First one the field to notice/call 12 men

Well to be fair, he is looking downfield and the OL and WR are looking at the ball for the snap.

Plus Nix reacted when he saw the flag being thrown. Clearly Gus and the team had practiced that formation on the hopes the other team would fk up and leave the KO returner on the field.

Gus literally outcoached Saban for the win

quote:

---

Clearly Gus and the team had practiced that formation on the hopes the other team would fk up and leave the KO returner on the field.

---

It actually wasn’t intended to get that penalty. He talked in the post game that the goal was to just get Waddle off the field. Luckily he decided to stay

quote:

---

It actually wasn’t intended to get that penalty. He talked in the post game that the goal was to just get Waddle off the field. Luckily he decided to stay

---

I find it hard to believe he didnt think about getting a 12 man penalty with the formation. Why else send the kicker out on the field. He could have just let Nix kick the ball and Waddle wouldnt have been on the field.

quote:

---

Probably to ensure the person most likely to bury them was kicking it. We didn’t need Nix blasting another one through the end zone.

I’m sure confusion was a factor, but the main goal was to not have to worry about Waddle.

---

maybe im giving Gus too much credit, but i still believe the 12 men on the field crossed his mind

What you guys didn't see on TV was waddle trying to run off the field. He was walking (strutting) taking his time with his back turned to the Alabama bench pumping himself up for this big punt return getting. Auburn gets set and Waddle finally pays attention notices the formation counts the personal realizes there are too many men on then he makes a mad sprint towards the sideline to get off the field. Since the offence was set to run the play it was too late and the back judge blew the play dead. Nix wasnt pointing out the illegal sub he was pointing at the back judge who threw the flag and blew the play dead probably a second or two before he reacts.

quote:

---

I believe everyone understands this...but it still doesn't mean it was the intention of the play.

---

That’s not even the point he was countering. And clearly not everyone because the OP references Nix pointing out Waddle not the referee

Whoever is at running back actually points it out to Nix just prior to him lining up to get the call

quote:

---

maybe im giving Gus too much credit, but i still believe the 12 men on the field crossed his mind

---

Gus deserves all the credit. His call put an immense amount of pressure on timeouts- less Saban to make a split second decision. When you put pressure on the other team, mistakes are made. Gus didn’t get his intended result, he got something better.

That’s like a ball carrier running the sidelines knowing the defender doesn’t want to hit him out of bounds thus drawing a penalty. He only wants to pick up a few yards before getting touched out of bounds, but if the defender gets fooled into thinking the carrier will just run out of bounds, the carrier can cut it up the field for a huge gain. The carrier would get credit for being heads up enough for either outcome.

Brandon Marcello told Finebaum yesterday that Auburn fans have been laughing at Saban since the game. And to his credit said life is unfair. Saban can kiss my arse.