Does ESPN college football host/analyst Paul Finebaum have a personal vendetta against Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban?
Saban is facing the challenge of keeping his Crimson Tide at the level we have all been accustomed to. Meanwhile, it’s the rival Georgia Bulldogs who have emerged as arguably the best program in college football due to their budding-dynasty.
Will Saban’s legacy take a hit if he’s not able to win another national championship with the Tide?
The Bama-to-Georgia power shift in college football has not gone unnoticed, as Finebaum commented on the matter during ESPN’s First Take at SEC Media Days. He emphasized the significance of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s quest for a historic three-peat, a feat even Saban has not accomplished in his illustrious career.
“If he is in the same league as somebody who, at the end of this season, won three {national championships}, then that’s a big hit on his legacy,” Finebaum expressed, highlighting the pressure on Saban to maintain his supremacy.
Nick Saban's legacy could be viewed differently if Alabama misses the CFP again this season, according to @finebaum 👀 pic.twitter.com/6lijtdO09f
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 17, 2023
If Smart and the Bulldogs are able to win three consecutive national championship, it will clearly put them in a rare, special and exclusive class – something that Saban is determined to prevent from happening at all costs.
“You also have to question Saban for what happened last year,” Finebaum added, pointing to the disappointment of Alabama’s 2022 campaign.
The Crimson Tide entered the season as the overwhelming favorite but ultimately fell short of the College Football Playoff. They possessed arguably the best offensive (Bryce Young) and defensive (Will Anderson) players in the country.
As a powerhouse in college football, Saban’s leadership has set the standard for excellence, and fans and analysts alike expect him to consistently keep Alabama in contention for titles.
Thus, watching Georgia secure a third-straight championship would be a significant blow to the Crimson Tide program, no matter how you slice it.
Who has the better chance of winning the national championship this year – Alabama or Georgia?
If the Bulldogs do pull off the 3-peat, do you think Saban’s legacy will take a slight hit? Or is it already set in stone?
Should either be concerned if they have to face Michigan in the Playoff?