In the excitement generated by a new, name-brand head football coach of the Crimson Tide - one who just happened to have the national title pedigree for which fans were desperate - somewhere around 100,000 fans came to town for last year's A-Day spring football game. After a mediocre 7-6 record in the first year under head coach Nick Saban, that enthusiasm, most thought, could only go down.
And it did go down. But just a little.
With an estimated attendance of 78,000, Alabama's fandom now has both the national record and the second-place medal for attendance at a spring game. Saturday's turnout was a reaffirmation of the fan base's love for the boys in crimson and white, and we couldn't be more pleased.
Though sports pundits across the country may once again scoff at Tide fans, the turnout shows to the nation and to prospective recruits we are still as dedicated as we have ever been and that "the process" is alive and well in its second year.
The game itself, a 24-14 Crimson victory, was pretty good. Quarterback John Parker Wilson showed promise in new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain's passing system, racking up numbers to the tune of 265 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Two quarterbacks on the second string team, Greg McElroy and Thomas Darrah, also had more than 100 yards each. While we shouldn't read too much into an open spring game's statistics or plays, it's still encouraging to see the passing game progressing.
In addition to being a bowtie on spring practice, the spring game is supposed to be a preview of things to come - i.e., how the team will perform in the fall. The season opener against Clemson in Atlanta will determine a great deal. The Tide hasn't started off a season with a major conference opponent since losses to UCLA in two consecutive season openers, so Alabama will have to step up its game if it wants to begin the season with a win. After Clemson comes a few non-conference patsies and then the rigors of the SEC schedule, culminating with a date at Bryant-Denny Stadium against Auburn. The game against Clemson, however, will determine if the Tide can strive for true greatness or just another middling performance.
We don't know how the season will unfold, but we know it has already gotten off to a great start. Following up last year's A-Day turnout with 78,000 in attendance is simply amazing.
Roll Tide.
Our View is the consensus of the CW editorial board.
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