Local Sports
Nothing is impossible with Saban
By Justin GravesThe first demon has been exorcised. And boy, was it a big demon.
Alabama 27, LSU 21.
Never has one game meant so much. Alabama just accomplished two things it hasn’t done in years.
For the first time since 2002, the Crimson Tide has beaten LSU. That win puts Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time since 1999.
If that’s not a big win, then what is?
The moment was so big, even Nick Saban cracked a little smile.
“I’m just proud of our players,” the Crimson Tide coach said after the game. “They played their hearts out tonight. It was a big win for this team — a program that has great support.”
Yes, it was a big win. And it wasn’t just big for the Crimson Tide.
Saban has to be a little overwhelmed himself. After all, he’s the one responsible for transforming LSU football into the beast it is today.
Since taking over at LSU, Les Miles has been living in Saban’s shadow. The Crimson Tide coach reminded the nation why Saturday.
In his second year at Alabama, Saban has rebuilt a Crimson Tide program that had hit rock bottom. He finally has this program back on top.
Some people said it couldn’t be done, and most Alabama fans never thought it would happen this year.
But it has. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in the country and is in position to win the SEC.
Ahead of schedule? Maybe.
Great coach? Absolutely.
Best college coach in the country? Starting to look that way.
Just think about it: Alabama was awful before Saban took over last season. This was a program going nowhere fast under Mike Shula.
These same players couldn’t win under Shula. But now they have a shot at playing for the BCS National Championship.
Isn’t it amazing what a good coach can do?
Alabama didn’t play its best game of the season Saturday. The Crimson Tide was also up against one of the most talented teams in the SEC.
But despite several mistakes and missed opportunities, Alabama still managed to win in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football.
Rarely will a championship team steamroll through a season unchallenged. The ones that win it all usually have to overcome a few obstacles along the way.
Alabama overcame a big bump this week — one of the biggest hills in the conference.
From a No. 1 ranking to Saban Bowl II, there were distractions all over the place. But none of that external stuff mattered when the lights came on.
This Alabama team was on a mission, and its final objective is still in reach.
Whether or not this team can win the conference remains to be seen. After all, Alabama still has to exorcise the Auburn demon before playing the beast from the SEC East — Florida — in the conference title game.
Winning it all is a lot to ask out of a group of players that haven’t enjoyed very much success during their college careers. But with Saban on the sidelines, no goal is unreachable.
‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.
- Local Sports
-
-
TALKIN' PREPS: Playoff-bound Aggies keep moving in the right direction
FAIRVIEW — Outside the home locker room at Fairview High, the celebration was loud enough that you almost thought you were part of the team.
-
RECLASS SHAKES UP AREA
No one at West Point High was surprised when the Alabama High School Athletic Association released its reclassification numbers for the 2010-12 school years.
West Point’s return to Class 4A was short-lived. When the ’10 football season begins next fall, the Warriors will be playing in Class 5A, Region 6 alongside Cullman, Hartselle and Walker.
-
PREP BASKETBALL: Cullman uses late push to beat Clay-Chalkville
CULLMAN — Morgan Smith didn’t deliver a freshman performance in her second varsity basketball game.
-
TALKIN' PREPS: Skipper goes from unknown to asset
Remember when Dylan Skipper was an unproven quarterback? How about when he was the glaring preseason question hanging over Cullman High’s offense?
-
JUCO MEN'S BASKETBALL: Farmer, Jones lift Lions to win in season opener
HANCEVILLE — Wallace State’s L.A. Farmer finished with 22 points and seven rebounds and Devon Jones added 13 points off the bench to lift the Lions past Northeast Mississippi 65-60 in the season opener for both teams Monday at Tom Drake Coliseum.
-
PREP FOOTBALL: Bearcats have sights set on another deep playoff run
Ben Moore will be in an unfamiliar position when the postseason begins Friday. He’ll be watching from the Cullman High sideline.
-
PREP FOOTBALL: Aggies ride early lead to win over Raiders
FAIRVIEW — For the final five minutes of their final regular-season home game in purple and gold, Fairview High’s seniors were exactly where they wanted to be.
-
PREP FOOTBALL: Bearcats beat elements, Bears
DECATUR — It was simply a matter of time before the heavy rain was going to arrive. But when it did, the Cullman Bearcats were unphased.
-
PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Warriors grab county win
-
PREP VOLLEYBALL: Ol' Blue heads to Addison
PELHAM — Nothing against the city of Pelham, but Pam Wilkins was ready to hightail it back up Interstate 65 with a shiny blue trophy in tow.
And the sooner the better.
Trailing late in game three of the Class 2A state championship match after taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, the Addison High volleyball coach called a timeout to give her team a challenge.
Or maybe just a friendly suggestion. Whatever it was, it worked.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
TALKIN' PREPS: Playoff-bound Aggies keep moving in the right direction
