The Sugar Bowl was a great night for those not in love with the college football establishment. Unbeaten Utah, getting no consideration for the national championship, blitzed former title favorite Alabama on a neutral field in New Orleans.It wasn't cheap. It wasn't just dumb luck. The Utes whipped the Crimson Tide, and earned every bit of credit for a sound victory. Of course, if you're Alabama coach Nick Saban, it's easier to blame others than it is to give that credit.
Saban was asked about changing attitudes and expectations in the Alabama program. After all, there's no doubt that he's done a great job so far, even though they haven't climbed the mountain yet.
The coach started talking.
"I want our fans to understand that when they don't have positive passion and energy for what we're trying to accomplish, then it affects everyone," Saban said. "Last year's team was a great example of that."Wait.
You're blaming the fans? The fans didn't have positive passion and energy? What?
"There's very little interest from our fans, our players or anybody else to play in the Sugar Bowl, which to me is a tremendous opportunity," Saban said. "I tried to tell everyone, you're only going to remember one thing about this game and that's the outcome. So there's no interest, there's no passion and everybody is embarrassed because of how we played. Well, it's because you didn't have any passion for it, you didn't have any interest in it, you didn't have any enthusiasm to do it, and that's across the board. And that's not right. We go to a BCS bowl game, everybody ought to be positive and enthusiastic about what we're doing."Emphasis mine, by the way.
Saban went on to say he was not blaming the fans, which explains him saying "across the board". However, if this was about him and his players not being ready enough to play, what reason was there to involve the fans?
After all, if the players are incapable of "getting up" for a BCS bowl game, what good will the fans do you?
Saban likes to try to shield his players from public criticism, but he usually puts it on himself. This is a good thing, and a part of coaching for many guys. However, it's inexcusable to rant like this about one of the most intense and supportive fanbases in all of college football.
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In this undated photo provided by Faulkner University, football player Teirson Hollis is shown. The university said Tuesday, April 21, 2000, that Hollis and teammate Ryne Wilhite were killed when the vehicle they were riding in struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala., early Tuesday. Hollis and Wilhite were returning to Montgomery after visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/Faulkner University) ** NO SALES **
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In this undated photo provided by Faulkner University, football player Ryne White is shown. The university said Tuesday, April 21, 2000, that Ryne White and teammate Teirson Hollis were killed when the vehicle they were riding in struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala., early Tuesday. Hollis and Wilhite were returning to Montgomery after visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/Faulkner University) ** NO SALES **
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President Barack Obama arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, where he presented the Commander in Chief trophy to the U.S. Naval Academy football team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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President Barack Obama looks through a paperweight replica of a team ring that was given to him by the U.S. Naval Academy football team as he presented the Commander in Chief trophy to them, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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President Barack Obama poses with an autographed helmet given to him in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, during a ceremony where he presented the Commander in Chief trophy to the U.S. Naval Academy football team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Michael Crabtree, a wide receiver from Texas Tech, speaks before an interview at the Associated Press on Tuesday, April 21 2009, in New York. Crabtree dominated college football like few receivers have in two seasons at Texas Tech, scoring more than a touchdown per game. He seemed a lock to be a top-five NFL draft pick until a foot injury interrupted his preparation. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
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Michael Crabtree, a wide receiver from Texas Tech, speaks before an interview at the Associated Press on Tuesday, April 21 2009, in New York. Crabtree dominated college football like few receivers have in two seasons at Texas Tech, scoring more than a touchdown per game. He seemed a lock to be a top-five NFL draft pick until a foot injury interrupted his preparation. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
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President Barack Obama looks on as U.S. Naval Academy football head coach Ken Niumatalolo speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, where the president presented the Commander in Chief trophy to the team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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President Barack Obama greets U.S. Naval Academy football players in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, during a ceremony where he presented the Commander in Chief trophy to the team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, during a ceremony where he presented the Commander in Chief trophy to the U.S. Naval Academy football team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Alabama's performance in the Sugar Bowl had nothing to do with Alabama fans feeling let down about not playing for a national title. Instead, it was about the players and coaches not being properly prepared, and Utah being a great team that played a great game when it mattered most to them.
(Pat on the butt: CFT)
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
You stay classy Nick Saban.
I'm only half-kidding when I say it's too bad Pete Holliday isn't around to shamelessly defend Saban's actions again.
Whats next, Dog stole newspaper.
By saying all this proves your a whinning cry baby.Just admit you got outplayed/outcoach,And beaten badly. Are we in for another Woody Hayes?.
Your gonna punch player who intercepts pass.
Sounds like it.
Nick Satan, the prostitute. For sale to the highest bidder. He shoulda recruited Ryan Perilloux when LSU kicked him out cause thugs and prostitutes work together.
Maybe he should have spent less time counting his $$$ and more time motivating and focusing his players. Anyone can coach a great team when they are at the top. It takes a real leader to coach and motivate a team when things are getting tough. Saban has proven himself to be neither a great coach or a motivator.
That is one of the single dumbest comments I've read on fanhouse. Say what you will about Saban and call him a mercenary. That's fine. One thing you can't say is that he's not a hell of a coach and motivator. Utah put a beat down on Bama plain and simple, but you can't judge a career based on one game.
Every1 BEHOLD jgflounder!! What A Clown.. Quick 2 Wanna Talk Down Saban. Well Way I Look At If He Wants To Count $$$ Every Other Day, Let His Azz Count It. flounder might think Saban not a good coach or motivator, But If The No Good Non Motivating Money Counting Saban Can Go Undefeated All Year N Only Lose 2 Games To The 2 Teams That Finished The Year #1 And #2, Bamas' Coaches And Team Will Be Alright...
ROLL TIDE!!!!
Saban is right that The Tide and their fans were disappointed and looking past the Utes (I know I was). I will never question the abilities of the Utah again, but I will not say that the "real" Tide showed up that day. When you take (arguably) the best offensive lineman in the sport and remove him in your "Super Bowl", only to have the rest of your line LEARN NEW POSITIOINS during the biggest game of their lives...it was an f'd up situation. I blame Andre Smith for it all. The fans showed up (even if they were only partially interested)...it just seems like the players didn't. I used to play football, and I know how hard it is to suddenly have to learn a new position. Usually I had a week or two to get used to the new side/position...not a day or two. Utah all showed up playing their natural positions, and the Bama line absolutely folded. You can't tell me that they can stop 350 pounders, but not 240 pounders...greater speed or no, the line just faltered. After that first quarter, Utah was virtually shut down...the shock was just too much for everyone. This year will be better, and next year even better than that. The Tide is back people. Love him or hate him...Nick Saban is the BEST coach in college football. ROLL TIDE!!!
Roll Tide Roll! Saban or no Saban, the TIDE will Roll, Andre Smith or none the Tide will Roll! ... We bleed Crimson.... and We'll rise....
GO BAMA......................
Wasn't it Alabama's overzealous fans that all but ruined their program in the first place? Maybe they finally learned a lesson. At least they're finally ALLOWED to play in bowl games again....but that never seems to last. One thing you can count on with Auburn and Alabama...if they're not on probation, they will be soon!