I think most football people see that bama has internal issues. They can flip a switch, get their head in a game, and do some damage. ... when they want to.
Personally I think this is where Saban begins the fall. He's been surrounded and now infiltrated by the things that he's preached against in the form of distraction. How much is young being paid by DrPepper and the other endorsements? What impact does that have on a "team" of players that could just about "each" have a deal akin to that elsewhereI?
There isn't no way in hell a college kid can make money of the sort they are in the NIL and NOT adopt the lifestyle it affords. That "work work work for your opportunity" falls flat in his style of coaching when their bank accounts already reflect "they've arrived". This is why Saban was ineffective in the NFL. His flavor of coaching is offering promise.
It's also in my opinion why he's outspoken against NIL.
Discipline is bamas issue. It's as bad as I've ever seen since UT toppled over from its own top weight (and yeah, those players were getting paid too just not legit)... it deeply impacts those on the team putting in twice the effort for none of the reward.... it creates drama in the locker room and animosity that isn't easily undermined.
There are coaches that will thrive in this environment. Lame kitten comes to mind. Sweeney likely. Lincoln likely. That twit at UF... Kelly at lsu for sure. You know, those that have been doing it but can now get a sponsor to cover them.
I've always spoken of the one element a championship team needs- and unless the talent is two benches deep its absolutely required, and that is cohesion- cohesive play. A team of upper middling players talent wise playing together and clicking is dangerous.. tennessee has that right now... it looks like uga does when they do, and it's obvious when they're misfiring.. tOSU has it as does Michigan. Clemson doesn't have it to the extent they have in the past. The other osu has it and Texas has it. ... the thing about "it" is its connected to a switch, meaning if the issues are superficial that switch can be toggled at a moments notice.. if they're not superficial they can't. Bamas issues, I charge, aren't superficial.
