History does not back that up. One big thing, they have not played two road games in a row very many times since Saban became dominant.
Here's some of how they followed up losses:
2010: Road loss to South Carolina, mediocre performance at home vs. a bad Ole Miss
2011: Loss to LSU at home, didn't play well in Starkville the next week vs. 6-6 MSU
2012: Nothing to really compare, had a patsy after A&M loss
2013: Follow up Kick Six loss with a loss to Oklahoma in bowl
2014: Road loss to Ole Miss with a one point win over a mediocre Arkansas team on the road
2015: Nothing to compare, patsy after Ole Miss loss
2016: Dominant all year
2017: Follow up Auburn loss with natty, but let's be real, they go rejuvenated by their surprise entrance in the playoffs
2018: Dominant all year
2019: Follow up their LSU with a fairly lackluster game in Starkville vs. a team that is falling apart
2020: Overpowering all year
2021: We'll see, but haven't played well on the road, so what evidence is there that they'll play BETTER when playing 2 in a row?
So outside the years where they were just plumb better than everyone, the evidence points toward them being flat yet again. I don't know that they've ever truly been 'up' when playing in Starkville, as the margin of error is determined largely on how good we play. 2014 is the year I am looking at, as that's the last time Bama has been vulnerable (and of course no one took advantage). Very similar team as this year, defense is wobbly, QB isn't super great, and their offense is largely the tailback. And if nothing else they probably had better talent back then (Henry, Cooper).
Not to mention Saban is looking old and beat down lately. He might be becoming human again.
Here's some of how they followed up losses:
2010: Road loss to South Carolina, mediocre performance at home vs. a bad Ole Miss
2011: Loss to LSU at home, didn't play well in Starkville the next week vs. 6-6 MSU
2012: Nothing to really compare, had a patsy after A&M loss
2013: Follow up Kick Six loss with a loss to Oklahoma in bowl
2014: Road loss to Ole Miss with a one point win over a mediocre Arkansas team on the road
2015: Nothing to compare, patsy after Ole Miss loss
2016: Dominant all year
2017: Follow up Auburn loss with natty, but let's be real, they go rejuvenated by their surprise entrance in the playoffs
2018: Dominant all year
2019: Follow up their LSU with a fairly lackluster game in Starkville vs. a team that is falling apart
2020: Overpowering all year
2021: We'll see, but haven't played well on the road, so what evidence is there that they'll play BETTER when playing 2 in a row?
So outside the years where they were just plumb better than everyone, the evidence points toward them being flat yet again. I don't know that they've ever truly been 'up' when playing in Starkville, as the margin of error is determined largely on how good we play. 2014 is the year I am looking at, as that's the last time Bama has been vulnerable (and of course no one took advantage). Very similar team as this year, defense is wobbly, QB isn't super great, and their offense is largely the tailback. And if nothing else they probably had better talent back then (Henry, Cooper).
Not to mention Saban is looking old and beat down lately. He might be becoming human again.
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