LSU vs. Alabama: Nick Saban Got Away from Game Plan, Les Miles Stood by His

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has done a lot of good during his time in Tuscaloosa. He led the Crimson Tide to a national title in 2009 and by the way they were playing this season, they looked like they were going to win another one.

But when the Crimson Tide took on LSU in what many called the "Game of the Century" before the game kicked off, Saban got away from his normal game plan, which led to the Crimson Tide losing in overtime to the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

One of the plays of the game was when Alabama receiver Marquis Maze threw a pass which was intercepted at the 1-yard line. This play was right after Alabama running back Trent Richardson rushed for a 24-yard gain to put the Tide in good position to take the lead.

Richardson ended his night with 89 yards on 23 carries. The numbers aren’t bad, but when you are going up against a defense like LSU and you don’t want to put your young quarterback, A.J. McCarron, in situations where he has to win the game with his arm, Richardson should have had at least 27 to 30 carries. So that has to fall on Saban.

Even if Saban did not want to use Richardson because he wanted to do something different, the fact that he continued to send out the field goal kickers when they have had their share of issues is mind boggling to say the least. Cade Foster missed three field goals and Jeremy Shelley missed one out of two attempts.

I’m not saying he should have gone for it on fourth down every time they were in field-goal range, but they could have pinned the Tigers back with a pooch punt and forced LSU to drive down the field in order to score.

LSU head coach Les Miles did not make the same mistakes. Yes, the offense made its share of mistakes, but the Tigers played hard-nosed football and made more plays at the end of the game. But the most important thing Miles did in the win was something he didn’t do and that was attempting any trick plays.

Miles knew the Tigers had to win this game by beating the Tide at their own game and that was playing good defense and running the ball effectively (LSU outgained Alabama on the ground, 148-96).

Is Miles a better head coach than Saban? No.

Is Saban a better head coach than Miles? No.

What it comes down to is Miles looked more like Saban and Saban looked like Miles when it came to making crucial decisions during a game.

But one thing is for sure: If there is a rematch, Saban will not make the same mistakes again.