Random Thoughts..

[VOL89grad]

First off, Let’s Go BaseVOLS and VOLNATION in putting away LSU tonight.

In getting ready for game, turned on TV and listening to Finebaum show with a bunch of callers from Bama giving their collective $.02 on how Bama is still on the top of the CFB heap. Obviously, the callers are (to put it mildly) delusional.

Started thinking about upcoming football season (Go VOLS!) and was kinda wondering what other SEC football fans (specifically VOL fans) thought about the eventual “breaking“ of Bama’s dominance. Specifically, whether VOLNATION thinks the “end” of the Saban era will occur in 2023 or 2024 (or even later). For the record, I have nothing but respect for Coach Saban and what he‘s accomplished - simply hoping that his eventual retirement will help open the door for VOLS to regain their “blue-blood” status.

For this little thought exercise, wondering your thoughts about if a 2023 Bama loss to either VOLS or Tigers would cause Nick to hang it up or that he’ll either continue until he faces the gauntlet scheduled for 2024 (including a home game against his apprentice Kirby) to push him and Bama program over the edge to reset.

I am looking forward to our 2023 season… hoping obviously for decisive wins over gators, bulldogs and tide.

Go VOLS!

 

[Dadof2Vols]

He will not retire until he wins one more is my guess.

He will want to go out on top and not allow people to say the new SEC or the 9 game schedule ran him away.

 

[KeyVol14]

Whether we win or LSU wins, dominant programs all eventually come back down to earth. It’s the way college football works.
From the outside looking in, Bamas QB situation looks avg right now and without a high powered offense in today’s game, you don’t stand much of a chance. His consistent whining of why they didn’t make the playoffs just shows how much of his own ego gets in the way. It’s almost pathetic at this point.

 

[SpookyAction]

I'm not so sure Saban is going to stick around very long if Bama doesn't win another Natty soon.

Normally he would work toward another, 100%, but at 72, I think he is also aware of the effect of staying too long. He knows from experience last impressions have the longest impact in his business. I don't think he continues much longer, because his exceptional advantages, personal and program, are slipping.
He leaves as the GOAT, and he knows that sheen will be less shiny if he is too far past being the best at present.

He advocates for his team persistently, and I have huge respect for him going to the hilt for his team's rankings and playoff eligibility. The reason television reporters and talking heads can't shut him down is our own team's chokejob in Columbia. Heupel would be making the same press tour with positions switched.

I think he has enough self-awareness to avoid the fates of Paterno and Bowden. He knows they seriously tainted their legacies.
I am well aware of Paterno's other issues with his legacy, but even if Sandusky hadn't happened, Paterno undid a lot of his legacy by keeping a death grip on the football program, when he obviously was incapable and not even calling the shots during games or practice.

 

[Sarms58]

Saban has 2, maybe 3 years left to win another NC. Bama always has the talent they just haven't gelled the last couple of seasons (despite have a great QB). It says something when going 11-2 with your two losses being by a total of 4 points and both losses came down to the last play AND THAT IS CONSIDERED A DOWN YEAR.

I think Saban wants to win one more but that's no easy feat. The new playoff format starting in '24 makes it easier to get in but harder to win the title. Last year TCU got really up for Michigan and were able to pull off the upset. But they came back to normal and caught a very pissed off Georgia team that could have hung 100 on 'em. That same Georgia team came out very average to even flat against a pumped-up Ohio State team and very nearly lost in the semis. Under the new format, a team will have to win 3 or 4 straight games against quality opponents and that's hard in any league. If Bama doesn't run the table next year, then I doubt Saban will get another title.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I think the break in his dominance already happened.

It's just no one is quite sure of it yet. A lot suspect it. But no one is sure.

And the Bama fans are largely in denial. They're worried. But they are trying not to be.

Saban won't retire for another year or two, maybe even three. Only when it becomes obvious even to him that it's over. Like most, he'll probably hang on a bit too long.

Go Vols!

 

[ftsandersvol]

I hope Saban severely tarnishes his legacy by staying around too long. Just let him keep up his whining and crying for a few more years. He’ll end up being known as a great coach, but also the man who simply couldn’t adapt to the changing landscape of college football in the ‘20s.

 

[ImLoco4Vols]

I think the break in his dominance already happened.

It's just no one is quite sure of it yet. A lot suspect it. But no one is sure.

And the Bama fans are largely in denial. They're worried. But they are trying not to be.

Saban won't retire for another year or two, maybe even three. Only when it becomes obvious even to him that it's over. Like most, he'll probably hang on a bit too long.

Go Vols!

This right here is the truth. He's got maybe 3 years left unless they sneak into another one. . then, he gone