Last night my wife had a great analogy for how she's still somewhat scared to really believe in this Bama team. For years now we've dominated no one, it seems. We're still used to beating, say, Northwest Memphis Tech, but only by 18-10. Last night Amy commented how Crimson Tide fans still in this phase are the chubby girl who has lost weight but still has the shyness that came with her chubbiness. She doesn't realize yet how good she looks.
Let me take you back eight years. My wife and I are in Cheyenne, Wyo. First game of the year. Third-ranked Alabama is coming off an SEC-Championship and facing UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The opening kickoff goes to the Bruins, who are forced to punt. Freddie Millons, who many of us had already christened the second coming of David Palmer after he waterbugged around Florida in the SEC title game, takes the punt and goes to the house. Amy and I were screaming like prepubescent Jonas Brothers groupies.
That was the highlight of the season. What followed was a 3-8 disaster, ending with five straight losses including Auburn.
We're way past the beginning of the season and a pox on you if you think I'm comparing Nick Saban to Mike Dubose, but let's dial it back a little, however hard that may be. This team's way ahead of schedule. We're playing a lot of guys who are just a few months beyond their proms. The SEC is so tough two losses in it still don't disqualify you a shot at the national title. Enjoy it, but try to keep the even keel we saw in our guys after that punt return closed the gap Saturday night.
