re: How would you categorize the Saban teams?

I wouldn't say that 2009 Alabama was supposed to be national champions. Going into the season, we were ranked #5 in both polls and there were still some people in the media who thought 2008 was a flash in the pan and that we would take a step back after losing guys like Coffee, Wilson, Caldwell, Smith, Johnson, etc. Ole Miss was the trendy pick to win the SEC West. It was also thought that Florida, with all the talent they were bringing back from the '08 squad, would easily repeat as national champions.