Why Alabama Crimson Tide's and SEC's Dominance Isn't Over Yet PLUS Hoops Tonight!

Is the SEC truly in decline, or is it just a temporary setback for the Alabama Crimson Tide? This episode tackles the hot topic of the SEC's standing in college football, exploring the impact of NIL deals and the evolving landscape of college sports. Dive into Alabama's recruiting strategy with insights from Luke Robinson and Jimmy Stein, who discuss the potential shift in scholarship limits and its implications for the Crimson Tide. The conversation also covers Alabama's basketball team, highlighting the impressive performance of LeBaron Phylon and the challenges posed by player injuries. With a focus on key figures like Ryan Grubb and Houston Millette, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the current state of Alabama sports. Tune in for an engaging discussion that promises to challenge your perspectives and provide fresh insights into the world of college athletics.
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[@Neel_44]

Bama has always carried the water for the SEC. SEC goes as Bama goes. We have a down year, so does the SEC.

[@GG-un7hj]

Both Alabama and UGA have carried the SEC recently, and both had off years the last two.

[@Mr.Optimistic911]

Was gonna watch another podcast when I woke up. I just can’t do it. This is always my first watch. This show is like morning coffee. RTR!

[@RobloxFan-si7yd]

Love the pullover, Jimmy. 🔥

[@jimmysexton4201]

Big 10, Big 12, ACC can have 10 years of down seasons but when Bama and the SEC have 1 down season its over?? Theres a reason the SEC motto is IT JUST MEANS MORE!!! Dont get used to it America!!!

[@0ldManBama34]

The big 10, ACC, Big 12, et al have always thought they were the Dudley Doo Rights of College Football. I am not too old to remember when the SEC was considered 2nd tier to those conferences. Then LSU beat OU and Florida boat raced Ohio State for a national championship. Were they all paying NIL below board prior to that?

[@michaelladjevic2172]

Evaluating players is going to be even more critical aspect of recruiting when 105 scholarship players become a reality than it was when the cap was 85.

[@popeyedave8253]

And this staff so far has shown they can evaluate talent at a pretty high level

[@dbeachmawmaw]

I agree with you Jimmy on the money, the NIL & PORTAL both really need to set some guidelines and limits!! It is beginning to get out of hand!! Somebody needs to take control of the situation. ROLL TIDE!! ALWAYS!!

[@Taurus-k2x]

STOP 🛑 COMPLAINING ABOUT NIL. That’s like this woman I went on a date last week. She’s a school counselor and complaining about being broke, cards Maxed etc. I asked her what does she spend her money on. Shopping, Spas, Dinner nightly, Spas, etc. I told her you don’t have money issues, you have discipline issues. Alabama doesn’t have money issues, they are not disciplined in their approach to NIL.

[@user-tl5bk9uv8x]

@@Taurus-k2xpoint went over your head😂

[@paulidson1483]

Jimmy is wrong, the B1G is 5-1 against the SEC not 5-4 Ohio vs Tennessee Big 10 win Ohio vs Texas - Big 10 win Michigan vs Alabama - Big 10 win Illinois vs South Carolina - Big 10 win USC vs Texas A&M - Big 10 win Mizzou vs Iowa - SEC win The above are post season games and do not include USC's win over LSU at the start of the season. This year the B1G or Big 10 is clearly above the SEC. Interesting fact: Notre Dame has a better record against the B1G than the entire SEC does with wins over Indiana, USC and Penn state.

[@riku1neo]

Didn’t Alabama beat Wisconsin earlier this year?

[@daskommandantkrieger2503]

This staff needs to get its collective shit straight before they're worth taking seriously. On the offensive side, what DIDN'T they f___ up?

[@briangwin1251]

I live in BIG country and have been to several games. It's just simply not the same thing as going to an SEC game. That said, I think way too much gets made of the SEC / B1G debate. They're both great leagues, so does it really matter who is THE best? I think there will be years when each conference is a little better.

[@taytayc7722]

Roll tide 🐘

[@RobloxFan-si7yd]

I heard and read that it was 4 million, but that's still ridiculous.

[@darnellrtr252]

At South Carolina might be one of our toughest games

[@jackharrington697]

At Georgia will be tougher

[@darnellrtr252]

@ yeah Luke forgot to list at South Carolina as a tough game.

[@miketraywick9590]

Jimmy, Any possibility of college football adding developmental games like JV football? (As in the days before freshmen eligibility.)

[@darnellrtr252]

The thing about Nick Sheridan is he was the OC at Indiana and underperformed. Now he did the same thing at Alabama last year. Alabama fans want an OC that other schools would want. Nobody in the power 5 wants Sheridan and that says a lot. RTR

[@MyBohemianDreams]

The OC wasn't the problem. When your entire team is built around the QB and the QB has a bad day then you lose.

[@darnellrtr252]

@ tommy Rees won the SEC championship with that QB bro. Tommy Rees offense didn’t look tacky and predictable like Sheridan. Tommy Rees allowed milroe to play to his strengths as a passer. Not having him trying to make full field reads like Sheridan.

[@darnellrtr252]

@ you can’t blame milroe when another OC had milroe finishing 6th in the heisman voting and was an SEC championship. So that means it was the OC. Plus Sheridan failed at Indiana as and OC too.

[@RobloxFan-si7yd]

Roll Tide!

[@SWalker71]

I feel nauseous

[@Bon1849]

Drink a ginger ale and get some fresh air you’ll be alright 👍

[@wadeburns8913]

It's becoming sickening rapidly

[@MyBohemianDreams]

Saban has said that NIL money has given schools the ability to fire players that under perform. You don't pay them and they leave, freeing up a scholarship.

[@HawgWyldFishing]

The world didn’t catch up to the SEC. Nick Saban retired, and Bama didn’t kill everyone or nearly everyone in their path. That what has been the biggest part of the SECs dominance. Outside of that, t he SEC still has the most teams to win a title, in the last 25 years, even just counting the ones outside of Bama

[@ChuckBaker-vt8je]

Yes Neel_44 your right 💯

[@HawgWyldFishing]

16:04 those additional 10-15 players you’re considering to be the 3 stars, will be the equivalent of what used to be your walk on players. Because walk ons no longer exist now, in all reality.

[@popeyedave8253]

As well as this coaching staff evaluates talent I don't mind the 3 stars. I have faith those guys will all be underrated or have a high upside..

[@darnellrtr252]

The SEC has the top HS recruiting classes yes. But the SEC isn’t building depth. majority of the guys end up transferring to another conference after a year.

[@blakeboozer9446]

When rosters increase to 105, does UA have to sign 105? Or can we sign 95 and have more money to pay active players?

[@GG-un7hj]

Regarding Scheduling, yes Penn State is playing a weak OoC (Out of Conference) Schedule next year. Ohio State opens next season hosting Texas. I think we play them in Austin the next year. Give those two programs some credit. I don’t think the loser in that game should be penalized by CFP. It’s good for College Football when the Big Boys play each other.

[@WarNvrChanges]

Oh yeah, there’s going to be tons of Bama haters with their feelings hurt when they realize Alabama is still here. Not only that but Kalen Deboer is about to take college football by storm over the next few years now that he’s getting things in order the way he wants them and most importantly a quarterback that can run his offense.

[@darnellrtr252]

I wanna see every player outside of mark sears play well. To me that’s what’s going to really push bama over the top. If we can win without Sears having a big night. RTR

[@Toasttt2222]

🐘🐘🐘

[@sneakyquick]

I hate what college football is now.

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

It was always framed bogusly. The SEC was never the issue. It’s specific programs trending well. The Big Ten isn’t “dominating” now. tOSU, Mich, & Oregon are hot programs. It’s not complex

[@tremaynedowell1784]

Last 2 years the trench play of the upper echelon big 10 teams has been far and away better than the sec. Not sure if it is just the cyclical nature of the sport or the number of recruits from the south now on those teams or that the fact that most sec teams now play more of a spread type scheme. Might even be guys making business decisions more in game. However, the physicality has not quite been the same in the sec as in past years. That’s clear when you watch the games.

[@jimmiecalvert3572]

With the transfer portal? and the NiL it’s over for the SEC

[@jackharrington697]

RTR Hope bama and the SEC has the top HS recruiting classes yes. But the SEC isn’t building depth. majority of the guys end up transferring to another conference after a year. Also fire Nick Sherridan #RTR

[@Da-Boo33]

Rolltide 🐘

[@michaelmontgomery4324]

Mark Ingram was a three star right?

[@LockedOnBama]

4 star

[@MichaelToole1872]

Josh jacobs was a 3 star

[@1stJohn215]

Guys, luv your show. But what you’re saying is hopium. We have a new starting QB for the 2025 season. We haven’t changed the coaching staff enough to get dramatically differently results. BIG, BIG money is more involved in college sports than ever. I know social media gets paid by clicks, so you guys need to generate interest. Here are my predictions. Alabama will be very low in talent in 2026. Look at the number of seniors starting we have on the 2025 projected starting lineups. I also predict Kalen DeBoer will be in danger of losing his job in 2025. He hasn’t proven he can coach in the SEC, YET! Will he get support from Nick Saban and save his job if we don’t go to the playoffs again? We shall see.

[@bensmith632]

It’s his first season I wish people stop making bullshit predictions like this. You got to give coaches time. He understands what it takes to play in the SEC and he will be better this upcoming season.

[@johnotto4931]

Bama is about to have the best defense in the country IF we are coached well the defense could carry the offense and if our offense can put up points everyone else is toast

[@GG-un7hj]

A few things here from an Ohio State fan who periodically watches your show and enjoys it, and definitely thought highly of Nick Saban, since he coached Browns Secondary 30 years ago until his historic stint at Alabama. 1) Ohio State spent most of its Big NIL money to keep its own players that they had developed. That includes the entire DL (4), CB(1), WR (1), RB(1), RT (1). I will also include a 2nd WR Jeremiah Smith the Freshman recruit. So that’s 9 key returnees all who got 6 or low 7 figures to defer NFL career and improve their draft stock. There are also some lower esteemed players I didn’t include, either Freshman, Sophomore or Juniors, but not guys otherwise headed to NFL. In addition to that, we used small NIL last year to bring in, an at the time raw unheralded Freshman LT from CA, named Josh Simmons. Since that time he has been coached up so well in just 1.5 seasons that he will be first round pick as a true Junior this year, possibly the best LT in the class, in spite of a season ending injury mid-season to Oregon requiring surgery. Finally, Ohio State shelled out 7 figures for Caleb Downs, probably another million for QB Will Howard who gave them a QB with some size and mobility for playing Michigan, and finally another former Tide Center Seth McGlaughlin for 6 figures. And how did it work out? McLaughlin won the Remington Award as Nation’s best Center, Will Howard’s NFL stock has soared too, and Caleb Downs is considered best Safety in College Football, and may be best Defensive Player in 2026 NFL Draft. They were All Developed and Coached Up !!! 2) One thing that made their NIL Success possible was that after being beaten out for 5-star Commits who changed at the last minute from Ohio State to Miami and Oregon, Ohio State led by Ryan Day said they needed to figure this out and Master NIL in 2024. They Did!!! 3. Ohio State NIL players get what they’re Promised and get detailed contracts. Agents love dealing with them. Ohio State can offer less than some other Programs because Miami, Florida State, Texas aTM and many others have promised more NIL money than they delivered. I think Ohio State and Ryan Day are a Great Example of the Right Way to use NIL. Alabama and Georgia would be wise to learn from them.

[@GG-un7hj]

In addition, I forgot to include RB Junkins, but I doubt he was paid 7-figures. Now another (3rd) Bama NIL Transfer was Julian Sayin. However, NIL had very little to do with it. Originally your former OC Bill O’Brien who recruited Sayin became Ohio State’s OC. Sayin made it clear he wanted to play at Ohio State for O’Brien. Two weeks after Sayin transferred O’Brien left Ohio State to take over as HC for Boston College. However, Sayin stayed as Ryan Day and Ohio State were his 2nd choice behind Alabama before Saban retired. Incidentally, Caleb Downs was similar story. We were his 2nd choice behind Saban and Alabama. Once Saban retired Ohio State was in great position to re-recruit Downs, and we did. Supposedly his NIL was low 7-figures, something UGA wouldn’t be able to match. Plus his father didn’t like UGA.

[@darnellrtr252]

It’s the transfer portal not NIL. If the transfer portal had stipulations that kept kids from jumping ship. Saban is probably still coaching at Alabama.

[@Ronniepillsap]

Auburn is going to absolutely destroy us in state again in 26

[@Ghostgray]

Bama got 3.... five stars. Auburn got 1. Bama ended #2 or #3 in the Nation. Auburn finished #6. But you would rather judge recruiting by in State only?

[@donjon1179]

Ok and?

[@Ronniepillsap]

@@Ghostgray in state matters and for those that think it doesn’t are in for a rude awakening. Back to my post about the 26 class though, most of the top 10 players are also ranked nationally so why are we getting dominated in state again?

[@bensmith632]

@@RonniepillsapHe’ll get better in state, gotta build relationships

[@Ronniepillsap]

@ Hugh didn’t have relationships in Alabama

[@Tony_Calvert]

I like Nick Sheridan think he deserves to stay

[@datdude_mp123]

Cause Bama never paid for players, it was just everyone else 😂

[@jamesniday9236]

Alabama will be elite again. But we need MAJOR improvements in the following position rooms: *QB-Russell's arm talent is off the charts..And I am VERY high on Austin Mack...I have to believe we will NEVER witness at a place like Alabama what we saw the last 2 seasons at this position in about 8-10 VERY destructive ways.... *RB-Getting Washington in the short-term helps. But we need Dear to be legit(And maybe Riley) and the guys we recruit at that position the next couple of years....Miller and Young are Just average guys..Lack juice,among other things..Especially Young... *TE-Man i hope Glasses and Pritchett become as good as I believe they can be... *OL-Have to find out quickly what Big Mike,Lloyd,and DeBose are all about..... *WR-We still have MAJOR questions to be answered in this room. I do believe that the QB we played the last 2 seasons didnt bring out ANYTHING from any of them...Horton will help next year. But we need BIG-Time talents for Russell to throw the ball around to....And man can he throw it and maneuver back there... *Interior D-Line-I am one who believes.that James Smith is/will be one of the biggest disruptors in the Country. And he can play different techniques. But we need some guys who create new Lines of Scrimmage,who can also get off blocks and stuff people's ass... *Where/Who are our next Big-Time Pass rushers?....Pierre?..Hill?....I got news for you. It aint Latham.....We need 20 sacks,multiple hurries,hits,and deflections from the Bandit and Wolf..And it was NOT there last season,although LTO was adequate and maybe Collins wont be Fool's Gold... *I believe Metz,A Sanders,and Duke are going to be football players..... *The Backend needs to just keep adding...Lee could be ELITE,and McDonald also....ZBrown and Mincey with MORE years is very exciting...