Alabama, LSU have what everyone else wants: great coach
Nick Saban and Les Miles again find themselves the centers of attention. (AP photo)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Nick Saban turned 60 on Halloween, and his players – tempting fate and possibly their scholarships — turned off the lights in a meeting room and yelled, “Surprise!” when their coach walked in. As it turned out, even in the week of the Alabama-LSU game, the little curmudgeon showed a humorous side.
After acknowledging, “It’s hard to think about birthdays,” Saban referenced the No. 60 jersey that was presented to him and cracked, “I wasn’t thinking about age. I was thinking I’m a skill player. There’s no way I can sport this 60. I’ve got to have a lower-than-50 number of some sort.”
Might as well give Saban and Les Miles jersey Nos. 1 and 2. They coach the two best teams in the nation. They’re probably the two best coaches.
Maybe we think of them differently: Saban as cold, evil, I-hate-him-I-hate-him-can-I-get-him-on-my-team brilliant. Miles as goofy, grass-eating, Mega-Millions-lottery-lucky brilliant. But they give Alabama and LSU the things every other college football program wants: identity, direction, championships.
They are the reason the SEC looks down on every other conference. Saban and Miles (and, before his career timeout, Urban Meyer) are why so many other coaches wonder about job stability.
Because if Saban and Miles hadn’t set the bar so high, other fans bases wouldn’t scream, “Why can’t you win like them?”
We have waited two weeks for Alabama vs. LSU. It’s like a Super Bowl, only without the Hollywood-on-steroids halftime show, and a trophy when it’s over.
This game won’t decide a championship, but it will set the GPS. Saturday’s winner at Bryant-Denny Stadium will win the SEC West. The winner of the SEC West almost certainly will win the SEC title. The winner of the SEC will be an overwhelming favorite to win it all.
The loser from Saturday will be somewhere else come bowl time. That’s about the only downside of this. The two best teams should not be deciding this much on Nov. 5. But barring an unforeseen series of losses by other teams, and an unforeseen series of votes in human polls to somehow make a rematch happen, this is as good as it’s going to get.
Regardless, this game is why no other conference has an argument about superiority. We can talk about how the SEC is down this season (and it is). We can point out that schools from the Big 12 and the Pac-12 (numbers subject to change) and even Boise State have legitimate chances to win the BCS title.
But only the SEC — in a down year — can give us a No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the first week of November and lead some to wonder, “Why can’t they play again in January?”
Saban and Miles don’t win championships every season. But they make everybody believe they’re going to contend for them. They are why so many other coaches, particularly in the SEC, wonder about their own job stability. If these two didn’t set the bar so high, other fan bases wouldn’t scream, “Why can’t you win like them?”
Players for these coaches know how to win conference games, road games and games with national ramifications. You never expect either to crack. Imagine what that feels like.
“I want the players to enjoy the glare and the light of the big stage,” Miles said earlier this week. “I want them to enjoy the opportunity to play for a big victory. Once I’ve prepared the team and after I feel I’ve done a quality job, I want the players to play with freedom.”
It’s easy to get lost in the numbers this week. Alabama has won eight games by an average score of 39-7. LSU 39-11.
Alabama’s defense has allowed 359 yards rushing all season. That’s 44.8 per game and 1.7 per carry.
LSU has trailed has for only 6 minutes, 33 seconds all season (6-3 against Oregon in Week 1. The Tigers went on a 30-7 run and won 40-27.)
It’s two teams and everybody else in the SEC, and the nation, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Look at the sideline.
By Jeff Schultz
• Earlier: Weekend Predictions: Guaranteed winners (I’m serious this time)
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165 comments Add your comment
...... I'm flying a Georgia Tech flag right now
November 4th, 2011
2:06 pm
LSU wins
Gefilte Fish Schultz
November 4th, 2011
2:07 pm
Gag…… I’ll bet you were bashing Miles not too long ago Schultz.
WDE
November 4th, 2011
2:08 pm
Great article
Old School
November 4th, 2011
2:10 pm
Good read Jeff. Do you think Muschamp will be able to cut it in Gainesville?
ShootmeShcultz
November 4th, 2011
2:11 pm
Comical Schultz – tell me was Miles a great coach after back to back 8-5 (3-5) and 9-4(5-3) seasons in 2008 and 2009? YOU and every other journalist are such PRISONERS OF THE MOMENT!
You probably would have been on the FIRE MILES bandwagon during those underachieving seasons!
Urban Meyar
November 4th, 2011
2:12 pm
Why do you think I bailed after last season? Taking on these two guys without Tim Tebow around to make me look smart? No thanks.
reebok
November 4th, 2011
2:16 pm
I know LSU is the popular pick, but I’m thinking the Tide will Roll…it’s such an even match I’m picking them based on homefield. Should be an incredible game.
Dawglasville
November 4th, 2011
2:17 pm
Fair enough.
War Dang Dawg
November 4th, 2011
2:17 pm
I might be the only one, but something tells me that the Alabama-LSU winner will not be a lock to beat the SEC East rep. in the SECCG.
Whenever the narrative is that perfect, something comes along and messes it up. And to think that a South Carolina or Georgia team that finished 7-1 in the conference wouldn’t be a threat in that game hasn’t watched too much SEC football.
All it takes is a couple of costly turnovers and a bad day for your quarterback for you to get beat in this league.
Doc
November 4th, 2011
2:18 pm
LSU wins because of their offensive line.
Dawglasville
November 4th, 2011
2:19 pm
Every one wants to believe that there are 5 more out there just like them but who are they? These 2 are already spoken for.
Les W. Moore
November 4th, 2011
2:22 pm
I disagree Jeff. Mutt nation wants the guy they have. Religious man who is good father and a good husband. He signs the majority of great in-state high school talent and he can sing a mean “Happy Birthday” to a 17 year old boy. Yep. He’s bonafide, he’s a keeper.
Mtn Dawg
November 4th, 2011
2:28 pm
I hate this. Neither team should be elliminated from championship game consideration. The BSC sux!!!
Mtn Dawg
November 4th, 2011
2:28 pm
That would be BCS sux.
robodawg
November 4th, 2011
2:29 pm
I don’t think of Saban as brilliant. (Certainly not at all the way Spurrier was the Evil Genius at Florida.) Saban gets great talent and he knows how to use it, but in a pretty straightforward, businesslike way. He runs the tightest ship in the business. He doesn’t do more with less (like the coaches of Boise St or TCU, or Urban Meyer at Utah), but he does the most with more.
Miles definitely has that “goofy, grass-eating, Mega-Millions-lottery-lucky” thing going for him.
Milk
November 4th, 2011
2:30 pm
LSU’s O-line will maul Alabama’s front 7 and that will be why LSU wins the ballgame. Spencer Ware will have a better game than Richardson. Richardson will get his, but LSU will eventually stop him front treading all over them. LSU has Ware, Blue, Ford, & Hilliard…while Alabama only has Richardson & Lacy. LSU wins by 7.
Scott
November 4th, 2011
2:31 pm
they’re also able to oversign and bring in 30 more players than a typical program over a 5 year span, which helps a bit in the talent department
Milk
November 4th, 2011
2:32 pm
Oh and Alabama also has Jalston Fowler but I doubt he’ll be much of a factor in this game.
This will be a great game, it’s strength vs. strength. Alabama is bigger and looks more powerful than LSU…while LSU is quicker, swifter, and has more depth along the D-line than Alabama. Alabama wants to smash you into the ground, while LSU does as well but takes a different approach.
It’s power vs. power and sure to be a great game..I just think LSU wins.
WDE
November 4th, 2011
2:34 pm
@Les W. Moore thanks we think he’s a keeper too. And I think Bama wins this one..why cause they are both pretty equal in all 3 phases of the game, but Bama is at home.. Bama 17 LSU 14.
True Dawg
November 4th, 2011
2:36 pm
GO LSU!
SimpleDawg
November 4th, 2011
2:39 pm
Nick Satan = The Real Evil Genius
Les Miles = The Mad Hatter
Each different but effective.
Wish we had one.
SEC Fan
November 4th, 2011
2:40 pm
What SEC coach is worried about job security other than Nutt, Dooley, and is it too early for Muschamp????
SimpleDawg
November 4th, 2011
2:41 pm
….instead of the Captain of The Salvation Army.
What?
November 4th, 2011
2:43 pm
LSU wanted Les Smiles FIRED last year…you have a short memory. Must be the DOPE you are smoking.
JSS
November 4th, 2011
2:50 pm
College football is all about the pageant. And this pageant is full of toothless, ill-mannered, and socially irrelevant contestants.
Have you missed me you dolts? I’m back, flying on Saturday and will be home on Sunday to watch some real “football!” Not that spoon feed CBS-ESPN drivel being passed off as important!
JB
November 4th, 2011
2:53 pm
Richt,Bobo and the Dawgs licking their chops waiting for the winner of this Circus in the
Dome…………………OK, it was just fun typing it.
JB
November 4th, 2011
2:55 pm
After 2013. Nutt,Dooley,Richt, Spurrier and Muschamp will be gone.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
2:56 pm
Gefilte Fish Schultz — I’m sure I’ve jabbed him for strange decisions, being goofy and that whole going/not going to Michigan thing, but can’t deny the man’s success.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
2:56 pm
WDE — thanks.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
2:57 pm
Old School — Thanks, and I’d say it’s impossible to judge Muschamp right now. Not sure what shape the program was in, and losing Brantley this year obviously hurt.
Moobs Johnson
November 4th, 2011
2:59 pm
Don’t forget about St Richt. BWahahahahaha
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
2:59 pm
ShootmeSchultz — Tell you what Sparky. If you can find anywhere where I wrote Les Miles needs to be fired, I’ll bow to you. But that’s not going to happen. Any other baseless accusations, sir?
JB
November 4th, 2011
3:00 pm
Schultz……………you don’t have to judge Muschamp………..Read the Florida Message boards. The Loons have spoken.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 4th, 2011
3:00 pm
No no no
We dont love championships at UGA
We only love 10 win seasons and beating Tech
Thats all
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
3:01 pm
JSS — “College football is all about the pageant. And this pageant is full of toothless, ill-mannered, and socially irrelevant contestants.”
<<< And what would you call a Dolphins-Colts game?
JB
November 4th, 2011
3:02 pm
The mark of a great coach is knowing when to bail….Good job Meyer
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
3:03 pm
JB — I know. It’s just silly. How can you judge a head coach in one season, especially when his starting quarterback gets injured? The problem isn’t that it’s the lunatic fringe screaming, the crime is that people are paying attention to the lunatic fringe.
david
November 4th, 2011
3:05 pm
I agree War Dang Dawg–did anybody give Texas Tech a shot AT Oklahoma? I think they were 28 point dogs. On any given Saturday.
JB
November 4th, 2011
3:07 pm
Damn Jeff, that’s low. Reading blogs is not a crime. I read you.
david
November 4th, 2011
3:07 pm
I hear ya Flat Tire
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 4th, 2011
3:11 pm
Alabama is without a doubt the best run college football program in the country as of today. Until Nick retires to the lake then you will have to go thru the Bama program to get to the top. You UGA folks that continue your bashing of Nick and the numbers are so stupid. Your coach is not capable of managing the numbers and you can see that in the number of folks you have on scholly!!!! Stop signing every good players best friend and you might get up to speed. Players leave the program because many would like playing time and not because Nick told them to get gone but again you’re so stupid you can’t see the truth. You can look and you will find one player that was unhappy about his deal and this was a kid Shula signed trying to bribe Tebow to come to Bama. The guy never played a damn down in 4 years!!!
dawgfan
November 4th, 2011
3:12 pm
Another not-so-subtle jab at Richt and UGA. What a shock.
Its hard to argue with Miles’ success? What success Schultz? First of all, LSU hasn’t won a single thing yet this year. Miles hasn’t won a championship since 2007 (that’s 4 years ago Schultz) and he did that with two losses. It took the biggest and most fortuitious cluster-F in the history of college football to get his team in the BCS title game that year. The guy is good but not great. Get real.
Now Saban is another story. That guy is a maniac and is flirting with legendary best ever status.
Somebody has to lose this game and it will be LSU. Trent Richardson takes over the game in the 4th quarter and Bama wins by a touchdown. Bama’s just a more balanced team.
Thanks.
Scholarship
November 4th, 2011
3:15 pm
Doc
November 4th, 2011
2:18 pm
LSU wins because of their offensive line.
You must not be watching. Their cut and paste OL is decent not better than Alabama’s.
Go back and watch The MSU and LSU game. Shut down LSU.
A Head Coach is only...
November 4th, 2011
3:15 pm
…as good as his assistants – both LSU and AL have GREAT assistants, something UGA does not have.
Than being said, there are coaches out there that are just as good as these two – they include Jim Harbaugh (when at Stanford, and proving it now in the NFL, which Saban could not do); Gundy at OKState; Stoops at OK (even WITH “the best friend); the guy at Oregon; probably Brady Hoke at MI(turned around in the first year the mess Rich Rod left); Dantonio at MIState; Bielema at WI; probably Peterson at Boise State.
If UGA would get some decent asst. coaches they might be pretty good, too…
Saban is overrated
November 4th, 2011
3:18 pm
The almighty Saban finished 4th in the SEC west last year with Julio, a Heisman Trophy winner, NFL back-up QB, Marcel Dareus, and all of those players that are still on their D this year, and he blew a 24 point lead at home to his arch rival. Sounds like he’s in genius category to me.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
3:22 pm
Schultz
I have noticed some already whining for a rematch. Ironically, most of them Bama fans. Maybe they know something we don’t.
No re-matches Bammers. This game IS (or just as well be) the NCG. Few would dispute that. Beat them now or forget it and consider it chances blown
TampaGator
November 4th, 2011
3:24 pm
Old School…….
As I recall, Coacg Saban and Bama lost to Louisana-Monroe during his first year in wonderland. Then he went to work building his type of team.
I would expect Muschamp will do the same (based on the recruiting class that is addressing the pro style and depth on the roster needs Florida has)thing in the coming years. But he has to improve his game day coaching, which has been highly questionable so far.
But….I know Dawg fans….the Gators on their way down and will lose every year for the rest of time…..to the Dawgs.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
3:33 pm
Some schools (and fan-bases) just don’t deserve a quality Head Coach.
Oh well… That life, eh?
Father of 5
November 4th, 2011
3:37 pm
Ask anyone in Miami if Saban is a genius. He is a manipulative type A guy who knows how to intimidate talented college kids to his advantage, but I don’t consider those qualities as the foundation for greatness.
I would never send any of my athletic kids to play for Saban — his priorities are totally out of whack. He holds up Freddy Krueger as a model of perseverance for 8 year olds. Give me Bobby Bowden or Chan Gailey or Mark Richt any day — their players are successful, and the win/loss record is not the preeminent way to define that term. Those coaches are great on the scale that really counts.
Scholarship
November 4th, 2011
3:37 pm
Saban is overrated
November 4th, 2011
3:18 pm
The almighty Saban finished 4th in the SEC west last year with Julio, a Heisman Trophy winner, NFL back-up QB, Marcel Dareus, and all of those players that are still on their D this year, and he blew a 24 point lead at home to his arch rival. Sounds like he’s in genius category to me.
Finished 4th in the West but 10 in the final BCS standing.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
3:42 pm
Father of 5
When you hire a coach to be a model of perseverance to 8 year olds, the Richt’s and the Gaileys are good. But when you hire them to win football games, the Sabans are better. Quite honestly, I think Saban gets a bad rap. Certainly he is intense but he strikes me as a good man with his players in mind as well. He certainly doesn’t have any problem finding them. They line up to play for him.
reality check
November 4th, 2011
3:42 pm
They have great coaching staffs as well. That seems to be a forgotten element.
Should be a GREAT game for sure. Looks like 2 teams that are about as even as you can get and similar is style.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
3:46 pm
Two excellent examples – right there.
Thanks
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
3:46 pm
Shultz, I don’t remember you calling for Les Miles to be fired either; but I do remember quite a number of LSU fans and other media folks putting him on the hot set and suggesting he is incompetent. Maybe CMR’s detracters should consider this before calling for him to be fired.
FIRE LES MILES......
November 4th, 2011
3:47 pm
That’s so 2008, isn’t it?
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
3:48 pm
@Loyal Dawg
They will. Just as soon as CMR winds up an undefeated season with a NC.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
3:50 pm
First though, you’ve got to figure out how to get past us.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
3:50 pm
You never know, now do you?
JB
November 4th, 2011
3:50 pm
I get nervous hearing Richt moan about playing Vandy, I sure as hell don’t know what he’ll say about playing one of these two in the dome if we get a chance.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
3:51 pm
@SCAR GO!- Believe me, I’ve got my foot sticking out hoping you guys will trip!
GTBob
November 4th, 2011
3:52 pm
Saban I will agree with. Les Miles isn’t even close.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
3:53 pm
JB – Don’t you remember. That’s an old school coaching tactic. Dooley used to do it. Holtz used to do it. A lot of good coaches used to talk about “such’n’such is the best 1-4 team in country”.
KeepDreaming
November 4th, 2011
3:55 pm
Miles is an idiot. Every SEC Fan knows it. Even LSU fans.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
3:56 pm
KeepDreaming, I think that’s a little strong. LM may be half crazy, but I wouldn’t call him an idiot. Maybe he’s crazy like a fox.
Mr. Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:00 pm
One of the things that makes college football unique and special is that deciding games between teams like these are played during the regular season. When people say the Divisioni I regular season isn’t representative of a true playoff you need to look no further than this kind of a matchup for proof that it in fact is.
Russ the Temporary Mascot
November 4th, 2011
4:01 pm
Well, we won’t get a national championship, but we’re Saved. Except for two or three potheads. We produce nice, meek Christian gentlemen. That ought to count for something.
Sure hope they don’t test for white paint tomorrow.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:05 pm
Yea, but what happens if Bama or LSU, OSU, Boise St. and Stanford end up all undefeated at the end of the season? What a disaster. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:06 pm
@Loyal Dawg
I know it, and I don’t blame you. I didn’t think we could beat Arky until I saw them expose their youth and inexperience in their past two games. They have more talent, but I just believe that we have more heart.
augustadawg
November 4th, 2011
4:06 pm
Been saying this for the last 4 years………….. CMR and BOBO will never beat these two consistantly……..Never win the SEC much less a national championship……………. UGA has become a mid-tier program…………………….Sorry to admit it…………………….
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:07 pm
Hey Russ, if we keep winning, we may have to make you the full time mascot… but not with an attitude like that.
Burma Shave
November 4th, 2011
4:10 pm
Saban is awesome
Miles is great too
Spurrier is mighty fine
But Richt hasn’t a clue
BURMA SHAVE
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:10 pm
Les Miles has earned his respect. He looks like a clown sometimes and he won his NC with Saban’s system and Saban’s players.
Give credit where due. He kept Saban’s system in place and he’s winning with his own recruits now. I can still laugh at him, but I’ve gotta respect him as a coach.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:11 pm
Geez, who let the dadgum troll in? And we were all having such a nice time.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:14 pm
Hey, isn’t Les Miles 1-2 versus CMR?
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:17 pm
Saban is 3-2 versus CMR.
david
November 4th, 2011
4:18 pm
great article on Miles at espn.com–seems to be having fun and still involved with raising his kids, which most coaches at that level are not.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
4:21 pm
Miles has “it”. I don’t know what “it” is but he’s got plenty. Almost something demonic. I remember his first few years he was driving LSU fans nuts with his irreratic play calling and losing then, he found a way to cover it up with superb talent. Whatever works folks
Larvell Blanks
November 4th, 2011
4:22 pm
if Saban and Miles hadn’t set the bar so high, other fans bases wouldn’t scream, “Why can’t you win like them?”
If these two didn’t set the bar so high, other fan bases wouldn’t scream, “Why can’t you win like them?”
A line so nice, you used it twice.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:23 pm
Why do Dawg fans always love to compare their “recent” records against SEC West teams?
They hardly ever play anyone in the West besides Auburn and they never mention their overall records when they make these cherry-picking comparisons.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
4:29 pm
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:23 pm
Why do Dawg fans always love to compare their “recent” records against SEC West teams?
HUH? Georgia plays as much as the West as Carolina or anyone else in the East does. If you wish to look back other than last year, you’ll find (I believe) UGA to have probably the most impressive record against the west as anybody
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:35 pm
SCAR GO!, I’m not sure I follow you either. Please expound upon your pontification.
greg
November 4th, 2011
4:35 pm
The AJC DOESN’T HAVE what we would all really like….Great sports writers…sad
say what?
November 4th, 2011
4:36 pm
Les Miles, great coach?
You’re not serious. Good recruiter, but his gambles notoriously leave you shaking your head.
Send'em Uhauls
November 4th, 2011
4:37 pm
Too bad we beat Florida. Now we will have more mediocrity from Richt and this inept coaching staff for another year.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
4:37 pm
say What?
Miles has the record to prove it. Say what you will (pun intended) personally, I don’t argue much with success
Jeff
November 4th, 2011
4:39 pm
so sick and tired of articles like this. there are plenty of other great coaches…oh, and before you pronounce the winner of this game as the SEC champion- you might want to ask Oklahoma about that. Wasnt that long ago that their team was proclaimed tyhe “best ever” after which they proceeded to lose the conference game…….and to all of you that say we could have a rematch in the national championship- HA! Maybe we should remind the BCS of their rule a couple of years ago….”you cant play in the national Championship if you cant win your conference” remember??????? of course, the NCAA is run by a bunch of idiots so would not be surprised if the change that- its all about money you know……
outkasted
November 4th, 2011
4:40 pm
The most overhyped game ever… LSU will show y’all that Bama is a fraud…. LSu will load the box and play man and force Bama’s QB to win it…. Bama has played Ole Miss, Vandy, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, Penn St.,, North Texas, and Kent St…. its funny how no one has said Alabama schedule is WEAK…. Nick Saban will lose at HOME to another ranked squad….
Jeff
November 4th, 2011
4:42 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG!……………..Pigs and chickens in Fayetteville….Sure hope the porkers can come thru!
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
4:42 pm
Jeff
Winning your conference championship is not a BCS or NCAA rule
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:42 pm
Dang outkasted! Keep it down a bit, you’re gonna make Saban mad! You don’t want to do that.
harold
November 4th, 2011
4:44 pm
TOO BAD UGA, TENNESSEE, AND FLORIDA DON’T HAVE CHAMPIONSHIP COACHES. THESE SABAN ASSISTANTS (DOOLEY AND MUSCHAMP) ARE HORRIBLE. THERE IS ONLY ONE NICK SABAN AND LES MILES!
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
4:44 pm
Oh no, not only has someone let the troll in, now they’ve gone and turned a pig loose!
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:46 pm
I didn’t say we play West opponents every year. It’s just the cherry-picking that annoys me.
It’s a sure sign that your program isn’t where you want it to be when you engage in that sort of behavior.
outkasted
November 4th, 2011
4:49 pm
u idiot scar GO…. NO ONE CHERRY PICKS THEIR OPPONENT FROM THE OPPOSITE DIVISION THEY ROTATE….no what u are talking about b4 tyoing….lol
outkasted
November 4th, 2011
4:49 pm
typing
outkasted
November 4th, 2011
4:50 pm
i guess when UGA had LSU Arkansas and Auburn they cherry picked them too right?
Better to Dope than Grope
November 4th, 2011
4:52 pm
Zach now plays for a championship team!
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:52 pm
I should have known that you couldn’t understand.
Delusional is as delusional does, I guess.
Never mind…
Jeff
November 4th, 2011
4:53 pm
AR Dawg…it certainly was in 2007…….
Jeff
November 4th, 2011
4:54 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
PPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!
SOOOOOOOOOOIE………………………….
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
4:56 pm
Nothin’ cooks low & slow like a Big ole Pig!
Better to Dope than Grope
November 4th, 2011
4:56 pm
But Zach now says its better to Grope than Dope!
G-Crunk
November 4th, 2011
4:56 pm
Nice proofreading!
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
5:00 pm
SCAR GO!, I can’t believe I’m having to pull for Arkansas and Coach BP to beat you guys this weekend. It’s like french kissing your grandma.
Jeff
November 4th, 2011
5:03 pm
Loyal Dawg…I would rather pull for the pigs and their coach than to have to pull for Floriduh next week.
Charles
November 4th, 2011
5:04 pm
Meh, Miles is a fine coach, but certainly nothing extraordinary. Richt is 2-1 against him and Les’ one win came on a flukey call against AJ Green. Saban’s a great coach, Miles is about like most of the other very good ones.
Loyal Dawg
November 4th, 2011
5:05 pm
Jeff, you right… but I still don’t have to like it.
SCAR GO!
November 4th, 2011
5:05 pm
Gotta go. Nice talkin’ to ya!
Best of luck w/ New Mexico. (not that you’ll need it)
Troy
November 4th, 2011
5:08 pm
Funny jeff’s comments……Maybe he should ask Bobby Stoops at OU what happens when you say any team cant be beat…and the winner of this game is automatic to the NC…..and oh, yeah- what do we have to do to get GREATsportswriters?
Troy
November 4th, 2011
5:10 pm
Wonder if the Floridud Gaytors can manage to beat Spurrier…….
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
5:11 pm
jeff
No guy, it wasn’t a “rule” per se’ in 2007 and it isn’t now. After 2006 they did change the BCS point system so that if a team didn’t win their conference, they wouldn’t score high enough to play. But, that’s different.
ARdawg
November 4th, 2011
5:12 pm
I am going to Fayettenam and pulling for the Hawgs. Cause I can.
Scholarship
November 4th, 2011
5:14 pm
For those select few UGA fans who think that bashing two programs that have STAYED in the top 10 for the last 5 years. Your arugment is lost and would have more ground if your statements did not ring of jeolousy and childish ( take my ball home) attitude. The two programs that Mr. Schultz wrote about should be the model that Mark Richt and Greg McGartiy should visit and immulate. We all know the past 5 years at UGA have led to some very embarrassing moments to anyone who calls the State of Georgia Home. That is not to say LSU and Alabama have not had poor moments, they both have. But just in case no one pointed it out, three of The LSU players were suspended and it was handled internally and comments were limited, while a freshman running back at Alabama was popped for possession of Marijuana and it was news one day and the respect that Miles and Saban command from local and national media ended all talk with this one statement: “We are handling it internally and it will not be discussed again”.
Good luck to your dawgs against NMS and we both hope we can meet you in the dome so the trash talking can be settled and until next year the members of all three schools that want to trash talk without facts will have to eat those poorly written words until they meet again on the field.
Blackoutanyone?
November 4th, 2011
5:38 pm
27-6 BAMA
Alphare
November 4th, 2011
5:39 pm
War Dang Dawg,
“to think that a South Carolina or Georgia team that finished 7-1 in the conference wouldn’t be a threat in that game hasn’t watched too much SEC football.”
You should not include UGA in there. Dawgs haven’t beaten a ranked team for how many centuries? not to mentioned a no. 1 ranked team.
George
November 4th, 2011
5:52 pm
It not all COACH. Got to have PLAYERS.
Collapse of Hawks’ sale is just one more Spirit nightmare | Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
5:54 pm
[...] • Earlier: Alabama-LSU have what everybody else wants — a great coach [...]
Muffican Jam
November 4th, 2011
6:20 pm
I wouldn’t say Saban is overrated. Can he go to the pros and get their respect? That answer is obviously no. But, to a kid that is trying to get to the Sunday games, they will listen to him and what he’s got to say. But the pros don’t have time for his style or Spurrier’s style or Lou Holtz’s style or the other ones that thought they could coach in the pros. Head Coaches at the D1 level that win consistenly surround themselves with great coaches. Then they keep them. Beamer at Va. Tech has kept many of his assistants through the years. There was a time when you wouldn’t want to play a FSU but then Bowden fell off when all his staff started leaving. Head coaches are basically figure heads and raise money for their respective programs and keep talent in the pipeline. It’s just that simple. In the grand scheme of things coaches are high priced gym teachers. Also, Saban and Miles do an excellent job of keeping the talent at home. Look how deep LSU is at RB, DE etc. Heck, their starting QB hasn’t even really played that much and they are still no 1 in the country. Then you look at the second tier teams in the SEC like Ole Miss, Miss State, UGa and you see they are thin at the skill spots. UGa really has no excuse. They have the facilities, financial resources and they have enough homegrown talent to be in national conversations when it comes to football.
JSS
November 4th, 2011
6:39 pm
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2011
3:01 pm
“JSS — “College football is all about the pageant. And this pageant is full of toothless, ill-mannered, and socially irrelevant contestants.”
“<<< And what would you call a Dolphins-Colts game?"
The game only available in your local viewing area!
Saywhut
November 4th, 2011
7:00 pm
Les Miles a great coach? Is he kidding?
GBoyDawg
November 4th, 2011
7:44 pm
Richt has won a higher % of games than Saban or Miles.
http://www.coacheshotseat.com/WinningestActiveCoachesIA.htm
Timbo
November 4th, 2011
8:02 pm
JSS and his incessant man love for J never saw a 3 pt brick shot that he didn’t love Smoove is back. The hack apologist is back. Yeah…all of the overpaid Hawks players can celebrate, that their “#1 apologist is back.”
Timbo
November 4th, 2011
8:05 pm
The crime Jeff, is that the lunatic fringe screaming for a man’s head aren’t even alumni. Sidewalk fans are the worst.
red&black
November 4th, 2011
8:06 pm
Jefro……..you da man, boss………..
JSS
November 4th, 2011
8:14 pm
Timbo…
At least know what you’re talking about before hitting the comment button… Me loving Josh Smith shooting threes (3s)? You must be either high or just looking for a fight?
But at least they won a playoff or a series… And you really don’t have to worry about them now do you?
I did all of that, and my plane hasn’t even set down Georgia Terra Firma yet! Just wait till I get over the jet lag and the Mexican allergy meds!
Brucerugby79
November 4th, 2011
8:21 pm
I like CMR–glad we have him-GOOOO DOGS!!!
Paul in NH
November 4th, 2011
10:16 pm
Jeff – Good, nicely written, blog. Saban and Miles certainly have things going well in both of their programs and show how a top HC can keep a program on top.
Lakedawg
November 4th, 2011
10:32 pm
Agree gboydawg—Coach mark Richt has a better winning % than either of the two and has winning record against both. This year they may be better we find out at the SEC championship game. Things change yearly in college ball and will bet these two are not top 2 in league then.
Red Stick
November 4th, 2011
11:15 pm
It is true as some posters have stated that Miles was on the hot seat last year. He was because at LSU mediocrity is unacceptable. If Miles had gone 6-7 like Richt did last year he would be gone.
The difference between Miles and Richt is the staff at LSU. We all know about Bobo so we won’t go there. Grantham’s fat butt would have been run out of Death Valley by now with his childish and embarrassing antics.
How many of Richt’s assistants have gone on to be a head coach? Just one, Neil Calloway.
These former assistants under Miles are head coaches: Porter, Memphis; Pavelto, Northwestern State University; Pelini, Nebraska and Fisher, FSU (also with Saban at LSU).
During Richt’s tenure Derek Dooley and Will Muschamp, former LSU assistants under Saban are now head coaches at big time universities.
The facts can not be disputed.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Dawgboy
November 4th, 2011
11:16 pm
I heard that Coach Saban will not recruit at a certain large, talent-rich high school in Alabama. The story is that the players coming out of there have no discipline, are self-centered, and have no concept of “team”. When they get to college football, they are more like high school sophomores and need excessive training to “get it”, or they may never be productive players in a big time system. Since the Alabama coaching staff is probably the best in the business, UGA coaches would do well to emulate their ideas. For example, players coming out of Valdosta seem to be able to fit into a big time setting quite well, while talented players coming out of Columbus may not be the type that can immediately and regularly perform at the high level required for a championship team in this league.
Tossed Salad
November 4th, 2011
11:17 pm
Saban’s a good coach. A douche-nozzle, but a good coach. You can keep Miles.
Red Stick
November 4th, 2011
11:22 pm
Lakedawg
November 4th, 2011
10:32 pm
“Agree gboydawg—Coach mark Richt has a better winning % than either of the two and has winning record against both. This year they may be better we find out at the SEC championship game. Things change yearly in college ball and will bet these two are not top 2 in league then.”
Keep dreaming buddy. LSU and Bama have alot of players returning next year and both, according to those who know football, will be in the preseason Top 5 in 2012 if not #1 and #2.
Scholarship
November 4th, 2011
11:37 pm
GBoyDawg
November 4th, 2011
7:44 pm
Richt has won a higher % of games than Saban or Miles.
*************************************************************************8
Got to love a loser who post stats that go back 12 years to cover a point that is so irrelevant. Heck Joe Paterno is winningest coach all time but nobody really considers him to be in the top 25 in current head coaches. Get relevant. Stay within a senior recruiting class to make a point. A more realistic concept would be what is Richt’s record compared to Miles and Saban during the last 5 years.
Saban 51-11
Miles 49-13
Richt 41-19
Saban is averaging 2 more wins a season than Richt
Miles is averaging 1.5 more wins a season than Richt.
clon schultz
November 4th, 2011
11:39 pm
does this clown always ride every one who’s hot? he said UGA would lose the last 4 games but stil wnt acknowledge they are a better team than the one that played Boise. You are biased and are a bandwagoner
Dawg'88
November 5th, 2011
6:09 am
No…Schultz…not what “everybody else”…UGA already has a great coach…leave UGA out of it.
Maybe Yech wishes it had Saban or Miles…UGA does NOT!!
Dawg'88
November 5th, 2011
6:17 am
Last time UGA and CMR faced Miles and LSU…LSU needs a miracle and a phatom penalty to beat UGA. Time before that….UGA laid 50 on Miles in Baton Rogue.
Time before that…UGA won the 2005 SECC convincingly over Miles led LSU (Thats 2-1) but the two needed no miracles!
Last 3 times UGA led by CMR faced Saban…Saban wins in Athens during the 2nd Blackout.
Time before however, UGA wins in Tuscaloosa (for the first time) vs Satan.
Time #3…UGA trounces Satan led LSU in Athens….thats 2-1.
Point…don’t come here saying that those coaches do better jobs than CMR…they haven’t fared well head to head with Richt. They are 2-4 in their last 6 games vs Richt. No find some other obscure reason to say they are better at their jobs.
If they are so damn perfect….why the 2-4 record with 3 of the 4 losses vs Richt being blown out by UGA!!???!!!
Don’t confuse with facts as they say,,,,
Stupid is the New Black
November 5th, 2011
7:26 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EsCyC1dZiN8
Jed Clampett
November 5th, 2011
8:33 am
Bama lost only 3 games last year for several reasons. 1-9 new starters on defense, 2- 7 teams on the schedule with a bye week 3- wearing a bullseye on your back 4- over confident players that were not as focused as the 2009 team.
Just wanted to clairify for the idiots on this site.
fuzzybee
November 5th, 2011
8:33 am
It’s all about players – these to guys can recruit. Now how they get those players…….
Stupid is the New Black
November 5th, 2011
9:09 am
@fuzzybee
The most effective way to recruit the best athletes is to run a premiere program that excels over the competition. The best athletes want to play for the best programs. Conspiracy theories aside, it truly is a rather simple formula.
Jethro Bodine
November 5th, 2011
9:19 am
Uncle Jed,
I just wish Georgia could wind up in the Top 10 at the end of the season when we have a “down” year.
Heck, around here, we call those “up” years.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
9:34 am
Some of you UGA fans amaze me. Richt is 4-4 versus Saban and Miles combined. He’s 2-1 vs Miles. Naturally, I’d take Saban over Richt everytime (who wouldn’t?). Miles or Richt? I’d take Richt over Miles any day. Sure CMR has had a difficult time of late. Every coach that’s some where 10+ years is going to run into that. You guys read more about it here because you like in Atlanta, where there’s lots of coverage. My biggest question about CMR is, why doesn’t he get off his high horse and oversign like every other coach. It’s not illegal or unethical. Saban is smart enough to know his job depends on the decisions made by a bunch of 18-20 year olds. He can afford to kick guy out or suspend them because of the depth built through oversigning. That is what has gotten CMR in trouble.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
9:40 am
Dawgboy, you don’t know what you are talking about. Saban will recruit anyone that fits his scheme. No truth to what you are spouting. No one can predict how an 18 year old is going to conduct himself when he gets on a college campus.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
9:44 am
Also, I am sure that UGA fans would be wanting to hang CMR if he had not signed Crowell. Especially if he had signed with Bama. Trent R. would have kicked is butt if he knew Crowell was smoking pot!!!!
Yawn...
November 5th, 2011
9:45 am
@ATLUGAFan
Over-signing is not all that it’s cracked up to be. While you will read many complaints on this blog of Nick Saban utilizing that recruitment method, the truth is that Houston Nutt at Ole Miss is at the top of the list in the SEC and Saban ranks far below many other SEC coaches in over-signing.
Some recruits will inevitably not pan out for one reason or another. Some finish their high school careers with academic problems, some make last minute decisions to pursue another sport rather than football. Whatever the reason, history has shown that a certain percentage of recruits just won’t make the team.
Richt’s problem is not the number of recruits that he signs, it is instead his lack of judgment regarding the character and ethics of his recruits.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
9:45 am
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
9:52 am
Yawn, you must have just rolled out of bed. I read where CMR handed out something like 7+ scholarships to walkons this fall! Saban has never give out more than 1 or 2 to walkons. Why? Because he rarely has that many available because of over signing. That’s is intelligent scholarship management. CMR will hand a scholarship out to some kid who was never recruited by anyone and landed on his scout team as a walkon. That’s rediculous.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
10:00 am
Yawn- “Some recruits will inevitably not pan out for one reason or another. Some finish their high school careers with academic problems, some make last minute decisions to pursue another sport rather than football. Whatever the reason, history has shown that a certain percentage of recruits just won’t make the team.”
Thank you for making my point about “oversigning”. I like to refer to it as “scholarship management”. Saban wouldn’t have been giving out 7 scholarships this fall to walkons. Saban coaches and recruits circles around Miles. UGA fans would be stupid to want Miles over Richt, if that’s what the discussion is about.
Yawn...
November 5th, 2011
10:19 am
Yeah, Coach Richt is a really nice guy. UGA should just go ahead and give him a lifetime contract. He’s definitely irreplaceable. Don’t you just know that the fans of the Number 1 team in college football are all thinking to themselves “Gee, I really wish we had Coach Richt leading our team today”?
Man, I could sure use just one puff of whatever it is that you’re smoking right now. I don’t think I could survive two puffs.
LakeDawg
November 5th, 2011
10:54 am
You heard it here first. UGA will never lose another game to UF.
ATLBamaFan
November 5th, 2011
10:56 am
They wanted to lynch the guy a couple of years ago. Thought he was incompetent. I wouldn’t want LM coaching my team.
Yawn...
November 5th, 2011
10:59 am
I don’t think he’d leave LSU for Athens. He’s not the kind of coach who settles for mediocrity, so he wouldn’t want to be associated with a program that does.
Dawgdad (The Original)
November 5th, 2011
11:01 am
Schultz, you are late to join the Miles Admiration Society, despite your protests.
wreckmaniac
November 5th, 2011
11:11 am
Yesterday’s CNN poll had the following results to: ” Who will win the LSU/Bama game?”:
1. 22%-Bama
2. 18% – LSU
3. 60% – don’t care
So what does this today’s game of the century mean. Very little as the same two teams will be #1 and #2 on Monday. The South Carolina/AR game is much more meaningful.
abravefan
November 5th, 2011
11:15 am
In your face shot at Mark Richt. Tasteless.
Yawn...
November 5th, 2011
11:17 am
Game of the Century, you say?
Doesn’t sound mediocre enough to interest anyone in the Atlanta area.
Yawn...
November 5th, 2011
11:19 am
Interesting. A tasteless money shot?
Must have eaten lots of cinnamon and pineapple to prepare for that one.
Delbert D.
November 5th, 2011
1:30 pm
“The winner of the SEC will be an overwhelming favorite to win it all.”
South Carolina is still officially in the race. They *could* win the SEC before their inevitable faceplant. I favor LSU simply due to the fact that they can lose a QB to injury and still have a capable and experienced starter at that position.
Shrimp Boat Bill
November 5th, 2011
2:43 pm
And, don’t forget, Jeff, they’re such fine upstanding role models……uh, yeah, right….
Shrimp Boat Bill
November 5th, 2011
2:57 pm
The Gators…….Ha Ha Ha HA HA Ha Ha Ha HA HA Ha Ha Ha HA HA Ha Ha Ha HA HA Ha Ha Ha HA HA….24-20…….OOOOOOOOOhhhhhh yeaaahhhhhh!
Ponce Inlet Dawg
November 5th, 2011
3:02 pm
Yea, the Gators…….remember them?? Have they appeared on the Biggest Loser yet??
LIVE: Alabama vs. LSU for division... and SEC, and BCS | Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
5:40 pm
[...] As I wrote in an earlier blog, it’s unfortunate that the two best teams play not only in the same conference (SEC) but the same division (West), which is why Alabama and LSU are meeting in November instead of January. And I doubt there will be a series of events that leads to a bowl rematch because I don’t think As it turns out, one or two people decided to tailgate. [...]
LIVE: Alabama vs. LSU for division… and SEC, and BCS | My Blog
November 5th, 2011
6:18 pm
[...] As I wrote in an earlier blog, it’s unfortunate that the two best teams play not only in the same conference (SEC) but the same division (West), which is why Alabama and LSU are meeting in November instead of January. And I doubt there will be a series of events that leads to a bowl rematch because I don’t think [...]
ColeSkinner
November 5th, 2011
11:08 pm
Nice backhanded swipe at Richt. The comments section here gives ample proof that you are a good fit for your audience.
TigersRule
November 7th, 2011
2:44 am
Miles–best coach in the country. He outcoached saban in the biggest game of the century!! LSU wins the national title—bet the house!