One problem I had with the expectations of some fans in 2008 that we could just replace Fulmer and suddenly go 10-2 or 11-1 was that our situation was different than Florida when Meyer took over or bammer when Satan took over. We simply did not have the stockpile of talent that those two had (particularly Florida, but Shula was not known as a bad recruiter at all). That makes things much tougher. And further, we don't have the natural recruiting advantage of either school (again Florida has it best, but the state of Alabama is also loaded with talent year in and year out). Those two factors tempered my expectations for any coach. I thought we were more likely to go the way of Michigan or Nebraska than UF or bammer with a new coach. My worst fears were realized, BUT Kiffin made the problem much worse. We would probably be much better right now if Dooley or someone other than Lane got the job in 2009. Having said that, I don't think we are as far off as some of you. The pendulum may seem to swing slowly, but it swings. In spite of the loss, I thought this game was head and shoulders above our effort against a (probably worse) UF squad last year. I see major progress and plenty of hope for the future while acknowledging we still have our work cut out.
But that's the challenge before these players now. The next 6 weeks are a critical time in our program. They can face the challenge and excel or give up. I am betting on the former (the excelling part
).