All Things Alabama

Bishop2b5

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NorthDakota

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I'm not sure it would go against his self interest, though he's adapted to modern football as needed even when he doesn't like it. Would need to see more of what he's thinking I suppose.

Regardless, he's getting old, he's 71 now. He could retire at any time and I dont think anyone would honestly be shocked. So even if not in his best interest, he's probably only gonna be around a few more years?
 

Crazy Balki

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Saban knows what he's doing.

He's going to ridicule the practice, but he'll embrace whatever he needs to do to win.

He has to, because that's what will keep his legacy secure.
 

Irish#1

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Saban knows what he's doing.

He's going to ridicule the practice, but he'll embrace whatever he needs to do to win.

He has to, because that's what will keep his legacy secure.
And why not? As respected as Saban is, if he refused to go the NIL rout or any of these other changes, no one else is going to say, "Hey Nick stopped, we need to stop". Everyone else will continue on their merry way.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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He ranted about the spread offense back in 2012. Then he went out, installed it at Alabama and kept on keeping on.

This felt like a signal to his people that he needs more resources.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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He's been pretty consistent over the years about wanting what's good for CFB. He'll take advantage of any legal means he can to win, but seems to genuinely want what's best for the sport itself over his own benefit.
I have nothing against Saban, but he's like every human being walking the Earth. He wants what is best for him.

He REALLY doesn't like the 9 game conference schedule and would much rather have 8, and I totally understand that aspect of it because his OOC slate this year is Middle Tennessee, Texas, South Florida and Chattanooga. An extra SEC game takes one of those games away.
 

Bishop2b5

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I think Saban is confident enough that he can win on a level playing field, and wise enough to know that a wildly unlevel playing field will destroy the sport he loves.
I think that's it, exactly. Programs using NIL to recruit is against the rules, but widely done. It's not good for the game, though, and that's what he's against.
 

Bishop2b5

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I have nothing against Saban, but he's like every human being walking the Earth. He wants what is best for him.

He REALLY doesn't like the 9 game conference schedule and would much rather have 8, and I totally understand that aspect of it because his OOC slate this year is Middle Tennessee, Texas, South Florida and Chattanooga. An extra SEC game takes one of those games away.
Not sure where you get that. Saban's been a HUGE proponent of the SEC going to a 9-game conference schedule. He's been very vocal for years about how no player should spend three or four years in the SEC and not face every other conference opponent at least once.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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Not sure where you get that. Saban's been a HUGE proponent of the SEC going to a 9-game conference schedule. He's been very vocal for years about how no player should spend three or four years in the SEC and not face every other conference opponent at least once.
He thinks the SEC should play only Power 5 teams. Scheduling 9 instead of 8 SEC games means he loses one game against a P5 opponent from outside of the SEC. He was quoted.

Alabama’s Nick Saban, owner of six national championship rings, pointed to another concern: Alabama already has scheduled multiple non-conference games against power conference teams.

“If we go to nine games, we’ll have to unwind that,” Saban said. “My deal has always been to play more SEC games because we couldn’t get more people to schedule. So now I think there are more people who are willing to schedule. So having a balance is probably most important.”

Still, that appears more a logistical than philosophical concern. Saban reiterated that he prefers SEC teams only play other power conference schools. No FCS schools, no Group of 5 schools.

“I’ve said this for years,” Saban said. “However we get to that, I think that’s the best thing.”
I see his point in a few different respects. Familiarity isn't necessarily a good thing.

Be this as it may, they still have Eastern Illinois scheduled in 2025 and UT Martin scheduled in 2028, so their administration maybe still isn't getting Nick's message. From 2029-2034, however, they currently have nothing but P5 teams scheduled out of conference. I really think it would show some balls skipping the FCS November home game and taking a November trip up to Minnesota or Iowa.

I thought I read at one point that Saban doesn't like having to permanently play Tennessee, Auburn and LSU should the 9 game SEC schedule be confirmed.

Coming from a football perspective, you have to like having those September Hostess games to sort out whatever you need to that you can't get done in August preseason. It's kind of a be careful what you wish for scenario.
 

ulukinatme

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It’s gonna be Buchner and I’m fascinated 🍿
We're living in some kind of upside down timeline where a Notre Dame recruit that can't see the field could start for Alabama.

rod-serling-welcome-to-the-twilight-zone.gif
 

OKCDomer23

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This year's game vs. LSU will be interesting...many ND ties with both teams.
Yes it will be. I've seen LSU top 5 in some preseason forecasts. Daniels is the real deal at qb and Kelly brought in a lot of transfers. Think this could be a down year for Bama per their typical standards.
 

Crazy Balki

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Yes it will be. I've seen LSU top 5 in some preseason forecasts. Daniels is the real deal at qb and Kelly brought in a lot of transfers. Think this could be a down year for Bama per their typical standards.
I'm hesitant to buy into the "down year" narrative.

Every time Alabama has a down year by their Saban standards, they follow it up with a great one.

2010: They go 10-3, 2011: they follow it up with 1 of 2 back-to-back national titles.
2014: Missed the NCG for the 2nd year in a row. 2015: Won it all.
2019: Went 11-2, lost to Auburn. 2020: Won the chip.
 

Irishbounty28

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I’m sure it has been talked about to the point of exhaustion, but recruiting is entirely too lopsided. How the heck does Alabama sign 12 five star players in one class?

I mean kudos to them for getting it done, but the disparity between the top 2-3 recruiting teams and everyone else likely means more of the same.
 

NDRock

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I’m sure it has been talked about to the point of exhaustion, but recruiting is entirely too lopsided. How the heck does Alabama sign 12 five star players in one class?

I mean kudos to them for getting it done, but the disparity between the top 2-3 recruiting teams and everyone else likely means more of the same.
I wonder if we signed 12 total in Kelly’s time here.
 

irish4ever

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Hmmmm ;) .... Report: There's Growing Separation In Alabama's Quarterback Competition

"
Alabama's quarterback competition might have a favorite heading into the summer.

Recent reports out of Tuscaloosa have said that Jalen Milroe has started to separate himself from the rest of the pack and ESPN's Paul Finebaum isn't surprised.

However, he is a bit surprised that former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner transferred to the school."
 

Bishop2b5

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Funny moment from Saban on Gameday this morning. DeBoer is on, sitting next to Saban, and they ask him what it was like that first day replacing Saban and meeting the players. He talks a bit about it, the players having questions, everyone just trying to figure each other out, and etc. Saban then says, "The real advantage that you had was they were all just really tired of my ass!" LOL
 

Bishop2b5

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This was posted by ESPN Gameday on Saturday. It's about Bama DB and team captain Malachi Moore and his friendship with a little girl with some major health issues who was one of his mom's students. Spoiler alert... some of you will need a tissue before you finish.

 

ulukinatme

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This was posted by ESPN Gameday on Saturday. It's about Bama DB and team captain Malachi Moore and his friendship with a little girl with some major health issues who was one of his mom's students. Spoiler alert... some of you will need a tissue before you finish.


sad-disbelief.gif


Damn...yeah, definitely a Malachi fan. It can be hard for some 18-22 year olds to make a selfless choice like that, to dedicate your time to visit a sick kid and inspire them. They inevitably end up having a big impact on the lives they touch.
 
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