I’m surprised you could put together that many polysyllabic words without blacking out. Maybe it was the lack or originality that helped you maintain consciousness.
“…be a man and PM me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpXn3ae4zws
didn’t mean to push “that” button, it was just an inference that the once unstoppable Bama now has a significant opponent, and that opponent may have the staying power to take that position in College Football for a long time
Pioneer 197SF
So would you say Bama has fallen back to the competition or has the competition caught up to Bama? To say Bama is “falling apart” would suggest they (Bama) have fallen back/down to the level of the competition.
Personally, I believe teams have stepped up their games in response to Bama’s dominance, especially since the inception of the CFP. That said, I believe Bama is having a down year as it pertains to their offense. I believe Hurts has taken a step back and has regressed as a QB. Their defensive woes are two fold. They have several injuries in key defensive positions and they’re not as deep in those positions as in years past. It’s difficult to continuously lose so many people to the NFL draft and maintain a full stock of talent. I believe that’s why what Clemson is doing this year is even more impressive. They lost some ridiculous percentage of their offensive firepower from last year (something like 75% or 80%) and several key defensive players and yet they’re playing at a high level. I personally believe they’re not quite at the level of last year’s NT team but they’re still playing at a very high level.
To say Bama is “falling apart” and then talk about a “significant opponent” isn’t giving any credit to the other teams that have worked hard and recruited accordingly to step up their games. When any team lives atop their sport’s rankings, there’s only one way to go and the first “dip” makes people sound the alarm and they can’t help themselves but to draw up their “the end is near” signs. I believe teams get tired of hearing about Bama and their dominance but the only way to stop the talk is to step up their own games and I think that’s what has happened. I think the escalation of commitment to football Clemson has made in the last few years is quite obvious and that is why they’ve become one of those teams living at or near the top of the college football world for the past few years. Bama isn’t “falling apart.” Other teams are simply closing the gap and getting better.
"…be a man and P
Alabama reloaded this year with arguably the best recruiting class in the history of College FB.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Things may have just gotten a little more difficult for Clemson. I think they can beat Bama, but most teams struggle the game after playing them. Auburn was a good example. They were clearly not the same team when they played GA. It will be interesting to see if they get by Bama, if this holds true for Clemson.
Hope in one hand, blank in the other Andy. Let me know the results?#128512;
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Not hoping at all Geronimo, I am not emotionally invested like some. I just know that teams tend to be nicked up pretty good after the physical play of Bama.
Fair enough, and I agree it can happen. Auburn is not Clemson though, and I never played into the hype that surrounded them as the best team in the country. OSU fared pretty well a few years ago and I think that Bama team was more physical than this one.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I’m not as concerned about the after affects of the Bama vs Clemson game as it pertains to players being nicked up. My concern would be focus. The media is going to hype this game (Bama vs Clemson) more than any other CFP game and there are going to be countless references to last year’s (and the year before that) National Championship game. I believe Dabo will do everything in his power to keep this from happening but my concern would be a loss of focus if Clemson wins the game. If Clemson wins, I have no doubt the coaches and the players will stand in front of the cameras and say the right things about the “bigger picture” but we all know, given the hype that surrounds this game (and it will only grow as the game approaches), there will be a risk of a let down. Some will feel like they just crossed the biggest obstacle and that would be the worst thing that could happen to Clemson. Again, I’m sure Dabo and his coaching staff will do everything in their power to keep this from happening but it won’t be easy. Personally, of the potential matchups Clemson could face if they win, I don’t think Bama is the best team Clemson will face so Clemson needs to stay mentally focused if they want to go back-to-back.
“…be a man and PM me.”
That’s a lot of “what ifs”.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Not one single “what ifs.” Merely “if” Clemson wins and only three references to that. I personally believe Clemson is playing better football than Alabama right now (and over the past few weeks) and is a more well-rounded team. The closest parallel would be Bama’s defense and Clemson’s defense but given the injuries Bama’s defense is dealing with, I believe Clemson’s defense gets the nod. I don’t think there’s any comparison between the two teams when it comes to offense. In my opinion, Clemson’s offense is better-balanced, has more weapons and is more explosive. That said, we all know the “any given Saturday” saying. That’s why I say “if” Clemson wins because nothing is certain until the game is over.
“…be a man and PM me.”
There will be more hype for a Heisman winner to win the Championship than the Bama/Clemson rematch, IMO. They are hoping for a back to back story-line, with an OSU redemption tag and a Heisman winner to go for it all. I think Clemson can handle that stortyline pretty well. Clemson has been through the Clemson/Bama hype train, as well as the Clemson/Miami hype storm, and countless other underdog media circuses. Don’t worry about Clemson. They are playing with house money at this point.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I don’t know about the Heisman thing. Mayfield isn’t necessarily “Mr. Popular” with some of his antics. Those antics have gotten more hype/attention lately than his play. If he wins, I think it will be begrudgingly. Granted, of the three hyped up finalists, I believe he’s the most deserving, stats wise.
Not sure I follow you on the “house money” comment. If they weren’t expected to be there (in the CFP) and/or a team that has over-achieved, I could understand your comment but as it is, I don’t think that’s the case. When you reach the level Clemson has in recent years, it’s all about winning conference championships regularly competing for national championships. Anything less than that is a bust. At this point, Clemson has (or at least should’ve) moved past the “happy to be here” stage. They’re in the “expect to be here” stage and that’s hardly playing with house money, as I understand it.
“…be a man and PM me.”
Most expected 2 losses, a possible ACC Title win, and maybe sneaking in the top 4 as a 2 loss champion.
1 loss, and #1 seed is house money to most. Maybe not Dabo and the team, but for fans and alumni, I think they are pretty chill.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I don’t like him, but the Heisman doesn’t mean much anyway. They may as well go ahead and hand it to Mayfield today.
Geronimo, you could be right but if so, that will change after a few more years of being at or near the top of the college football world. That’s why I think some see Bama as “falling apart.” Anything less than an undisputable #1 ranking/seed and a flawless win/loss record is viewed as “falling apart.” Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
7cs, I’m not a fan of Mayfield either but I believe the numbers warrant the Heisman over his fellow nominees. Personally, I wish he would’ve stuck to his guns on his boisterous actions/behavior. To repeatedly do them and then apologize every time seems insincere and empty. No doubt, to own his actions and not apologize would’ve been slammed by many but I could’ve respected that more than the empty apologies for the sake of PR. It’s not like he did anything illegal or immoral. He was talking smack. Whether by planting the OU flag at midfield in OSU’s stadium or making rude gestures to a player on an opposing team. Who, by the way, provoked the whole thing when they refused to shake hands at the coin flip. Sure, this young man acted immaturely but it’s not like he was assaulting anyone, getting busted with drugs, getting DUI’s, breaking team/school rules. So he talks smack, so what. You know what they say, “It’s not talking trash if you back it up.” So far, he’s done that. If opposing teams don’t want to hear it, beat him on the field. For someone like him, that would be best way to shut him up.
“…be a man and PM me.”
You think Mayfield would be pulling that crap if Stoops was still the coach?
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Yes, I do. Mayfield is who he is. He’s had the same reputation since high school. He’ll be called on the carpet for it during the NFL combine but given the gambit of “character issues” we’re seeing in college kids (and the moral hot bed the NFL isn’t), someone being a smack talker would be the least of my concerns.
It’s not like he’s the only college player that does these things and acts this way. It just so happens that he’s a Heisman finalist on a nationally relevant team that also happens to get a lot of TV coverage.
“…be a man and PM me.”
I don’t recall any antics last year. Maybe I wasn’t following very closely.
Just wondered why the ramp up of character issues this year and if it had anything to do with a young new coach. Most players will resemble the character of their coach.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
TV/Media coverage was ramped up.
I believe Mayfield’s main escapade from Stoops’ era (in February or March) was his arrest in Arkansas for public intoxication and disorderly conduct (he was sentenced to community service and fines). Since Stoops was still there at that time, I believe his (Stoops) public status managed to keep a bit of a lid on this event. After Stoops left OU in June, the whole thing was dumped into Riley’s lap to deal with.
So to your point, if Mayfield was “resembling” anyone, it was Stoops at that time. Granted, I believe he (Mayfield) was resembling no one but himself.
“…be a man and PM me.”