As I sit here writing to all of you, I just can’t shake the thoughts of today’s game from my head. I’m drained. Physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. It is extremely hard to get motivated to do anything tonight. As I sit here, I ponder the what ifs, the how’s, and the whys. I replay play after play in my head wondering if Alabama was even there today. I know one team was and it was the Tide. I’m frustrated. I’m confused. I’m defeated at this moment, but I will bounce back.
So what went wrong? I guess the logical and simplest answer would be, well, everything. But it’s more than just execution. It’s more than just X’s and O’s. It’s more than preparation, or lack there of. It’s about pride. It’s about heart. It’s about determination. It’s about fight. It’s about something I didn’t see at all on Saturday. Even the fans disappointed me. I couldn’t believe the amount of empty seats. The student section was bare. The upper-decks were bare. And the high roller sections were bare. To be honest, it was embarrassing. I’ve had my struggles over the years with being a Bama fan, but today might have topped them all. It’s hard to believe that that was the same team that I boasted about a few weeks ago after a heart-breaking loss to LSU. But you know what? The sun will come up tomorrow. We will move on. There is no time to sulk in self-pity.
I realize that Alabama will be the laughing stalk of college football for this week, but I can handle it. Heck, I’ve been taking it for the past 7 years. What’s new? And each time I take my verbal abuse and turn the other cheek. This time will be no exception. Even though we did lose to Louisiana-Monroe, at home, on senior day, I’ll be there backing my team. No one can kill my will, or my pride, or my passion for Alabama. I will be there this Saturday for our beating down on the plains with my $250 ticket. No, that’s not a typo. $250 for my Iron Bowl ticket. Do I care? Not at all. I’m ready. If we played at 4 am in negative 30 degree weather and snow, I would be there supporting the Tide. It’s times like these you learn to live again. It’s times like these you give and give again (Thank you Foo Fighters for the lyrics). It’s times like these, the roughest of times, that you show your support the most. Hold your head up high. Pick up the weak that are around you and carry them. I’m behind my team 110% everyday, and today is no different. I don’t care who is out there on that field. I love and support each and every one of them.
But as the title says, it hurts. It’s a blow below the belt. It’s lost respect, although we didn’t have much to begin with. Once again, though, I will manage. We as Bama fans will manage. We will bounce back. Maybe not this year, but it’s coming. It’s a matter of time. I know it may seem like that’s said all the time, and it probably is. But I’m a realist. I can see the problems and I can see that they will work themselves out. Some would argue that they have waited long enough. Fair enough, but as the old saying goes, patience is a virtue. We have shown signs of life. We have destroyed one of our rivals this year. We have competed with the best, and we will continue to compete with the best. No matter what anyone says to me, I’m excited, and nothing can change that.
When I finally put my head on my pillow tonight, I will be just fine. I’m not going to lose any sleep. I’m not going to break down like so many others do. Tomorrow, I will be saying ”Roll Tide!” I will hold my head high. I will wear my Alabama hat and fly my Bama flags. I just ask my fellow Bama fans to do the same. Don’t give up on Alabama now, these are the moments when our players and coaches need us the most.
The Capstone King
.png)
I cannot wait to see Saban continue to recruit, which is really the strength of his coaching ability. I just hope he can figure out how to get this offense to execute. He can talk all he wants, but we definitely have a problem here. Too much passing talent to turn the ball over this much this late in the season.
TideDruid, it seems to me that Wilson is just being asked to do more than he’s capable of this year. Last year everyone thinks of him being fairly good, but he didn’t have to throw as much or make many defensive reads, and he almost always had a fullback in (one of which is in the NFL right now) for added protection. It’s a new offense that is going to be really effective when we get some support on the line and a QB who does a better job with his line reads.
Capstone, thanks for posting this. I wanted to, put I thought first we needed a place where UT fans could comment where they use “class” in the same way they use “literally.”
Thanks for posting this, Capstone.
It’s great to know that great, all-powerful, tradition-laden teams who lose to an All-Girls school hurts, too.
Thank you again. You guys with your “UA still beat UT” finger-pointing has made my reactions easy. I struggled all night with whether I was going to be a jerk or not. You guys are making it easy.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Ghost. You weren’t struggling all night with whether or not to be a jerk. You were wanting an excuse to be a jerk, and you were anxiously waiting all night for someone to give you a reason.
As for what went wrong, despite the amoeba-like UT reaction that will come from me saying this, the problem is with Shula’s players. You know why I know that? Because Shula’s players are saying it. Here’s a quote from Simeon Castille: “This is definitely not the way I pictured (the game) would go,” he said. “A team like that, they start believing they can win, they get some momentum and they start making some plays. I kept thinking we were going to stop them. … I think what this team needs is for our players to step up and start leading and not our coaches. We don’t need to look to the coaches to be the leaders. I think we need more guys stepping up and playing.”
You can be a jerk or say whatever you wish to me, but as my post clearly states, it will not bother me. I can take it. I will take it. I’m used to it. By the way, I will be in your office tomorrow where a severe beating will take place. Get prepared biggin, you’ll need all the help you can get. Just kidding of course, but I plan on stopping by tomorrow.
I know I’m setting myself up for a verbal beating by all the boogs and you Ghost, but it’s all in fun. I’ll manage.
I fully planned on being a jerk about this at the first sign of sour Bama grapes. My email to you guys last night said as much. I was going to stay shut if the board did. I’ve been a jerk, admittedly. I’m over it now. I’m a WHOLE LOT more worried about beating Kentucky than talking crap to you guys all week.
We’ve got to stay in the picture. With my newest post, I’ve moved on from this. Alabama-ULM is dead to me. Seriously.
It was an embarrassing loss, but nothing, NOTHING surprises me this year. Come on. Like I’ve been preaching ad nauseum, it’s that kind of year.
I’m having fun, Capstone. I’m glad you have thick skin. I wish mine was thicker. I took my punishment after the UA-UT game, and believe it or not, you were the first person I thought of yesterday because I knew you were there and I knew you were sick.
If it wasn’t for the belligerent masses of Bama fans, I actually DO feel sorry for individual Bama fans. Just not Crimson Daddy and Boomtown. LOL
I’m really glad you’re coming by tomorrow, CK. It’ll be very good to see you again.
You’d better bring an army.