The truth can be tough to deal with, but one has to understand when Nick Saban explains it.
As consumers of college football, we have enjoyed the season thus far — especially after the uncertainty from COVID-19 occurring throughout the summer. With players, coaches, conferences, programs and administrators continuing to adjust, there has been one frustrating aspect to the sport. In the past, we grew accustomed to the statement: “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”
In fact, there was validity to the idea as defenses were shutting teams out and Saban was reaping national championships with teams at Alabama that allowed an average of less than two touchdowns per game.
Not only have the offenses caught up; they have actually gotten better.
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Whether it is an influx of spread personnel, more offensive skill players entering college prepared or more coaches transitioning to be offensive minds, the sport we love has become an offensive powerhouse. It has become a game of elite passers at quarterback, dynamic receivers and running backs, matchup creators as coaches, and which team can score the most points.
We have seen a bunch of shootouts this season, and games decided by who has the ball on the final possession. This style of football affected the Crimson Tide versus Ole Miss on Oct. 10.
Coach Saban saw his group surrender 48 points and 647 yards to an unranked team, which was the most allowed by an Alabama defense in the Saban era. Regardless of still earning a 63-48 victory, fans were highly bothered by the group not being dominant against Lane Kiffin and Mississippi. Since then, the Tide has allowed just 13.67 points per matchup in its last three games.
It pitched a shutout in a meeting versus Mississippi State (41-0), but Saban has come to grips with reality. On Wednesday, he spoke on the state of defenses in today’s college football at the SEC Coaches Teleconference.
“I think the days of giving up seven or eight points average in the season is long gone in college football,” Saban said. “Now, if you can hold a team to probably 14-17, you’re playing pretty well.”
A defense still needs to get off the field on third down and force turnovers, but Saban knows that a team has to score consistently in order to win games. Fortunately, Alabama has an offense with Mac Jones that ranks first in the SEC for scoring (47.2 ppg) and second for total offense (555.2 ypg). Through six matchups, the Tide has scored at least 40 points in five straight games.
With college football becoming more of a space and speed game, the rules now suit the offensive mind.
RELATED: Najee Harris’ versatility at running back has made Alabama’s offense impossible to defend
Saban expects his defense to play with discipline this week versus Kentucky, as the Wildcats bring a veteran offensive line and potent rushing attack into Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
