Mr. College Football

By Rusty Banks

July 19, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Stacy Searels is by far the best. He did greats things with LSU’s OL and will do the same at UGA. Applewhite will grow into a great OC but his experience definitely leaves some question marks. John Parker Wilson will should put up big numbers this year especially with Bama’s receiving corps.

http://www.rustybanks.com

By LSUndefeated

July 19, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

Major Applewhite is a bad hire. He is nothing but a kid and he will NOT have an answer for dominating D’s like LSU, FLA and Auburn. SEC D will beat his offense like the red-headed step child that he his.

By NWBama

July 19, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Leave it to an LSU fan to use their response to talk about Bama, worried much???

I am very happy about Applewhite comming to the capstone he may be young but he will be surrounded by a very talented veteran staff in Pendry, Cignetti, Middleton, and Burns. The input from this group and the input of Saban should balance out the in-experience factor. Alabama has a very bright future.

By LSUndefeated

July 19, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Worried about Bama? hahahahahahaha LSU will walk ALL OVER bama. We’re worried about “real” opponents, like VaTech, Fla, Auburn, Arkansas. You all should just worry about trying to beat Auburn for crying out loud.

By Stuck

July 19, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

LET ME HAVE SOME OF THIS!!! listen dude, Bama has enough problems right now trust me. Bama is the least of our worries i can assure you, it will be 2 years before the scum bag coach that you have does anyhting with bama!!! take a new poll about Saban, and then you tell me if he maintains the same class that he had with LSU… HE HAS LOST THE FAITH FROM FANS ALL OVER!!! i agree with with LSUNDEFEATED!! we have bigger games to take care of, oh and by the way last time i checked i think we are pretty well set to win the WEST, as we are most of the time….

By Edgewatermike

July 19, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I’d like to welcome all the new coaches to the strongest and most competetive league in the country. You have to earn your spurs on the field down here and when you have…respect should follow. It’s interesting to read comments calling Coach Saban “scum” and then following that with a comment alluding to contending in the west. What “scum” do you suppose got your program to the lofty heights you now enjoy? Roll Tide.

By fishtales

July 19, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Typical coonass. Not one objective word about sorry a$$ Les Miles or their team. Just hate for Bama. Worried about ole Jimbo leaving too? Your sorry program will return to the days of DiNardo and Curley Hallman.

Tigers are heauxmeauxsexuals!

By TechFan

July 19, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Isn’t this grand….we have Alabama and LSU fans swapping insults. Thrown in Miss State and you guys might be able to fill one mouth full of teeth. Back to the gutter, boys…

By Proxigean Tide

July 19, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

The opinions of LSU fans regarding Major Applewhite seem to differ from those of their school’s football administration. If Applewhite was such a “no talent hack”, why was LSU actively pursuing his services when he chose to accept the Bama position?

The fact are that Applewhite was offered the head coaching job at Rice and is definitely a fast rising star in the college coaching ranks.

By Geaux

July 19, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

LSU was purusing Applewhite as a QB coach, not a freaking offensive coordinator. a 28 year old offensive coordinator at a major college program? That’s pretty weak. Comparing Crowton’s and Applewhite’s resumes and results is a joke. There is no comparison.

By DurhamTiger

July 19, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Ok, an attempt at an objective post instead of trash talk from an LSU fan… Applewhite is a Baton Rouge native and a good, smart guy who will probably end up being a very good coach. I have to agree that it’s premature to rank him #1 on this list, though. His success at Rice was impressive for sure, so it will be interesting to see how that translates to the SEC. That Applewhite hasn’t gone against SEC defenses as a coach may not be a problem for long. There were a lot of doubters of Urban Meyer coming from a non-BCS school and having success with his style in the SEC, and although it’s still a work in progress Meyer has done well.

I’m actually almost as surprised about Searles being that high - LSU seemed to have trouble early in the season with OL play quite often under Searles. Seemed like there was a pattern of having trouble running the ball well against solid teams until well into the season.

By LazyT

July 19, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Once again, this blog has your typically low-class comments from lsu grads. And we thought uga bandwagoners were bad. lsu, one of the worst academic institutions in the country (it’s not even listed in U.S. News Top 125 National Universities), annually graduates these bayou-buttholes. It’s comical how arrogant these cretins are; especially since lsu had a nominal winning tradition before Coach Saban arrived.

By ranking SEC??

July 19, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

SEC is already Southern Easy Conf if ug can win it

By Dawgma

July 19, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Even as a UGA fan, I agree with the LSU fans on this one. Applewhite, will be an asset to BAMA. How can he not? BAMA is the most boring team to watch in the SEC. RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN. The Major will change that.

And yes, LSU has more things to worry about than BAMA though I don’t agree with Arkansas.

By Dawgma

July 19, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Applewhite IMO is ranked first because he will bring about the most change. Hell, even BAMA throws the ball 10 times it will be a significant change for the Tide.

Geaux Dawgs!

By Dawgma

July 19, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

IMO Applewhite is ranked first because he will bring about the most change for his team. Hell, all BAMA’s gotta do is throw the ball 10 times and it will be considered a huge difference.

Geaux Dawgs!

By Dawgma

July 19, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

ranking SEC??,

You must another one of those idiot Big 11 fans or Pac 10 wackos.

Your blogging is now secured. Please ask permission from the SEC intellects on this page when/if you can resume blogging when you regain sanity. We will no longer respond to you.

Good day sir.

By rgw

July 19, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Applewhite’s offensive philosophy doesn’t differ much from Greg Davis, the Texas OC. If it can work in the Big-12, it can work in the SEC. He’s young but he’s also surrounded by veteran play-callers like Pendry and a demanding head coach.

Personally, I’ll be surprised if Applewhite isn’t a head coach in five years.

By Sam

July 19, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Mike Bobo is not that much older than Applewhite. Granted ~3 years more coaching experience at this phase is more significant than it will be 20 years from now.

By Bill W.

July 19, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Stacy Searles’ first season with LSU wasn’t too bad- Nat’l champ. He still did a good job later on after losing several starters. He will be a great impact for the Dawgs for years to come.

From what I hear Applewhite is the real deal as a coach. Good pick up for Bama.

Anyone know much about Thompson for Ole Miss? I thought he took Georgetown BBall to a Nat’l champ in ‘84. Kidding.

By Stuck

July 19, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

YOU KNOW I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH Bama at, besides the only thing that they have going for them is a coach that if does not produce anything the Athletic Department will get rid of him after 2 years, thats bamas track record. THEY CANNOT KEEP A FREAKING COACH. you cannot say anything about LSU’S CLASS FIRST OFF, because what about Bama INTRODUCING wanna be Coach Saban during Half Time during the BAMA VS LSU BASKETBALL GAME LAST YEAR!!!!! LETS FREKING TALK ABOUT CLASS…… bama is terrible to watch in football, i would rather watch wax dry. you all are just p** cause we got ranked top 3 last year, you guys were so far out i had to use binocs to see where you were ranked. maybe its cause we had a kickass QB like we usually do… maybe that has something to do with it. bottom line, we will see who wins the WEST, and i will bet the farm that bama is not even going to be freaking close.. and you can take that to the bank

By The Football Maven

July 19, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Glad to see Tennessee is about the only stable program in the SEC these days. Fulmer doesn’t have the coaching distractions these other programs have and it appears he is now finally getting tough with player discipline. Most SEC schools are constantly in a “rebuilding” mode looking for the “next big thing”. It’s time the Vols make Steve Spurrier’s sourpuss expression get permanently stuck on his ugly mug and crush the Bulldawgs’ necks “with a hobnail boot,” as the worn-out Larry Munson once said. GO VOLS !!

By mcdawg

July 19, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

i do recall the UGA D-Line B$tch slapping those boys from LSU around both in 2004 & 2005-we won the game in the Dome on the first play from scrimmage when our DE W. Thompson blew right past their All-American tackle for a 3 yard loss—not quite ready to ordain Searels coach of the year

By KW

July 19, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

You really do have to wonder about how long LSU will be able to stay near the top of the SEC. They lost both Stacy Sears and Jimbo Fisher, two of the finest coordinators in the SEC. How much longer till Bo Pelini leaves to take a job as an HC? I have always believed the hiring of Les Miles was a big mistake. They could have had Bobby Petrino.

By Bill

July 19, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

to tech fan: i like how you bash these three schools for being rednecks when you can’t even construct a proper sentece??? “thrown in mississippi state”…wtf? i’m not one to be the grammar police, but when you bash someone for being ingnorant and you then go out and do that? another thing i found funny was the bama fan using the $$ signs when talking about lsu. boy, that’s ironic.

By Anderson

July 19, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

LSU was a middle of the road team for more years than LSUndefeaded can count on his fingers and toes. Maybe Saban has put them in position for a decent run. Time will tell. All of the anger demonstrates fear, fear of the combination of Saban and Bama.In other words, back to the pack…LSU boys.May not be all at once this year.. but it is your future. AS far as the name calling…great insight into your gene pool. Do you even know WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

By bobby

July 19, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

LSU fans can talk loud now after they finally win a few games with material recruited mainly by that “scum” coach who by the way didn’t seem to be so bad when he was there. While they are boasting so loud, why don’t they tell about the 10 straight years of losing to Bama in that terrible tigers den called tiger stadium?

By AltamahaDawg

July 19, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Maven about the only thing you can derive from that is that TN did not have to replace an assistant who took a HC job elsewhere. You are saying that is the bright spot? Hope you are hanging hopes on a lot more than that.

By Exley DAWG

July 19, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Football Maven - Fulmer didn’t have any coaching changes because nobody wants his assistants. They’re a bunch of jelly bellies. I know, I know. You pounded the DAWGS last year in Athens. It was an impressive 2nd half but we will be a better team this year and I don’t think UT will improve much from ‘06. SEC RULES!!!!

By UT1998Champs

July 19, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

UT is the only SEC school that has a stable coaching staff. All of these fans arguing about coaches that will be gone in 5 years is crazy.

When Hamilton decided to give Phil half of his pay in donuts, I knew it was a great move. Phil will coach his but off for a million dollars worth of Krispy Kream.

By MG

July 19, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

bama fans saying LSU is going to the middle of the pack. exactly where they ARE. but they act like they are SEC champs or something.

Saban is overrated. Tubberville owns a winning record versus Saban. Spurrier toyed with Saban routhing him badly in all meetings. Franchione blasted him 31-0. If it weren’t for Mark Richt Saban wouldn’t have a winning record versus any decent SEC coach.

It doesn’t take a genius to see Miles hires well. Pelini and Crowton are good coordinators. Miles has a good staff and some have been with him for 6 years. Miles recruits just as well as Saban, this year will be top 10 again when the results are in. And Miles may have lost a few tough games but Saban got blasted 45-16 in his 5th year! with the players he recruited and went 9-3!! Saban is overrated and bringing in a green OC was a mistake. You bama fans are in for a real jolt. a real funny jolt. hahaha. Wait til he loses to Vandy and then throws a temper tantrum because hes being criticized.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Dawgma…..I am a bit confused as to the last time you watched a BAMA game? Was Stallings still the coach? Last season DJ Hall had over 1,000 receiving and John Parker Wilson threw for over 2,700 yards.

By KW

July 19, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Saban won a MNC and two SEC titles. How is he overrated? There are a lot of great coaches who never do that.

Les Miles has already been calling out USC and making excuses based on their schedule that they are not going to play for a MNC. LSU has had the most talented team in the SEC the last two years.

Also, the coordinators that Miles has had over the last two years were all coordinators that Saban hired (Pelini, Fishers, Sears, etc…).

By Sanford

July 19, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Bobo can arguably be considered new. He has impressed me so far and I am confident the cahnge will give Richt more time to coach Stafford, the way he worked with Ward and Weinke.

By Chris

July 19, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Big Surprise…Didn’t Tony Barnhardt graduate from Georgia? Glad to see he has no bias in his picks. Stacy Searels, an offensive line coach for a team that will finish 3rd or 4th in the SEC East??? Are you kidding me? Immediate Impact Hire: Shane Beamer, Special Teams, South Carolina.

By fishtales

July 19, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Bill-

You would think that if your only comment is to critique another’s spelling and grammar…that you would at least make sure your own post is correct. Now THAT’S irony.

By Gator Nobody

July 19, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Sometimes what isn’t said is most important. The Gators don’t have anyone on Tony’s list. The Gators won the National Championship last year and our entire coaching staff has remained intact. I’ll be happy if our assistants do the same things for the team this year as they did last year.

By Lenny

July 19, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

This post is really boring. Here is a new topic. Which in the SEC has the worst fans? I say 1. Tennessee 2.Alabama 3. South Carolina 4. Florida 5. Auburn 6. Georgia 7.LSU

By Lenny

July 19, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

UT- inbred hicks Bama- biggest rednecks Carolina-Trashiest Florida-biggest D-Bags Auburn-inferiority complex Georgia-think they are better than everyone else(me) LSU-lovable swamp trash

By carl harris

July 19, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

You LSU fans are just jealous. We have won more National Championships, than you have won SEC titles. We went over 30 years of not losing in Baton Rouge. So you have won a few times in a row. Heck, we have beaten you almost twice as many times as you have beaten us. And, we shall return to owning you like we always have.

By MG

July 19, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

stupid bama fan Saban did not hire Pelini, Miles did. Pelinis defenses have done as well as the best of Sabans did.

Saban is overrated because he coached 13 years and went 13-1 one time. He won a MNC. That is a great accomplishment. What about the other years of his career?

Only one other year did he lose less than THREE GAMES!!

He loses games every year that he should win. His offense was shut out at home in his best year 2003. 19-7 to UF and LSU scored on a punt return.

You blathering bama fans will find out soon enough that you are getting the other 12 years too and hoping he can somehow manage to duplicate his one and only great year. LOL bama fans… its going to be funny.

By MG

July 19, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

haha carl harris is this 1979? who cares about your 12 retroactively awarded championships. Theres an article called “the truth about 12” that shows how much os a sham your titles are. YOU ARE THE ONLY SEC TEAM THAT CLAIMS TITLES RETROACTIVELY AWARDED”. Enjoy 1980 dummy.

By stuntinlikemydawgie

July 19, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

I’m with Lenny on this post. My list: 1. florida-so easy to hate cause so good recently. 2. Auburn-War Eagle!/Tiger? Who are you? 3. Tennesse-While they are hicks for the most part, that creamsickle orange is somewhat humorous. 4. LSU-The women are to die for… 5. Carolina-I got nothing

By KR

July 19, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Lenny asked, “Which in the SEC has the worst fans?”

It’s a tie. ‘Bama, Arkansas, Florida, UGA, UK, LSU, Ol Miss, Miss. St., So. Carolina, Tenn. and Vandy

Guess where I went to school… :)

WAR EAGLE!

By Ed

July 19, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

L.S.U. = coon asses. :>{

Roll Tide.

By Ed

July 19, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

L.S.U. = coon asses. :>{

Roll Tide.

By Ed

July 19, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

L.S.U. = coon asses. :>{

Roll Tide.

By Beaux

July 19, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

‘TWELVE’ national championships is fraudulent, nothing but pure bunk ginned up by the SID Department.

Here’s a rundown:

• 1925 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with Dartmouth. Who awarded the NC? Houlgate and Helms. Houlgate started his system in 1927. So Bama won their 1925 NC using a formula that didn’t exist until 1927? Helms Athletic Foundation started in 1941. Another incredible retroactive NC. The Associated Press Poll has been active since 1936. The AP took their final poll prior to bowl games from 1936 - 1964 and in 1966 and 1967. They took their final poll after the bowl games in 1965 and from 1968 -Current.

• 1926 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with 3 other teams with equal or better records! Once again it is the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1941 that awards it!

• 1930 National Championship- The Davis poll says that Bama tied Notre Dame for NC this year. This was the only one to award it to Bama. Notre Dame was named NC in 6 polls! Parke Davis is another retroactive system! He (an individual, not an organization) did his in 1933!

• 1934 National Championship- Alabama says they share this with two other teams. The awarders are Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus. Dunkel was an individual who came up with his own system. Williamson was a geologist who came up with his own system. Football Thesaurus first appeared in 1946!

• 1941 National Championship- This is a complete joke. The AP ranked Alabama 20th in the nation with 14 teams with better records in the top 20. Once again it is the Football Thesaurus that retroactively awards it. Alabama finished 3rd in the SEC that year. Mississippi State won the SEC title..yet Bama claims a National title!

• 1961 National Championship- Finally a legitimate NC.

• 1964 National Championship- While the AP did award the NC to Bama (10-1-0), Arkansas had the better record, 11-0. Alabama played Texas in their bowl and LOST. The AP final poll was before the bowl.

• 1965 National Championship- The AP gave this to Bama. That year there were three teams with better records than Bama. Bama 9-1-1, Michigan St 10-1-0, Arkansas 10-1-0, Nebraska 10-1-0.

• 1973 National Championship- AP puts Bama 4th after their bowl game loss. Bama claims a NC from the UPI poll that was taken before they met Notre Dame in the bowl game and lost. There were 3 teams with better records than Bama that year. The embarrassment of naming Alabama number one caused the UPI to name champions after bowl games. Yet Bammer has no shame in claiming it of course.

• 1978 National Championship- AP gives this to Alabama (11-1-0) even though USC (12-1-0) had the better record Guess who Alabama lost to that year? USC!!!!!!!!!. UPI gave the NC to USC.

• 1979 National Championship- Their second legitimate NC. Their first Unanimous NC.

• 1992 National Championship- Their third legitimate NC. Their second Unanimous NC.

You can see why people ridicule Bama fans when they talk about 12 NCs. The early ones were awarded by individuals years after the games were played. These weren’t consensus polls but NCs awarded by people that had their own formula for determining champions. Some NCs were given before bowl games that Bama lost.

By Kevin

July 19, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Todd Graham was responsible for Rice’s offense and the playcalling, not Applewhite.

By Lenny

July 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

stuntinlikemydawgie, all sec schools have women to die for. Every expereince I have had at these schools have been great. I have never been to to Ole Miss or LSU(hopefully soon), but I have heard great things. The Florida girls are hot in a trashy way, but I prefer the classic southern look of UGA, Auburn, and Alabama.

By Kevin

July 19, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Tony … you really don’t know WTF you’re talking about with respect to Stacy Searels … LSU OL play has consistently under-performed under his watch for several years … UGA fans will be ultimately disappointed with SS.

By Z-Dawg

July 19, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to all the SEC stadiums outside the Mississippi’s…..I have surprisingly found the Auburn fans as a whole to be the classiest and treat the visitors respectfully. Again I say, “as a whole” cause there were nut-jobs down there just like everywhere. (not a lot of comp)…South Carolina’s are the worst…Cocky without any reason to be. Most of the Florida fans were over 60, the rest were idiots. Tennessee fans are by FAR the most annoying though…

We got a few we aren’t too proud of between the hedges, but we also load the stadium with young female talent. More than all the other schools combined..

By MG

July 19, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks Beaux, great rundown.

Exactly as I said. Bama claims a bunch of retroactive Championships that no other school will touch.

Bama even claims a MNC when they finished #4!!

Now they have spent all their money trying to be like, to look like, to play like LSU.

heh. heh. heh.

Saban will never do at bama what he did at LSU. The whole world will clearly see who is the better program TODAY, not in 1980 with dumb ole ignorant carl.

By LazyT

July 19, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

It sounds like you Bayou-Buttholes are quite jealous of Bama’s gridiron success. All traditionally great programs such as Michigan, notre dame, Bama, USC, osu, Oklahoma and so on, rightfully claim all of their NCs. If you cretins could actually read, I’d advise you to look at each school’s Media Guide and you will see every NC listed.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

MG….I think my favorite comment since we hired Miles is he will never do at BAMA what he did at LSU. I find that laughable. He is recognized as a great recruiter and even LSU fans will tell you that. He will not have a hard time selling Alabama to recruits with all of the upgrades that have been made to the stadium, dorms and academic centers plus to the plan for another stadium expansion in the very near future. He has assembled a solid staff of both up and coming coaches (Applewhite) and proven, experienced Coaches (Steele). I think am usually pretty objecting in these blogs but right now I have to say that anyone who thinks Saban won’t have BAMA as a far more competitive team and a much better coached team who will be competing to win the SEC in the very near future is mistaken. In 5 years at LSU, he took them from basically the bottom of the barrel (7 wins over 2 seasons before he arrived) to 2 SEC titles and a National Title. Too me that would say he is a pretty good coach but if hanging on the negative makes you feel better, have at it!

By BamaDog

July 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Todd Graham wouldn’t know offensive play calling if it walked up and slapped him in the face. Check your sources, asshat.

By Brannon

July 19, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

I have 1 response for the rival fans who want to discredit Alabama’s NCs. The whole reason you took the time to write out that tortured analysis of why they apparently should only claim 3 MNCs is what Alabama football did for college football in the South. In short, we made it a really really big deal. Go check your history and find out what happened when Alabama started winning Rose Bowls in the 20s and 30s…Alabama is down now, no doubt, but it’s tradition is unmatched in the SEC. Like it or not, Alabama has a lot to do with the college football culture that all of us enjoy in the South…

By Chuck

July 19, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Special teams play cost South Carolina three losses last season—Florida (blocked kicks), Auburn (on-side kick) and Tennessee (punt return). Shane Beamer, son of VT’s Frank Beamer, was hired to work special teams at SC. No coaching family does special teams better than the Beamers.

I don’t know how he could not be included on this list.

By truth72764

July 19, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

You guys do know that Major Applewhite was trying to copy Gus Malzahn’s stuff, right? Todd Graham, who took over for Kragthorpe at Tulsa, had Applewhite study Malzahn’s book and videotape. Graham is excited and has been quoted that they don’t have to copy Malzahn anymore, they now have the real McCoy. Tennessee is also trying to copy Malzahn this year. Arkansas had the next Steve Spurrier and Peyton Manning and threw it all away. If Nutt had simply done like he was told and stayed out of their way, Arkansas would have won 12 games last year instead of having yet another mediocre season due to not being able to pass the ball. Nutt is so conservative and predictable and dumb just giving the ball to McFadden and Felix Jones again and again. That will be good enough to beat poor teams but not the good ones. Malzahn and Mitch deserved better than to not get to run their innovative hurry up spread scheme that schools like Tennessee and Bama are now trying to copy.

By MG

July 19, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Brannon, no one typed out that post about Bamas fraudelent championships. its called cut and paste and the rest of the world has been using it for years now.

By the way, while you bama fans are talking up Coach Satan, why don’t you say why Jimbo Fisher or Searels would not work for him - FSU paid Jimbo $500K less that what Saban offered!!

Take off those coke bottle crimson glasses and wake up!! His staff is very suspect, a bunch of rejects like Pendry (two years OUT of football - “sure Nick I’ll coach at Bama cause no one else will hire me!”)

How many of Sabans assts weren’t even coaching last year? uh huh.

Lance Thompson was DEMOTED by UCF but hired by Saban.

You bama fans are gonna poop a brick when you see in a couple of years what you are getting. He’ll never do better than 9-3 in todays SEC!

whoa boy I love being right!!!!

By MG

July 19, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Lazy T, of course. Thats how you get to be a big time school….

LYING ABOUT CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!

do me a favor. go away and come back when you aren’t typing the stupidest thing ever written please.

By 18handicap

July 19, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

I’m an LSU grad living in College Station and I think Applewhite is a very talented coach. The only problem that I see with his youth is that Saban will try to intimidate and bully him during the season. Saban was known for that at Mich. State and LSU. Why do you think none of his assistants at MSU came to Baton Rouge? Why do think there was so much turnover in the staff at LSU every year? Saban is a great coach, but he lacks people skills to maintain that greatness.

By 18handicap

July 19, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

I’m an LSU grad living in College Station and I think Applewhite is a very talented coach. The only problem that I see with his youth is that Saban will try to intimidate and bully him during the season. Saban was known for that at Mich. State and LSU. Why do you think none of his assistants at MSU came to Baton Rouge? Why do think there was so much turnover in the staff at LSU every year? Saban is a great coach, but he lacks people skills to maintain that greatness.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

MG…Here is one thing I find entertaining. Richt can take over a mediocre program from Jim Donnan and make it into a championship winning team. Saban can take over a below mediocre program from Gerry Dinardo and turn it into a National Champ. Meyer can win a title in his second year at UF. Tuberville can have Cow U as a competitor each year. But, Saban cannot do what these coaches have done while he is at Alabama. My guess is you either just sincerely hate Alabama, you are completely delusional or most likely both. Alabama offers everything that any other school in the SEC does. We have as good a facilities as any school in the SEC. We have a national championship winning coach that when most recruits talk about Alabama, they mention Nick Saban as one of the reasons for their interest. You keep this pipe dream about Alabama never being a contender again. All that will come to you is complete disappointment!

By truth72764

July 19, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Since Saban used to be a defensive coordinator does that mean he micromanages the defensive coaches more than the ones on offense? If Saban stays out of Applewhite’s way and lets him run Malzahn’s stuff, it will be like it was when Spurrier first took over at Florida. The SEC wasn’t ready for Spurier’s innovation and he dominated because of it. The same thing will happen here with Malzahn’s stuff at Bama unless Saban has a big ego like Nutt and interferes. I hate Bama but I am very jealous of them for running Malzahn’s stuff while we just run the ball all day long.

By cooter11

July 19, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

did you guys see the all sec list…NO DOGS ALLOWED! LOL!!!

By Steeledawg

July 19, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

While I am certainly no Bama supporter. I think that they can claim 7 legit NCs.

Obviously 61,79,92.

The AP titles in 64 & 65 in my opinion are legit because those were the rules in those days. Bowls were exhibitions and did not count towards final standings.

Many schools claim UPI NCs including one on North Ave. so in my opinion you can count 73.

The “biased” AP writers thought enough of Bama to award them the 78 title even though they lost to USC. Thats good enough for me. So I think that is legit.

While it may be bogus to claim 12 NCs, 7 is a hell of a lot more than most schools. Bama has as much if not more tradition than any school in the country and the fact of the matter is that they helped to legitimize and get respect for southern football.

By MG

July 19, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

SEC is Football, I will make it easy for you.

I will tell it to you like a bama fan told me in 2003 at the SECCG.

He said “LSU is good because the rest of the SEC is down”

Now, he was right in one respect. The SEC was down.

Saban can recruit very well. He hires so-so assts and they don’t stay. And he regularly gets his butt handed to him by good coaches. And he loses in the last quarter more than agood coach should. way more.

When he was at LSU, bama was awful. UF had zook. Auburn wasn’t as good as they are now (he has a losing record vs Tubberville anyway)

RON ZOOK OUTCOACHED SABAN IN SABANS BEST YEAR!! ahem… wake up.

Saban will get beat regularly by Miles, Meyer, Tubberville, Nutt, Fulmer, etc… JUST LIKE HE DID AT LSU. look over his record. hahaha hurts don’t it bama fans… reality sinking in??

Saban caught lightning in a bottle in 2003. He’ll never do that again. He can lose to lesser teams with more talent anyday and he regularly did at LSU.

Go look at LSUs all time worst losses. Odd how many of them had Saban at the helm even though he was only coach 5 out of 109 years. hmmmmm……

His butt got routed twice in his 9-2 year at MSU. yep. haha.

I know what I am talking about. You guys are hoping. You hope for 2003 but thats not a typical Saban year. Its all in recorded history you bama fans should check it out….

By HogSanity

July 19, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

truth72764 is a crybaby b*tch who doesn’t know what the heck he’s talking about. Guys like him SO want to have Malzahn’s baby that they ignore the SANITY of putting a run-oriented offense on the field when you have Darren McFadden and Felix Jones (not to mention Peyton Hillis and Michael Smith) on your team, and ALL of your “playmakers” in the passing game are True freshmen or sophomores.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

MG…I will put it this way for you. He is not the most personable guy with the media but he IS recognized as one of the best coaches in the country. The proof is LSU. He took a below average team and made them into a CHAMPION in 2 years. He is one of the best recruiters in the country and will be able to bring a lot of talent to Alabama. The general consensus amongst the sports media is that he will make Alabama a competitor for the SEC title every year once he brings in the talent. Hell…Mike Shula won 10 games and I would venture to say that you are intelligent enough to realize that he is a much better coach than Mike Shula. Comment about his record against Cow U all you want but he played him 5 times and AU won 3 games at AU and Saban won the 2 games at LSU. Some use the phrase that Tubby OWNS Saban but I would hardly say that Wingnut OWNS Saban but I would hardly say that is true. Back to my point…Since the vast majority of the media, while hoping he falls on his face, things he will make BAMA a competitor in the confernece once again, I will go ahead and take their word for it instead of trusting a guy on an AJC blog who claims he knows what he is talking about. I think you knowledge is a bit blocked by your arrarent dislike of THE University of ALABAMA.

By Brett

July 19, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

To all the coonasses talking about Nick Saban: Can somebody please tell me who turned your joke-of-a-program into a NC caliber program? Can you tell me whose recruits Leslie Mild has been having success with? Thank you, and I look forward to partying with all of yall in T-Town November 3.

By truth72764

July 19, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

You spout opinions. Here’s a couple indisputable FACTS. Darren McFadden’s record w/o Mustain: 6-11. With Mustain: 8-0 (UNDEFEATED). If we’d let Gus and Mitch run the team we’d have beaten LSU and Florida, and would have routed Ohio State. Anyone with any football sense can see that. They were betrayed and stabbed in the back because we lied to them, making them think they’d get their way from day 1 when in fact they would have had to have waited until Darren left. What a waste. Have you even seen Gus’ tapes or read his book? I didn’t think so.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

TRUTH…are you trying to say that Mustain handed the ball off to McFadden better than QB’s the year prior?? Just curious

By Ed

July 19, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Major Applewhite deserves whatever good comes his way after the classy way he handled the screwing he got at Texas when he was benched in favor of Chris Simms. After being the Big XII player of the year, no less. Everyone except Mack Brown seemed to know that Applewhite was the superior qb, at least at the college level.

As a Georgia fan, I’m excited about the Searels hiring and Mike Bobo’s promotion to offensive coordinator. I think both hires are already working out well. The offense in the Peach Bowl may have had a short field against Va Tech in the entire second half, but the execution still had to be there, and it was awesome. Go Dawgs!

By truth72764

July 19, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

Yes, actually, he did. His ball handling was great, like he was born to handle balls. Our QB right now does like Peyton Manning, just sticking the ball out there, telegraphing it for the world to see. That’s the only way Dick resembles Peyton, though. Mustain is the only player in U.S. history to be named the USA Today, Gatorade, and Parade Player of the Year. He would have been like Peyton throwing the ball if Nutt had allowed Malzahn to run his 4 WR spread offense. Without Mustain, teams knew McFadden would get the ball and stopped us. With Mustain we were UNDEFEATED. We would have won 13 games last year if we had only let Mustain and Malzahn run the team but Nutt’s EGO got in the way. I am glad that you can see the truth. Some of our fans are crazy.

By New Cat

July 19, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Hey Bama Fans ,your program will never return to the level it was, when Bear Bryant was the coach.Everybody knews that Bear Bryant broke more NCAA rules then any coach that ever coach college football.Saban did not make LSU program what it is.LSU has always had talent,just needed to put it together.Saban was blown out of the Indy bowl in Shreveport by LSU, in 1995.LSU was led by a coach that year that we fired.Saban was fire by Cleveland when he was in the pros the first time.Bama will fire him in three years when he does not win a NC.But he will take 32 millions of the Tide money , while the Tide rolls broke down the toliet hole.

By Ron Mexico

July 19, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Any talk of new assistants that will succeed that doesn’t include Dave Correo is invalid. Dave is the man.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

New Cat….No one is expecting BAMA to be what we were in the Bryant Days. NO SCHOOL will accomplish what Alabama did while Bryant was there. No…Nick Saban didn’t make LSU what it is. He only took it from a team that won 7 games in 2 years and built them back into a power. Write it down now or save this posting…Saban will not be fired in 3 years. You can count on it. But…you are welcome to continue your wishful thinking!

By BDAWG

July 19, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

I’m a UGA fan living in Pasadena, CA. It’s odd to hear SEC competitors trying to diminish each others’ accomplishments. The divisional and conference rivalries should not lead us to talk down each others’ traditions of winning. The tradition and strength of each team in the SEC is what makes us competitive and better than crap-conferences like the PAC-10.

By Ed

July 19, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Athlon’s pointed out that Saban had an ordinary record at Mich. St., and was hired by LSU mostly on the strength of one really good season (9-2 in ‘99). He was 24-22-1 at MSU before that.

He had one great season at LSU, two that were good, and two that were very ordinary considering the talent LSU attracts.

Despite all the hype, I think the jury is still out on Saban.

By Brannon

July 19, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

MG, If you’re arguing that the SEC is more competitive than it was w/ Saban at LSU, I would agree. But that effects everybody including your beloved Tigers. Saban is a coach who has proven at 3 different coaching stops that he can win and win big. For me, that’s enough. 4-5 against Auburn and LSU is better than 0-9. 9-3 is a heckava lot better than 6-6. You get the point… You may not think Saban will have big success at Bama, but one thing is for sure, his presence at Bama will cause some dissapointing Saturday nights for you and other SEC fans in this league. LSU won’t dominate him like they did Shula. If you think that they will, you’re the delusional one. And who knows, the guy has won the NC before and he won the SEC twice in 5 years. 2003 may have been a down year, but 2001 wasn’t. Tennessee was pretty dang good that year as was FL, UGA, UA, AU, and Ark. Things can change quick. Key people move on to the NFL, programs can get hit with sanctions, and coaches get fired. The dynamics of the league can change fast. But the bottom line is that Saban makes Bama competive again…

By truth72764

July 19, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

If Saban stays out of Applewhite’s way and lets him run Malzahn’s offense, Bama will be just like Florida was when Spurrier arrived. Bama is a sleeping giant like Florida was. All it needs is a little bit of offensive genius.

By Bamaman

July 19, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

For everyone who thinks Bama will fail with Coach Saban. The tradition at Alabama, combined with a good coach and recruiter, will have Bama back on the top very soon. As much as I dislike him, Franphoney said himself that he had never coached players like the Alabama players, they had more heart and wanted to get better through practicing more than any scool he had ever been at. He didn’t have to get on the players to practice because they wanted to. It is because of that heart and the tradition that Saban will take us to the top again. We have been down the last decade but the Tide is on the rise again. ROLL TIDE ROLL

By Sam Cunningham

July 19, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

With a name like Stacy, he will surely help to improve our Tickle Piles at UGA. Certainly “Stacy” already knows how to instruct the offensive line how to ‘bend over.’

By bama'sback

July 19, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

If Saban is so bad of a coach, why did the NFL come callin’? I haven’t seen the any NFL teams going after tubs, miles, richt, fulmer, or meyer. These programs have millions of dollars at stake and they were willing to hire an awful coach? Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

By bama'sback

July 19, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

If saban is that bad of a coach why did an nfl team even consider him? they have millions of dollars at stake. haven’t seen any nfl teams calling for miles, tubs, richt, fulmer, or meyer.

By Publius

July 19, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Look at this blog. Is there a blog anywhere, anytime, where there is this much concern and passion (and in so short a time) about which university’s graduates know the most about quantum physics, the works of Shakespeare, or the difference in average cost and marginal cost? The whole SEC has ONE Nobel Prize to its credit, and that was to the Ole Miss dude, for inventing the run-on sentence. Wake up people; the Chinese and Indians are laughing out their [censored]s about this …

By crimson

July 19, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

lol lsu fans how is it that when he was at lsu saban was the best coach on gods green but now he sucks and even if alabame only has 3 legit nc’s isnt that 3 times as many as lswho? lol

By SamoanDawg

July 19, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

In my opinion, Applewhite will one day make a good HC. I think he will improve Bama’s offense, much like Al Borge did with AU in ‘04. Dawgs should have enough film to dissect his scheme by the time we meet. Therefore, Dawgs will edge Bama… depth will prolly catch up with Tide… GA is deep at all positions, lack experience, but speed will add lipped it… on D, that is. We’re fine on O. BUT, right now, we’re focusing on the POKES first… kickoff @ 6:44… ESPN2.

43 mo’ stinking days!

By ArrowSmith

July 19, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Les Miles is the Head Coach at LSU. Right. Why would anyone care who was coaching at Alabama. As for the tech fan counting teeth, please get an education. The state with the worse teeth is Kentucky followed by Arkansas, and West Virginia. Now can you guess which state is next? Georgia. That right tech dummie. Alabama isn’t in the top 10 of missing teeth you idiot. Now Alabama is second in the nation in fatties but California is a close third. Arkansas is number 1. Now that you got your lesson for the day have a big cup of shut up. tech isn’t much on facts and education apparently.

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

SamoanDawg….I expect the BAMA-UGA game to be a good one this year. While I think the depth issues we have on D may catch up to us eventually, I seriously doubt that it will happen by week 4. I think the BAMA O will be one of the better O units in the league and I think they will be able to put up some points on the UGA D. I think UGA will be able to do the same to out D. I think think BAMA will squeak this one out (in true BAMA vs UGA in Tuscaloosa form) because of the home field advantage.

By ArrowSmith

July 19, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

windy lipps geaux. I would wait before making comparisons of offensive coordinators. An education is important in life. You could use one. What happened at Rice last season was no fluke. Now stop coming on these boards making an a* yourself. Have a cup of shut up.

By Haze Gray

July 19, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

What year was it that Alabama was undefeated and Michigan and Notre Dame tied and Ala did not get the NC? That;s one they should have won. And I am a Spurrier fan.

By SamoanDawg

July 19, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

SEC is Football,

That’s cool brah… you’re entitle to yours and same as I. Nothing wrong with that, at all. It’s fun for me to come on here and chat some football with some true football fans… who knows their stuff. Just a good ‘ole southern clean hate football rivalries.

Prediction: Dawgs 38 Tides 30

By SEC is Football

July 19, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Samoan…that is about all we can do right now is make predictions during this very boring time of the year!! I am just anxious for Sept 1 to get here. I had a similar prediction but I figured BAMA 35 UGA 28. I guess we will see in week 4 of the season my friend.

By Bryant

July 20, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Bama fans if you would do your research you would truely see how overrated Saban is. He is 53% against the current SEC coaches overall. Do not believe it? Go do the research.

By luvmehateme

July 20, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this

Although it’s good that SC hired Frank Beamer’s son. Please note that good coaching is not hereditary. I believe that Mike Shula has a father.

By SEC is Football

July 20, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

Bryant…while your statistics are correct, Saban has something that 75% of the coaches in the league don’t have and that is a National Title. In 5 years the guy took LSU from a very sub par team to 2 SEC titles and a National Championship. You can ignore those facts all you want but LSU didnt win that title on their own. They had some good talent before Saban go there. Saban clearly increased the talent level while he was there because he is a great recruiter. Nick Saban ia a good coach and will win at BAMA. Just accept it.

By RedRover

July 20, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Three-tread David Lee isn’t the answer to the Hog’s success. What he did for the Cowboys was sit in an office in a corner of the Dallas complex and SPLICE film. Game Day he was in a box, not on the field coaching. Throwing over 7’ ladders isn’t going to make inept Casey Dick a winning qb. Nutt and thugs ran off Malzhan, Mustain, Williams, etc. because they don’t understanding the passing game, therefore they can’t coach it. 10-4 was a fluke. Last 3 losses was the real deal. The backfield should’ve gone pro as did the linemen. Arkansas needs a new head coach of they can ever find a new AD. Long season ahead.

By justin

July 20, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

10-4 was a fluke? I guess thats why we had a top 10 pick and are tied with LSU for the most preseason All-SEC picks, the backfield were all sophomores last year so they coulden’t have gone pro. We have the best player in college football coming back next year. the LSU loss may have been the real deal but we would have beaten Florida if we didn’t muff a punt and Wisconsin, we dominated them but missed a FG. we have only had 2 losing seasons in Nutt’s tenure because of sanctions, I dont like Nutt, bit it was not a fluke that McFadden was a heisman finalist was it?

By Gary

July 20, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Thompson will add to the defense that is already in place at OM. I do not think you will see all that many more blitzes than normal. Coach O is very fundamentally sound defensive coach, and this will just add a little spice to the defense so to speak.

By ArrowSmith

July 20, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

“Beaux July 19, 2007 ‘TWELVE’ national championships is fraudulent.”

Look CoonAss. From 69 till 99 Alabama wore ya’lls butt out. In 15 tries LSU could not beat the Tide in their OWN house. NCAA record for consecutive wins of a Div I team in their own HOUSE. Son have a big O cup of Shut Up. Les (Elmer Fudd) Milage will not win a National Title but the man who coached LSU to one will. Get a clue, clueless. I got something you can chew on toothless. 43 - 22 - 5. Mr. Coonass that is a serious seris butt kicking. The real truth is it will take 21 years to even the series if LSwho could win them all. NOT HAPPENING Scooter. So quit with the Coonass trash talk boy.

By Tim Bailey

July 21, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this

F’n LOL at the dumbass “truth2837298372” (or whatever his numbers are) talking up malzahn and mustain….buh buh but we woulda been undefeated with them!

hahahahhaah….friggin rednecks, never cease to crack me up. so f’n stupid.

By Tim Bailey

July 21, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this

F’n LOL at the dumbass “truth2837298372” (or whatever his numbers are) talking up malzahn and mustain….buh buh but we woulda been undefeated with them!

hahahahhaah….friggin rednecks, never cease to crack me up. so f’n stupid.

By justin

July 21, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

The only good teams we played when mustain was the starter were bama and auburn. basically all he did was hand the ball off anyway. he threw an INT against UL monroe! he’s overrated

By Max

July 27, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Guys: 1)Saban’s a heck of a football coach. He’ll win at Bama. I don’t know why you baton rouge boys hate him so much. If hed just stayed in town one more year y’all would have fired him and not had a personal beef when he took the bama job. 2)Applewhite will be working for Saban. His age is not going to get him into trouble. He is young, but so is Sean Payton, for an NFL head coach. Trust me, if he can deal with Mike Stoops or the Texas D, he can coach against LSU. 3)Crowton is a 2-year phenom. He’s going to razzle you for two seasons, max, and then the SEC DC’s will have him figured. Enjoy the ride while it lasts. 4)I just have to add, in closing, how much it entertains me to see people getting so opinionated about college football as if they know what it’s like to play or coach in college. These coaches can’t defend themselves to ignorant people, because by definition, ignorant people don’t know they’re ignorant. I just love to hear people who truly believe they are football afficionados because they watch it on TV saturday thru monday. Just remember when you try to pass on your expert opinions on coaches like miles, applewhite, saban or others; there’s a reason they get paid to coach football and you don’t.