Paul Finebaum weighs in on how Alabama-Georgia will be affected with Nick Saban not on the field
Alabama coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, throwing a wrench into the Crimson Tide’s planning for Saturday’s showdown with Georgia.
Now, it appears Saban won’t be able to be on the sidelines for the contest, and it remains to be seen how much contact he’ll be able to have with his assistants during the game.
On Wednesday night’s “SportsCenter,” SEC Network host Paul Finebaum joined the show and explained how Saban’s absence would affect the outcome of the game (via 247Sports):
“Not only is he the biggest coach in this league, he’s maybe the greatest coach of all time in college football,” Finebaum said. “And on top of that we’re three and-a-half days away from the biggest game of the year in college football as well between Georgia and Alabama, a two-versus-three matchup. And it’s a game that many people thought he would lose, even though they’re favored in Vegas. There were a lot of people wondering after Alabama’s abysmal defensive performance (against Ole Miss): is this the first time one of Saban’s pupils will get him? He’s facing Kirby Smart, of course, and now he won’t be there. That’s a really interesting proposition: the best coach in the game will not be in the biggest game and he’s facing someone who knows every one of his moves.”
The betting line has already shifted dramatically in the aftermath of Saban’s positive test.
Will the Bulldogs be able to pull off the road upset? We’ll see what happens on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
I’m hoping this games kicks off. We shall see. I’m hoping Sark and the team pull together, play the game of their lives and win this game for Coach Saban.
If Georgia wins, Saban is still undefeated against his assistants.
…and Georgia would still be undefeated in 2020.
Obviously I prefer meaningless stats.
I’ve been surprised by how many in the media have been picking Georgia to win outright. I wonder if that is part of why the line has dropped.
Also, Alabama just played Ole Miss, who’s already reporting players with positive test. I would think the possibility of losing starters would have a much bigger effect on the game.
Saban said he watched practice by video, told coach to make them run it again. He will still be involved in all the practices, game planning, making adjustments, etc.
I won’t be surprised if they clear out a suite in Bryant Denny and put Saban in his own private bubble for the game.
I hope Alabama comes into the game fully healthy – same for Georgia, and I hope they put a healthy Nick Saban in one of those luxury suites on the 50 yard line so he gets to be there. Why not?
If you say it enough maybe someone other than you will believe your nonsense.. Saban will not be coaching the game. Sark is the interim coach..
“Sark is the interim coach..” Extra period for dramatic effect.
So if Georgia wins what will it be?
Kirby beat Sark but with Saban’s players? Sounds like a built in predetermined excuse to me..
Does it matter? If UGA wins the game they won the game.. Why do you need someone to pat you on the back all the time?
If the game is played I still expect Bama to win and I’m not using the coach being sick as a cop out but trying to act as if he is going to be there or interacting real time during the game is just stupid.
I hope it’s played because I don’t want the players to get the virus..
BT, is it not real time when the OC or DC sends down the calls- adjustments from the skybox?
They will find a way to have Saban fully involved. It’s 2020, not 1959.
Saban can’t have any contact with the team from 90 minutes before the game until the conclusion.
LSUSMC… You can’t tell ole Timmy anything. The guy is clueless and doing everything he can to downplay the impact of losing your Head coach for the game.
Timmy.. They have headsets on when communicating from the Skybox.. Saban is not going to be in the stadium and can’t communicate with the coaches …
Stop being stupid for once.
It’s not going to matter…Alabama will win. Roll Tide !
BT if Saban has no symptoms why couldnt he be in a press box?
Because he tested positive. I would love for them to allow him to coach from the press box but it’s not going to happen..
Bama naming an interim coach is telling IMO.
The bubble-suite thing is not happening, bro.
I doubt it will. Really just wishful thinking. But why not?
Saban’s not going to be at home eating soup, he’s going to be involved either way. Going to be talking to his coaches, making adjustments. Same stress levels.
Many people have little to no symptoms. If that’s the case, Isolate him in a suite, that way he can have real time input. Nobody gets exposed.
It won’t happen mainly because Bama would be crucified from every direction for breaking quarantine protocol. Even if he’s exhibiting no symptoms, he’s still at risk of spreading the virus. It would be a worse look than Mullen calling for a packed stadium.
Tim agree, MD disagree!
What if he cane out of the tunnel inside one of those clear rolling inflatable thing-a-ma-jigs? “ROLL TIDE” painted on it.
Yeah like a rock star.
Can a coach use Zoom with another coach on the sidelines? I am sure nothing can keep him from Zoom talking in the locker room.
They’re looking into that right now. It’s not like he’s suspended or tossed from the game. The SEC office will likely make the call on what level of engagement he can have.
The NCAA rule says no contact 90 minutes before or during the game. That’s how it went for Norvell.
This has already happened during the season. We have seen the rule for this already. Either you guys haven’t paid any attention to what has went on this season or you’re trying your hardest to act as though nothing changes for Bama…
The NCAA has a rule on this. Not the conference..
I didn’t know that, BT, but I read very clearly yesterday that Bama was “looking in to it.” My abject apologies that I wasn’t “paying attention” to the level your high standards require. I promise to try to do better.
Mountain I apologize if I came off snarky but the posts from some of the UGA fans have gotten ridiculous about this. Coaching from a bubble, being fully involved, no impact… It’s just ridiculous. A win is a win what’s the point in trying to act as if Saban is somehow going to beam his thoughts to the other coaches..
I’m only responsible for my comments. What other posters with the power G next to their names say is not my monkey and not my circus.
I would expect a large projection screen TV to be installed today or tomorrow in the Alabama stadium locker room, for pregame and halftime addresses by the GOAT.
The “dramatic” shift in the betting line appears to be one point.
There’s a good chance Alabama could come out with their hair on fire as a result of this. I don’t think it’s at all clear that it’s an advantage for Georgia.
Nash…agreed. the players will dedicate themselves to playing for Coach Nick Saban.
I think Saban got tired of beating UGA with a second string QB so to make it more challenging he decided to go with a second string head coach.
Priceless.
I think the only thing UGA fans are thinking is if UGA wins this becomes an excuse. I have already heard Bama fans using it as saying they will not be at full strength so you’re not getting them 100%…So in their eyes if UGA wins it negates the win. I don’t care because we will still be undefeated and on our way to another SEC championship. But I know Bama fans will shout “it wasn’t a real win” until the day they die…mark my words.
You do know that even if UGA wins that doesn’t mean they win the Conference right?
Does it matter what Bama fans say? Let spin this a second.. Let’s say Kirby can’t coach against Florida and Florida wins… What do you think you will have UGA fans saying?
Saban won’t be allowed to communicate with players/coaches during the game period. No adjustments. No halftime speeches. No ass chewins’
CBS will have Saban on as a pregame and halftime guest and the telecast will be in the locker room and he will tell them the adjustments he would make! Game just needs to be close so the winner of the rematch can move on when hopefully both both teams and staffs are full strength. Winner of the first game will be at a disadvantage in SEC championship.
The no contact 90 minutes before or during the game should be waived. It sounds like it won’t be.
But if anybody really believes Saban will abide by that rule then, I have some ocean front property for sale.
Nick Saban has been twisting every rule on the books since he came to Alabama. It won’t be real time, but, he will get his adjustments to his coaches. Of that, I have no doubt.
Man you should fu(k off.. Now he is going to cheat? You’re part of the reason people give UGA fans so much $hit..
You’re a dipsh!t.. Of that I have no doubt.