Why Paul Finebaum feels Saban is trying to ‘dumb down’ expectations for DeBoer at Alabama

Paul Finebaum thought it was hilarious when Nick Saban said he liked that Alabama was flying under the radar.

“I always hated it when we got picked high,” Saban said. “Sometimes when we did it was a motivating factor to the players; hopefully we can sneak up on some people this year and fly under the radar a little bit and surprise some people, not be the target like we’ve been in the past. And that could be beneficial to the team having more success. I’m so hopeful that’s what happens.”

Finebaum was asked about Saban’s comments on ESPN’s Get Up.

“Stop it, stop it, coach already,” Finebaum said. “We’re talking about the University of Alabama here. We’re not talking about some off-brand school in the middle of nowhere. When Nick Saban was the head coach… Alabama was No. 1 in the country at some point for 15 straight years. They were the favorite for all but one game in a 16-game stretch. Saban is now trying to dumb down the DeBoer expectations, and I am not having it.”

Alabama opened fall camp on Wednesday. The Tide will open the season against East Carolina on Sept. 5.