SABAN HAS A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY NOW...
Alabama has some problems. They have had them
since before game one this season. I suspect they had them before Dylan Moses
went down with an injury. The defense has been fair to middling as we like to
say in this state. Flame me if you like, but it’s true. Now, our defense has a
job to do. The newly baptized have had to improve. The experienced could lead
the way, and the coaches can find ways to manipulate the x’s and o’s to win
each game.
The offense, was
as one-legged, as is Tua is now, from the start of the season. The running game wasn’t up to Alabama
standards. Average opposing defenses far too often knocked Tide backs down for
losses behind the line of scrimmages. Penalties rained down on the Alabama team
like summer rain. And still, the Alabama Crimson Tide was undefeated and ranked
# 1 in the nation. I never thought we were that good, it was a kind of lifetime achievement award for Nick Saban, and perhaps the belief he would cure all
the faults that glared like headlights on a dark night.
The competition
has been poor. It will be poor again this weekend. After this game, the
competition will be tough. It will tough enough to make each and every weakness
this team has. Some of those weaknesses are too apparent to hide or cover even with a stunning quarterback who
will not be a 100%. But Nick Saban has an opportunity here. He can continue to prove that
he is the greatest coach in the history of American football. Saban can prove
all the nay-sayers and talking heads wrong. If Saban wins a 7th
national championship he will have done his greatest coaching job. Even without
the injury to Tua winning the national championship would have been his
greatest job in my opinion.
This team is far
from perfect. They are getting better. The defense seems more like an Alabama
defense of older days. The running game
is starting to come around. Can Mack be Tua? Of course not. But he can be good
enough if every other player plays his best. Make no doubt that after today the
Tide will be the underdog to beat LSU and Auburn. The Bama haters will celebrate, and other coaches
will say Saban is through. Bama or Saban isn’t through. I believe this team of young
men, who at times seems confused, can become better than perhaps they have
believed themselves. Get ready, the ride is going to bumpy, but the
championship at the end will be even sweeter.
