Question: Does the playoff schedule limit Coach Saban's game planning expertise?

BamaRoy68 · Dec 17, 2014

Ever since the playoff system was announced, I've wondered if preparing for not just one game but a possible second game less than 2 weeks later would limit the coaching staffs ability to game plan for each team. In years past, I've always said, if a Championship is one the line, nobody beats BAMA when Saban and the staff have a month to plan. It "almost" seemed unfair the way our teams dominated in the BCS games. Coach Saban seems to be the master of finding and exploiting any weakness or tendencies of the opposing team. So will the quick turnaround for the championship game (assuming we win in New Orleans) level the playing field at all? Or Is the staff already working on gameplans for all 3 possible opponents? I've read here on the forum that the team doesn't usually start working on a specific gameplan until game week, so it sounds like the impetus is on the coaching staff. Just curious what others think! Thanks

dWarriors88 · Dec 17, 2014

No way, if anything it helps get the team ready even more. You never know how a team will respond after so much time off, a warmup game before the national title is perfect. Your theory falls apart when you remember last years loss to the Sooners.

Bama Czar · Dec 17, 2014

dWarriors88 said:
No way, if anything it helps get the team ready even more. You never know how a team will respond after so much time off, a warmup game before the national title is perfect. Your theory falls apart when you remember last years loss to the Sooners.

Not really....the Sugar Bowl last year had no championship as its' reward....

I do agree though that the playoff schedule may benefit us. You still have almost 2 weeks between the semi-final and the championship game. Plenty of time for Saban to scheme & teach it.

CajunCrimson · Dec 17, 2014

Somebody is already game planning for possible games vs FSU and Oregon.....but I would love it if some reporter would ask Coach if we was already planning for the NCG

JustNeedMe81 · Dec 17, 2014

They did yesterday... and the other day....

CajunCrimson said:
Somebody is already game planning for possible games vs FSU and Oregon.....but I would love it if some reporter would ask Coach if we was already planning for the NCG

PA Tide Fan · Dec 17, 2014

Coach Saban has already said that someone on his staff is looking at both Oregon and Florida State, so they are indeed working on a plan for either team. As far as the quick turnaround goes I don't think it's any different than preparing for the Iron Bowl and then having to prepare for the SEC Championship game just a week later.

KrAzY3 · Dec 17, 2014

I think he might have a bit more of an edge than the regular season, in terms of preparations because this isn't a focus on one team a week scenario, they have longer than that and more down time. However, I do think it does negate coachingsome and even talent, and randomizes things. Sure, Alabama can prepare somewhat for the potential opponent, but I don't see how it is anything like having the full preparation time Saban had in his other 4 trips to the BCSCG (which his teams by won a combined 121-49). I think that situation uniquely favored coaches extremely well prepared coaches like Nick Saban.

The other example that keeps coming to mind is GMac playing in the BCSCG with broken ribs. Alabama was able to really plan around that and keep it secret, but it's obviously a much bigger issue if he had two games to play with the injury instead of one. So, now it's not just win and you get a championship, it's win, it's stay healthy, and then it's win the next one, and mind you none of these are easy. It introduces a lot more variables and obviously, this is a much, much easier scenario if it's just the would be BCS matchup of FSU and Alabama.

GreatDanish · Dec 17, 2014

I hope part of the game plan should we play FSU is for Coker to throw 100 TDs.

Tug Tide · Dec 17, 2014

CNS probably has a computer program designed to give him the nuts and bolts of what he wants to see. I'm sure he has a specific list of things he wants from game film of every team he plays, 1st down tendencies, 3rd & long/short, what the opposing O does against a specific D etc. Plug in an opponent and presto.
Or his GAs never see the light of day!

JBama_in_PCOLA · Dec 17, 2014

I wouldn't think so. It all depends on the players' attitudes.

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus RTR

JustNeedMe81 · Dec 17, 2014

If we know how CNS is, he probably already scouted FSU, Oregon, potential teams back in October little by little. he's at his best during December and Janurary, because The players know what to do, and He can coach, and prepare little differently. Last year, We should've won that game, and it showed. This year, he'll tell them to play harder next two weeks. He's definitely going to game plan for Oregon/FSU ahead in advance, just in case if we win. I think with Oregon, we can game plan a litle bit better than we can with FSU, because their offense is clicking right now.

JustNeedMe81 · Dec 17, 2014

Exactly. Remember last year? Body languages, lack of effort to finish... We beat ourself, not Oklahoma... and by the way, i saw the replay this morning between Bama and OU and i saw lot of things that bothered me and I'm glad we fixed it this year.

JBama_in_PCOLA said:
I wouldn't think so. It all depends on the players' attitudes.

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus RTR

bamamc1 · Dec 17, 2014

I look at this just like the end of the regular season. We get ready for the barn and then have to turn around and get ready for Florida, Georgia, or Mizz in the SEC title game.(Our past SEC game opponents) The only difference is more time for osu than the barn game.

G8RNGA · Dec 17, 2014

He's a "one game at a time" coach and I don't see him looking past tOSU or any other team.

2003TIDE · Dec 17, 2014

G8RNGA said:
He's a "one game at a time" coach and I don't see him looking past tOSU or any other team.

Not true. He's said in his interviews that they prepped for multiple teams at once. I think he said they prepped for both Mizzou and UGA for the SECCG before they knew who would play.

G8RNGA · Dec 17, 2014

2003TIDE said:
Not true. He's said in his interviews that they prepped for multiple teams at once. I think he said they prepped for both Mizzou and UGA for the SECCG before they knew who would play.

I reckon I'm mistaken then! That's interesting and a different approach.

WylieTexasTider · Dec 17, 2014

I would assume Saban is using part of the first four 'fundamental mini camp' practices to work on things specific to FSU and Oregon in addition to the stated "we are working on fundamentals".... That way come January 3rd when they ramp up for the Championship game, they have 8 practices to install and perfect the destruction they will unleash January 12.

4Q Basket Case · Dec 17, 2014

I believe that Saban is the best coach in college football, and that the longer he has to prepare, the greater his advantage will show.

If you believe that as I do, you also have to believe it's a mathematical certainty that a shorter time to prepare lessens the advantage.

So to answer the question, I don't think the playoff schedule limits Saban's expertise. I think it lessens his advantage over other coaches.

Question: Does the playoff schedule limit Coach Saban's game planning expertise?

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