I was thinking about Bama's run (6 titles in 12 years) and I think there are several reasons why they have had such an incredible run. They recruit great, develop talent, have the best coach the sport has ever seen, they've had some luck (but don't think that has much to do with their success...they are proven to be the premiere program in CFB even without it). However, after thinking about where we are as a program, I wonder if the real issue for teams like us, Clemson, Oklahoma, etc. is that within the SEC there is this conference pride (loser's mentality) and Saban just uses it to his advantage.

I guess what I am trying to say is, teams like Clemson and OSU have .500 records against Bama during Bama's 12 season run, but we don't get a crack at Bama very often. The Bama train is only going to continue to run downhill until teams in the SEC go after them rather than be happy to ride their coattails. The whole "conference pride" mentality I think gives Bama a huge advantage because Saban is a master manipulator. I think Tennessee being happy for Bama is a loser's mentality. It is a weakness and Saban, because he is such a great coach, holds that over the rest of the conference. He uses it in recruiting, in politicking for his team, etc. The rest of the SEC is like a wimpy kid who can't fight his own battles so he has his big brother fight them for him. But at home his big brother also beats him up. Is there a lack of competitiveness in the SEC due to the fact that they just want their bell cow to win it? I know this sounds ridiculous, but think about it. So many opt outs by SEC teams in bowl games...that doesn't happen at Bama. It is almost as if the other SEC programs are happy to let Bama win all the time because it makes them feel better about themselves...like getting dumped by a hot girlfriend and you can say "see, I was with her and she's hot." 

Now I'm just rambling...LOL