The TIDAL Wave - Bye Week Edition
A few random thoughts going into LSU week:
Been on a diet and am having weird cravings. Anyone else have a hankering for corn dogs?
Went back and watched every game. The offensive play calling evolved greatly in the last 2 weeks. Can’t wait to see what Tommy Rees comes up with in light of this trend.
The offensive line is much improved especially if the second half of the Tennessee game is to be believed. They went toe-to-toe with a stud defensive front and were effective (even bullied them at times). All trending in the right direction.
The running game might be waking up. Roydell Williams is still “Mr. 3 yards in a loud of dust,” but Jase McClellan got off against Tennessee. Will be interesting to see the coaching decisions down the stretch. Will Justice Haynes be Jase’s stablemate for the rest of the campaign.
Jermaine Burton is Crazy Tony 2.0, and I for one am here for it! Love his fire. He needs to clean up the reckless plays, but he is returning from the witness protection program at just the right time.
Just as Burton is leaving witness protection, it looked as if Kool-Aid McKinstry might need to enter for his punt returning decisions. Kool-Aid’s indecisiveness cost his team crucial field position in the last two games. Bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. I expect he’ll get things cleaned up (and so does CNS who expressed confidence in him this week). If not, the future might just be now as Isaiah Bond looks to be waiting in the wings to get his shot.
Tommy Rees finally helped Milroe feel comfortable and establish a rhythm in the second half against UT, and it showed. Milroe, who has struggled to deal with pressure all season, made much better decisions in the pockets. His decision making and quick responses helped the OL tremendously. In addition, Milroe is finally working through his progression more consistently and effectively. Let’s hope the extra practice time this week was helpful as he prepares for what is sure to be his toughest test so far this season in LSU.
The defense remains the strength of this team. Hopefully this week is an opportunity to get right physically and to shore up what has made the defense Bama’s most valuable unit all season.
The strength of the strength are the Tide LBs. As expected, the OLB corps is elite, but the biggest surprise belongs to Jihad Campbell not because he isn’t extremely gifted but because of him making the switch to ILB since the spring.
Affable Nick Saban continues to make regular appearances in press conferences. Let’s see if he dresses up a cranky CNS for his birthday (Halloween), or whether the kinder, gentler CNS endures into the second half of the season.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Post your comments and feedback to continue the conversation.
Signgate: Is it a big deal?
We’ve all watched and listened this week as the news around Michigan Football’s “Signgate” intensified. By now you know the story. If not, here is a good up-to-date synopsis.
Tons of comments have come from all kinds of analysts and former players and coaches. They range from those who believe this scandal challenges the integrity of the game to others who are almost disinterested.
Why the disparity of reactions?
This gives talking heads something to talk about. In the 24-hour news cycle age of college sports, pundits run out of things to analyze and over-analyze. This story is a gift to them from the heavens. It’s a perpetually unfolding saga with plenty of nuance and grey area to yammer on about.
There is a ton of “cheating” all over college football (and we’ve all known it forever). After all, why do coaches put their play sheet over their mouths or insinuate for years that players have been bought and sold by wealthy boosters for eons? Perhaps no one inside the game wants to complain to hard about the current scandal because they are afraid for folks to pull to hard on this loose thread for fear that it will unravel the whole garment.
Doesn’t every close game come down to 4-5 plays? We’ve heard the cliche for years parroted by virtually every coach in college football. When they lose one, they claim it come down to a handful of plays. Then doesn’t it seem like having a leg up to knowing what the offense (who relies on both the element of surprise and execution) is about to do is a distinct advantage?
Why would Harbaugh risk so much for so little? Jim Harbaugh is one of the weirdest human beings God ever created, but he’s not stupid. Why would he do something so obviously against NCAA rules unless the payoff was perceived to be worth the risk?
Does this negate what Michigan has accomplished? Certainly not fully. They are a juggernaut particularly this season, but their ability to win the big one is the question. Throughout his career, Harbaugh has struggled to win in the playoffs and in playoff-like situations. That was true in the NFL, and it’s still true today. Does this underscore that Harbaugh needs to cheat (more than everyone else) to get the edge to get over the hump?
Perhaps the coming days will bring clarity to these questions, but perhaps we will never know.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your comments and opinions! Post them in the comments below.
Face it: The Third Saturday in October isn’t really a rivalry and Tennessee fans know it!
Smokey
The extra time of the bye week provides a little time for reflection, and it coming after Tennessee Hate Week has the Vols still on my mind.
Let’s face it, of all the schools who claim a rivalry with the Tide, hands down the most loathsome fans are the Vols. Auburn fans at least have a little bit of room crow, but let’s be honest. Tennessee fans have no rational basis for their insane expectations or the belief that their team is on par with Alabama.
Here are my reasons for declaring UT fans as our most delusional and hated opposing fanbase:
The irrational belief that Tennessee and Alabama are comparable programs
While Alabama’s played football one season less, the Tide hold a 116 game advantage all-time. Head to head, Alabama has won 59 of the 106 meetings between the two schools.
Tennessee claims 6 national titles, 16 conference titles, and 41 consensus all-Americans with no Heisman Trophy winners. Alabama in contrast lays claim to 18 national titles, 33 conference titles, 88 consensus all-Americans, and 4 Heisman winners.
Alabama has won 36 of the last 51 head-to-head matchups including streaks of 9 and 15 consecutive wins during that stretch.
No rational person can honestly claim that this rivalry has any semblance of parity, but to hear most Vol fans, one would think the two schools are practically mirror images of one another.
The insane complex that the officials have it in for Tennessee
The narrative that Tennessee fans want to push is that SEC officials cost them the game yet they cannot admit that a wider disparity existed in their favor in the 2022 contest between the schools. In that game, Alabama was penalized 11 more times for a total of 92 yards while this year’s disparity was only 7 penalties for 50 yards difference.
While the more obvious explanation is that home teams benefit from a favorable home environment that results in fewer penalties, Tennessee fans rarely let reason get in their way.
Phillip Fulmer
Alabama fans will never forgive Fulmer, who got his job as UT’s head coach by unceremoniously pushing his boss (and Vols legend) Johnny Majors out the door, missing SEC media days running from a 2002 subpoena in a case related to his alleged reporting of recruiting violations by Alabama. Though widely rumored to be engaged in their own recruiting shenanigans involving booster Roy Adams and signing Kenny Smith (who Alabama boosters were found to have paid in his original recruitment to Bama), Vol fans annoyingly act as if their program was squeaky clean.
Clay Travis
The biggest blowhard in sports media today, Clay Travis’ recent inane insistence that the Vols have “caught up” to Alabama is the most recent example of a career built on being louder than correct at almost every turn. The obnoxious Clay quite frankly everything that many Alabama fans hate in Tennessee fans. He’s like a chicken-$h!+ wrestling heel who continues to keep his title by cheating his way to the top while telling the world how great and talented he is.
They say every dog has his day, but Bama fans know the truth: if Smokey is ever really going to have his, he’ll need to hit the transfer portal and head to Tuscaloosa.
Roll Tide!
What do you think about the Vols as Bama’s most annoying rivals? Let’s hear you!
Why Caleb Williams wouldn’t cut it at Alabama
All of the talk this week about Caleb Williams potentially shutting it down now that USC has been shown to be the middle of the road team many of us suspected, made me think. Would he make it at Alabama?
The obvious answer from a talent perspective is yes. It’s debatable whether Williams will be that generational talent at the next level, but as a college quarterback, he is in the elite of the elite. On talent alone, he would certainly have a place in Tuscaloosa.
But, as we have seen from experience, talent alone does not win championships, and sheer talent does not make a player a good fit in a Saban-led team.
I believe the answer is a resounding no.
Coach Saban is all about players creating value for themselves, but not at the expense of the team. Caleb Williams has created extreme wealth for himself already through NIL, but he didn’t do it alone.
Williams’ Teammates Need Him
While the USC defense rarely makes a statement, the same cannot be said for the offense, and Williams doesn’t play by himself. He owes it to the other players around him to finish well. Some may lose opportunities to play at the next level without his talent to showcase them.
I don’t want to pile on too hard on Williams, who has made no public comments to indicate that he is done (or even considering shutting his season down), but it’s not out of bounds to think that where there is smoke there is fire.
Me First Doesn’t Make It With Coach Saban
That fire wouldn’t be tolerated at this point in the season at a place like Bama or many other top flight programs. Coach Saban has demonstrated in the past with guys like Agiye Hall that “me first” players don’t have a place in his program.
Final Thoughts
We’ll see how the Caleb Williams situation plays out…or doesn’t. But, rest assured that the team remains the focus at Alabama.
Sadly, guys sitting out bowl games is part of CFB today, but as long as Nick Saban is our coach, the type of selfishness being talked about other places won’t become the norm.
What do you think? Leave a comment and join the conversation.
The TIDAL Wave - Tennessee Edition
Will Reichard is the most consistent weapon in CFB. It’s hard to quantify what he means to the Tide. Thank goodness NIL brought him back to the Tide for another year!
The defense locked down for the second half. Whatever Kevin Steele is doing for adjustments, bottle it & keep it for the future. His second half adjustments (this week playing more even coverage) have been on point all season.
Kool-aid had a horrible day returning. Wonder if someone else gets a shot against LSU?
Play calling by Tommy Rees was better. The jet sweeps still didn’t look like the 2nd coming of Sark, but it was much better. I thought for perhaps the first time all season, the offense developed a solid rhythm in the 2nd half.
I’ve been very critical of Milroe. He looked much better in the 2nd half. It seemed like he finally relaxed and let the game come to him. Didn’t overthink it and was very instinctive as a runner. I’m calling that significant improvement.
The running game finally started to click in the 2nd half. Jase really pressed the hole and the OL seemed to get a ton of confidence.
Speaking of the OL, they seemed to hold their technique much better in the face of pressure. Really cleaned up the discipline penalties. Holding their stance for an entire 40 sec. clock without a twitch in on 4th down late in the game is the kind of discipline play that I hope inspires them to play with more confidence.
Caleb Downs played well save a couple of times he got caught looking into the backfield & getting greedy as opposed to maintaining his leverage. All in all, the secondary was solid & hats off to Tennessee for the two TDs. Just great execution that was hard to defend.
Tennessee may be crying about the officiating, but both teams were significantly under their season average in penalties and yards. Officiating didn’t determine this one just like it didn’t last year. Ultimately, Heupel killed his own team’s chances by going 0-3 of 4th down attempts.
I just have to say this: Vol fans really make it easy to hate their team. The whining is unparalleled especially in the face of their futility. Good to start a new streak this year. Given the choice, I would rather beat them over Auburn or LSU. Can’t express how much they remind me of a Chihuahua barking at a Rottweiler with their bluster every single year only to be nothing.
THE TIDAL WAVE: Arkansas Edition
My observations:
1. The Jekyll & Hyde performance from one half to another was quite the anomaly. The Tide fell from #3 to #11 in Second Half ranking according to TeamRankings.com
2. Milroe continued to struggle with pocket presence leading to 5 sacks. Bama is #129 in sacks allowed in all of FBS & 6th from last in the last 3 games. That’s not all on the OL w/ Milroe moving into pressure consistently.
3. The defense continues to be incredible. They are #15 in total defense w/ Dallas Turner avg 1 sack per game.
4. Things were much better on the penalty front. Only 5 flags for 45 yds w/ 1 pre-snap infraction. But, Jaylen Key’s facemask penalty seemed to give the Hogs life.
5. The run game showed flashes of brilliance. Why Rees doesn’t rely on the run more is a mystery.
6. Speaking of mysteries, why Rees remains coaching from the box is a head scratcher. Milroe needs the support from the sideline to call checks. Major frustration.
7. Great to see James Burnip back & playing well. He gave us a scare last week, but all seems well. He is invaluable b/c of his ability to flip field position.
8. Will Reichard cemented his legacy among Bama & SEC greats by becoming all-time SEC scoring leader. Thanks @WillReichard!
9. LT is a pain point in the OL. Why Rees isn’t helping more with a back or TE is baffling?
10. Coach Saban called the team out for a lack of killer instinct. Hopefully #TennesseeHateWeek will bring out the desire to beat the opponent badly.
The TIDAL Wave: TAMU Edition
This defense is something special. They overcame 14 penalties for 99 yards & a subpar offensive performance to bring home the win.
Tidal Wave: TAMU Edition
1. This defense is something special. They overcame 14 penalties for 99 yards & a subpar offensive performance to bring home the win.
2. Jermaine Burton had an incredible day (9-197-2). He had the game we’ve been waiting for since he arrived from UGA.
3. Milroe still can make a check at the line. All but one time today he either missed the read or made the wrong one. This isn’t the growth he needs.
4. No surprise the running game struggled against this TAMU front. Big surprise Justice Haines didn’t see the field.
5. The officiating was horrible. The penalty differential was glaring (14-99 vs. 4-19) with TAMU holding on offense a ton. The SEC has to improve officiating across the board.
6. Burnip’s injury is serious blow if he misses time. Losing a major weapon with him out.
7. Reichard can do anything. When he leaves…I’m not crying. You’re crying.
8. Malachi Moore being out causes a significant shuffle in the secondary with implications at nearly every position. Let’s hope the “get right” Homecoming game is enough to get him back.
9. Three upcoming games at home are good news for an O line who has struggled in loud, hostile environments.
10. Miss Terry was in attendance. Wonder if she chewed their butts personally this time? 😂
I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions.
On to Homecoming!
Tidal Wave - Storm Warning
Here’s my outlook for today’s game:
Tidal Wave - Storm Warning
TAMU Edition
1. The defense will show up big. Media disrespect & the overblown hype of the TAMU front 7 has been noticed by the Tide.
2. TAMU has not played anyone yet they are UNRANKED. This game is overhyped. The Tide will Roll…potentially big.
3. The defensive backfield will get to Max Johnson. 2 INTs coming.
4. The running game will click. Justice Haynes will have his coming out party today.
5. Cranky Saban will be back today in force. He wants this one. I guarantee.
Bama rolls 31-17
What do you think? Predictions?
The TIDAL Wave: Mississippi State Edition
1. The specialists (Reichard & Burnip) are a huge advantage. We should never underestimate an automatic PK or the punter not being able to flip field position.
2. The two times the offense put the ball on the ground could have been a huge momentum shift. Must work on ball security.
3. Milroe actually went through his progression beyond the first read a few times. Progress? 4. The O-line played very well. Not much pass pro helped. Hoping this is a big step forward.
5. Trez Marshall called a great game. Several QB runs were busts from wrong calls, but all-in- all solid.
6. The run game was fantastic. Milroe is the show, but McClellan & Williams avg. +4.0 ypc is vital for success.
7. Jihaad Campbell played very well for Deontae Lawson. Going to need him big time against A&M unless Lawson can go.
8. Milroe’s few passes have to be of concern, but his efficiency was impressive. He went 8 for 8 in the first half with the first drop not coming until the 3rd quarter. He’s going to have to do more this week but the consistency breeds confidence.
9. Eight of Milroe’s 10 completions went for +12.5 yds. The missing short passing game & RPO is a complete mystery. Why won’t Rees use it to open up the game? Is it that Milroe can’t make the quick decisions necessary like he can’t move through a pass progression?
10. Apparently, we have Ms. Terry to thank for unleashing the beast as cranky Nick Saban made a big return. According to his postgame press conference, Ms. Terry authorized Coach to “get into their butts” if they weren’t playing good. Welcome back, Coach!
Roll Tide!
After further review…
I’ve been thinking since Coach Saban’s press conference on Monday, and apparently, I’m not the only one.
“On Monday, Saban was asked if he had since thought about whether Alabama should have just gone under center for a quarterback sneak on the first play.
‘There’s a lot of thought about that, Saban said. ‘It was not smart on our part to do what we did, and we get a bad snap after all that. I’m not defending anybody, but with better execution, we shouldn’t snap the ball over the quarterback’s head and we’ve got to get on the same page with the snap count. I agree with you that, at a time when it’s first-and-1 on the 1, why do we need to be in gun?’”
Where was Coach Saban?
A question that keeps haunting me is “where was Coach Saban when this decision was made? The answer is obvious. He was right there, and he was in charge and responsible. He could have overruled Tommy Rees, but he didn’t. So why? And why didn’t he take responsibility after the fact on Monday?
Is something different about Saban?
I don’t want to make too much of this, but why didn’t Coach Saban take full responsibility for the decision? He usually does whether we believe it is his fault or not.
I can’t shake the feeling that this is all part of the “kinder, gentler” Nick Saban. You know. The one who hasn’t ripped his team a new one publicly for their lack of focus and discipline. The one who’s only using the media to talk oddly positively about this team. I’m beginning to believe that the age of NIL and CFB free agency has robbed us of cranky Nick Saban. The one who gave Lane Kiffin @$$ chewings like party favors at a 5-year-old’s birthday. The one who would chew an unsuspecting sideline reporter up as collateral damage.
I miss that guy!
I miss cranky Nick Saban, and I think we need him. I for one am hoping that mild mannered Coach Saban will duck into the trainer’s tent this Saturday in Starkvagas, and Cranky Nick will emerge from the tent (probably without a cape) and go thermonuclear on someone.
What do you think? Do you miss Cranky Saban? Are you ready for him to make a triumphant return like the Man of Steel coming back from the Fortress of Solitude (a.k.a. Miss Terry’s Charm School).
The TIDAL WAVE - Ole Miss Edition
The Tidal Wave - Ole Miss Edition
1. This was probably Kiffin’s best shot to date against the Tide, but his best wasn’t nearly enough. For all those hoping Lane will come back after CNS hangs it up, this is why we should take a hard pass.
2. The Rebs defense is better but not good. Pete Golding is who we thought he was…only now he has less talent.
The O-line looked better but they didn’t exactly do it against the steel curtain.
3. Mental mistakes & overall sloppiness still plague the Tide: botched snap, red zone interception, giving up sacks by holding the ball too long, etc. Better competition will expose these offensive mistakes.
4. A tale of two halves: Things clicked after the intermission with the defense clamping down & the offensive running to set up the pass. This team will have to put together 4 quarters to survive LSU.
5. Milroe’s strength is the deep ball. He throws it downfield as well as anyone. Play action shots downfield are crucial to continued success. He also is finally having weapons emerge to take advantage of it.
6. Milroe can’t read a defense or move through his progression. He’s running whatever play is sent & throwing it to his first option & that’s not going to change this season. We just have to deal with it.
7. Our defense is very, very good. Good enough to carry this offense as-is. They have to avoid busts in the secondary leading to big plays but the D line is getting pressure & the LBs are incredible.
8. There was no drop going from Lawson to Campbell in play or play calling. When Lawson is back Steele should try them together.
9. The specialists are worth a TD a game (if not more) & that’s with McKinstry yet to really get it going in the return game. I wish Reichard & Burnip never had to leave.
10. I don’t like calling out college players, but something has to give with Seth McLaughlin. He’s obviously good in practice. Send him to a sports psychologist. The bad snaps are unacceptable & must be corrected.
The TIDAL WAVE - USF Edition
1. Milroe was in the doghouse because he didn’t practice well & progress last week. Saban made his point.
1. Milroe was in the doghouse because he didn’t practice well & progress last week. Saban made his point.
2. Milroe has to grow quickly in mastering the offense. If he doesn’t, he’s on a short leash.
3. The O-line is atrocious. Booker is the key to Proctor playing well because he doesn’t know the offense & needs help with the calls. His looking like a statue on the sack of Simpson is exhibit A.
4. The best hope for the O-line is to line up & run the ball featuring Roydell.
5. Need to see Brockermeyer at Center. Too many poor snaps & mental errors from McLaughlin.
6. Defensive line got better push than they are getting credit for. Problem wasn’t penetration. It was the 2nd level completely losing the QB & allowing long runs.
7. The secondary played well as they should have. Braswell & Turner did their jobs at DE. Good dress rehearsal for Tennessee.
8. Mental errors must get fixed or SEC play will be a nightmare. We need grumpy Saban to get after them about it.
9. It’s time for Kevin Steele to start showing everything. Been pretty vanilla to this point. There has to be much more coming.
10. Tommy Rees is a train wreck. Having Milroe will help but he was out coached 2 weeks in a row. This is looking to be the horrible hire many of us feared.
Thoughts after last night’s loss to Texas:
In my 50 years of Tide fandom, I’ve been privileged to experience 10 national championships & 2 legendary coaches (with all due respect to Coach Stallings).
It’s from that perspective that I write today.
What other program can tout that kind of run in the last half century?
Nothing will diminish Coach Saban’s run or his importance to this program & its history.
All the talk about him losing his fastball is that, just talk.
The effect of having Bryce Young was difficulty in recruiting the QB position for a couple of cycles. We are seeing that now
Add to that the revolving door of coordinators & no other program has been challenged in terms of consistency & culture in the transfer portal era.
This team had a test early in Texas & they weren’t ready, but that doesn’t mean the sky is falling.
Hopefully this will motivate these young men to put in the work to achieve the greatness they are capable of.
They still have every goal set for them in front of them.
I don’t believe Milroe is the answer. He’s a much, much more athletic Blake Sims with a less dominant O line & less potent weapons at WR. He’s an amazing athlete & could be a great specialist in short yardage, but he doesn’t have “it” & it seems like most of all, he knows it.
This is pure conjecture: I think Dylan Lonergan could be the actual answer, but without early enrollment, he’s playing catch up. Perhaps we will get to see him soon.
Whatever happens, the QB needs to make proper checks to get the O line & RBs in the right protection. Rees has to figure a way get the ball to the playmakers.
The secondary has to improve & that’s probably the thing that sticks most to Coach Saban.
Maybe the complexity should be dialed down. Seemed like the calls were late & they guys weren’t in the right position a lot. That didn’t lose the game. I’m
Tighten up the penalties & easily correctable mistakes & last night easily could have been different.
The sky isn’t falling & the dynasty isn’t over. There is a lot of football yet to play. Let’s just see how things play out from here & trust The Process.
After all The Process has carried Alabama Football a long way…
Rolling Into Birmingham: The Tide’s Outlook for the NCAA Tournament
As March Madness descends upon us once again, the anticipation and excitement surrounding the NCAA Tournament are at an all-time high. The Alabama Crimson Tide Men's Basketball team has earned a spot in this year's competition, and fans are eager to see how they will perform on the big stage. This blog post will analyze the 2023 Alabama Men's Basketball team's chances in the NCAA Tournament and what factors may contribute to their success or downfall.
A Season to Remember
The Alabama Men's Basketball team has had a remarkable season under the guidance of head coach Nate Oats. With a strong regular season record and some key wins against top-ranked opponents, the Crimson Tide has demonstrated their ability to compete with the best in the nation. Oats' fast-paced, three-point heavy offensive system and aggressive defense have been essential in establishing Alabama as a force to be reckoned with.
Strengths and Key Players
The Crimson Tide boasts a balanced and versatile roster, with a mix of experienced players and young talent. Forward Brandon Miller has been a standout this season, providing consistent scoring and leadership on the court. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc, finish at the rim, and create opportunities for his teammates has been vital for Alabama's success.
Big man Charles Bediako has been a defensive anchor for the team, using his length and athleticism to protect the rim and dominate the boards. Bediako's ability to alter opponents' shots and secure rebounds has been crucial in limiting second-chance opportunities for the opposition. in addition, Bediako has continued to improve all season long turning into a serious threat on both ends of the floor.
Furthermore, the team's depth has been a significant advantage throughout the season, as players like Jahvon Quinerly and Nimari Burnett have stepped up in crucial moments to provide scoring, defense, and energy off the bench.
Potential Obstacles
While Alabama's strengths are evident, they will face some challenges in the NCAA Tournament. One potential issue is their reliance on three-point shooting. When the shots are falling, the Crimson Tide can be nearly unstoppable; however, when they're not, they can need to find other ways to win including picking up the defensive intensity. Additionally, the fast pace they play at may be more challenging to maintain as they face elite defenses in the tournament.
Furthermore, Alabama's aggressive defense can sometimes lead to foul trouble, which could be problematic against skilled opponents who excel at drawing fouls. The team will need to strike a balance between maintaining their defensive intensity and avoiding unnecessary fouls.
Conclusion
The 2023 Alabama Men's Basketball team has the talent and depth to make a run to the Final Four. Their high-octane offense and aggressive defense can propel them past many opponents. However, the Crimson Tide will need to overcome their recent cold streak with three-point shooting and manage foul trouble to maximize their chances of success.
As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, it's crucial to remember that anything can happen in March Madness. Alabama has the potential to make a significant impact, and their passionate fan base will undoubtedly be watching with anticipation as the Crimson Tide seeks to bring glory to their program.
From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: CFB Transfer Portal Trnasformation Edition
College football news during bowl season was partly dominated by news of the transfer portal. Activity on the initial day for athletes to enter the portal dwarfed the number of players entering the portal in previous years. Along with the flood of players dipping their toes in the portal came the predictable cry in traditional media and social media that the transfer portal is killing college football as we know it.
My question is: "Is the transfer portal killing the game or just transforming the landscape to ready college football for the next era?"
College football news during bowl season was dominated in part by news of the transfer portal. Activity the initial day for athletes to enter the portal dwarfed the numbers of players entering the portal in previous years. Along with the flood of players dipping their toes in the portal came the predictable cry in traditional media and on social media that the transfer portal is killing college football as we know it.
My question is: "Is the transfer portal killing the game or just transforming the landscape to ready college football for the next era?"
Perhaps the answer can be found in the sudden emergence of two programs: TCU and Tulane.
In the case of TCU, we see a program that enjoyed limited success for years under the leadership of Gary Patterson. While not a bottom-feeder, TCU was a program under Patterson that gained the reputation as always a little short of really competing for Big 12 titles or being taken seriously on a national stage. For TCU, the pattern was predictable. Start the season with a string of wins only to see the momentum come to an end during league play. Outside of an expanded College Football Playoff giving TCU an opportunity in the post-season, it seemed unlikely that the Horned Frogs would ever rise to national prominence. That is until the entrance of Sonny Dykes.
Apparently, leadership at TCU believed that being a perennial also-ran was a glass ceiling that Patterson was unlikely to crack. Eight games into the 2021 season, Patterson was fired, and 2nd generation coach Sonny Dykes was tapped to take over the helm of the Horned Frogs. Dykes is a bit of an anomaly in college football: the son of a legendary coach who never played college football himself carved an unconventional path by being influenced by the Air Raid offenses of Hal Mumme and Mike Leach. Dykes time coaching under Mumme and Leach reflect a college football insider that is unafraid to forge new path to success.
Perhaps no greater evidence of Dykes unconventional approach exists than the meteoric rise of TCU Football from a 5-7 record and a 7th place finish in the Big 12 in 2021 to a place in Monday night's national title game against defending national champion Georgia. In a single season, Dykes has turned around the fortunes of a perennial middle-of-the-pack program and led them to the precipice of a national championship. One significant contributing factor is his deft use of the transfer portal.
Dykes transfer portal strategy after he was named TCU's head coach had two significant components: limit losses to the portal and fill key vacancies from the portal. The proof of his success in doing both is evidenced in TCU's path to the title game.
TCU lost fewer players than expected through Dykes personal investment in continuing to recruit the TCU players he inherited. He made efforts to visit in players' homes and to help them to see that although he didn't recruit them, they were still his guys if they chose to don the purple and silver. Little things made a huge difference including inviting players not going home to enjoy Easter with his family. The sincerity and hospitality Dykes showed players won many over, and TCU was spared the catastrophic losses common to many transitioning programs in the transfer portal era.
The other key to success was Dykes ability to fill key holes through the portal. TCU added key contributors like Josh Newton (ULM), Johnny Hodges (Navy), and Mark Perry (CU). Newton was an expected day-one contributor who proved to be a first-team all-conference corner. Hodges is another story. By his own admission, even then 3-9 Northwestern told Hodges he was not good enough to play at the D1 level. Dykes saw Hodges potential up close after a 14-tackle performance against his 2021 SMU squad. In the end, the unconventional Dykes plucked a diamond in the rough from the portal with Hodges amassing 66 regular season tackles and second team all-conference honors. Combining a personal, inviting manner with taking calculated risks, Sonny Dykes has used the portal to transform TCU into a contender.
Lest we think that an TCU's rise is an isolated incident, we only need to look as far as the Tulane Green Wave as another example of transfer portal success. The Willie Fritz-led squad approached the transfer portal differently signing 5-6 players from the portal each of the last 3 years and then a whopping 10 this season. Tulane used previous connections to coaches and program staff or ties to the New Orleans area as their pathways to most of their portal acquisitions. In fact, only kicker Valentino Ambrosio, Kanan Ray (CU), and Tylo Phillips (Lamar) came from outside those two paths.
With a profoundly different approach, Fritz led the Green Wave from a 2-10 (1-7 in conference) campaign in the 2021 regular season and AAC Championship and a Cotton Bowl victory over USC.
While dramatic improvements like these are not commonplace, they are notable for several reasons:
1. They demonstrate the power of the transfer portal to change the culture of a program immediately. Stories like these will only increase the pressure of first-year coaches to win now.
2. They fly in the face of criticisms of the portal being only about buying players through NIL. TCU has 2 players (Max Duggan and Kendre Miller) among the top 100 in NIL value according to On3 Sports. Miller and Duggan were freshmen signees. Tulane has no players in the NIL Top 100. Add to this the lack of success by Texas A&M after using NIL opportunities as a part of their recruiting pitch, and it would seem that money alone is not the issue that many want to make it.
3. They occurred at schools with significant entrance requirements. Both schools have excellent academic reputations with higher-than-the-norm entrance requirements that apply to football recruits. These academic standards did not prevent TCU or Tulane from upgrading their programs through the portal.
For years, we have heard complaints from pundits bemoaning the lack of parity in college football. In the last couple of years, the dire warnings about how NIL and the transfer portal are killing college football are too numerous to cite. Yet, on the most important weekend of post-season college football, we have two teams from the dozen involved in the Big 6 bowl games defying detractors' pearl-clutching complaints. Has the transfer portal changed the landscape of college football? Undoubtedly, yes, but so did the institution of the forward pass. Do limits and regulations need to be enacted to govern the transfer portal, especially in light of NIL? One hundred percent, they do, but just like the evolving rules that have changed the passing game since its inception, regulating and shaping the rules won't kill the game.
I for one believe that we are entering into an exciting new era of college football that will preserve what is special about the college game while carrying it well into the future. But, don't take my word for it. Just ask any TCU or Tulane fan how they are feeling today.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your feedback. Leave a comment below or over on Twitter at @tideworldorder and join the conversation.
How Nick Saban is Winning the Future of College Football
Conversations around the Transfer Portal and NIL dominate college football discussions this offseason. The competitive environment of big-time college football is the wild west for all. The NCAA was not ready. An antiquated NCAA system collided with an abrupt Supreme Court Ruling to produce chaos. With all the uncertainty, how are Nick Saban and Alabama Football negotiating these challenges?
Free Agency in College Football
Student-athletes are entering the transfer portal in droves thinking of the promise of greener pastures elsewhere. They are searching for more desirable situations instead of staying put in their current program. Long gone are the days of seeking to “bloom where you are planted.”
Now the complexity has grown exponentially. NIL opportunities add a major variable for both high school recruits and underclassmen.
The resulting mess is an almost lawless free agency in a completely unprepared college football system. As expected, one of the people who is not unprepared is Nick Saban.
The Process That Produced Bryce Young
By Rick Morton
Nick Saban’s approach to the mental side of football is well documented. Talk about “the Process” is heard almost as commonly as “Roll Tide” among die-hard Alabama fans. Despite the talk about the Process, most Alabama fans don’t know much about it. Outside of a fragmented set of principles listed across the Internet, the real blueprint of success for Alabama football remains a mystery to people outside the Alabama program.
The Mystery of Bryce Young’s Quiet Confidence
Recently, another mystery regarding the mental side of football at Alabama was on my mind . The emergence of Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young and his Heisman Trophy-winning season placed a huge spotlight on this young man. What’s remarkable is how little the attention seemed to affect him. Even more impressive is the strength of his leadership coming from a really low-key almost introverted personality. Bryce Young is as cool as a cucumber while bullets are flying around him. The question is why?
Rojas is the spark the Tide need
Last Wednesday night, Nate Oates crew came out slow, and it looked as if they were headed headlong toward extending their recent losing streak. That is, until James Rojas got his first minutes of the night as he is coming back from a torn ACL.
Rojas gave the Tide limited minutes, but the stat sheet can’t reflect his true impact. Of Rojas’ performance, Coach Nate Oates said of Rojas’ first minutes of the season in a loss to Mississippi State:
I told our guys there's levels to how hard you play, and I think when [Rojas] came in I think he exposed the fact that this is how hard we should have been playing. Some of you guys that think you were playing hard — we talk about max effort, it's supposed to be as much as you can give — no, you weren't giving as much as you can give because he just came in and showed how hard we have to play to win games in this league. And it exposed some other guys and I think he went really hard in practice these two days.
Rojas’ focus and hustle continued against LSU and Missouri in limited minutes. Though still limited as he comes back from his second ACL surgery in 3 years (Rojas missed the entire 2019 season with a torn Right ACL), he is a vital point of the rotation for how he spurs the rest of the squad on to pick up their intensity.
After the team’s win against LSU, Coach Oates told reporters that this team would achieve to its potential when the coaches didn’t have to coach effort in game situations. It seems that getting James Rojas back and into the rotation is a significant step toward that goal.
Have you been impressed by Rojas’ play thus far? What are the keys you see to Alabama making a run to close the season and get into the NCAA Tourney? Drop a comment here or on Twitter
Series: Big Changes Coming to College Football in the Next Decade (and How They Will Impact the Crimson Tide) - Sports Science
Not quite two years ago, the University of Alabama made what is proving to be the second most important hire in college football. This hire wasn’t of a top-flight recruiter or a premier play caller. No, the hiring of Matt Rhea, PhD. and his partner in crime David Ballou changed the landscape of sports science and athletic performance for Alabama Football, and the results are just beginning.
Rhea and Ballou came to Alabama from Indiana University where they established one of the most impressive sports science operations in the world. At Alabama, Rhea and Ballou are bringing their innovative approach to preparation and rehabilitation to a destination with nearly unlimited resources and superior athletes. This combination spells trouble for the rest of college football.
In their first year, Alabama Football recorded 49% less “Time Lost to Injury” than the NCAA average according to one of Rhea’s Tweets. This statistic doesn’t tell the entire story. Alabama’s Sports Science Center allows Dr. Rhea and his team to collect and process data on athletic performance and recovery and to implement state-of-the art recovery technology along with athletic training and nutrition programs to maximize the performance of each athlete in the program.
This attention to detail combined with the excellent care that student athletes receive under the watchful eye of Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Jeff Allen and his team. As recently chronicled by ESPN.com, Allen is at the pinnacle of his profession and is regarded by many as the glue that holds Alabama football together.
As programs look for a competitive edge and as NIL place even more emphasis upon athletes’ taking care of their bodies as an investment, look for programs to engage in a growing arms race regarding cutting edge sports science programs.
How do you see the role of sports science in today’s college football? I’d love to see your comments and talk more. Share your comments here or on Twitter to continue the conversation.
What Kayvon Thibodeaux got right…and very wrong
My first reaction was to dismiss Thibodeaux as an immature buffoon with an exalted opinion of himself. After all, his misuse of the word “stigmatism” is one of the most meme-worthy moments of early 2022
On a Fox Sports online broadcast around last weeks’ National Championship game, Kayvon Thibodeaux unleashed a firestorm among Alabama alumni with his comments to Joel Klatt. The vitriol on Twitter was swift and biting (including several tweets by yours truly).
My first reaction was to dismiss Thibodeaux as an immature buffoon with an exalted opinion of himself. After all, his misuse of the word “stigmatism” is one of the most meme-worthy moments of early 2022, but upon further reflection, I think he really backed into something that is objectively true.
Consider his comment:
What people don’t realize is that football is an American sport. So, no matter how great Alabama is, you only play football in America, Canada and a couple other places. But a brand like Nike, I mean, for me it was like what brand associations do I want to be tied to? For me, I already hate the stigmatism of football players being dumb jocks. Do you know the stigmatism of Alabama education? It ain’t the West Coast. It ain’t Harvard."
What Kayvon got right
Stigmatism (n) stig·ma·tism | \ ˈstigməˌtizəm \
the condition of an optical system (such as a lens or mirror) in which rays of light from a single point converge in a single focal point
Stigmatism (as opposed to astigmatism), is crystal-clear 20/20 vision. It is a state in which the eye is functioning optimally with the light taken in being precisely directed to a single spot.
While Thibodeaux was trying to say that there is a stigma associated with being a football player and with an Alabama education, he unleashed a torrent of evidence that gave crystal-clear insight to many that neither could be further from the truth.
From inverse.com:
The Wonderlic test was originally meant to help companies find employees that had an aptitude for problem-solving. Through the years, however, it’s been adopted by the NFL. It makes sense: Football is a strategic game, and it helps to determine a player’s ability to understand intricate plays, handle immense pressure, and make quick decisions. It takes a lot more intelligence than one might think to lead a team to victory. For comparison, the average intellect among quarterbacks is a 24 out of 50 on the test; the average bank teller really only needs a 22.
“History shows that the brighter a person is, the more likely he is to be successful,” Michael Callans, president of Wonderlic Consulting, has said. “Whether they are on a football field or in a boardroom, smarter people are resourceful and they don’t make a lot of mistakes.”
That might seem to make sense in an office setting, but it might not be congruent to how we think about football players. In that respect, it can help to think about your brain as a muscle (even though it’s technically not): More physical activity leads to better cognitive function.
Anyone who knows football knows that it is a complex game requiring intelligence to perform at the highest level. In fact, Multiple Intelligences theory recognizes the physical and spatial aspects of football as domains that require their own unique intelligence. Thibideaux is rightly offended by any notion that football players are dumb jocks.
What He Got Wrong
Unwittingly, the backlash from his comments about the stigma of an Alabama education have provided fantastic promotion for the quality of the University of Alabama. It’s difficult to rank schools like Alabama and Oregon comparatively. Various assessors like U.S. News & World Reports rank them, but in all honesty, they are comparable. Both have relative strengths and weaknesses, but neither seems significantly more prestigious especially to the degree that Thibodeaux asserts. What is sure is that no press is bad press. The academic credentials of the University of Alabama have been searched and perused by many folks who otherwise would have no interest, and that can’t be bad for Alabama.
His notion that Phil Knight’s association with Oregon is laughable unless he thinks he’s in the same rarified air as superstars like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Kevin Durant, and a few others. This is the crux of where he is dead wrong.
What I see in Kayvon Thibodeaux is a cocky, immature young man who lacks perspective about himself. In the same show, he touted his dominance of Evan Neal in The Opening and other high school all-star opportunities. The problem is that film doesn’t lie. Neal owned him on several well-documented occasions. Thibodeaux is his own hype man, and his mouth seemingly overloaded his performance.
Certainly, Kayvon Thibodeaux is a top-notch football player, but he’s also a 21-year-old who thinks he’s the smartest kid in the class. As a former college professor, I have seen kids like this many times. Some excel and fulfill their potential and their rhetoric. Others don’t. Time will tell, but right now a bunch of Mr. Thibodeaux’s bluster is more “fake it until you make it.” Perhaps he should focus on talking less, and let his actions do the talking. Then we will see if his talk is stigmatically valid.
What do you think? I’d love to see your thoughts. Comment below or on Twitter to keep the conversation going.
