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SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers identifies biggest difference in having Nick Saban on sidelines

Jake Rill

By Jake Rill

Published:

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Alabama may or may not be without head coach Nick Saban for Saturday’s game against Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium after it was announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. He then tested negative Thursday, so it’s possible he could in fact be cleared in time to be on the sideline.

However, the Crimson Tide may still have to plan for the scenario in which they’re without Saban, just in case. And as SEC Network’s Jordan Rodgers explained during his Friday appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” (which came before the news of Saban’s negative Thursday test), the Alabama head coach is a huge difference maker for his team.

“Good teams have great game plans. Great teams make great adjustments. That’s the difference with Nick Saban. His ability to adjust in-game,” Rodgers said on the show before Friday’s news out of Tuscaloosa. “… That’s where they’re going to miss him the most.”

Saban has been Alabama’s head coach since 2007, and during that time, he’s led the Tide to four national championships and five SEC titles. They’ve won at least 10 games in each of the past 12 seasons, and he’s led them to many big wins.

This Saturday’s matchup is a huge one, as Alabama is ranked No. 2 in the country and Georgia is No. 3. It’s also a potential preview of this year’s SEC Championship Game, as these may be the best teams in the SEC West and SEC East, respectively.

If Saban doesn’t coach, then offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian would have an increased role. However, the result of the game would still go on Saban’s win-loss record.

The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are set to kick off on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.

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