Nick Saban (ex-HC Alabama Crimson Tide)

[matcar]

I don't know. He tried pretty hard to get one guy that likes to choke girls... don't think checkers was involved though.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...g-domestic-violence-charge-enrolls-at-alabama



The problem I see with Saban is that the game is changing, and he's not able to change himself - nor is the staff he's hired capable. Defense still wins championships, but rule changes and offensive evolution have killed the dominant kind of Ds we grew used to in the 2000s. Ohio State's included.
Meanwhile Meyer is at the cutting edge of these changes. I don't like that Herman went and gave them a debriefing and how-to, but I'm skeptical how much Saban and Kiffin can really use it. Kirby is his best assistant coach, but he lords over a unit that's schematically on the decline and he'll eventually move on.

Finally, Saban has always relied on a talent advantage. He was mediocre at MSU. Somehow he lucked into that LSU job -- a destination with similar benefits to Ohio State (only athletic power in a recruit-rich State). He built a great team there with all the rich talent. Then blew chunks so bad in the NFL (where talent has some parity) that he bolted right back to Alabama and has leaned heavily on the recruit train ever since -- promising players he can get them to the NFL.
When that dries up, it'll all come crashing down. Cracks are showing... can he paint over them this year?

Seems kinda harsh to think cracks are showing. Objectively speaking the guy coached a team that was in the National Playoff last year and presumably had the second best team in the nation. All the while still bringing in top talent. He isn't perfect - but then none are. I hope our chinks in the armor look as good as Top 2-4 in the country.

 

[jwinslow]

Seems kinda harsh to think cracks are showing. Objectively speaking the guy coached a team that was in the National Playoff last year and presumably had the second best team in the nation.

The NC game is a participation award for SEC teams, even third place ones.

All the while still bringing in top talent. He isn't perfect - but then none are. I hope our chinks in the armor look as good as Top 2-4 in the country.

He is perfect. The excuses that aren't excuses (except for that one way, and the other) are always there to protect him after a loss.

Maybe after a half decade of chinks in the Kirby Smart armor, someone will notice them and stop blaming the offense. Kiffin made mistakes but his unit performed a lot better than the Tahd D.

 

[matcar]

The NC game is a participation award for SEC teams, even third place ones.He is perfect. The excuses that aren't excuses (except for that one way, and the other) are always there to protect him after a loss.

Maybe after a half decade of chinks in the Kirby Smart armor, someone will notice them and stop blaming the offense. Kiffin made mistakes but his unit performed a lot better than the Tahd D.

Yes I'd agree that the offense did actually perform well, although I felt they shot themselves in the foot by not continuing to use Henry more. Felt their staff/Kiffin left what was working. But acknowledging all of that, Alabama still was within earshot of the best team in the country at game's end-pretty damn good team. To suggest anything less actually cheapens what the Bucks did last year.

 

[alexhortdog95]

Yes I'd agree that the offense did actually perform well, although I felt they shot themselves in the foot by not continuing to use Henry more.

Understatement.

Seven. Yards. A Carry.

How does he NOT get 20 carries in the game? He got Kiffen-ed.

But who cares, anyways? They had an O Henry Bar, you guys had a 12 Gauge. They weren't winning that one.

 

[jwinslow]

Understatement.

Seven. Yards. A Carry.

How does he NOT get 20 carries in the game? He got Kiffen-ed.

But who cares, anyways? They had an O Henry Bar, you guys had a 12 Gauge. They weren't winning that one.

Kiffin certainly did help stop Derrick but his average was still miles away from Elliott's absurd YPC totals. Kiffin deserves much scorn but half as much as the overmatched Bama defense that took the field for most of the contest.

 

[matcar]

Kiffin certainly did help stop Derrick but his average was still miles away from Elliott's absurd YPC totals. Kiffin deserves much scorn but half as much as the overmatched Bama defense that took the field for most of the contest.

Maybe the Alabama D wouldn't have been on the field as much if they'd have stuck with Henry. Screw you for making me "defend" them Jwins :). My only point is that they have been a really good team and were really good last year and within a TD of the best team in the country at the end. There's only one game more you can actually achieve.

 

[jwinslow]

Maybe the Alabama D wouldn't have been on the field as much if they'd have stuck with Henry.

And if Cardale weren't struggling on early downs, they would have been motorboated by Elliott early and often, like they were right from the start. DePriest got owned by about seventy offensive players that day.

Screw you for making me "defend" them Jwins :).

Embrace the hatred and mockery. It's enjoyable

My only point is that they have been a really good team and were really good last year and within a TD of the best team in the country at the end. There's only one game more you can actually achieve.

I hear you but that's not good enough for them. If it's not up to their standards, I'm not going to provide the asterisks.

 

[matcar]

And if Cardale weren't struggling on early downs, they would have been motorboated by Elliott early and often, like they were right from the start. DePriest got owned by about seventy offensive players that day. Embrace the hatred and mockery. It's enjoyableI hear you but that's not good enough for them. If it's not up to their standards, I'm not going to provide the asterisks.

Other than the insane out of touch fans, I'm guessing that his approach IS good enough for them. In the same way that Tress was plenty good enough for most Buckeye fans until the end. I get that there are plenty of insane Bama fans-but then this is college football- that's par for the course. And they still are a small minority.

 

[alexhortdog95]

Kiffin certainly did help stop Derrick but his average was still miles away from Elliott's absurd YPC totals. Kiffin deserves much scorn but half as much as the overmatched Bama defense that took the field for most of the contest.

If you take the one 85 yarder away from Eze - he's got 145 yards and is averaging 7.6 yards a carry on 19 carries. Obviously not pedestrian numbers. Would have been one hell of a showdown between two very talented backs.

Cept Kiffen-ed.

It was an entertaining game either way, but there's more reasons why this:

https://vine.co/v/Owl265rF7nv

Other than Kiffen-ed.

 

[alexhortdog95]

Was looking at the abysmal 2 for 13 on third downs that Bammer had that night...

It's not like they were in 3rd and FOREVER all night long. They had four 3rd and longs. That's it.

3rd and 3 at ALA 32 Blake Sims pass incomplete to Amari Cooper
3rd and 5 at ALA 17 Blake Sims pass incomplete
3rd and 2 at OSU 45 T.J. Yeldon run for 9 yds to the OhSt 36 for a 1ST down
3rd and 3 at ALA 46 T.J. Yeldon run for 1 yd to the Alab 47
3rd and 1 at OSU 6 T.J. Yeldon run for no gain to the OhSt 6
3rd and 2 at ALA 18 Blake Sims pass incomplete to DeAndrew White
3rd and 8 at ALA 39 Blake Sims sacked by Michael Bennett for a loss of 9 yards to the Alab 30
3rd and 7 at ALA 36 Steve Miller 41 Yd Interception Return (Sean Nuernberger Kick)
3rd and 12 at ALA 45 Blake Sims pass complete to Derrick Henry for 2 yds to the Alab 47
3rd and 6 at OSU 40 Blake Sims run for a loss of 3 yards to the OhSt 43
3rd and 10 at OSU 14 Blake Sims pass complete to Chris Black for 8 yds to the OhSt 6
3rd and 2 at OSU 42 Blake Sims pass intercepted Tyvis Powell return for 29 yds to the OhSt 29

Funny thing is - they only converted ONE third down running the ball. ONE.

7.3 yards a carry.

Kiffen-ed....I'm just sayin, LOL

 

[jwinslow]

There are five short yardage situations there (Powell's hail mary INT doesn't count)

1 - Incompletion to Cooper. He hit him but great coverage
2 - 3rd & 2, converted by Yeldon
3 - 3rd & 3, Yeldon failed, only gained 1
4 - 3rd & 1 - No gain
(there's a 4th down right after this that works)
5 - 3rd & 2 - I believe this was a flat out drop by White

So they ran it 3 out of 5 times, only succeeding once.


As I have said many times, Kiffin deserves some scorn but he was not anywhere near the biggest problem.

1) Entitled ignorance
2) Severe allergy to mobile QBs, even guys like Cardale that dig holes on early downs with their limited running skillset.
3) Trey DePriest
4) Blake Sims
5) Bama secondary
6) Landon Collins' stolen manhood
7) Kiffin's playcalling

 

[Jaxbuck]

6) Landon Collins' stolen manhood

Cardale Jones said give it here and don't say nothin'

 

[Dryden]

 

[Saw31]

Landon Collins had a little trouble stopping that QB up the middle play. I mean, he's a safety and he couldn't even stop our little ol' QB from getting those couple extra yards...

 

[Dryden]

As great as beating Alabama and Oregon were, the detonation of Wisconsin will never lose its replay value because of Gus.

12 Gauge, Baby!!!