You’ve got to respect the serious cognitive dissonance of an ESPN piece that lays out the proposition that Alabama is the SEC team with the most to prove right next to a chart showing six ‘Bama players on their preseason All-SEC team. (No other school has more than two.)
One can only hope Nick’s up to the challenge.
Get The Picture 
Seems the little prick always is up to the challenge.
LikeLike
‘Yes, the preseason No. 1-ranked team can also be the team with the most to prove.’
Well, Nick does have “5-star heart” Lyle on his active payroll now. There’s that. Now it make sense.
LikeLike
6 top DBs graduated or early departed.
That’s a crater. Even at Bama. But the schedule (and rest of the roster) gives him a lot of time to figure it out
LikeLike
Pressure’s on Bama? Sounds like a Gamecock cannon shot.
LikeLike
I completely agree with ESPN other than the fact that there has never been a college football team with LESS to prove than this Bama one.
LikeLike
Not that outlandish to me, they are virtually a unanimous choice was winning a MNC again, and expected to win every game. Having no margin for error, almost anytime you face that challenge, in any walk of life, is pretty high pressure. Now, if Bama goes 14-1, or even a mediocre 11-2, he isn’t going to lose him job, or face any punishment, so it isn’t high level, do-or-die type pressure.
Bama isn’t a clear case of a slam-dunk winner of the “team with most to prove” title, but lot of pressure with all the eyeballs on them every game. And dare I say, they will get everyone’s best shot.
LikeLike
I think Saban is the only person that can bring pressure on Saban. To paraphrase General Maddog, I am not pressured I cause everybody else pressure. Considering the number of coaching careers in the SEC he has ended I say that was a correct statement.
LikeLike
The only team to play for the national title (TWICE!) without winning the division, let alone league, has a HUGE margin for error. At least, larger than literally anyone else.
Maybe if Bama lost TWO games and didn’t win the SEC, they might not get in. Who thinks that wouldn’t be in the conversation?
LikeLike
Ohio State lost 2 games and was still in the conversation
LikeLike