that Saban was our coach when he was here. He did a great job and I generally liked his demeanor that I feel brought a toughness to the program. But that’s just my opinion. Some people liked him, some didn’t.

But the point on which I agree with you is an absolutely factual one: He was always on the way out of here because the NFL was his destination. It was a job to him—and there’s nothing wrong with that. He did a great job, but come on! He wasn’t unbeatable, even in his last season with all his recruits and with a nat. championship in tow.

I’m grateful that he rebuilt the program—he did, there’s no denying it. But you’re right—Miles can’t compare to the myth and while everyone’s still whining, they forget to look up and see we’ve STILL got a good thing going.

Through 61 games:

Miles 49-12 80%
Saban 46-15 75%

What Saban’s done at Bama is impressive, but I’m (mostly) happy with our current coach. If Miles can fix the running game and pass rush, I’ll be completely happy, LOL.

I think LSU vans would be excited to knock Bama out of a BCS title game…better do it before Chatanooga does (:

Although I am from the West Coast, I like the Southern intensity with this sport…

I thought we were wrong to fire DiNardo but I was OK with NS as his successor. What I have never been OK with is giving him (NS) ALL the credit for returning LSU to national prominence.

DiNardo left the cupboards fully stocked with talent and unlike DiNardo’s last two years they were mostly healthy. Nick did a great job and took it to the next level but we were by no means some blind sisters of the poor program when he showed up.

His exit and subsequent return to the division as a rival don’t bother me at all. I think he has shown some character flaws with his handling of certain things but that only makes me appreciate Les Miles even more.

Speaking of Les Miles – LSU fans that haven’t yet embraced this guy are stupid and delusional. (period) Les Miles is the best coach we have ever had by any measure and what happens this weekend has absolutely no bearing on that.

I am and will be a fan of this man until I die. (period)

As to the ‘Saban Bowl’ moniker – you probably will not want to hit me in the face (I assure I can defend myself :-) ) but I do not mind the tag. It places a little more national notoriety to the game and elevates the rivalry, which in my opinion is a good thing. It also place more pressure on the name sake, how does it make Saban look if Les Miles owns him in the game named after him!?!

To that point, Saban acknowledged the pressure on his team, in his weekly press conference, and said that it had affected their play. He seemed genuinely frustrated and concerned and judging by the Tide’s play the last few weeks I’d say they are not dealing with it well.

Moreover, if memory serves, 2004 was the year that Saban (and the Saban led team) faced it’s highest expectations (2003 was all bonus as no one ever expected us to be in the hunt until KState slobber-knocked OU) and how’d that turn out?

I don’t think Saban has fun and Alabama fans think their birth right is being reclaimed – if Saban blows it he knows the death threats will not be intended for ‘fun’ either.

Honestly, we may not have enough to take them this year, though I am very optimistic that we do, but I fully expect LSU to be the greater of these two teams over the next several years.

Winning ‘Saban Bowl’ this year would just be bonus! Imagine if Miles were 2-1 (LSU would be 3-1) head to head and finishes the year with a six game advantage in the ‘LSU Tenure’ plus a chance to claim a third Championship this decade – LSU would be the undisputed team of the decade and Miles, not Saban would be the Coach of the Decade!

Again, that’s a tall order but it’s still there!

No matter what, I’m down with the Hat!

Geaux Tigers!!!

But it’s not b/c he went to Bama. I love Les Miles as our coach and I think he makes smart calls rather than the safe calls most of the time (though on O this season we may be a little too safe but we’ll see tomorrow).

I dislike Saban b/c of the way he left us. He waited until the team had left town for the Cap One Bowl, and in Orlando then decided to announce to everyone that he was leaving. The team came out flat and we lost the bowl to Iowa. I’m mad at him for dumping the team at the most opportune moment. If he had waited till after the bowl, I’d have no problem. But cowardly leaving town and starting off a bowl trip with “hey, screw you guys, I’m taking the cash” is why I very enjoy watching his teams lose and why I hope we can beat them.

Oh, you are talking about a “former” head coach of the Tigers who placed his mark in
Tiger Stadium, as has every other “former coach”, and then moved on.

Currently we have a “head coach” by the name of Les Miles who is still making his mark. We cannot see what or how large his final mark will be, but based on the outline he has put up, it can only be good days ahead for the Tigers.

I was very bummed to see him go. I knew it was coming – Skip Bertman kept telling us it would happen, but it was still a sad day.

I’m not going to bash Les Miles – he’s done a pretty good job with respect to wins and losses – that’s a no-brainer. However (and this is more a personal preference), I was tremendously proud of the “citizen” that seemed to come through Saban’s teams at LSU. I think the demeanor of our players both on and off the field have changed for the worse since Miles replaced Saban. That’s not to say that we have a bunch of derelicts now, but I am concerned about the direction. To oversimplify it – think Marcus Spears vs Ricky Jean-Francois. Both very talented – one a smart guy who would succeed in life no matter what, abd the other… well…a bit of a knuckle-head. Like it or not, this is the track record of Miles’ tenure at Oklahoma State.

I get criticized by friends for wanting style points, and I suppose that’s fair. These same friends are big boasters of the success the U (Miami) had in their heyday. Again, me personally, that’s not how I want to win championships.

With that being said, I’ll be hurling F bombs like crazy at Saban on Saturday, hoping his head implodes over a bad call, and rootin’ for the Hat! Oh yeah, and the obligatory references to incest amongst the Alabama fans. You see? I’m all about class man.

West Virginia?