Tuberville not losing sleep over ‘Bama’s haul

By Sam Chi  |   Wednesday, February 20, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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Tommy Tuberville owns Alabama. There's little dispute there after Auburn dusted the Tide six straight times.

So just how concerned should he be about 'Bama reeling in the No. 1-ranked recruiting class?

Maybe a little. But not that much.

Sure, the Tide's 2008 recruiting class looks imposing, and is rated the best in the nation by both Rivals and Scout. But upon a closer look, much of Nick Saban's haul has more to do with quantity than quality.

Alabama signed 32 players. When you "over"-sign players, attrition will set in. Chances are that up to half a dozen of this group never makes it to the classrooms in the fall because they'd been dropped or could not quality academically.

And of 'Bama's signees, there are three five-star players; that's just one more than Auburn. The top end of Auburn's class of 28 can hold its own against Saban's recruits.

Where Tuberville might be a bit concerned is that Saban dominated in-state recruiting. This is no surprise -- 'Bama usually gets the best recruits in the state and Auburn goes elsewhere in the Southeast. But it's a bigger deal this year because the state of Alabama produced a bumper crop for 2008, and Alabama got most of the best of them.

More than half (18) of the Tide's signees are from Alabama, compared to just eight for Auburn. What's more, Saban's Alabama guys are studs -- all three five-star players are homegrown -- whereas Auburn's in-state guys are little known players who weren't heavily recruited, with three three-stars and the rest less than that.

Where Tuberville wouldn't be too concerned, however, is his own ability to develop his players. It's no accident that Tuberville owns a 7-2 record against 'Bama, winning the last six overall and four straight in Tuscaloosa. He might not necessarily haul in a top 10 recruiting class all the time, but he finds a way to make Auburn a top 10-caliber team.

For that, Auburn fans should lay off him about the recruiting class. Let's just see about it after the next Iron Bowl.
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