re: My sources in Seattle are hearing a LOT of Saban buzz...

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C'mon, he won the Big 10 his last year there. When was the last time that happened. Could it possibly be that LSU was just a MUCH bigger opportunity?

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Michigan State did not win the Big 10 in Saban's tenure. (The last Big 10 co-championship for Michigan State was in 1990. Wisconsin was the 1999 champ). I do think that Saban saw an opportunity at LSU that he didn't have at Michigan State because Michigan is in such a dominant position. LSU, however, was virtually ideally situated for him. I don't fault him for leaving Michigan State (How many coaches wouldn't take the LSU job if offered over Michigan State?) But yes, the position of Michigan v. Michigan State was a major factor in his decision, and LSU was a major opportunity.

For right now all the discussion is speculation, but if UW fires Willingham this year or next, look for the Saban speculation to explode. It will build to a crescendo as Willingham's situation become more and more untenable and then it is all that we will hear until the UW job is filled. And it will drive the Bama fans absolutely crazy. It was bad enough in Baton Rouge. It will be much worse in Alabama.