Here’s what needs to happen for Nick Saban to coach Alabama vs. Georgia

Yes, there is a chance Nick Saban could coach Alabama football on Saturday night.

It’s not likely, but yes, there is a possibility Nick Saban could be coaching in Week 7.

The Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach contracted the coronavirus earlier this week. He found out about it on Wednesday and has since gone into quarantine. Since the soon-to-be 69-year-old head coach has been asymptomatic, he could return to the sidelines just in time for Alabama’s huge SEC home game vs. the Georgia Bulldogs. Here’s what has to happen.

“As I’m sitting here right now, I got confirmation from the SEC office that if Nick Saban or anyone else for that matter were to get three straight negative PCR tests and remain asymptomatic, they could leave isolation and rejoin the team,” said ESPN’s Heather Dinich on College Football Live.

“It’s important to note that Nick Saban is asymptomatic. He’s continuing to be tested daily. if he gets three negative tests, you could see him on the sideline against Georgia, which as of now, remains on.”

Nick Saban must have three straight negative PCR tests to coach vs. Georgia.

So for Saban to be able to lead the Crimson Tide on Saturday night, he must have a negative PCR test result on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from the day before. Should he come down with any symptoms associated with the coronavirus, there won’t be any chance he could coach on Saturday vs. Georgia. If Saban can’t return to the sidelines, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian takes over.

Thus far in his illustrious coaching career, Saban has never lost a game to a team coached by one of his former assistants. He is 21-0 all time vs. the likes of Jimbo Fisher, Lane Kiffin, Jim McElwain, Will Muschamp, Jeremy Pruitt and Georgia’s Kirby Smart. Alabama has won the last five meetings over Georgia, but the Dawgs won the most recent game played in Tuscaloosa back in 2007.

If Georgia is going to win the game, the Dawgs will need to impose their will defensively on the high-octane Alabama offense, as well as take advantage of what looks to be another sub-par defense under defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s watch. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV must deliver in a big way in Todd Monken’s offense if Georgia wants to pull off the upset.

The line has moved with Saban potentially being out, so yes, coaching absolutely matters here.

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