College Football 2018 Season

[ghost]

National signing day was today and UGA came out on top with the #1 ranked class. Bama, used to claiming that position, fell to #8 this year but the lower ranking was due more to numbers than the quality of recruits that signed.

 

[Kory]

Yeah it was a perfect storm of events that led to a "down" recruiting year, but we hit a home run at one of the positions sorely needed...DBs. We could've used some more D-linemen, but we'll likely just go to the JUCO/transfer route, which worked mighty well with Isaiah Buggs.

Coaching changes, weak in-state class, early signing period, some poor recruiters on staff, and a smaller number of scholarships led to a lower than #1 class. The changes coach made in the off season with the hiring of elite, younger coaches/recruiters will pay dividends in the 2019 class.

 

[Kory]

Karl Dunbar on his way out to become to Steeler DL Coach. He is a great on the field coach but man his recruiting stunk...it was exposed yesterday.

 

[Kory]

Per Bruce Feldman, Craig Kuligowski will be the next D-line coach. Home run hire....

https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/02/19/miami-craig-kuligowski-heading-alabama-nick-saban

 

[rolltide_130]

I knew LeBron James was a drama queen, but good god this little feud he has with Coach Saban is just flat out embarrassing. It's the equivalent of Dollar General threatening to sue Trader Joes because they both happen to be grocery stores. Like um.. if I take a Snapchat video of myself getting a haircut am I liable to get sued by him as well?

 

[rolltide_130]

Some insider info from today's scrimmage:

Tua was limited but looked good when he did get to throw. Sounds like he's got the advantage over Jalen when factoring out the injury.

Jalen started slow but improved. Still panicking and trying to run if his first read isn't there.

Dylan Moses has some maturity problems. Tried to start a fight with an offensive lineman. Ripped his helmet off and threw it at him.

Nanjee Harris is a complete monster. Apparenlty runs like Trent Richardson and Derrick Henry rolled into one.

Field goal kicking actually looked excellent. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

[warneagle]

I have no idea why we even bothered to play a spring game without half of our starting offense. Not really much to take away from that.

 

[Kory]

 

[rolltide_130]

Not exactly related to anything, but last night I had a dream that Greg Byrne inexplicably chose to dismiss Saban because he thought Saban was too expensive, and he hired John L Smith to replace him.

Worst dream I've ever had.

 

[Mike S]

Love John Ell

 

[Kory]

Okay, I laughed too hard at the facial expression of Saban.

 

[rolltide_130]

The closest Mississippi State will ever come to a national title..

The series with them has gotten a little chippy the last few years. I know we're technically "rivals", but it hasn't felt like that until recently. Bryant Denny may be especially hostile for them this season..

https://www.tidesports.com/alabama-athletic-complex-burglarized-msu-students-charged/

 

[Kory]

Tua will not be playing in A-Day. Throwing hand was put in a full cast after unexpected setbacks in the healing process. Won't effect QB decision as that wouldn't have come until Fall camp.

Battle between Jones and Hurts will be interesting. I have heard good things about Mac Jones...

 

[rolltide_130]

Tua will not be playing in A-Day. Throwing hand was put in a full cast after unexpected setbacks in the healing process. Won't effect QB decision as that wouldn't have come until Fall camp.

Battle between Jones and Hurts will be interesting. I have heard good things about Mac Jones...

I was really hoping to see Tua play. I do worry it may have affects on this throwing motion as, from personal experience with a broken wrist/hand, it doesn't always go back to the way it was after the injury. (I have pain and difficulty rotating my left arm after I broke it near the wrist over 5 years ago, and had to have two surgeries to fix it)

 

[warneagle]

Guess we won't be the only ones playing A-Day without our starting QB then.

 

[Mike S]

Jalen isn't playing?

 

[rolltide_130]

Jalen isn't playing?

When factoring out the injury, Tua is pretty much the defacto starter (Everyone with insider info has said so). Even though Jalen is the incumbent, he's not the favorite even within the program based on everything I've heard.

 

[Mike S]

When factoring out the injury, Tua is pretty much the defacto starter (Everyone with insider info has said so). Even though Jalen is the incumbent, he's not the favorite even within the program based on everything I've heard.

You have to watch these "insiders". Everyone wants to be one. There are some people who truly have a peek on the inside, but that list is much, much smaller than the list of people who call themselves insiders.

Yes, Tua will "likely" be the starter, but Coach Saban is fiercely loyal to his veteran players and Hurts will have every opportunity to keep his job. I would not be shocked to see them play both QB's through the first 2-3 games.

 

[Kory]

You have to watch these "insiders". Everyone wants to be one. There are some people who truly have a peek on the inside, but that list is much, much smaller than the list of people who call themselves insiders.

Yes, Tua will "likely" be the starter, but Coach Saban is fiercely loyal to his veteran players and Hurts will have every opportunity to keep his job. I would not be shocked to see them play both QB's through the first 2-3 games.

I could see this scenario becoming very likely and I wouldn't be opposed to it as our first 3 games are incredibly easy. I just hope he doesn't trot the wrong QB out into a trap game, much like 2015 Ole Miss. A&M has the feeling of being a trap game under Jimbo.

I do think Saban is loyal to veterans to a fault. It's obvious he values experience over skill in starting positions. But I can't say he needs to change...the man has won 6 national championships, so keep doing what he's doing.

 

[Mike S]

I wouldn't consider the Ole Miss game incredibly easy. That game could easily become a shootout of the young Bama defense is slow to gel. Ole Miss upgraded at QB after losing Patterson and they are loaded at the skill positions.