He may not want to be the story but as game time in Tuscaloosa draws closer he becomes more of the focal point. I am referring to Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. Everyone who follows college football knows by now that Saban, two years after leading the team to their first national championship in 45 years, left Louisiana State University to become head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins for two seasons, only to leave Miami to become head coach at one of LSU's bitterest of rivals.
Can this be paralleled to your father divorcing your mother and marrying another woman? OK, that may be a stretch, because I honestly feel LSU fans would say it's worse.
Coach Saban obviously did what he felt he had to do, and even though Tigers fans will never forgive him, they should be a little more worried about the present and future and not the past.
LSU Head Coach Les Miles could possibly be offered the job at his alma mater Michigan at the end of the season, IF and it's a big IF, Michigan's administration gives Wolverines fans the Christmas present they want, a new coach. Although I don't forsee that happening since Lloyd Carr has managed to turn the team's season around and they are again fighting for a Big 10 title and headed for a showdown with Ohio State.
So at least in Saban's case the good news is, his team gets to play LSU at home. The bad news is eventually he will have to face the music and head to Baton Rouge, but that's next year.
This year the Crimson Tide is presently in a tie with LSU for the top spot in the SEC West Division. There's litterally a lot at stake in SEC land when it comes to this game. The winner will more than likely have the inside track to the Georgia Dome (SEC Championship), and a shot a the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama beats LSU and goes to the SEC Championship and maybe the Sugar Bowl in Louisiana? Meanwhile LSU, a team that has national championship aspirations, will possibly settle for the Peach Bowl? AGAIN? How will that set?
Which brings me to the point of this post.
The pressure isn't on Nick Saban, the pressure is on Les Miles.All Saban has to do this year is get to a bowl game and win it. Notice, I said "a bowl game." This year that will satisfy Crimson Tide Fans. Next year will be a different story however.
As for Les Miles. All of the pressure of big time college football has been placed squarely on his shoulders. Tigers fans have never accepted losses to the Alabama Crimson Tide and they sure aren't going to settle for them now. This is a deal-breaking, must-win game for Les Miles every year until that Michigan job becomes available.
Job pressure? Uh, yeah.
I also think the Alabama Crimson Tide wins this game, and unfortunately the LSU fans will have to sit and let this stew for another year. But remember where the game is played next year Alabama fans because I know you will be talking about being national championship contenders in 2008. Paybacks are hell.
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