Alabama football coach, Nick Saban made it clear last Thursday night he was looking for more than a win against LSU. He wanted a ‘statement’ and the Crimson Tide provided it.
When Alabama football coach, Nick Saban demanded a “kick-ass” performance against LSU, it was about more than beating the Bengal Tigers. Saban wanted the Alabama football to make a statement to refute the frequent claims the Crimson Tide was untested in 2018.
LSU, ranked No. 3, playing on its often-feared home turf, was the perfect antidote. Nick Saban wanted the Crimson Tide to show its dominating self on both sides of the ball. His team delivered as ordered.
There is so much Alabama football fatigue across the college football world, a few “LSU was overrated” objections surfaced Sunday. They were mostly drowned by a sea of recognition that Alabama football is the nation’s best team. And that, other than maybe Clemson, no other team is close.
Notre Dame head coach, Brian Kelly didn’t need the LSU game to know the Tide is the nation’s best. Speaking to ESPN, about his football team, Kelly was asked about Alabama football. The video segment is included in the tweet below. Here is a short summary of what Kelly said.
Asked if he would like Notre Dame to face the Crimson Tide in the Playoff, he answered,
"Be careful what you wish for. If they got upset in the first round, I would not be unhappy at all. I’d be OK with that."
Asked if the Tide’s dominance is bad for CFB, Kelly said,
"I think you have to look at it from a perspective of, are they doing all the things everybody else is doing? They are. They don’t cheat. Nick Saban is an honorable football coach. Their business plan is different than Notre Dame’s, but when it comes to football, they do it the right way."
Brian Kelly has not forgotten January 7. 2013 and the 2012 BCS Championship. Unlike less bright head coaches, like Ed Orgeron and Kirby Smart, Kelly understands false bravado buys nothing against the Crimson Tide.
"I came here with the expectation that we would live up to tradition. And that tradition here at Notre Dame is to win a National Championship."
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 3, 2018
Brian Kelly believes this could be the Fighting Irish's year to win it all. pic.twitter.com/FrUZt14IDC
No doubt, Clemson “wants BAMA” and why not. Dabo’s team is very good and appears to be improving with every game of experience gained by freshman, QB, Trevor Lawrence. Any other team, sincerely believing it should want a matchup with the Tide is delusional. Brian Kelly knows it. Jim Harbaugh, if he were perceptive enough, should know it. Kirby (like Coach O, before Saturday) has no choice but to proclaim his Bulldogs are good enough the take down the Tide.
In the back of Kirby’s mind, he knows Nick Saban will be seeking another statement win on Dec. 1. Better than anyone, Kirby understands the Alabama football beatdown of LSU was a Crimson Tide recruiting message. LSU invited 60 recruits to Baton Rouge on Saturday. One of whom was the younger brother of Tua Tagovailoa. Nick Saban saw a great opportunity to use the game as a powerful recruiting tool.
Just like Brian Kelly’s BCS memory, Nick remembers well Kirby won some 2018 class, recruiting skirmishes against the Tide. Saban is determined to make sure it does not happen again.
Kirby cannot choose what “he wishes for.” The Bulldogs get the Tide again. Only it is a new and improved Crimson Tide, in a location, that for the Georgia football team, has haunting memories.
Georgia will be no pushover. Without four turnovers, the Bulldogs probably would have beaten LSU. They have playmakers. They will not quit. The Crimson Tide could make enough mistakes to lose, but don’t count on it.