We’ve watched Nick Saban and the Tide dominate the SEC for the better part of 15 seasons. Every time we think Bama is going to lose it’s edge, Saban finds a way to steady the train. It started with the loss to Oklahoma when he hired Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator. Recently, he’s adapted to NIL and continued to finish in the top 5 in recruiting every year.
The 2022 season isn’t the first time Saban lost two games in a season, but there’s something different about this season. Somehow, it seems as though Bama’s days of dominating the SEC might take a brief hiatus. The biggest reason as to why can be explained with two words, Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs are coming off back to back national championship seasons, reload every year in recruiting, and are the betting favorites at (+220) to win the title in 2023. Bama is second at (+615) but there is clearly a new tier system in college football.
Here are three signs that lead me to believe Alabama is losing serious ground in the SEC.
SEC is Expanding and Improving
OK, so this is not the first time other teams have gained ground on Bama only to get smacked down to reality. Ed O in Baton Rouge had a great season in 2019, but he was out within a couple of seasons. Arkansas showed signs of life when Pittman first took the reigns, but they aren’t gaining any ground. Even his former assistant that handed him his first loss, Jimbo Fisher, is sitting on a pretty warm seat in College Station after a 4-8 season. However, you’ve got some serious contenders now.
Texas and Oklahoma will be joining the SEC next season and that will change the entire landscape of the SEC. Every team will have to play one more conference game, which doesn’t seem like much. However, when you take into consideration that the top teams usually schedule one out of conference Power 5 team, that leaves two directional schools to pad the records.
Now take into consideration two things. They gave up 52 points and lost to a Tennessee team that hasn’t even reached their potential. They lost a close one in Baton Rouge to an LSU team that is supposed to be rebuilding, then failed to reach the SEC title game for the third time in 8 years. This isn’t a flash in the pan LSU team with Joe Burrow carrying the offense, or a trendy Tennessee team that we saw under Butch Jones. Now, you have Texas walking in with a quarterback named Manning. This isn’t your uncle’s SEC of the 2010’s.
Quarterback questions
What’s given Alabama fans hope every time their team under performs is that they always had a strong quarterback going into the next season. Since Saban started his decade of dominance in 2010, the Tide’s experienced 3 seasons with two losses. After 2019, they knew Bryce Young was still there. In 2014, they had Lane Kiffin and Jake Coker at least showed signs he was going to be a strong quarterback. What happened in 2022?
Well, lets take a look at it. They lost Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien and Bryce Young to the NFL. Jalen Milroe did very little to instill confidence in the fan base after his performance against Texas A&M. They even signed Notre Dame’s starting QB from the transfer portal. So, they have a new coordinator and who knows what number will be over center this year.
Georgia is doing Bama things
Without a doubt, Georgia’s rise to dominance in the SEC is the difference here. Bama having an off year isn’t new. Saban’s always found a way to get them back in the playoff picture. However, it’s going to take a lot to overcome Georgia. Kirby Smart built a juggernaut in Athens and any slip up could cost the Tide three or even four seasons against them. They still recruit though, right? So does Georgia.
Kirby Smart took the blueprint he saw Nick Saban use to build Alabama and successfully applied it to Georgia. So, not only is Bama experiencing a let down, they have a big mountain to climb. It’s a biggest mountain they’ve stared at in 10 years.
I know what you’re thinking. Here’s another fan with a blog that is trying to get attention by saying the Nick Saban dynasty is over. However, you can’t ignore what is staring at you in the face, but it’s not all bad. Alabama isn’t going to be a six or seven win team next year. In fact, as long as Saban is there, you can almost count on 10 wins every season. If you’re an Alabama fan though, ten wins doesn’t cut it. Well, it’s going to have to cut it Bama fans, because that’s pretty much where you’re at right now. Alabama won’t be hanging in National Championship banners as long as Kirby Smart continues to dominate in Athens.
If you want to see more content, check out our other college football articles:
https://firepitsports.com/category/blogs/college-football/