re: Would Bama or TN still be unbeaten in another conference?

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Bama would be undefeated if Saban didn't have early dementia.

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He's in his 70s but I don't think Saban's showing any signs of dementia let alone early dementia which is so much worse than regular alzheimer's and/or dementia. A truly horrible illness and death.

Saban and Alabama this season are simply less talented than they have been in years prior because the recruiting landscape has changed and this year he's playing with classes that aren't as loaded as they have been in years past (those mega classes Kirby pulled started paying dividends last season and are still paying dividends and while that's a boost to UGA it's a net loss for Alabama because those were guys that in years prior would've been at Alabama).

It's going to be a matter of whether or not Saban really wants the bother of adjusting to how the recruiting game has changed. He had the system on lock down but UGA and other schools are now chipping away recruits that had largely gone to BAMA/Saban without much challenge. Add to this portal classes AND all the NIL changes that have taken place and Saban is going to have to change along with it if he wants to keep BAMA at the same level it's been at. That means he has to either tweak his recruiting (get the old machine back up to where it was), the way he coaches (account for marginally less talent) or fade away.

Given his age, he may decide that he doesn't want to do that. He's certainly proven enough. He could also decide that he still wants the challenge and only retire after he's risen to it.