Is Saban Holding McElwain Back? Alabama Talent Should Unleash Hell

"As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another"- Proverbs 27:17

Not only does Nick Saban fulfill this proverb of old, he also serves as a crucible for the new breed of high-intensity, high-performance college coaches. With names like Will Muschamp, Jimbo Fischer, Derek Dooley and Bo Pellini, to name just a few, Nick Saban is leaving his mark on the college landscape.

Jim McElwain is currently in the crucible of the best head coach in college football. He has remained humble, kind-hearted, willing to learn from a master and wait patiently for new doors to open. If he has interest in becoming a head coach, he has positioned himself in the right place.

Big Jim has no problems with Nick Saban and Saban's style of leading the Alabama coaching staff. In fact, he is grateful for the opportunity to work on this staff while at one of the most prestigious, traditional programs in all of college football.

It shows in his demeanor, and it is reflected in his play-calling. But does he want more? Can he unleash all hell with the talent at his disposal? Some think that he can, and this might be the year.

McElwain was hired in 2008 to fill the vacancy left by Major Applewhite, who left the Alabama staff to accept a position with his alma mater and work with his prior head coach, Mack Brown at the University of Texas. Some think Applewhite was out the door if Mack Brown hadn't offered a job, regardless.

In retrospect, this was the most significant change to the Alabama staff during the transition from 2007 to 2008. McElwain took one of the most mediocre offenses in the SEC and produced a champion in just one season.

In 2007, under the guidance of Major Applewhite, the Alabama offense finished the season with a 7-6 record, 4-4 in the SEC. Using a total of 962 plays, the offense produced 4,859 total yards; 2,919 yards passing and 1,940 yards rushing. The rushing offense yielded 4.0 yards per carry and 19 touchdowns. The passing offense averaged 6.2 yards per play and scored a total of 19 touchdowns.

In 2008, McElwian, using much of the same personnel, yielded more yardage on fewer plays and scored 70 more points on the season. Rushing offense yielded 4.6 yards per carry while the passing game accumulated 7.2 yards per play.

For the regular season, Alabama finished as west division champions and battled the eventual national champion Florida Gators in a hard-fought, tough loss in the SEC Championship game. And that was just the beginning.

In 2009, the offense was even more productive with a first-year starting quarterback. Greg McElroy led an offense that ran 947 plays, yielded 5,642 total yards and produced 449 points on the season. Total offense numbers increased to 5,691 yards in 2010. It is the highest total in Alabama history, as far back as the records are kept. That includes every statistically recorded championship year at the Capstone.

That may not measure up to what other offenses are capable of in the SEC or any other league, but it is a measure of what has been done historically at Alabama. Combined with the defense that Alabama traditionally provides, in contrast to its competitors, it is more than enough for a championship season.

As it has been stated in past articles, but for a few plays in 2010, a title would have been in the trophy case once again. Each of the losses in 2010 were within the reach of victory until late in the game. Two of the three loses can be attributed to a young, inexperienced defensive secondary.

In 2011, the offense is once again making progress. In the first three games of the season, the Alabama offense has accumulated 1,427 yard of total offense and 116 points. They have held opponents to 510 yard total offense and 18 points. While the season is still young, the projections are for another record setting year.

Remarkably, what is most impressive is the balance between rushing and passing totals. Rushing yards in 2011 total 791 while passing for 701 yards. This has been accomplished using 206 plays, averaging 6.9 yards per play.

In the first three games of the season, the Tide has averaged 475.7 yards per game. While this has been done against non-SEC competition, it bodes well for the future. And every season starts with similar competition. Combined with the 2011 defense that will complement this potential offensive production, the formula is there to produce another champion.

So is Saban holding McElwain back? I sure hope so! Because when he unleashes the firepower that this mind is capable of conceiving, Bobby Petrino, Gus Malzahn, Jimbo Fisher, Charlie Weiss and others will be signing up for online courses.

Obviously, that is written with tongue in cheek, each of the aforementioned men are exceptional coaches. But if this Alabama defense lives up to its potential, and the offense continues to make progress or stays above the 5,000-yard total production mark, make no mistake, a championship season is in the making.

And that would be just one more feather in the cap of this fine young head coach in the making.