It is ironic that
@Swamp Donkey mentions 2009 Alabama, because I think the hope we all have after watching Saturday is that we are where Alabama was in 2008 in taking the then top juggernaut down to the wire and will be moving toward Alabama 2009 levels. So, the analogy is apt.
The obvious major discrepancies that make even those of us that are more positive today than last Friday feel less excited than when Meyer was starting to turn the ship are: (1) that was year 2 for Saban vs 4 for Mullen; (2) Saban had already won one at LSU and built one for Miley; (3) Mullen has not won a championship during all his years as the Donk keeps reminding us; (4) we all fear Mullen will keep the best athlete for either team 3 days ago off the field the rest of teh season; and (5) most importantly, Alabama followed that 2008 year in Saban's first ever full cycle class with the #1 recruiting Rivals class, whereas we sit at 23 and are behind a dumpster fire fuschs$u.
In the meantime, it is hard to deny that everyone can be more hopeful Saturday at 7 pm than they were as close as Saturday at 4:45 pm.
Edit - While typing this the Donk even acknowledged: "The truth is I feel better about this team than I did at half time".