Bama-Notre Dame? A big game. Nick Saban? Even bigger
"You know, Brian, these crystal things can break if you drop them. Just a warning." (AP photo by John Bazemore)
Fort Lauderdale – Taking a break from leveraged buyouts, the Wall Street Journal devoted four full Friday pages to college football, labeling Alabama-Notre Dame “the biggest game ever.” And it well may be. Alabama claims 14 national championships, Notre Dame 11. Alabama had the Bear, Notre Dame the Four Horseman. But you know all this already.
The mood on the ground in South Florida is a bit different. In January 2005, USC met Oklahoma here for the BCS title, and that, at least until kickoff, felt like a bigger game. Four of the top five vote-getters in the 2004 Heisman Trophy balloting — Matt Leinart, Adrian Peterson, Jason White and Reggie Bush — were on display, and three of those would actually win a Heisman before leaving school. (Then the game began and a Sooner named Mark Bradley fumbled a punt and the Trojans won 55-19. So much for buildup.)
Before the other Mark Bradley got involved, that championship game seemed a collision of colossi. This time there’s only one giant, and he’s the guy envious rivals insists wears lifts in his shoes.
Nick Saban, 5-foot-6, towers over college football in a way that even Paul William Bryant didn’t quite. The Bear had peers — Ara Parseghian, Bud Wilkinson, John McKay, Darrell Royal, Woody Hayes, Bob Devaney, Barry Switzer, Joe Paterno. Saban stands alone. Only Urban Meyer has a case for similar eminence, and if Alabama wins Monday night Meyer will have half as many BCS titles.
Brian Kelly has steered Notre Dame to an unbeaten season, and his Irish enter the title game ranked No. 1 to Alabama’s No. 2. Yet the most revealing question directed toward Kelly at a Sunday morning briefing was, “How much of a compliment is it for someone to say they see a lot of Nick Saban in you?” Kelly’s response: “A great personal compliment … I would take that moniker any time.”
Saban has won so big at Alabama — this would make three national championships in four seasons, and it would make the Tide the first repeat titlist of the BCS era — that questions for him tend to center less on this particular team than his famous “process,” which on its face is Football 101: Work hard, recruit well, establish team discipline. This wouldn’t have been a revelation to Bear Bryant, who delighted in arriving at work before dawn and calling the Auburn football office and getting no answer, which meant he was outworking his nemesis.
Said Kelly: “I know Nick has talked about it, too — it’s a little bit old fashioned in the sense that this (game) is about the big fellas up front. It’s not about the crazy receiving numbers or passing yards or rushing yards; this is about the big fellas, and this game will be decided unquestionably up front.”
There are no gimmicks to Saban’s football. His defensive schemes are complex — when Saban was at LSU, a defensive player told the Baton Rouge writer Glenn Guilbeau that the Tigers named their different blitzes after states and ran out of states — but Alabama under Saban is essentially as Alabama was under Bryant, big and strong and fierce and above all consistent.
In his book, “How the SEC Became Goliath,” Ray Glier reports that Saban has a physical profile for recruits: Bama doesn’t want little guys, or inflexible ones. According to Glier, Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who worked under Saban at Michigan State, has brought those guidelines to Athens. Such is the immensity of Saban. He’s not some hot coach with a sexy offense. He’s he guy who came to the league that already played the best football and has forced everyone else to do as he does.
Business publications like Fortune and Forbes have sought to discover what makes Saban so successful, as if football was all nuts and bolts and no blood and guts. (A Fortune nugget: To save time and confusion, Saban eats a salad with turkey strips for lunch every day.) But he nearly teared up when he spoke of his dad, who was known as Big Nick and who ran a service station and a Dairy Queen in Monongah, West Va., and mentioned that he hated having to wash blue and black cars because Big Nick would make him do it again if he found streaks.
Said Saban: “So we learned a lot about work ethic. We learned a lot about having compassion for other people and respecting other people, and we learned about the importance of doing things correctly. And when I started to play for him in Pop Warner football, he was the same way as a coach — attention to detail, discipline, do things what you’re supposed to do, the way you’re supposed to do it, when you’re supposed to do it, the way it’s supposed to get done … discipline was engrained in just about everything that we did.”
This isn’t to say the Saban Process is all sweetness and light. Alabama did flout the spirit, if not the actual rule, by its oversigning of recruits, and many in South Florida hate Saban for running out on the Miami Dolphins after two nondescript years. But we can’t dispute the magnitude of what he has done at Alabama, and what he has done is render himself bigger than the biggest collegiate game in many a moon.
Further reading: History may favor the underdog Irish, but Bama is too good.
Still further: Bama’s Geno Smith went the wrong way on UGA’s final play.
By Mark Bradley
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144 comments Add your comment
A&M 29 -- Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:08 pm
Winning your Conference is important only if Bama wins it,
otherwise not so much.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:09 pm
“Last year, Saban said Oklahoma State won their Conference
but that was a minor issue,”
Looks like someone gets their news from http://www.fictionalquotes.com
A&M 29 -- Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:10 pm
Saban would never “spin” an issue in favor of the Tide,
he is just too ethical.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:12 pm
A&M 29 — Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:08 pm
Winning your Conference is important only if Bama wins it,
otherwise not so much.
All I know is that we’re the 2011 BCS national champions. You don’t like it? Sucks for you ma’am. You’re welcome to come shine that 2011 BCS trophy for us. It’ll give you a good chance to see what one looks like up close and personal.
A&M 29 -- Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:15 pm
SEC Officials
would never compromise a call because Saban was on the sideline.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:15 pm
“Saban would never “spin” an issue in favor of the Tide,
he is just too ethical.”
Too bad you can’t back up any of your BS.
Old Dog Class of 80
January 6th, 2013
6:15 pm
“Satan will go down in the anals of history as a winning coach who sold his soul to the devil ”
Moist Dawg – I hope you just can’t spell – I am sur you meant annals when you said anals – unless you are thinking of sodomy.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:16 pm
“SEC Officials
would never compromise a call because Saban was on the sideline”
Well of course. Saban has the game officials over for dinner and drinks the night before the game and hands out envelopes of cash to them. Didn’t you know that?
A&M 29 -- Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:17 pm
SEC Officials
would never overlook excessive holding by the Tide offensive line.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:22 pm
A&M 29 — Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:17 pm
SEC Officials
would never overlook excessive holding by the Tide offensive line.
Perhaps you should pay them better like Saban does. BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
01HAWK
January 6th, 2013
6:22 pm
I tell you the jealousy on this blog is so funny. I even have one of my Church members that will not speak to me because I am a BAMA fan.
You GEORGIA fans are hillariously funny. Get a life and realize that BAMA fans are laughing at the comments you make.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:24 pm
A&M 29 — Bama 24,
Its been fun but I gotta go. Enjoy living life vicariously through someone else’s win. Its sad and pathetic. But funny nonetheless. And enjoy watching the tide roll to a 3rd BCS national championship in 4 years tomorrow night. I know I’ll enjoy it. Loser.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:26 pm
01 Hawk,
Its hilarious to watch the sheer jealousy and anger over Bama’s success. And its sad to watch a guy live vicariously through another team’s win. Still funny though. Anyway I hope the above poster will enjoy watching Bama roll to a 3rd national title in 4 years. I know I will.
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:27 pm
A&M 29 — Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:17 pm
SEC Officials
would never overlook excessive holding by the Tide offensive line.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Tide Rising
January 6th, 2013
6:29 pm
See you guys later. I’ll be back after our soon to be acquired 3rd BCS title in 4 years. HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
Athens
January 6th, 2013
6:29 pm
Funny how no alums of UGA or Alabama post nonsense on articles.
Athens
January 6th, 2013
6:32 pm
@01HAWK
Probably because all the Bama “Alums” I know have great respect for UGA and don’t run their mouths…
Paul in NH
January 6th, 2013
6:37 pm
“I even have one of my Church members that will not speak to me because I am a BAMA fan.”
Must be one of those churches that has a different interpretation of the Gospels.
JB
January 6th, 2013
6:44 pm
Tomorrow’s game is an arranged marriage…..With 3 days notice, Texas A&M beats either by two TD’s. They have already whipped Bama at Legion field a few weeks ago.
JB
January 6th, 2013
6:48 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly didn’t approach the Head Ref tomorrow during warmups and ask HIM his opinion of what OL holding consists of.
A&M 29 -- Bama 24
January 6th, 2013
6:49 pm
`
Alabama is just another one loss team, nothing special.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
January 6th, 2013
6:57 pm
We might be but we get a chance to take home another glass ball….and your tream ?
Notre Dame is going to play very well. I hope we can get a win. If not then we get on the bus and get back to T-town and start to work again. The new 30 million weight room will be open in early March.
Red Stick
January 6th, 2013
7:02 pm
Bama wins 27-10. Notre Dame is not that impressive. Oregon would have been a better matchup although I think the Tide would beat them too.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Athens Tider
January 6th, 2013
7:03 pm
“Moist Dawg – I hope you just can’t spell – I am sur you meant annals when you said anals – unless you are thinking of sodomy.”
I think Moist Dawg was thinking of sodomy. Maybe that why he’s so moist.
Red Stick
January 6th, 2013
7:07 pm
Moist Dawg attacks anyone who supports any team but UGA. He’s a classless poster who brings nothing to the blogs here.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Chuck
January 6th, 2013
7:10 pm
Don’t ever mention that waste of oxygen with the likes of Bear Bryant and these other fine men again. Barry Switzer is garbage, plain and simple. His teams played stupid in college, and Dallas won a Super Bowl with him at the helm in SPITE of his terrible coaching (that says a lot about the team Jimmy Johnson put together up there). The Cowboys have never been the same since that joke of a human being was named coach by an even bigger joke of a human being.
Delbert D.
January 6th, 2013
7:21 pm
If someone can present a thesis as to why some team other than these two should be in this playoff, we can have a dialectical discussion on it. Maybe Mark can assume the role of Socrates.
Truth
January 6th, 2013
7:33 pm
Let’s all form a circle around moistdawg and give em a big group hug. If that doesn’t work, then a good counselor is the only other answer I have.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
January 6th, 2013
7:35 pm
Oregon is good no doubt and I am glad Bama doesn’t have to play them. Looks like Chip Kelly will return to the Ducks. I guess Phil Knight will pickup the tab and create more uniforms.
JJ
January 6th, 2013
7:53 pm
I couldnt care less. The Alabama fans have nothing else in that state but football. So sad!!
DawgNole
January 6th, 2013
8:00 pm
Moist Dawg
January 6th, 2013
5:51 pm
I’m just as much of a fan as any of your people. I’m sick of some of you snobs and your personal attacks. We’re on the same side you morons!
Go ahead Dawg “fans” make fun of me all you want but I laugh in your faces for defending nick satan. Sometimes I think I am one of the last, true, old time REAL fans
_____________________
You CANNOT be for real. Good gracious, what a whacko.
it is what it is
January 6th, 2013
8:01 pm
Saban been crying lately, give me a break…he’s crying because he knows it is just a matter of time before the NCAA comes after his player payouts, transcript fraud, etc…Preaching to his players about Honor. Where was the honor when Saban told the Dophins owner he was “all in” while the private plane at the airport was waiting to take him to Alabama.
The ND coach same no class loser too. Lying to his former team about never leaving only for them to find out from reporters while arriving to the team banquet to celebrate an undefeated year.
Some character in that one.
Poopdawg
January 6th, 2013
8:10 pm
If Bama can keep the officials believing their OL never , and I mean never hold and their DBS never hold or cause pass interference then I like Bama big. Hell I would take Vandy over ND if they could get those advantages. Tide rising and Hawk, congrats on your teams success but remember you both have done nothing . Y’all are actually hurting the team you love by being classless jerks!
Brewmaster
January 6th, 2013
9:04 pm
I am a huge fan of the Dogs ( 1983 grad), but I have to say this to Moist Dawg : you are a complete buffoon and I would suspect that most Dog fans on here agree. And please stop telling us what you ” approve” of about the Dogs or anything else. Your approval means nothing. Try using Damp Rid and maybe we will then be rid of Moist.
Getting some
January 6th, 2013
9:26 pm
Moist Dawg
January 6th, 2013
12:46 pm
This game is a matchup of two lightwait teams, one lightwait coach, one crooked sleazball coach, and two below average qbs that couldnt hold Aaron Murrays jock strap.
What a sickening display of “football” we will be forced to sit through. I can’t wait for it to just be over so I can hose off my barf bucket.
_____________________________________________________
I can’t figure out if your are ignorant or just stupid, either way your negative everyone else, over the top UGA approach demonstrates your level of football knowledge. We all have learned that when you post it is like reading a science fiction book but mostly unreadable due to your lack of the common use of the english language. I sure your parents are all proud of you for getting your GED and getting a job down at the factory AND shacking up with your boyfriend.
The funny thing is that no matter how loud you scream, no matter how hard you pout, it does not change the fact that Nick Saban, and Steven Spurrier have had careers others would chop off your fingers for while you are stuck working for the “man” and have zero for a future, just like every other meth head who cannot save a dime each week and live pay check to pay check.
Moist Dawg
January 7th, 2013
12:33 am
getting some, enough with the personal attacks, and for the record, I could buy and sell you before lunch.
Copper
January 7th, 2013
4:24 am
Dawg fan here, Saban showed a huge amount of class after the SEC championship game. He congratulated UGA on a great game and season. Although my coach did not return the same courtesy, I think CMR is a good man, but not on the same level as Saban. This Dawg fan says Roll Tide, well at least for today.
Whiskey Breath
January 7th, 2013
7:30 am
At least he is not a phony Christian. He leads the SEC in graduation, lowest penalties, and kids
staying out of jail. He is a devout Catholic and teaches young men how to be succesful on and off the field. He accepts responsibility when his team comes up short. He doesn’t go over to the student section and take a bow when they win. Instead of letting the media and fans go after a assistant,
he comes to their defense. He doesn’t try to find ways to bring other teams down when he can’t beat them on the field. Basically, he is a real man.
Whiskey Breath
January 7th, 2013
7:41 am
How many times does Bama have to kick your sorry mutt butts before you will give Bama respect?
You have no damn shame, Bama get’s a lot of it’s players right from your back yard.
Instead of holding zipper head accountable, the best you can’t do is say he is cheating.
You are one classless, trash bunch
Makemyday
January 7th, 2013
7:54 am
BEST GAME EVER? Really? I dont even think the best Team in the Nation is in this Game! TEXAS A&M
Just another Beauty Contest for the BSC!
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8:23 am
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getting some
January 7th, 2013
8:50 am
Moist Dawg
January 7th, 2013
12:33 am
getting some, enough with the personal attacks, and for the record, I could buy and sell you before lunch
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Look who is talking about Personal Attacks….Mr. LIAR ,,,,YOU COULD NOT BUY A CHEESE SANDWICH WITH 3 DAY OLD BREAD.
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2:06 pm
[...] Ohio State. Urban Meyer is the only active coach with even half as many BCS titles as Saban, and the Urbanator just went undefeated in Year 1 at his latest stop. It’s intriguing that [...]
LifetimeTider
January 8th, 2013
7:50 pm
You goobers need to remember this “We’re Alabama, and you aren’t”. There, that takes care of that.