Alabama fans want to turn the corner after last week’s loss to Vanderbilt, but the defeat will still sting.
The Crimson Tide, now 4-1 on the season, dropped to No. 7 in the latest Associated Press poll.
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A defeat at the hands of Vandy — a school most consider as the grade point average (GPA) program of the Southeastern Conference, is embarrassing but is it the most embarrassing loss in Alabama history?
Honestly, I would say so. Some would have the 2007 loss to Louisiana-Monroe as worst; however, the Tide was under different circumstances then. Nick Saban was trying to build a winning program as a first-year head coach in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama had not won a national championship since 1992 at that point and fans were still living in the shadow of Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.
Kalen DeBoer inherited a team full of talent and a program built on a national championship brand from Saban. The term “Roll Tide” meant something in 2007, but it took on a whole new level when Saban started winning championships.
Losing is never acceptable to an Alabama fan, but there is a difference between getting beat by someone that has the same talent level or better talent than you versus being outplayed by someone with less talent. Saban was trying to build talent in ’07 during the 14-21 loss to UL-Monroe. DeBoer had far more talented roster than the Commodores and got out coached. Last week, Tide fans saw its defensive line get dominated by the ‘Dores. Vandy controlled the line of scrimmage, time of possession, third downs, and the turnover battle. Alabama had no answers for Vanderbilt and that is what made the loss more embarrassing.
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We seldom see the Tide get completely outmatched in a game, yet it happened against Vanderbilt.
Give the Commodores credit. They came to play, they played with effort, they took the game to Alabama, they played with a confidence and swagger, and they believed in what they practiced all week. DeBoer and his staff now have to look in the mirror to see what kind of team they truly have. Alabama is talented, but it is not a national championship team yet.
Vanderbilt showed everyone that anybody in the SEC can be beaten at any moment, including Alabama. This was the most embarrassing loss in Alabama history because of the moment of which it happened, but the Tide can overcome it if chooses to learn from it.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
