All the Bama fans I know say that the curse of Fulmer/ Albert Means is still in effect. They predict utter futility for Vol football for another decade minimum. They also never seem to miss a chance to express their glee at the pain this fanbase has endured over the past decade.
Screw what Bama thinks. Those fools forget the turnstile of coaches during their dark years (their boosters recall, trust me, I know several). The short if it is that they went thru 7 coaches between Bears death and the coming of Saban. Sure, stallings had a flash in the early 90s, which only served as a false sense of being among their elders, just ahead of handing the keys of the kingdom to Dubose, only to be followed by Franchione. The dark years were solidly upon them , when they hired Mike Price, who never coached a down (was hired & fired before season began). Their pain endured thru the Shula/Kines years as well. Dont let them fool you, they have Skeltons and dumb ass hires in their closet, and it began with the pomp and circumstance associated with the hiring of the one and only Ray Perkins, directly following Bears death. I had several buddys playing on that team, and from day one , he was their version of a slick Willy, and the players I knew could not stand the man. It only got worse for them under Curry (all in all they went thru a hell that we are on the brink of, and as it has been mentioned , we should pay attention to their history, as I am sure a guy like Phil is all to aware of , trust me ). Phillip Fulmer hates Bama, in the same manner that Cafego hated Vandy, and thats a very real , almost obsession of hatred (it is what it is, and most all Vols my age know this).
They have their share of rednecks (I lived amongst them in N. AL thru high school), and they also have a very educated faction of their fan base which knows all too well what we are going thru. You have to establish equal football stature with them by pushing back, and reminding them of their past. Any true fan knows that all programs go thru these cycles.
I have been a season ticket holder for several decades, and my father before me (I watched Condredge, Phil, Puki, Watson, Spradlin, Spiva, Reggie, and many other Vol greats as a kid/youth). I am not a Phil homer, but I honestly think my food tastes better tonight. Good times are ahead folks.