I just can't go along with the "we have no chance" arguments. While our defensive woes are real, I still think with Bama, there is a smoke and mirrors effect. Their schedule is ridiculous. That said, they beat everyone the way they should have and we did not. But, I just wonder if anyone else is looking at this as a "sorry Bama, but you haven't seen anyone like this - this year" situation. I do agree the game is close. Bama is a pretty complete team who has not been significantly challenged this season. Regarding Saban be an excellent coach. He is an excellent college coach, who has backed into the NC twice. At times, he DOES lay an egg. I have seen him gaff in clock management on a number of occasions. I have seen him lose to much lesser teams. I have seen him win due to luck and refs. AND last but not least...I have seen him coach what I would call badly on a number of occasions. So, overall, he is a great coach with an unbelievable lucky streak. I know winning is fun for his players. BUUUUUT IMHO, that is about it. I don't think he is a players coach who interacts well unless it is purely agenda-driven for wins. One of the reasons I really don't enjoy watching Alabama play against anyone besides LSU is, I just don't think it looks fun. It's hard to describe in exact terms what I mean by that. They just keep plugging away with talent and good play. Not much is interesting, though. Is that good...probably. Esp. when compared to our own CLM. Just doesn't look like much fun to me.
It may be debatable whether he's "the best" but him being the most successful is hard to dispute. That's a new for me. Me likey.
I don't think Nick being the best coach is debatable right now. People get confused maybe with the term coach as it pertains to CFB. A college coach is the CEO of the program, on charge of recruiting as well as actually coaching the team. No one is on Saban's level at this time in my opinion because he is the best recruiter ever. And a good coach as well. And he is also great at getting all of the ancillary things around the program functioning at top levels, leaving no stone unturned. I believe that several coaches are right below him, nipping at his heals & we will see teams be very competitive in both the SEC and around the country. These top coaches are very competitive and like all coaches mimic others success. But I don't think any coach is going to out recruit Saban right now and that is why he is considered the best "coach".
Correct. I think we need to win the turnover battle by 4 in order to win. +3 and it's a 50/50 proposition. +2 or less, extremely low chance we win.
If you asked 100 knowledgeable college football fans why would Nick Saban be considered the best head coach in the college game, they would say it's because Alabama has won 3 of the last 4 national championships. Nobody would refer to his recruiting. Although I agree, he runs the best recruiting machine in the country right now. As a further counter argument to your premise, Boise State dominated for years (albeit a light schedule) with mediocre recruiting, and even won a couple of BCS bowl games (proving they belonged). Coaching is still coaching. What it's always been and will always be. So one could say, and would be accurate, that Lane Kiffin was a horrible "coach" at USC. Recruited like a big bitch but was inept when it came to coaching.
Fair points cajdav. I am curious why when people use Saban's record as indication of his greatness and ignore the foul ups you point out, many (I don't mean you) flip it with Les. They ignore his record and point out his faults as reason enough to diss him. I believe Les will continue to "nip at Saban's heels" and on many occasions get a big bite out of his ass.