He's also changing to the Spread Offense.

He has built his dynasty in recruiting the biggest players in college football on both of his lines. Not just big, but monstrously big, often times morbidly obese defensive linemen. On offense, they take their time and grind defensive lines into the ground, because they have a size advantage, and generally at least a 20 pounds size advantage, across the line.

On defense they play a 3-4, and utilize giant nose guards to plug the middle, and DE's all over 270 to hold the edge.

Their Inside Linebackers are all listed at 250 and 260, and their outside linebackers are listed at 245 and 235.

Basically, Saban wants to play a slow, grinding game where his players physical size wear down opponents on offense and defense. The problem with the hurry up for him is that both his offense and defense have to play more snaps, which is problematic, because their huge guys tend to wilt when they play over 70 snaps. They are not as strong on offense or defense when this happens, and they become beatable, especially if you can drag them into the 4th quarter.

Saban is seeing his entire strategy placed in jeopardy, and he is trying to use his influence to keep that from happening. It's a smart play, totally unethical and cowardly, but smart none the less, and he has recruited Bielema (power I) and Calhoun (option) to help lead the charge.

Message was edited by: drewtigeralum03®

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ESPN has really put themselves in a tight spot

Feb 14, 2014, 6:27 PM [ in reply to Re: Nick Saban is a smart guy...evil...but smart ]

On one side they need to maintain this cash cow deal with the SEC, they NEED to pitch the SEC as dominant world beaters. Unfortunately, Nick Saban and the rest of the SEC (including the majority of SEC fans) love slow, grinding, 1930's era "smash 'er up the middle" football with no lights, sounds, fanfare, cheerleaders, marching bands, and especially NO HUNH offenses. (Auburn is simply playing to beat Bama, Texas A&M and Mizzou are Big 12 teams that only know fast paced or Air Raid offenses, so neither of those count as "SEC" in this specific case).

However, thanks to Peyton Manning (ironic isn't it?), Oregon, and other factors the HUNH has become very popular. Likewise, its a much more entertaining version of football because its faster, higher octane, and just more fun to watch (its more entertaining to watch two teams shoot up 30 points in 30 seconds than watch a team move 30 yards in 30 minutes). The fans like it and the fans want it.
Lets also not forget the HUNH levels the playing field significantly. With the "old school" style of football, the Alabama's and LSU's and Oklahomas, Texas', etc could crush all the other mid to lower tier teams. They have bigger players and simply overpower and overwhelm the other teams. However, with the HUNH all you need is brains and some conditioning. When properly applied, teams that are not normally top 10 powers have a chance to beat the big boys, it evens the playing field.

So, ESPN is now stuck between trying to please the SEC and maintain their status quo (that wants to ban the HUNH) and the fans that are rabid for more entertaining football.

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Nick Saban is a smart guy...evil...but smart

He gets everything he wants!

Not as smart as Bob Stoops who whipped that ###.

Teams that have beaten Bama

Yep the Defense couldn't get off the field.***

320 pound nose tackles get tired

Nick Saban > Bob Stoops

Err 4! national titles counting the one at LSU***

Re: Nick Saban is a smart guy...evil...but smart

Fans want more fast paced spread and less slow-it-down

I doubt that. Spread uptempo offenses are pushing CFB

ESPN has really put themselves in a tight spot

If I were a team scheduled to play them that ran the HUNH

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