ESPN analysts debate what USF struggles reveal about Alabama entering SEC play

Paul Finebaum joined Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on ESPN’s First Take to make sense of Alabama‘s struggles in 2023.

While Smith and Sharpe believe the Crimson Tide are in immense trouble, Finebaum isn’t putting all of the blame on Nick Saban. According to Finebaum, all of Alabama’s struggles in 2023 can be traced back to an ill-advised hire.

“Well it’s important to remember guys, Drake Maye committed to Alabama a couple of years ago and then pulled his commitment back, because he saw the log-jam there. He was not going to play until this year. And then Coach Saban just flat out blew it in the transfer portal. He went after everyone, and he ended up getting [Tyler] Buchner. I think the mistake that Nick Saban made was with the offensive coordinator,” explained Finebaum. “[Bill] O’Brien left after last season to go back with [Bill] Belichick, and he went after four or five offensive coordinators and settled, and I mean settled for Tommy Rees from Notre Dame, who then brought Buchner. Then they decided on [Jalen] Milroe, and for whatever reason — I mean, Milroe threw two interceptions against Texas that were costly, but he has — you guys both know, he can run the ball. He has big play ability.

“He must’ve listened, he obviously listened to his OC, and what we saw Saturday, the coaching by Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator, was coaching malpractice. It was one of the worst examples I have ever seen. He gave up on Buchner. Then he put in the freshman Ty Simpson. Now they obviously ended up with Milroe. I think what they’ve done is completely upset the chemistry of this team. I think the players want to play for Milroe.”

Whether you agree with Finebaum’s assessment of Rees or not, Alabama will be looking to get back on track against a former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator in Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss on Saturday.

Finebaum asserted that this is Saban’s biggest game in a long, long time, and Kiffin isn’t just going to roll over for his old boss.

“This week, we haven’t even mentioned the game, he’s up against Lane Kiffin, who has a quarterback. Jaxson Dart, who’s very good. We all know that Kiffin, since he was fired ten years ago at Southern Cal and then Saban gave him a lifeline, and then he left Alabama, has been gunning for the coach,” added the SEC Network analyst. “It’s worth remembering that Nick Saban fired Lane Kiffin after he had already quit. Kiffin announced a number of years ago, in 2015 or 2016, that he was going to Florida Atlantic. He coaches in the Playoff team so poorly according to Saban, and then he fired him and he moved [Steve] Sarkisian up, and then they lost in the National Championship Game. Kiffin made sure everybody knew they would’ve won the game had he been the coach, and I think they would have.

“So this is a really interesting matchup, and if Alabama loses this game, they’re done for the Playoff. They’re not getting into the Playoff after losing two games in September. … This is the biggest game Nick Saban has had in a long time.”

Alas, it’s going to be fascinating to see who gets the victory in Alabama versus Ole Miss, as both coaches have their motivations. If Nick Saban wants to quiet the noise, he’ll have to defeat the Rebels, and handily.