Alabama’s Saban already working on next title quest
Nick Saban wasn’t ready to contemplate his legacy moments after capturing a record seventh national championship “because you’re always looking forward.”
It was time to start chasing No. 8, after all. The Crimson Tide capped off a 13- 0 season with a 5224 win over Ohio State on Monday night in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“The to- do list started after the game last night,” the 69-year- old coach, who is showing no signs of slowing down, said at a Tuesday morning news conference.
A block party began right after the game as well, with Tide fans flooding the streets of Tuscaloosa near the campus despite officials warning against large gatherings during the pandemic that could lead to outbreaks.
In South Florida, the championship celebration for Saban didn’t last very long. They never do.
The work started by meeting “right after the game” with players considering leaving early to enter the NFL draft, along with seniors who are eligible to return because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Next up on his to- do list is polishing off another loaded recruiting class and replacing offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who is taking over at Texas.
Saban broke a tie with Alabama predecessor Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most national titles by a major college coach, including one he captured at LSU and six over the past dozen years in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s an ongoing process, building a team,” Saban said. “I don’t think you can fall asleep at the switch for a minute if you want to try to do it the right way for your players and your program.”
The 2009 Alabama team that went 14- 0 is Saban’s only other unbeaten group.
And he left no doubt this one holds a special place for him because of how well Tide players negotiated the COVID-19 dangers and issues. This team earned a place in his heart, and perhaps history. But now Saban has begun laying the foundation for next year’s team.
There’s plenty to do, and considerable talent poised to depart.
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith leaves as the Southeastern Conference’s
most prolific receiver. Alabama’s all-time leading rusher, Najee Harris, also is headed to the NFL. So presumably are All-America offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood and Landon Dickerson.
SAN JOSE STATE ENDS NO. 24 >> San Jose State’s 2020 football season did not end the way the Spartans hoped, but they still wound up somewhere they hadn’t been in years — in The Associated Press’ end- of-season rankings. The final rankings released Tuesday placed the Spartans 24th.
The last time the Spartans
were ranked in an AP postseason poll was 2013, when they were ranked No. 21 following the 2012 season.
While Alabama was the unanimous No. 1, the Crimson Tide (13- 0) were followed by Ohio State (7-1), with Clemson (10-2), Texas A&M (9-1) and Notre Dame (10-2) rounding out the top five. USC at No. 21 is the only Pac-12 school to finish ranked.
No. 8 Cincinnati led the group of non-Power Five conference teams to make the Top 25, followed by independent BYU ( No. 11), Coastal Carolina ( No. 14) and Louisiana ( No. 15) of the Sun Belt Conference, independent Liberty (No. 17) and Mid-American Conference schools Ball State (No. 23) and Buffalo (No. 25) plus San Jose State.
ALABAMA ALREADY 2022 FAVORITE >> The celebrations were barely underway after Alabama’s latest national title when the Crimson Tide were installed as one of the favorites to claim the title again next year.
Clemson, which lost in a national semifinal on Jan. 1, is the co-favorite or second favorite at various sportsbooks. BetMGM and DraftKings had Alabama at +300 and Clemson at +350. FanDuel listed the Crimson Tide at +350 and the Tigers at +400, with Georgia also at +400. SportsBetting.com tabbed Alabama at +300, Clemson at +400 and Georgia at +500.
Alabama and Clemson topped PointsBet’s list at +300.