Paul Finebaum has strong words for Alabama after upset loss to LSU

Paul Finebaum was especially critical of Nick Saban and his two-loss Alabama team after the LSU defeat in overtime.

For the first time since 2010, Alabama has been removed from the national championship conversation before Thanksgiving.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum knows just how big of a deal this is. Alabama is going to need a miracle to get back to the SEC Championship Game after losing in overtime to LSU on the road. Even if the Crimson Tide were to somehow get back to Atlanta, they may not be any match for the SEC East frontrunner Georgia. Finebaum seemed in a bit of disbelief as to how bad it has gotten at Alabama.

"“It just seems like for starters the window on the (Nick) Saban dynasty is closing. They are not going to get back in it this year. So, what does that mean?"

Here is Finebaum speaking with his ESPN colleague Matt Barrie about the weekend that was.

Paul Finebaum firmly believes the Nick Saban dynasty at Alabama is closing

Although talk about the evil empire finally biting the dust has most of the college football world intrigued, Finebaum’s comments went far beyond that. He feels like Saban has wasted his most talented team to date. He would not be wrong. Bryce Young was last year’s Heisman winner, Will Anderson Jr. is the best defender in the game today and Jahmyr Gibbs was the best transfer player.

Given that Finebaum made a name for himself in Birmingham, the cry of Alabama fans are saying that Saban needs to fire his coordinators. He said that for a coach on the brink of getting fired himself, that would make a great deal of sense. However, Saban is in his 70s. Plus, Pete Golding and Bill O’Brien are his guys. The team is poorly coached, but here is where it is the most damning.

Finebaum would say Saban will occasionally get out-coached in championship settings vs. worthy adversaries like Dabo Swinney, Urban Meyer or Kirby Smart. However, Finebaum said Alabama has been out-coached four times this season. That would be against Brian Kelly Week 10, Josh Heupel in the Third Saturday in October and then vs. Jimbo Fisher and Steve Sarkisian in Alabama wins…

And you know what? Finebaum is absolutely right. Texas and Texas A&M should have beaten Alabama this season, too. What would be really bad is if the Crimson Tide sulk and lose for a third time this season vs. a well-coached Ole Miss team led by former Saban protege, Lane Kiffin. Keep in mind that the Rebels only have one loss this season and that was to LSU in Death Valley as well.

Ultimately, Finebaum said it right. Saban looks miserable. People retire when they get up in age and work starts to get even harder. Saban may still have the passion for recruiting, but his team has lost four times now since winning the 2020 National Championship during the COVID year. You have to wonder how much longer Saban wants to even do this. It has been a rough season for him.

Alabama can still get to 10 wins and maybe play in a New Year’s Six Bowl, but that is about it now.

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