Josh Heupel can become only 8th coach to accomplish impressive feat vs. Nick Saban
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers won a thrilling battle against Alabama last season at Neyland Stadium.
This weekend, the Vols head to Tuscaloosa looking to make it 2 wins in a row against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
So can Heupel win a second-straight game against the greatest coach in college football history? If he does, he’ll join a short list of only 7 other coaches who have ever beaten a Saban-coached team 2 years in a row:
Tennessee's Josh Heupel bids to become only 8th coach to defeat Nick Saban in consecutive seasons in Saban's 28 years as college coach. The others:
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss 2014-15
Les Miles, LSU 2010-11
Steve Spurrier, UF 2000-01
Joe Tiller, Purdue 1997-99
Lloyd Carr, Michigan…— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 21, 2023
The only other coaches to beat Saban 2 years in a row are Hugh Freeze, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier, Joe Tiller, Lloyd Carr, Hayden Fry and Joe Paterno. That’s some elite company Heupel could join this weekend.
Of course, you’ll notice only 1 of those coaches (Freeze) has accomplished the task since Saban took over at Alabama in 2007. Most of those coaches beat Saban during his Michigan State era. It won’t be easy, but an amazing accomplishment is on the table for Heupel and the Vols this weekend.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
