Nick Saban gets ripped on social media for calling Auburn's trick formation 'unfair'
On a critical 4th-and-4 play with time winding down in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Iron Bowl, Auburn looked like it was lining up to go for it (or at least attempt to draw Alabama offsides).
However, a closer look at the formation revealed that the Auburn punter was lined up at receiver, which would have allowed the Tigers to shift and execute a punt without dangerous return man Jaylen Waddle on the field.
You can see the brilliantly designed formation below:
Auburn lined up the punter at wide receiver to try to keep Waddle on the sideline. Bama noticed it late and took a penalty in the confusion. So simple, but so smart by Malzahn. Took the game straight out of Bama's hands pic.twitter.com/u0g87fz7as
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) December 1, 2019
After the game, Alabama coach Nick Saban called the play “unfair,” which, naturally, led to him being ripped on social media.
Here are just a few of the reactions to Saban’s complaint:
“I felt it was unfair. They used strategy to win the game, and they didn’t give us a warning like, “Hey Alabama, we’re going to have our punter as a WR.” That was really mean and hurt my feelings and it was unfair and not nice.”
– Nick Saban, probably. https://t.co/FJ7WeBc3BJ
— Kylo Whittingham (@KyloWhittingham) December 1, 2019
Will someone please explain to Saban that life, in and of itself, is unfair? You lost a stupid football game. Maybe teach your players that sports isn’t the beginning or end of their world. 'Unfair' final penalty among Saban's ref gripes https://t.co/uOXHcHdMAR
— Sound.Off (@Soundoff2K19) December 1, 2019
According to nick saban it's "unfair" when the opposing coach tricks you with their play calling 😂 Why is the guy with 6 national championships the biggest cry baby?
— Will Clagett (@JwillC3rd) December 1, 2019
THIS. In Saban’s mind, “unfair” means “I didn’t think of it first” and “we didn’t get a chance to figure out what to do with a legal formation in time to win the game.” Too bad, bro. https://t.co/u4Qr47GSd0
— JRo (@jro282876) December 1, 2019
Saban using the word “unfair” about anything. https://t.co/xT0gc18dJJ pic.twitter.com/puNvYq09aw
— Phillip (@OKTXARPoke) December 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Allbald2/status/1201137787220758533
The only thing “unfair” at the end of the #IronBowl was Nick Saban trying to sneak a 12th player on the field for a 4th down play… amirite? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
— Logan Booker (@LoganMBooker) December 1, 2019
Nick Saban felt AU’s putting the punter in as a WR was unfair on the final play and he wasn’t able to sub out properly…. GTFOH. 😂
Bigger issue…. Saban has NEVER had an actually competent kicker, and THAT is 100% on HIM and HIS staff.
— 🇺🇸🗽🤘🏻 Gen X Veteran (@GenXVeteran) December 1, 2019
Alabama is usually extremely disciplined making few errors per game. But it seems that the discipline was dislocated along with Tua’s hip.
Hey, you’re being a bit “unfair” there aren’t you?
Being”unfair” LOL
Shut up and go count your Aflac money Nick.
Hilarious. Really why is Saban doing a freaking insurance commercial? The ten or eleven mil. or whatever he makes isn’t enough? Maybe instead of spending that time making commercials he should be working on his defense..just sayin’
Honestly they are paying him millions to show up on set for one day and say 3 lines. 30 minutes of his time. God, I’d love to have that deal.
He doesn’t need the money, so the most likely explanation is that he is testing the waters to be a commentator later. The commercial will be used to determine is favorability ratings as in in front of the camera personality.
Agreed. Maybe he needs to spend more time in the film room instead of making commercials and doing bspn shows!
Whah, whah, whah, Satan has had the refs in his back pocket for years, but this play did not cause him to lose. His QB throwing two pick sixes, and his failure to recruit a kicker. Listening to Bama excuses is sweet, but Satan’s other publicist, Finebaum, will come up with some “validity” to the unfair comment….
Another know-nothing ‘fan’. Bama has been one of the most penalized teams in the nation for the past decade Next, we got the #1 kicker in the country in last recruiting class, but he was injured earlier this season. So we were going with backup QB and kicker. Typical bandwagon fan coming to the party late and clearly not following the sport.
But that defense…hot, smelly garbage.
That defense, which is supposed to be Nicky’s specialty.
I thought Kevin Steele (sp.) had an elite defense.
Way to change the subject. Nothing about defense in this comment. Can’t argue the points, so just keep throwing everything against the wall. This game was wild, and 14 points were scored off of pick-6’s, but you don’t really want to talk about reality, right? Auburn’s got the best defense in the country right? LSU only scored 23, but we double that with backups.
So tired of this illogical claim that because a team gets called for a lot of penalties they can’t be getting favored. If a team commits 30 penalties and is called for 7 are they not being favored relative to a team that commits 3 and gets called for 3? Such a weak argument
Excellent point. Also, in this case, the numbers lie. Alabama is so rarely called for offensive holding on running plays that gain over 10 yards that it has become an inside joke among those who follow SEC football.
It’s not just the number of penalties/yards that matter. It is WHEN the penalties are called that matters most.
Agreed, agreed, agreed.
And the real world, even the appearance of conflict of interest is unacceptable. Obviously, the SEC is not the real world, Shaw needs to be replaced.
Wow, some real wacko conspiracy theorists. So Bama gets called for most penalties, but in your tiny mind we are probably committing even more than the record amount called? You guys will allow yourselves to believe anything other than Bama is really good.
Oh no, Alabama’s good, really good, maybe not playoff grade good, but really good.
However, it just seems all too often they get that little momentum changing officiating boost right at the right time when they really need it.
BTW, the Citrus Bowl is a great and fantastic bowl game and don’t let anyone tell you anything different. Represent the SEC proudly there in Orlando.
So you ignore the evidence that Bama is flagged more, and instead choose to follow the “it just seems like” line of ‘evidence’ to confirm your bias? Good job.
Oh and one more thing you left out, YOU LOST, LMAO….
I would need to see some stats on “one of the moist penalized teams”. I would also need the breakdown on penalty numbers verses SEC teams and non-SEC teams. You might be right, but I really doubt it.
No one is stopping you from looking at the information. You know this thing you’re on right now. Just go to google and look instead of doubting.
I think every team in the league’s fans should mail in a box of Frosted Flakes to the school. If he can’t beat a Tiger then he can eat a Tiger.
Ah yes, and hurry up offense should be illegal. Guess we’ve moved on from that. I’m sure Saban will try the same play in a couple of years
Awwweee look at all the haters. LSU Won by 4 points Auburn by 3. That’s the best you can do against 2 string QB that’s barely had any playing time and a defense that’s had issues all year. Alabama literally gave Auburn 2 touchdowns. There was 2 bullsh!t calls. Babhahaha Seriously need to rethink your lives. It’s just a game
Winning is binary. You either won or your lost. Who cares about the points?
Bama fans sho do be salty.
Imagine being a bammer and having the complete lack of self awareness required to complain about calls not going your way! hahahaha. And feel free to “give” away touchdowns all you want, losers. if you need a tissue, im sure there plenty hanging in a tree near you. War Eagle.
@ Pjmaxx
LSU beat Tua….next excuse.
Just to set the record straight, Tua played the whole game against LSU !!!!! I do understand in this day and time the truth is hard to come by, so always make it fit your agenda !!!!
That’s a lot of rage and sadness to end with “it’s just a game”.
Did Saban really say that?!? What is he talking about? The entire point of football is to outwit the other team. Why would it matter if a punter was lined up at receiver?
It sounds like Saban is embarrassed that he was out coached by…Gus.
Legit question for Bama fans. Do you think is the beginning of the decline for Saban. Obviously I expect him to keep Alabama in the hunt most years till he retires but I have a feeling a season like this is going to be a little more frequent under Saban. What are Bamas fans thoughts. How long till you think Saban hangs up the cape?
I find it amusing that people think loosing 2 games is the decline of a program. Just shows how much success that program has had. It hurts to loose the game but people need to realize that we had a backup QB, multiple season ending injuries on defense, and there were some crazy plays in the game, (2nd pick six, the end of the 1st half, etc…) We also had a lot of penalties, all Bama’s fault, but still hurt us in the long run. Keep in mind that all these loses to Auburn since SAban has taken over have been really close and always has some crazy ending. Most of the wins have been blow outs. Just saying. This wasn’t our year but the defense should be better next year with all of the experience the young guys got this year. QB and running back will need to be replaced but don’t forget, Saban has won the majority of his NC with a “game manager” at QB. I love the debates that go on but hate to see it get ugly with stupid commments. Keep it clean and non hostile. And just a note to Bama fans…enjoy what you have right now. This success doesn’t come around very often. For me I am really enjoying it..
All these “losses” to AU have not been really close. i.e. 2017
Well Satan, you could always go the Urban Meyer route and “quit” when things aren’t going your way.. Or quit crying and go make your team better for next year..
Right? Besides, like the above bammer said: LOOSING 2 games doesn’t mean the program is falling apart