Nick Saban and Alabama Football: No Real Punishment for the Crimson Tide

The University of Alabama got caught, and this time they're going to pay! Well, only if by "pay," you mean, give up wins from the past that nobody will recognize as important.

That's right, the NCAA sure showed Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide who is in charge. Now, Alabama cant brag about their big wins over Middle Tennessee in 2005 (26-7) or Florida International in 2006 (38-3).

The only good news to come from this is down in Monroe, Louisiana where the Warhawks can now claim a two game winning streak over national power Alabama: 2006 by forfeit and 2007 by actual victory (21-14).

That should help them recruit: "Yeah, we ALWAYS beat Alabama, its like OUR homecoming."

The fact is that even Nick Saban understands how useless this sanction is. Saban is quoted as saying: "I'm really happy for the players we have in the program that this won't affect their future, nor will it affect the players we're recruiting. We're always happy to be moving on, and we're looking forward to the future."

When Saban says it won't affect the future, he is practically laughing at this ruling.

What is the point of changing the past? Will recruits care if Alabama went defeated in 2005 when they come enter school in 2010?

When Alabama and Saban say they are moving on, it means that this sanction means NOTHING to their program. Its worse than a slap on the wrist, because a slap on the wrist occurs in the present.

This ruling affects nobody.

Alabama broke a rule, sure, they should have not given free textbooks to their student athletes. But if this rule was important, then the punishment would be one that actually affects the team.

Hey NCAA, want to make a statement?

Don't Allow Alabama to play in a bowl game until every player who received free books is gone from the school.

Cut some scholarships from the football team.

Don't allow Alabama to simply shrug off this rule.

Its time the NCAA make their rules count toward the current program. Stop these posthumous loses that don't affect anybody.

Nobody thinks that Alabama lost all their games in 2006, and nobody will.