LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: Nick Saban Will Outsmart Les Miles for National Title

When Alabama and LSU face off on Jan. 9th, it will not only be a matchup of two great teams but two of the greatest coaches in college football.

Nick Saban has won two national championships in the last 10 years, and Les Miles has one of his own in that time frame. Naturally, the games between their teams have been competitive over the years, but none have meant more than this one. 

When the two teams play for the national title it will undoubtedly be a game to remember. Let’s look at why Nick Saban will outsmart Les Miles for the national title. 

Relentless

Nick Saban is known for being a tireless preparer. He is a man who will leave no stone unturned in his search to find an opposing team’s weaknesses and put together a gameplan.

Saban has a month to do just that. No coach can affect his team in a greater way through his ability to simply outwork the competition. 

Saban and Alabama have no choice but to put in that work against an opponent like LSU. If anyone can do it though, he can. 

Les Miles Mishaps

Over the years, Les Miles has been criticized for his inability to manage a game. This cost him a game against Ole Miss in 2009 and very nearly did the same against Tennessee last season. 

Les Miles hasn’t had the close games this season, save the Alabama game, like he did during his 2007 championship run. That season it all seemed to work. At other times though, his awareness has been questioned.

Can everything keep going right for the Tigers this season? Miles switched quarterbacks midseason and continues to do so with the running backs. Will these moves keep working and will Les Miles’ clock management skills come into play? He has to make it one more game.  

Redemption

As if Nick Saban needed more motivation for a national championship game. Like other great head coaches, Saban hates to lose. Saban though has his own special way of turning those losses into motivation.

Pictures in the locker room of losses to Mississippi State and Louisiana Monroe fueled the team’s offseason preparation in 2008. In 2009, the team used the loss to Florida as motivation for redemption. This season, Saban used the loss to Auburn as a motivating factor. 

Much like in 2009, Saban’s team has a chance for a championship rematch against a team that beat them previously. Albeit, Alabama didn’t play Florida twice in one season. 

Against Florida in that SEC Championship game, Alabama played it’s best game of Saban’s tenure. If Saban can put together that type of gameplan, there’s no question who will win. 

What It Will Take

The LSU offense showed a severe inability to move the ball against Georgia. The Tigers can beat you on defense and special teams, but offense is a question. 

If a more experienced A.J. McCarron can hold on to the ball and Saban handles his kickers better, the Tide will win the rematch.