Well, here we are

Another December, another time to sit and consider how thankful we are that none of this stuff really matters, eh? Sigh.

Alabama occasionally overachieved this year. Whatever else is clear, that is. A thriller against Arkansas and a pounding of Tennessee enabled the Crimson Nation to dream of at least the West, and maybe more. And as nuts as the SEC was this year, why not? Seemed as likely as anything else.

Alas, no.

The media has taken all of its expected shots about what is the university getting for its millions, where does Saban get off comparing a game to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, and what have you. It’s predictable, banal, and ultimately of no consequence.

It’s frustrating to be here again, licking the wounds of a .500 season with only the promise of things to come as comfort. On the other hand, it’s heartening to believe it a lot more convincingly this time. Attitude adjustment takes time, as does recruiting damage (on the lines, in particular). And I think we’ve now bled as much as we’re going to bleed. It should be healing from here on out.

At times, it looked as if Alabama might play above its problems consistently enough to have a special 2007. That it didn’t happen doesn’t mean the restoration isn’t ongoing. It’s not ahead of schedule, as it looked for a game or two like it might be, but it is on schedule. Don’t lose sight of that.

See you guys in Shreveport, Nashville, or Memphis. Maybe we’ll get another shot at Oklahoma State and Mike Gundy. He’s a man. He’s 40.

Roll Tide.

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