle...I'll mr 'anonymous' tell you the tally on the series record....lol. Alabama is concerned and builds a program to win S.E.C championships and national championships. Result = Leader in S.E.C championships and Leader in college footbal in national championships. Auburn's little boy trying to beat the man alabama mantality is why they will never win a national championship. ROLL TIDEOctober 28, 2008 - 11:28pm
look in the mirror
Most of Bammers national championships were claimed after the fact by someone digging through old newspaper articles that might have mentioned Bammer could be the best team in the nation. You know, back before a national championship was even established. Auburn has one claimed national championship - 1957. Don't sell us too short. You bring up the word past and even define it. I bet you have a hounds tooth baseball hat and take a vacation day on the anniversary of the Bear's death. Please let the man rest. By the way, did those twins graduate or something? I haven't seen them on TV lately.
October 29, 2008 - 12:11pm
92 national champs Alabama 8-0 war eagle 4-4
In case you you havnt heard...bear has been dead for years....Saban is the coach now. And 1992 national champions- Alabama was coached by Gene Stallings. I do have a Saban Nation T-shirt. As far as history goes, yes , the bear was the greatest, not just among Bama fans but college football period. Gene was an outstanding man, great coach with heart. And now alabama has it's next great coach Saban. I swear Auburn brings up the 'Bear' more than bama fans--fact..go back and look at all the comments...you will see more barners bging up his name than anyone else but that figures, the bear did own Auburn. I do have a hoodstooth hat, it belong to my grandfather. Being an Auburn fan,,,i know what you got hanging on your wall when its not in your mouth or butt.....lolNovember 9, 2008 - 6:49pm
I think UA has now proven this article dead wrong.
Even as an FSU fan I found this article somewhat silly at the time. But now, weeks later and the day after UA stunk in the first half and outplayed LSU in the second, it just seems like a rant from a disgruntled opponent.