I know everyone is told that "Defense wins Championships."  Bama and Saban just proved that if you do not have an effective offense to control the ball, your top rated defense is no match for an equal rated offense. In thie era of spread offenses, playing conservative and not to lose will cause you to lose more often than not. Clemson's defense was just good enough to stymie Bama after their only decent RB went out. Bama wore out because their depth on defense caused them to play their players too long without rest. Clemson also showed you can throw on Bama if you have tall WRs. Saban for years used big heavy DL and LBs until spread offense forced him to lighter and quicker players. Clemso also showed you do not have to emulate Bama to beat them. Saban out thought himself by firing Lane early. Maybe he began to believe in his own legend. It just is so hard to feel sorry for the ego that is Saban.

"Saban out thought himself by firing Kiffin."

How did he do that? Although preparing for the national championship game, was the decision to let Kiffin go just something he somehow inexplicably felt compelled to do the very week prior to the championship game?

That's sounds like a risky way to win a game. Why do you think he made the decision to let Kiffin go at such a critical time and believe the decision is related to an inflated ego? Could there have been other factors involved to explain such drastic action?

BG

I was NOT going to bring that up - honest!

Shut-up, OJ!...Just shut-up!     Unfortunately, there's actually more of them besides the one you know of.

BG

The only reason I can't like those Clemson guys right now is because they're kicking our staff's tail in recruiting . . . in our own **** state. It's not their fault, obviously; they're just doing their job. I guess I hate them because of our staff's shortcomings.

But I was very happy to see Clemson beat Alabama, and even happier when I read the whining and moaning from Bammers this morning who are convinced they were cheated. It's rich irony that the team that gets the benefit of the doubt on every single call in the SEC thinks they were hosed by the officials.

Hardly got every call this season, and I give Clemson and Dabo credit for the win. Bama played conservative on offense, and couldn't pass effectively downfield on Clemson. The Tigers thus controlled the clock, and by the mid-third quarter you could see the Tide couldn't pressure Watson as much as early in the game---Tide legs were starting to tire.

I believe the Tigers ran 99 plays on the Tide defense and thus wore them out late in the game. Also, Watson and their receiver Williams are truly great players and took over late in the game when it counted most.

Give Dabo credit, the game plan was to wear down the Alabama defensive front and that's exactly what they did. Yes, they deserved to win.

BG

Fans do not hire and fire coaches (thank goodness). The school administration does that (either ineptly or smartly). Look at Auburn's history about firing, hiring, and bungled hiring attempts. If all the stories are true, Auburn's athletic department (at least football) is controlled by big money. So yes in the Auburn "what have you done this year" attitude, Gus is gone next year if he loses to Bama bad. IMO there is nothing wrong with Gus except his choices (or ability) to attract great assistants. At least that is what the several Auburn fans I know think and say.

As far as I know, that's true. A lot of pressure to produce now. One thing I will mention again though is many Auburn fans became very critical of Gus for his play calling earlier in the year. When he finally let Lashlee call the plays, their success rose. I hear this from them as I live with these folks and some of my own family wear the wrong colors! :)

BG

My thought is he can see that Malzahn will be fired after this year unless he wins the SEC West. Those Auburn administrators are an impatient bunch. Win now or you are gone.

Neighbors in the state have a strong need to 'keep up with the Joneses."

BG

You are correct sir.  Satan cheats better than any sports figure in recorded history.   

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/opponent-penalties-per-game

BG

Likely Malzahn micromanaged him.  That and who knows...maybe Malzahn didn't like the way the offense performed this year.

Many Auburn fans were satisfied with his play-calling vs. Gus' calls. As you may know Malzhan called the plays earlier in the year when they had so much trouble. Took a look at one AU boards and they don't understand this, but hope it means Malzhan has worked out a deal with a Briles type of name as coordinator.


BG

Yep. Bammer has been holding WRs ever since satan has been there...but they cut it close enough to the whistle it usually isn't called.

 

Then that's good coaching, and I'm serious because there is at least to some extent holding, pushing and shoving on many if not most contested balls by both offensive and defensive players.

BG

[Shocking and Amazing Stats That Boggle Minds Linked:]

Lady Karma just came and visited bama last night for all the bullshizzle calls that they got away with this year!  She is a Bioatch and brings friends with her when she come to settle the score with you!

Speaking of this season...

Shocking and Amazing Stats That Boggle Minds Linked:

The Crimson Tide of Alabama's game opponents were penalized far less in games against Bama. In fact, Alabama's opponents were penalized less in games against the Tide than any other teams in the country.

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/opponent-penalties-per-game

BG

Not a full year for him to work with this team, but should still see improvement , but the 2nd year is when the impact really is obvious.

BG

One more Kiffin story for you guys: That Tide bus driver doesn't care who he is. You get on his bus on time or your butt gets left!:)

Note: below the first story see third pic down when this same situation happened after last season's Clemson game. Lane takes a walk!


http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/lane-kiffin-got-left-behind-by-the-alabama-team-bus-again/12zdx6mj1gal61jc97acnd3h0g


BG

Congrats to you!  I have three year old twin grandchildren-boy and girl, and my youngest grandson is now one. I only mention this to let ya know I relate!

Again congrats!

BG

I'm not sure Orgeron rejected Lame.  Maybe he did.  Reports stated satan wanted Lame to get an HC slot, which, loosely translated, means "don't go to LSU".  I wonder if there was a clause in Lame's contract that said he had to pay a penalty for going to another SEC school, or some other incentive satan could hold over him in a contractural sense.

Or it may just be that satan had lots and lots of dirt on ole Joey Freshwater.   

Joey is going to luv Boca Raton...literally.

BG

Not going to out him, but some of you will remember that a starter on Saban's first national championship team was a high school team mate of my sons.  The young man has been involved in radio in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham since he graduated from Bama, and he and I talk pretty much weekly.  

His take from his contacts say that Kiffin had no choice at this point.  Kiffin was told to explore his options.  Saban was apparently tied of having to monitor him like he does his players.  

I believe I know who the former player is. Regardless, he would know better than any and thus an excellent post by you.

The scenario on how Saban lets assistants go is exactly like this: he tells them to simply find another job. Major Applewhite, current Florida offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and now likely Kiffin were told to get another job.

BG

Joey Freshwater!  

But I was hoping he would go to LSU....

Yep, Joey likes to have his fun. Excellent offensive mind and a great QB coach, but an accident waiting to happen.

BTW, not sure if the Sark rumor that he can't return to the Tide staff is true or not. Some saying that is not the case, and there has been no problems. I have no idea what is true on that situation---we'll soon see.

BG

Kiffin in south Florida with all those beautiful co-eds. What could go wrong?

This IS the issue.

BG

I suspect it was mutual, badly ....

When asked about his arguments on the sideline with Kiffin, Saban accurately replied, "There are no arguments," he said. "Those are called ass-chewings."

BG

Already saw it, and my reaction was...

From Steely Dan to the movie Crimson Tide to SNL!

BG

They're both staying through the playoffs.

BG

.

Blah.

BG

This link to an ESPN article may be the truth. If so, they did turn him down. Note the comments about him not being a "safe" hire. The coeds at Houston are now "safe" too.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18247548/houston-regent-tilman-fertitta-says-lane-kiffin-never-close-becoming-cougars-coach
BG

Pretty sure he ends up at LSU, unless saban has a last minute change of heart due to not wanting that particular outcome.  Kiffy might just know a bit too much.

The fact is he's the one that had issues with recruiting, not Saban. As I have mentioned, an earlier report said he will not be retained, so it doesn't sound as if Saban cares where he ends up as long as it's not within close proximity to him.

BTW, some saying Sarkaisian will also not be retained.

BG

While I don't know the actual truth, some reports have said the negotiations broke down with Houston over the amount of the buyout. Houston doesn't want to be the springboard yet again to another job.

Regardless, some early reports claimed he will not be offered a new contract at Bama, and if he doesn't get the job at South Florida or Florida Atlantic he may end up as the OC at LSU. We'll see.

The two best things about his three seasons at Bama was his impressive work with three different and inexperienced QB's. The other was due to Saban's policy that prevents his assistants from speaking publicly, which allowed me three blissful years without having to hear his annoying smart-azz mouth.

BG

His skirt-chasing very nearly cost him his job last year, and did cost him his marriage.

BG

Word going around (???) that LSU has offered Kiffin 2 million per year for 3 years. Unreal if true.

They could probably get him for much less as Bama is not expected to attempt to keep him with a bidding war. If he leaves, Sarkasian is thought to be the new OC.

BG