Colin Cowherd certainly isn’t the kind of national voice that Dabo Swinney listens to when he vows that Clemson struggles with national perception.

“Bama played two good teams,” Cowherd tweeted. “Lost to both. Couldn’t stop either. And will be losing a dozen guys (and easily best QB Saban has had) to NFL. Can’t keep top assistants. Still tremendous program but…Clemson is now King of the sport.”

While we’ve heard this kind of talk before, Alabama is developing a troubling trend in big games against top 5 and top 10 competition like Auburn, Clemson and LSU.

Of course, earlier this season, Cowherd had 7 reasons why Saban could consider retirement.

1. Age.
2. The transfer portal.
3. The early signing period.
4. Tua Tagovailoa is leaving.
5. A TV job that could pay him seven figures.
6. College football is more offensive minded.
7. Staff turnover with assistants leaving.

“I think Nick Saban does think about retirement now, and I think he is closer to it than anybody in the media would acknowledge,” Cowherd said. “No. 1 is his age, he’s 68. When you’re 68, all you can think about is the 7. When you’re 62, all you see is the 6. Big difference in American with how you’re viewed at 60 and then at 70.”

Those who defend Saban could point out that among active coaches, only Gus Malzahn and Les MIles have as many as 3 wins against Saban, and only 10 active college coaches have wins against Saban: Hugh Freeze and Dabo Swinney (2 each) and Mack Brown, David Cutcliffe, Kirk Ferentz, Ed Orgeron, Kevin Sumlin and Kyle Whittingham have one each.