Paul Finebaum explains why Nick Saban may welcome an Ohio State matchup over Clemson
The recent history of Alabama facing Clemson in College Football Playoff and national championship games in Paul Finebaum’s mind makes it more understandable that coach Nick Saban would rather face Ohio State next week than a program that feels confident in beating the Crimson Tide.
Finebaum, the SEC Network host and ESPN college football analyst, shared those thoughts on his regular appearance on “The Roundtable” on WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham, Alabama. While there is a history between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes, it’s much shorter in terms of recent games, and they were longer ago.
“I will say in a weird quirky sort of way, I think Nick Saban deep down is happy seeing Ohio State across the field than Clemson and it’s only because of the history,” Finebaum said. “We all know Alabama and Clemson’s history and I think that’s a program down in South Carolina that knows it can beat Alabama and I don’t think what happened in 2014 has any impact on this game, this is a completely different world we’re living in. But I think Saban would prefer to take his chances against Ryan Day’s team against another matchup against Dabo Swinney although really these days with Dabo Swinney you kind of invite that challenge because you don’t know how Dabo Swinney’s going to affect the outcome of the game through his mouth.”
There are several variables at play for whether there is belief that Ohio State can deliver another game like it did in the semifinal against Clemson. Ohio State and Alabama players and coaches will have their first media availability to preview the national championship this afternoon.
“That was as good as we’ve seen all year in college football outside of Tuscaloosa,” Finebaum said. “I think it’s early to — what’s Justin Field’s health, I think we’ll find that out today. He took some vicious shots. Can you replicate something like that? I don’t know. Sports psychologists will have to answer that.”
“You don’t know how Dabo Swinney’s going to affect the outcome of the game through his mouth.” Which is exactly why this Bama fan doesn’t want him coaching at the Capstone.
Amen!
Whatever you think Pawwwl
It’s amazing the crap they come up with when they run out of things to say
Deep down Coach Saban was thankful not to have to face Clemson? Seriously? What a load of excrement. Saban’s competitive deep in his bones and you can take it to the bank he wanted nothing as much as he wanted to take Dabo and Clemson to the wood shed. Finebaum gets paid to talk so he talks and talks and talks.
I don’t think Saban cares who they are playing.
I don’t either, and any team that needs comment from coaches to get fired up for a semi-final game is pretty much in trouble before they start.
If you don’t think Dabo’s vote and all his subsequent comments had a huge impact on the Ohio State players, I respectfully say you’re wrong. If you’re saying it shouldn’t I would agree but we’re talking about 18-22 year olds. If bulletin board material didn’t work coaches would stop allowing it to be put up. As it is, go into any college football facility from the weight room to the training rooms to breakout rooms (especially breakout rooms) to the locker room and you’ll see it before any big game.
If you ever wondered about the many differences in Coach Saban and the person quoted in the article, one person relishes a challenge while the other person not so much.