He has never been one for beating a team into submission, but this year may be different.
After a close loss to Louisiana State University in 2019, the biggest form of disrespect was hurled at Nick Saban.
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Regardless of it escaping Bryant-Denny Stadium with a five-point win (46-41), Ed Orgeron and Tigers celebrated as though it had captured a Super Bowl. Upon its student-athletes reaching the locker room, Orgeron promised the team that Tuscaloosa was its home and how LSU would defeat the Crimson Tide in everything moving forward. Also, fans of the Tigers and national media pundits started a conversation on Saban’s run of championships being over.
LSU fans felt like its dynasty was about to start.
Not only does Saban like to be challenged, but he also enjoys embarrassing the challenger.
Alabama has had a full year to recap what happened. The players are not talking up revenge and Saban is smiling toward reporters, which means a violent statement is about to get issued.
A celebration and claim to start a dynasty for LSU came following one national title, and its first victory over the Tide since the 2011 regular season. Alabama football still moves the needle, generates ratings and pays the bills of everyone.
Even after a hip surgery, Saban is still arguably the best head coach in college football.
Normally, he would call off the dogs after building a huge lead. However, he will not be doing that versus LSU.
Coach Saban is about to show the College Football Playoff committee that no one comes close to Alabama.
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Since 2014, the Tide has outscored LSU, 59-13 at Tiger Stadium. The lone touchdown for LSU came in the first quarter of the 2014 game, where Anthony Jennings found Malachi Dupre for a 14-yard strike. Alabama shut the Tigers out in 2016 and 2018, scoring a combined 39 points.
Orgeron wrote a huge check with the statement he made, and the Tide is about to cash it.
Saban is going after his seventh national championship and in doing so, he wants to show his former team in the SEC West that he’s still atop the college football mountain. Defensively, look for Saban, Pete Golding and the rest of the staff to have its most intense game plan to punish the Tigers. Offensively, Steve Sarkisian is running his entire play sheet and then some.
LSU had a winning record and Les Miles at head coach in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, when the first overwhelming loss happened versus Alabama. The Crimson Tide took a 6-9 loss at the hands of the Tigers in 2011, and Saban constantly thought about it. In getting his second chance at Miles, LSU was rendered helpless and could not score a touchdown.
Alabama sent a message on defense and earned a 21-0 victory in New Orleans, La.
College football has seen the Tide dominate on offense all year, but Saturday’s game must show complete control over LSU and Saban is more than prepared to make it happen.
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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.
