Nick Saban: Alabama 'got exposed' up front in Rose Bowl

After Michigan harassed, harangued and hassled Jalen Milroe and the Alabama backfield for 60-plus minutes on Monday, head coach Nick Saban wasn’t shy about discussing the shortcomings up front on offense.

Along with snapping issues, the Crimson Tide failed to consistently pass protect for Milroe and struggled often to create success in the run game. Saban, joining the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, was blunt in his appraisal.

“Everybody’s very disappointed that we didn’t finish the game. We had opportunities in the game. We got exposed in some areas up front, too much pressure on the quarterback, couldn’t stop them in the end when we needed to,” Saban said.

On the whole, Michigan sacked Milroe six times and finished with an additional four tackles for loss. Those included a tackle for loss in overtime two plays before the Michigan defensive front stuff Milroe at the line of scrimmage to secure the win in overtime.

And on the flip side, the Alabama defensive front was relatively more solid, but did surrender more than 125 rushing yards and gave up the 17-yard go-ahead touchdown to the Wolverines in overtime.

Though a bad day at the office that doomed the Crimson Tide’s chances to win wasn’t clouding Saban’s perspective on what this team did.

“But everybody needs to remember that this team has come a long way. You guys accomplished a lot winning the SEC Championship. So, let’s don’t forget what we were able to accomplish, even though everybody’s disappointed right now,” Saban said.

Saban addressed his future briefly

For the first time ever under Saban, the Crimson Tide have gone three seasons without winning a national title.

Given the increased difficulty in winning it all and the more competitive landscape in college football as the dynamics have changed thanks to the transfer portal and NIL, many are wondering if Saban might be close to hanging up the whistle and calling it a career.

Why?

“Well because I’m getting old, I guess,” Saban said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, shooting down any idea that he’s getting ready to retire.

Instead, Saban has a new tactic for countering the annual ‘will he retire’ narrative.

“Look, I ask everybody that asks me that question, ‘Are you going to be here for four years?’” Saban said. “Some players ask me when you’re going to retire, I’ve looked at them and say, ‘Well can you guarantee me that you’re going to be here for four years?’ and they looked at me like ‘Hell no I’m not.’”

There’s no doubt the current landscape in college football has proven difficult. For one, it’s made this time of the year a nightmare for college coaches.

They’re having to juggle first bowl preparations, then the early signing period, while simultaneously managing the transfer portal both ways — players coming and going.

Saban acknowledged those changes.

“And I just think it’s the way of the world now, that college football has changed dramatically, especially in the last three or four years,” Saban said. “Roster management, guys getting in the portal, pay for play is definitely alive and well. I mean name, image and likeness has really become pay for play.”

Saban has an abundance of thoughts on that and how to fix it, most of which involve getting a standardized set of rules that apply across the board, whether that’s in NIL or the transfer portal.

Regardless, though, Saban appears perfectly willing to manage all the ebbs and flows of the modern college football landscape as they go in the meantime.