Saban's evolution both with offense and with game mgt (4th downs)

When you are dominating the LOS and you know you may need TDs instead of FGs its a pretty easy call.

This years line... for whatever reason... was actually able to both pass and run block. We've had trouble in the past doing both well.

Or with his end of half aggressiveness. It really didn’t matter what the score was or how much time was left, we tried to score. Made a thread already but here is our last drive(s) before the half in each game this year excluding playoffs

1. Missouri: 10 play 75 yards touchdown drive taking 4:22. Left 1:38 on the Clock

2. Texas AM: 8 play, 64 yard touchdown drive taking :59. Left :21 on the Clock

3. Ole Miss: 8 play, 75 yard touchdown drive taking 2:15. Left 1:00 of the Clock

4. Georgia: 5 play, 41 yard field goal drive taking :23. Left :00 on the Clock

5. Tennessee:
a. 8-play 34 yard drive ending in a punt taking 2:03. Left :53 on the Clock
b. 3 play 29 yard drive ending in an incomplete pass. Left :00 on the Clock

6. MSU: 12 play, 88 yard touchdown drive taking 5:35. Left 1:28 on the Clock

7. Kentucky: 6 play 71 yard touchdown drive taking 1:36. Left :46 on the Clock

8. LSU: 6 play 58 yard touchdown drive taking 1:38. Left :45 on the Clock

9. Auburn: 5 play 23 yard drive ending in a punt taking 2:44. Left 1:23 on the Clock

10. Arkansas: 13 play 70 yard touchdown drive taking 4:31. Left :33 on the Clock

11. Florida: 8 play 78 yard touchdown drive taking 1:03. Left :06 on the Clock


9 of 11 halves ending in scores with 8 touchdowns

Average of 58.9 yards gained on these 12 drives


And against Notre Dame and OSU we were aggressive at the end. The Notre dame drive faltered but we got a massive late-half score against OSU

Saban used to coach like he wanted to win every game 17-10, thought his defense could prevent anyone driving the length of field, and just wanted the offense not to make mistakes.

Now he coaches like he wants to score 50 by the end of the third quarter and then kneel on the ball the entire 4th.

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Yep - his embrace and ability to change and accept things that for most old school guys would be foreign or difficult, and to do it rather seamlessly.......it's just unbelievable

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I love how he all but begged the rule makers to help the defenses out against the spread and RPO. He quickly recognized it as a sort of equalizer for less talented teams. Now he is using it to widen the gap

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Now he coaches like he wants to score 50 by the end of the third quarter and then kneel on the ball the entire 4th.

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literally my only minor complaint with saban. I wish we kept the relentless attacking with the backups in. I know he doesn't like to run up scores, but talking about being relentless and then relenting the second half is kinda a cross message. I think when the backups come in it should be 0-0 in the players minds. Pulling the starters should be the nod to good sportsmanship, but the backups need to develop the killer instinct, and that's their chance to get real game experience. If their starters can't stop our backups, that's on them

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how great was it to see us go for it on 4th and short situations in the red zone where we knew we had an advantage at the point of attack?

I don' think I've really grasped how far Saban has come in terms of calling a game situationally like that - we are not afraid to go for 4th downs in situations or games where we think we need TDs and are confident in our offense to get them.

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I think this needs to be tested when the ball is closer to midfield to know for sure. It's pretty easy to keep your foot on the gas at the goaline or 10 yard line, or if its 4th and 3+ yards to go.

I think he's always shown to be aggressive though. Onside vs. UT in 2007 and Clemson in the NC, multiple times taking the opening kickoff after winning the toss, allowing several fake punts/fgs through the years.