Here's one thing I don't understand how Alabama does. Despite the perception, Alabama is not unbeatable. Saban has only one undefeated season at Alabama and that was 8 years ago. He loses one, sometimes two games per year. However, when they do lose it is never because his team appears under-prepared or beats themselves. They never lay an egg. Other great coaches - Dabo, Urban, Bob Stoops, Fisher, Richt, etc. will have 2 or 3 games a year where their teams come out and play at a level far from their best. That is totally understandable; we're talking about 18-22 year old guys playing on big stages.
Why does this never happen to Alabama? They don't win every game, but when they do lose it takes a perfect or near-perfect game and often a superstar player from the other team (Deshaun Watson, Manziel, Ezekiel Elliott, etc.) to do so. They make a play or two more than Alabama does, and that is the difference in the game. Alabama seemingly never plays a game that is far removed from their potential; they are either just below or right at their best every single week. Is Saban really just that much better at preparation than everybody else? I understand that his teams are very deep and talented, but how does he get 100% out of them every week, virtually without exception, while other great coaches have 2 or 3 clunkers a year?
