Bama most likely going to repeat

Submitted by MGoDC on

Still a few games to go but you have to imagine Bama is the odds on favorite to play in the title game where they will proceed to destroy ND. Bama is a good team, and might even be the best team in the nation (certainly looked that way before the A&M game). Although it's annoying that the SEC is going to play in the title game again for sure now (if not Bama then Georgia) I can't really complain abou them deserving it.

Here's my question though, when was the last time a program caught this many breaks this late in the year to win titles back to back? Alabama didn't win its division last year, wins the title. Alabama behind three undefeated teams in week 11 and #1 and #2 lose (#1 loses by 30 to an unranked team?!) A great team for sure but I've never heard of a program getting such luck with how things have shaken out for them back to back years.

Logan88

November 18th, 2012 at 7:58 AM ^

...and Maurice Clarett.

An entire decade of cheating under Tressel (Clarett at the beginning, Smith in the middle and Pryor, et.al. at the end...and these are only the examples we KNOW about) and all they got was three ships a year for three years and one year of postseason play ban. Unbelievable.

Purkinje

November 17th, 2012 at 11:47 PM ^

So damned disappointing. I really wanted the SEC locked out of this MNC game, despite Alabama probably being the best team in the country (again.) There's no way in hell Notre Dame stands a chance against anyone that has a shot at being in the title game. Their undefeated season is a fluke and they'll be destroyed by whatever SEC team wins out.

hart20

November 17th, 2012 at 11:47 PM ^

Purdue, Michigan, Stanford, and Pitt should all be losses for ND, if it weren't for that incredible luck of the Irish who don't realize they go to a French University.

BlockM

November 18th, 2012 at 7:37 AM ^

We *could* have won that game. Part of being better than another team at football is not turning the ball over six times. They played better than we did. They were the better team that night because they put more points on the board.

Muttley

November 18th, 2012 at 12:09 AM ^

1st quarter, out-play ND, get to the ND 10 twice, no points

3rd quarter, out-play ND, time consuming length of field drive falls victim to fumble, no points

4th quarter, trade two length of field drives with ND

2nd quarter, DRob throws three meaningful picks, the whole quarter is  played giving ND short fields, ND wins that qtr 10-0

If DRob doesn't throw those 2nd qtr picks, we're in a game.  If we capitalize on the three trips to the ND 10 in the 1st & 3rd qtrs, we win.  We did outgain ND 299-239.

MGoDC

November 17th, 2012 at 11:52 PM ^

I'm not actually that upset (except for the Michigan game) with Notre Dame's lucky season because they are going to get destroyed in the title game.

What I meant regarding breaks is I've never seen a team that repeatedly "did not control their destiny" by screwing up very late in the season and then somehow getting miracles to happen in front of them to win the title. Oklahoma State losing to Iowa State and Kansas State losing to Baylor both seemed extremely unlikely at the time. These are title contenders losing to .500 teams very late in the year.

M-Wolverine

November 17th, 2012 at 11:49 PM ^

But LSU with two losses backed into one title a few years back with West Virginia losing (and everyone else if they got there with multiple losses).

DK81

November 17th, 2012 at 11:54 PM ^

I'm more mad Oklahoma won. And if today taught you anything wouldn't it be to assume nothing. Alabama still has a rivalry game and a championship game. While Notre Dame still has to go out west.

Dallas Walmart…

November 17th, 2012 at 11:55 PM ^

Ohio got to the championship game in 06, then had a similar thing happen to get back in 07. Only they had like 6 teams ahead of them lose in the last two weeks.  That was pretty lucky too, unless you count the fact they had to play Les Miles' "damn strong" LSU team in the title game.

The Truth Hurts

November 18th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^

The process is sabotaged for the SEC.   How do you explain why there are 6 teams in the top ten with TAMU and USC sitting ahead of FSU and Clemson when the ACC schools have 1 loss and the SEC schools have 2 losses.   I am referring to the ESPN Poll.    It's fixed for the SEC to be there every year.  Bama loses to 15th ranked TAMU and only drops to #4.  But the first game of the season we loses to #1 BAMa and drops 15 spots.  Thats total BS

Dallas Walmart…

November 18th, 2012 at 12:05 AM ^

Bama's loss was close ... and it would seem odd to have dropped Bama below the team they beat on the road the week before (LSU).  So there's that.  

The only way to end the SEC bias is to beat them on the field, especially in the championship game.  Wish someone other than ND was in line to try this year, although what I just watched from Oregon makes me think Bama would have destroyed them.

Magnus

November 18th, 2012 at 7:34 AM ^

You have a point in one respect, but you also don't.

It's pretty commonly understood that an early loss doesn't hurt teams as much as a late one. Michigan (and most/all other Big Ten teams) played their cupcakes early in the year, meaning all their tough games come down the stretch.  If Michigan loses to a traditionally decent Iowa team in the last week or two, that's more present in voters' minds than a loss back in September.

Meanwhile, the SEC teams try to play their tough opponents early and then coast down the stretch, including basically a rest week against FCS teams.  Oh, you got dinged up during the SEC schedule?  Well, that's okay because we're playing Jacksonville State the week prior to the SEC Championship, so go ahead and rest that ankle.

MGoClimb

November 18th, 2012 at 12:17 AM ^

I think that if tonight taught us anything, it's that anything can change any given week in college football.

Alabama may well win again, but to say that now is premature at best.  Play the games.

Oh...and beat Ohio.

michfan6060

November 18th, 2012 at 12:57 AM ^

Bama isn't as good as a lot of people here want you to believe. They didn't play that hard of a schedule and their defense has been struggling. I don't think they will score easily on ND, but on the other hand I doubt ND would score much against Bama. Also even though Georgia isn't great I wouldn't be shocked if they beat Bama.

Ron Utah

November 18th, 2012 at 1:19 AM ^

There is a long way to go...ND has to beat USC, 'Bama has to beat Auburn (obvious) and win the SEC title game against Georgia, Florida has to beat FSU to have a shot...this post is way, way too early.

It's very possible that neither ND nor 'Bama are in the championship game.