NO. The key difference is Bama didn't make it in OVER LSU. They gained the second spot. LSU earned the spot in 2011 by knocking off Bama, same with Auburn this year. I'm merely talking about who fills the second slot. And Saban leaving for Texas makes no sense. The pressure is as big if not greater there to succeed, the task is much more difficult, and no way they can pay a coach an amount that Bama can't afford (I understand Texas has more money, but coaches salaries aren't determined by that). Bama does NOT deserve a spot in the NC game this year based on their resume vs the other top 2 teams. They are the best team though (many think, some will disagree), which is what is silly about the system as it stands. Don't skimp on the yes/no question either. By saying the Cowboys should have made it in over the Tide, you are saying a loss to Iowa State is more excusable than one to LSU in 2011. That is asinine. Not to mention if the SEC was structured like the Big 12 that year (since conference titles mean so much), there would be no divisions and Bama (#2 overall team in their conference) would have been playing for a conference title just like Oklahoma State.
I didn't think he would go either, but there is just too much smoke. It feels eerily similar to when he went to Bama from Miami. I'm just bitter. Let me have this dammit.
I actually kind of hope Saban does go. I'm leaving this state in 6 months anyway and the meltdown would be epic to witness first hand! I don't think it will happen, because it makes no sense. But I wouldn't mind seeing it. haha
A lot of chatter this evening that Saban will announce his retirement after 2014 with Kirby Smart as his Coach in Waiting...
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Real losers blame their loss on the luck of their opponent which is probably true when properly defined as they were just beteer prepared
Sounding true around here... maybe trying to coax an offer but sounds true. He may pull an Urban Meyer stunt. Retire... then return somewhere else in a couple years. I hate for him to leave... Auburn likes beating him.
I wouldn't get too cocky after the biggest fluke play ever. The guy has won 3 of the past 4 championships at your biggest rival. Lol I hope he does leave for Texas personally. That would equal at least 3 weeks of radio gold on the Finebaum Show.
Not cocky... It's just Auburn has been a thorn in his side a few times all the way back to his LSU years. He is .500 against them. If I remember correctly... the game was tied when the runback occurred. It requires more than one "lucky" play to stay in the game with a team as good as Bama. Weird play, yes... but Saban called it. Saban is 6-6 overall against Auburn as the head coach at Alabama and LSU. He's 4-3 against the Tigers at Alabama after going 2-3 against them at LSU. In fact, he's coached against Auburn teams that would finish the season with nine or more wins six times. He's lost all six of those games. At LSU, Saban lost in 2000 to an Auburn team headed toward 9-4, in 2002 to another 9-4 team and in 2004 to Auburn's 13-0 SEC champs. At Alabama, Saban lost in 2007 to a 9-4 Auburn team and in 2010 to Auburn's 14-0 BCS champs and now once again he loses to 10-1 Auburn. Against Auburn teams that would finish with fewer than nine wins, Saban is 6-0. The Crimson Tide has lost the last nine Iron Bowls to Auburn teams that would finish the season with nine or more wins: 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000 and 1997. In contrast, Auburn's won five of the last eight Iron Bowls against Alabama teams headed toward nine-plus victories.
Those stats are all great. But dwarfed by 3 of 4 previous National Championships. Auburn should be proud of what they have accomplished, but I just wouldn't go comparing to a feat that is as impressive as any in all of college football history.
Not comparing... it is just more fun to beat Saban than anyone else and Auburn has a pretty decent record of doing that. Alabama has had a great run amd should be playing for a 3-peat but they have to win the close games. BTW, every close game is decided by a play or two,,, a call or two, whatever. When Bama plays Oklahoma, I will be waving the Bama flag as high as anyone... Roll Tide.
