Alabama has been placed on probation again by the NCAA. That news does not seem like anything fresh. Since Antonio Langham signed with an agent in 1993, on the morning after Bama beat the Miami Hurricanes to win the National Championship, run-ins with the NCAA have become as much a part of Alabama football tradition as hounds tooth hats. So, what are the facts regarding the new probation period Bama faces?

· Over 201 athletes from 16 sports were involved. Only athletes from the crew team
avoided participation in the textbook scheme.
· Football victories from 2005, 2006 and 2007 are being vacated.
· Track and tennis will have individual records and victories vacated.
· There are no scholarship losses for any team.
· Alabama will remain on probation through 2012.
· The five year offender status will remain in place until 2014.

Now, what are the real implications of the penalties?

· Bobby Bowden and the Seminole faithful may be facing the biggest reality. The NCAA will
have a hard time letting Florida State keep the 14 vacated wins currently under appeal by
FSU. If he does not get those wins back it will be tough for Bowden to pass Joe Paterno of
Penn State on the all-time coaching win list.
· Alabama needs a new AD. Mal Moore has been the man in charge twice now when
Bama was placed on probation. This time the NCAA was light in many people’s eyes. Over
200 athletes involved in a textbook case? That sounds like a lack of institutional control.
· Ozzie Newsome should be hired to replace Moore. The Tide legend has indicated he would
like to come home at some point. Now is the time.
· It is a good thing Saban is a great recruiter. Do you think Auburn, Tennessee, Florida and
all the other schools beating a path to the nation’s best players will whisper anything about
the five year window and possible “death penalty” into the ears of these impressionable
young people?
· Alabama better stay really, really clean until the window is closed, and pray that none of
the schools boosters decide to “help” out in the recruiting process.

Now, that said, Alabama fans need to look closely and not have expectations that are too high for their team this season. Replacing most of the offensive line, breaking in a new quarterback and still not knowing who will get most of the carries in the ground game, while knowing that almost every pass will go to Julio Jones will be the dominating elements of discussion about Alabama football soon.

Gary Brown
gary@secmatchups.com