Along with Brian Kelly, UCF’s Josh Heupel, and Alabama’s Nick Saban are also finalists. This leaves Clemson’s Dabo Sweeney as the only coach of an undefeated team not to be a finalist.
Saban is a finalist because he’s the coach of an undefeated Alabama team. There’s really no other reason for it. He hasn’t had to do anything extraordinary from what he usually does. Of course, his usual bottom line is extraordinary. He’s game-planned and recruited well. However, with Tua Tagovailoa helping to blow everyone out, Saban hasn’t been forced to coach and win tight games this season.