For the first time since the College Football Playoff was implemented in 2014, Alabama will (most likely) not be one of the four teams competing for a national championship.
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, whose most recent title was in the 2017-18 season, lost Saturday to Auburn for their second defeat of the season, effectively knocking them out of the playoff picture with so many undefeated and one-loss teams still in the hunt. They also lost earlier this season to LSU, which will play Georgia in the SEC championship game Saturday.
ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum says Alabama’s issues are about more than this season, which is why he argues the Saban’s dominance in college football is coming to an end.
“We’re not saying he’s done,” Finebaum said Tuesday on Get Up about the 68-year-old coach. “We’re saying this dynasty’s window is closing very tightly.”
Alabama lost starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending hip injury earlier this month in the team’s win against Mississippi State, and that was after he missed the Arkansas game in October while recovering from ankle surgery. Sophomore Mac Jones is finishing out the season as the starter, but as we saw against Auburn, even with so many explosive players on offense, he has some catching up to do.
Finebaum explained what he sees as the bigger picture for Saban’s and Alabama’s future.
He said to Get Up host Mike Greenberg:
“It’s been happening very slowly over the past couple years, but I think over the last couple of months, we’ve seen it. It started with the 28-point blowout to Clemson [in the 2018-19 national championship game]. Saban said, ‘We have to get the Alabama factor back.’ It didn’t happen. It has been a really disappointing season. People are saying, ‘Are you kidding? Alabama went 10-2, and they’re still ranked in the top 10.’ But that’s the difference at Alabama. Couple of reasons why, Greeny. Staff turnover has been a constant churn, especially on the defensive side. Recruiting is an issue. They’re still No. 2 or 3 in recruiting, but they’re being pressed hard by Clemson and Georgia.
“And I’ll say this: I know that everyone will be surprised to know that I covered the end of Bear Bryant’s tenure about 38 years ago as a young reporter — yes, young — and I saw some of the very same signs. He’s considered the greatest coach of all time. Saban surpassed him. It looks very similar.”
Not everyone agrees with Finebaum’s assessment, including Dan Orlovsky, who was sitting across from Finebaum and Greenberg. Orlovsky pointed out how Alabama’s most recent title was only two years ago and said the team has plenty to look forward to as its younger players gain experience.
Stephen A. Smith was also not a fan of Finebaum’s argument, calling it “Absolute Blasphemy”.
BLASPHEMY out of the mouth of @finebaum on @GetUpESPN this morning about Nick Saban. Absolute Blasphemy
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 3, 2019
Finebaum expanded on his initial reaction to Alabama’s loss while on SportsCenter on Sunday. He described the Crimson Tide as lacking discipline and the defensive prowess it’s typically known for, and put the blame squarely on Saban.
He said:
“He promised after the 28-point loss to Clemson that the Alabama factor would be re-established. Has anyone seen it? I haven’t. Penalties and galore. Thirteen penalties, five false starts. There’s no discipline, not enough discipline on this team, and when you start really breaking it down, defense is where the problem is. This team against the last three top-20 opponents has given up 44, 46 and 48 points! That’s not the Nick Saban team I’m accustomed to.”
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