Casus Belli
I read an article in the last couple of weeks, addressing Coach Saban's future opponents and suggested something to this effect: "If you haven't found a reason to despise Nick Saban yet, just wait a few more weeks."
Now, as explained below, being once an Alabama fan and being recently relocated back into my home state, I was holding out hope that Saban would enjoy some success and make my family happy again. I held no ill will toward the guy.
Then today, with the game firmly in hand against my beloved Vanderbilt Commodores, after scoring his insurance touchdown, the Alabama Head Coach went for two. That was more than enough. That was Spurrierian and corrupt.
Now, I just look forward to the anguish Alabama feels when Saban bolts for Michigan next year.
Go 'Dores.
Now, as explained below, being once an Alabama fan and being recently relocated back into my home state, I was holding out hope that Saban would enjoy some success and make my family happy again. I held no ill will toward the guy.
Then today, with the game firmly in hand against my beloved Vanderbilt Commodores, after scoring his insurance touchdown, the Alabama Head Coach went for two. That was more than enough. That was Spurrierian and corrupt.
Now, I just look forward to the anguish Alabama feels when Saban bolts for Michigan next year.
Go 'Dores.
posted by JRB at 10:04 PM
6 Comments:
I think you're overreacting. Perhaps the decision was made somewhat out of respect for the much-vaunted, "big play" Vandy offense. With the 2-point conversion, three TDS and PATs would have merely tied the score rather than winning it (Vandy did score a TD after that, and another one had been called back earlier).
More likely, the decision was made merely to practice the play in a game situation. John Parker Wilson was very erratic throwing inside the Red Zone against Western Carolina (I was witness to that), and I suspect that Saban wanted to give Wilson another chance for success throwing in a short-yardage, tightly-packed situation, a scenario which will likely be even more important in the weeks to come.
24-3 versus 23-3 is hardly "running up the score." Besides, if the decision to go for two were ever made with that in mind, it would be reserved for a hated rival such as UT or Auburn, not Vanderbilt against whom the Tide holds no grudge.
I understand your point regarding practice. My die-hard mother made it, too. On balance with the facial lack of sportsmanship, however, the practice fails to justify the call.
I reject the notion that Saban was concerned about the Big Play capacity. This was the fourth quarter. Vandy had not scored a touchdown. Our starting quarterback was injured and out. Bama had established its capacity to score and defend. Saban the Savant could not reasonably expect Vandy to score three unanswered touchdowns in seven minutes, two maybe, but not three.
He was padding his stats, and he probably was trying to create a final score that did not prompt futher inquiry from voters: 24 looks better than 23. He also was showing off for the fans, giving them their "money's worth," by asserting superfluous dominance against a defeated opponent.
All in all, it was not becoming of an Alabama coach. It was the cut-throat tactic of a "big time football" coach playing to a national audience, without much regard for the roots and character of his school, not the successful, self-confident sportsmanship of Bryant or Stallings.
The two-point conversion was unnecessary and tacky. Only Alabama fans have apologized for it, and no objective observer I've discussed it with thinks that it was appropriate or useful. I imagine Alabama fans really don't want to think too long about what Saban will do to the school's gentility, custom and culture on the way to victories piled up around his statue-in-progress at Denny Chimes.
Besides, if it's in-game experience you want to provide to prepare your team for bigger, more important rivalry games, then might it be more useful to give some time to the bench?
I was but a lad in 1973 when The Bear and boys came to Blacksburg and shellacked Charlie Coffey's Hokies 77-6. But I never forgot it, and I rejoiced when the Hokies exacted a measure of revenge in the Music City Bowl a few years back.
77-6; now that's something to complain about. What was that you were saying? Something about the "the successful, self-confident sportsmanship of Bryant or Stallings?"
Listen to your mama-she's right again. And BTW, 24-3 is not "bench time." Saban went deep into the 3rd string against WC.
Without waiving my objection, I concede that I may not be completely rational here, but that's the beauty of the SEC, right?
Yes, tis the season for irrationality all around.
Go SEC! Go South! Go Appa-Latchin'-State!
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