Column: Saban endures most humiliating loss of Bama career

AP ^ | January 8, 2018 | Paul Newberry

[C19fan]

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Nick Saban knew his seventh national title would not come on this night. He stalked the Alabama sideline as he always does, barking into his headset and at anyone within earshot.

There was nothing he could do. The greatest coach in college football history watched his team get outplayed, out-lucked — and, yes, outcoached. "I just had a feeling that I didn't do a very good job," Saban said. "I never really ever got comfortable with what we needed to do to win this game."

[Paal Gulli]

Mistake #1: He didn’t start Jalen Hurts under center.

You don’t win a national championship when you give up two turnovers for scores and also get inside the 25 three times without putting the ball in the end zone.

[drellberg]

“Here’s another interesting tidbit for you. Do you see any Big 12 or Pac 12 team being in the conference championship in the near future? I don’t. When you look at the youth of the QBs, how stacked the teams are, I see a repeat of this championship game next year and possibly the year after.”

I would never sell Ohio State short. But your point is well taken and helps my own case — it is simply implausible that either of these conferences would indefinitely abide an arrangement that consistently shuts them out year after year after year. They have cornered the great majority of the biggest markets and could easily capture more, for example, by inviting in these academically outstanding big-market universities — Miami, Florida, Georgia Tech, Pitt and Boston College into the B1G; and Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Houston into the Pac12. Then exit the corrupt NCAA in favor of their own startup, no longer care about ESPN’s vested interests in sweet-talking the SEC, and so forth. I know this fantasy is unrealistic, but I cannot for the life of me find even one reason why B1G and Pac12 university presidents would stay with the existing arrangement. It s*cks for them.

[dfwgator]

If it wasn’t for Bama, where would Clemson get their head coaches from?

[LeonardFMason]

God despises religion.

_________________________________________________

Huh?

RELIGION to me is any MAN-MADE/ORDAINED set of rules pertaining to a Higher Power.

Islam is a RELIGION
Mormonism is a RELIGION
Buddhism is a RELIGION
There are many great world RELIGIONS

They are NOT of God.

What does God WANT?:

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

All that God really wants for us flows from the finished work of Christ and NOT adherence to any RELIGION.

[MHGinTN]

Well and truly stated ...

[RatRipper]

Saban wasn’t surprised.

I agree. To me, the telling thing was going for it on 4th and 1 on his own 35 IN THE FIRST HALF. That is out of character for him and it tells me that he knew he was over-matched.

Overall, I think Clemson has better personnel, particularly on defense. The secondary was capable of covering Bama's very good receiving corp. Up front, Clemson was able to hurry Tua while creating a chess-match of disguised coverages downfield. Coach Venables (?? sp) deserves a big bonus for his defensive game plan. Very impressive performance for Clemson on defense.

[joma89]

I am fine with sports as a focus for human development for the young.

However, college and pro sports have progressed well beyond that and are no more than things to ogle at and admire. You can not tell me the people who play them (yes, including the narcissistic college players) have any care at all to instill values or character into themselves or those who watch them.

JoMa

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Up front, Clemson was able to hurry Tua while creating a chess-match of disguised coverages downfield."

What Saban should be expecially concerned about is the interceptions. Both times he was outschemed so he either failed in coaching or failed to prepare Tua for this (still coaching) or Tua is not good enough yet to pick this up. All very troubling for Bama when next they meet. (Around this time in 2020)

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"for example, by inviting in these academically outstanding big-market universities — Miami, Florida, Georgia Tech, Pitt and Boston College into the B1G"

Well, since JoePa is now dead and buried I guess the Big 10/12/whatever can consider putting Pitt into the conference. Geographically it makes no sense that they are not in it. They are a mid-west team. With your idea, it would also help Notre Dame because they could continue to be a free agent and schedule all the best teams because there will be more competition for their services. Under the current plan, they are being pressured into joining a conference. Most likely the ACC which means the Big (whatever) and the PAC (whatever) will be losers again. Georgraphically, Notre Dame should be in the Big (whatever) conference.

[cranked]

LoL, look at all the Clemson fanbois......where were you all last year? Oh wait, my bad, I know where..... ^^

[Bishop_Malachi]

All that God really wants for us flows from the finished work of Christ and NOT adherence to any RELIGION.

__________________________________________________________

But the belief in that as well as the actions that flow from that belief (”The Fruits”) are a religion.

Christians should not be ashamed to call their faith a religion. The political Left has already foisted enough political correctness on us. Let’s not do it to ourselves willingly.

[petitfour]

I think the Kick 6 was much more humiliating and stinging.

[LeonardFMason]

All that God really wants for us flows from the finished work of Christ and NOT adherence to any RELIGION.

__________________________________________________________

But the belief in that as well as the actions that flow from that belief (”The Fruits”) are a religion.

Christians should not be ashamed to call their faith a religion. The political Left has already foisted enough political correctness on us. Let’s not do it to ourselves willingly.

I call it living in Obedience to God driven by Devotion to His Son. Far better to be described as a follower of Christ rather than an adherent to any religion. It may be semantics but it is what I believe.

[joma89]

Lions back in that day never had to meet Mister .300 Win Mag.

JoMa