re: Blog on Saban by Auburn grad re: his effectiveness

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2009 – in Saban’s first title run with Alabama, Heisman finalist and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy goes out with an injury on the second offensive series in the BCS Championship between Alabama and Texas. Texas is up 6-0 at the time, and McCoy does not return. The final score is 37-21, but Texas has the ball at their own 17 down only three points with three minutes left to play. (Two late Texas turnovers establish the final margin of victory.)

2011 – in Saban’s second title run with Alabama, Oklahoma State is undefeated and positioned above Alabama, who has a loss to LSU on their record, with two games left. As a 28-point favorite over Iowa State and leading by 17 in the 3rd quarter, OSU blows their lead and the game and opens the door for Alabama to play LSU in the BCS Championship.

2012 – in Saban’s third title run with Alabama, Kansas State and Oregon are both undefeated and positioned above Alabama, who has a loss to Texas A&M on their record, with two games left. Both teams lose in the same weekend as double-digit favorites (to Baylor and Stanford, respectively) and open the door for Alabama to play Notre Dame in the BCS Championship.

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Again, this is where it will be interesting to see how Saban fans react if Alabama’s relative performance remains the same but the short-term results differ in the upcoming years.

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