Saban, Tide have edge, Kiffin says
Defense, recruiting make his ex-boss one to beat, Owls coach tells ESPN.
No. 3 Georgia vs.
No. 4 Alabama,
8 p.m. Monday, ESPN, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The oft-controversial (but always quoteworthy) Lane Kiffin joined the oft-controversial (but always quoteworthy) Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday morning.
Kiffin, who was introduced to the show as ha v ing coached FAU (11-3) to more wins this season than it totaled in the previous three years, has been featured in ESPN’s College Football Playoff coverage. The Alabama Crimson Tide, for whom Kiffin was offensive coordinator from 2014-16, will face Georgia in the championship game next Monday.
“I’d say, look out college football because Nick Saban has always done the same thing for every bowl game,”
Kiffin
Kiffin said of the No. 4-ranked Crimson Tide’s 24-6 semifinal victory over No. 1-ranked Clemson on Monday night in the Sugar Bowl. “You never want to play Nick Saban at the end of the year. He blows people out.”
Though he led FAU to its best season as an FBS program and recently signed a six-year extension, Kiffin was mainly asked about the playoff. Kiffin did briefly mention his pride in his players, again comparing them with kids who grew up with nothing and finally got “something.”
Tuesday’s “First Take” appearance was the second time in two days Kiffin appeared on ESPN programming. The well-traveled coach appeared on the network’s signature “College Game Day” program Monday, picking Alabama and Oklahoma to win.
Alabama lived up to Kiffin’s prediction, but Georgia took down Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime in the Rose Bowl.
“I didn’t realize Oklahoma’s defense was that poor,” Kiffin said, praising Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm — who nearly joined Kiffin and Saban at Alabama before flipping to the Bulldogs when Kirby Smart was hired as head coach two years ago.
Kiffin, who has jokingly referred to Saban in series of tweets this season, was uncharacteristically serious when explaining why his old boss is consistently successful. He is going for his fifth national title in 11 years at Alabama.
“Obviously great schemes, he’s always had great defensive schemes . ... But this starts with recruiting,” Kiffin said. “Nick Saban out-recruits everybody in the country. Obviously because of the success, putting guys into the NFL, into the first round, but tireless recruiting. He recruits 365 days a year . ...
“Every time they go onto the field, they have better players than everyone they play and most of the time, it’s not even close.”
Kiffin had high praise for Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, comparing the Heisman winner with Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Mayfield is projected by many to be a firstround pick in this spring’s NFL draft despite some worries about his maturity stemming from a string of on- and off-field misbehavior.
Kiffin — who coached the Oakland Raiders from 200708 — is no stranger to hearing people question his maturity, and said he wouldn’t be worried if he intended to draft Mayfield.
“The passion that he played with, the energy that he plays with, and some people call it cocky or arrogant,” Kiffin said. “I call it leadership.”
Noteworthy: FAU running back Devin Singletary (American Heritage) and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair have officially been announced to the 63rd Touchdown Cub of Columbus Awards next month as Players to Watch in 2018. Singletary ran for 1,920 yards and 32 touchdowns this past season as a sophomore and will be joined by five other running backs.
Al-Shaair is the all-time career tackles leader in FAU history (354) and will be joined by Ohio State’s Nick Bosa and Buffalo’s Khalil Hodge as defensive players to watch. Marshall quarterback Chase Litton and North Texas quarterback Mason Fine also will represent Conference USA.