Tide Pride

A nation gathered as one today, that is the Crimson nation, to watch the most anticipated matchup of the season, and arguably the biggest game to ever be played in the Georgia Dome. By the time I sadly got into my car to go to work smack dab in the middle of the first quarter, it was clear that if Florida wanted to beat us, they were going to have to earn it. No more of their juggernaut offensive football would work. They would have to fight off the most potent defense in the country, and for most of the game, they were unable to do so. Bama once again reminded anybody who had forgotten, just who we were and how we got here, Blood, Sweat and Tears, that's how, and we weren't going down without a fight, not on your life baby!

I am saying all this to remind everyone, especially the tide nation, and even myself of something that speaks very loudly to who the Tide is and what we are all about. Lets not forget that at this time last year we were hanging by the skin of our teeth just to come away with a winning record, A win in the Independence Bowl would be just enough to bump us over .500. Everybody knew that Florida would contend this year. Everybody knew that they could do it, win 11 or 12 games and go to the SEC championship. But let me remind you what else everybody KNEW about this season...

- Everybody KNEW that Georgia would be a great team and probably play in the national championship;
- Everybody KNEW that USC would go to the national championship;
- Everybody KNEW that Philip Fulmer was the head coach of Tennessee, Tommy Tubberville was the head coach of Auburn and Sylvester Croome was the head coach of Miss St.;
- Everybody KNEW that Clemson would win the ACC; AND
- Everybody KNEW that Alabama would only be improved from last year, and probably at best, make a 9-3 run for it

Imagine what else we'll know at the beginning of next season.

I say all this to bring me back the pride of the Tide. In a world where everybody knew Bama would be 'building' and was still a year away, we taught them a valuable lesson. Our building year can beat your polished, glamorous year.

And, throughout all of this, the Tide players and coaches handled the success with class, never taunting their opponent or their fans, never bragging, but instead briefly celebrating with grace and then without skipping a beat, turning their focus to the next game. They did all this, going 12-0 that is with little respect, being told they CAN'T do it by many anxiously awaited the moment the Tide would fall, the week they would lose and prove their 'weaknesses' true to their critics. But, that didn't happen. Week in and week out they improved, as individuals and as a team. Week in and week out they ignored the naysayers proving themselves where it counts, on the turf, only to quiet the criticism. But never once did the players or head coach Nick Saban mention the pessimism of their peers. In fact, the Tide, recognized the volatility of college football, recognizing that sleeping on their opponent, any opponent, would only turn into a nightmare. They played each and every opponent as tough as the one before. They did it with only 9 starting seniors, the fewest in the SEC.

When all is said and done, the Tide held the Gators to 31, impressive considering they had scored almost 50 points a game, outscoring opponents by 40 or more points on six occasions. Furthermore, the Tide led the game for nearly a quarter and gave Florida just about all they could handle.

But Florida took control of the fourth quarter, but the Tide walked away without looking ridiculous, looking like a team that deserved to be there, a team that could come out alive after Florida. That's more than most of Florida's opponents could say (LSU, Kentucky, UGA, South Carolina)!!

The Tide has shown resilience -- shown that we are somebody, and we aren't going to be left in your dust.

Oh, and next year, we'll be back and the 'early warning' we unleashed against Clemson in week one, is only the beginning. We will only get better, and you see what Saban can do with top recruits -- boys to men baby!

Despite this SEC championship loss, life is still sweet for the Tide, because we're going to the Sugar Bowl.

They are the Crimson Tide, and we are just getting started .... You want some, come and get it! See you next year, and if you think you saw us this year, you ain't seen nothing yet.