Nearly eight years ago, Alabama coach Nick Saban delivered one of the most revealing quotes of his tenure. In October 2012, as college football’s tempo boom rocketed through the sport, Saban questioned the safety of the frenetic style of football thriving at places like Ole Miss, Oregon and Baylor. “Is this what we want football to be?” Saban asked.
With Saban’s sideline status still to be determined for No. 2 Alabama’s game with No. 3 Georgia on Saturday, it’s a fitting twist that Saban’s positive COVID-19 test is threatening to keep him from the dichotomy this game offers.