Good article, but here's something to think about. And I just read this recently, so I didn't even know about this. LSU under Les Miles has never lost less than 2 games in a season. He's never been undefeated, and he's never even had a one loss season. So how is he in the same category as Saban? Miles is good (and lucky) but he's not elite.
Miles has his ups and downs. He seems to come through in the big game, but sometimes has a hard time getting his team to focus on lesser opponents. As one commentator put it, if Bama beats LSU, you can pencil them into the BCSNCG. But if LSU wins, you can still see them losing to Arkansas or in the SECCG.
Still, Miles outcoached Saban last year.
Sure, you can point to a young secondary, or break down in assignments. But I think the truth is that Miles had a sense of the momentum of the game, and where to take his chances. Saban played it a bit more conservatively, playing not to lose, and in the process ended up losing. Also, it seemed, from player comments, that Bama focussed on Auburn in the bye-week, and Saban lost that one crucial tool that makes him a master, focus.
If you think this fact has escaped Saban, think again. As much as Saban hates losing, hopefully he learned a lesson from this game. You can bet he is prepared to the hilt this year.
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