Local Sports
Nothing is impossible with Saban
By Justin GravesThe first demon has been exorcised. And boy, was it a big demon.
Alabama 27, LSU 21.
Never has one game meant so much. Alabama just accomplished two things it hasn’t done in years.
For the first time since 2002, the Crimson Tide has beaten LSU. That win puts Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time since 1999.
If that’s not a big win, then what is?
The moment was so big, even Nick Saban cracked a little smile.
“I’m just proud of our players,” the Crimson Tide coach said after the game. “They played their hearts out tonight. It was a big win for this team — a program that has great support.”
Yes, it was a big win. And it wasn’t just big for the Crimson Tide.
Saban has to be a little overwhelmed himself. After all, he’s the one responsible for transforming LSU football into the beast it is today.
Since taking over at LSU, Les Miles has been living in Saban’s shadow. The Crimson Tide coach reminded the nation why Saturday.
In his second year at Alabama, Saban has rebuilt a Crimson Tide program that had hit rock bottom. He finally has this program back on top.
Some people said it couldn’t be done, and most Alabama fans never thought it would happen this year.
But it has. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in the country and is in position to win the SEC.
Ahead of schedule? Maybe.
Great coach? Absolutely.
Best college coach in the country? Starting to look that way.
Just think about it: Alabama was awful before Saban took over last season. This was a program going nowhere fast under Mike Shula.
These same players couldn’t win under Shula. But now they have a shot at playing for the BCS National Championship.
Isn’t it amazing what a good coach can do?
Alabama didn’t play its best game of the season Saturday. The Crimson Tide was also up against one of the most talented teams in the SEC.
But despite several mistakes and missed opportunities, Alabama still managed to win in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football.
Rarely will a championship team steamroll through a season unchallenged. The ones that win it all usually have to overcome a few obstacles along the way.
Alabama overcame a big bump this week — one of the biggest hills in the conference.
From a No. 1 ranking to Saban Bowl II, there were distractions all over the place. But none of that external stuff mattered when the lights came on.
This Alabama team was on a mission, and its final objective is still in reach.
Whether or not this team can win the conference remains to be seen. After all, Alabama still has to exorcise the Auburn demon before playing the beast from the SEC East — Florida — in the conference title game.
Winning it all is a lot to ask out of a group of players that haven’t enjoyed very much success during their college careers. But with Saban on the sidelines, no goal is unreachable.
‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.
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