In asserting SEC parity, Saban omits rival
Nick Saban rattled off several schools when answering a question about parity, or lack thereof, in the Southeastern Conference. Auburn wasn’t one of them. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for a lot of teams in our league,” he said. “I mean, LSU is very, very good. Ole Miss has beaten us a couple times in the last few years. Mississippi State has got a good quarterback coming back. Arkansas’ got a good quarterback coming back.”
Auburn beat all four of those teams last season but didn’t get a mention from Saban.
“(Texas) A&M’s always a very challenging team,” Saban continued. “I think Kirby (Smart) is doing a great job at Georgia. Jim McElwain is doing a good job at Florida. Tennessee has gotten better and better every year. I am trying to think of somebody in our league that I don’t have a tremendous amount of respect for.”
McElwain and Smart coached under Saban. No surprise there. Tennessee is a rival, but still no Auburn.
“Vanderbilt went to a bowl game last year and had a winning season,” Saban said. “I think there’s a lot of parity in our league. I think it’s very challenging from a consistency standpoint in our league.” Vanderbilt? Really? Oh, yeah, Alabama plays the Commodores this season. Vanderbilt is improved under Derek Mason, but can Auburn get a shout-out from Saban? Guess not. Alabama has won the last three SEC titles and 17 consecutive conference games counting the league title games, but Saban says the league has parity. The SEC, to me, lacks parity at best, but Saban’s stance stems from taking everyone seriously.
That would include Auburn. He knows the seriousness of the Iron Bowl, the importance of winning the game and how it feels to lose it.
Saban just hasn’t lost to Auburn much recently.
Alabama has won five of its last six games against Auburn — all by double digits. Auburn’s Kick 6 win will live forever, but Alabama has won the last three Iron Bowl games with not much resistance.
So while I don’t think Saban left Auburn out on purpose when discussing the parity, or lack thereof, in the conference, the Tigers might take that as a sign of disrespect.
Auburn will have a chance to address that Nov. 25 at JordanHare Stadium.
“There’s a lot of parity in our league. I think it’s very challenging from a consistency standpoint.” Alabama coach Nick Saban