re: Offenses evolved to score more points. Defenses haven't evolved to stop them.

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Saban likes to mix it up. Sometimes they play man, sometimes zone. Sabans biggest problem is he likes to read the offense presnap and make adjustments with his defense. Can't really do that with up tempo.

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It's not just that. Saw someone break down a few OSU plays. QB option to hand it off the RB up the middle(linebackers suck in), WR out to the left is sprinting over for a possible reverse thing(defense scrambles to their left once they realize it), WR out wide to the right runs 10 yard out and cuts it to the middle. Meanwhile, a WR or TE who was in the slot to the right sorta fakes a block and runs a slant behind the linebackers(who are completely shitting their pants at this point) and is WIDE open with everyone but the safety running the wrong way.

The play was so complex. All I could think was "my god, how does a defense stop this shite?!"

This one might not be new or anything, I have no idea. But I love the play where the QB fakes a handoff to the right, then runs left with the option to take it or make a running throw to a WR who stays behind him to keep the lateral alive. DB has to decide whether to go get the QB or stay out wide, all the while another WR is readying to pop his arse. The NC game was the first time I've seen a defense blow it up. It's usually a guaranteed 7+ yards.

Saban is great at dissecting offenses presnap. But with so many options on any given play, he can only do so much.