Paul Finebaum addresses the most troubling thing for Nick Saban, this Alabama team

Alabama’s back is against the wall. During an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Paul Finebaum discussed the problems plaguing the Crimson Tide.

“It’s pretty obvious and self-evident that Nick Saban doesn’t think he can [be hard on his team] because why otherwise would we see this kinder and gentler Nick Saban?” Finebaum said. “[Saban was] clapping his hands and congratulating his team on how proud he was of how hard they fought.

“I mean, that’s not the Saban we would have seen. I’ve seen Saban angrier after a national championship win than what I saw Saturday, and that has to be troubling.”

Where is the Nick Saban of old?

The legendary Alabama head coach was uncharacteristically cheerful after his team’s ugly 17-3 win over South Florida on Saturday. In the win, Alabama recorded a mere 107 passing yards while completing just 43.5% of its pass attempts.

Nonetheless, Saban was complimentary of his team following the contest.

“I’m really proud of our players for the way they competed in the game,” Saban said. “This was obviously a tough game, and I thought the defense did an outstanding job of only giving up three points, and that was after a turnover. They gave them good field position, so a lot of guys really played well, pressured the quarterback pretty well, didn’t give up a lot of explosive plays and kept them off the board.”

Who is this and what did you do with Nick Saban? The 71-year-old coach’s transcript was unrecognizable. However, with significant roster holes and a loss early in the season, perhaps Saban is taking a new strategy. Finebaum seems to believe so.

Now or never

“I’m sure he saw some of this coming. There’s no question. I don’t know how he couldn’t have,” Finebaum said. “Now, it’s a matter of how to solve it and he’s on a really tricky wire right now because Saturday really is the entire season. If Alabama loses this game, they are essentially out of the playoff conversation and reeling from an SEC West standpoint.”

Alabama’s Saturday matchup will certainly be more challenging than USF. This weekend, the Crimson Tide will square off against the undefeated No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels.

Through three contests, Ole Miss is averaging 526.7 yards per game, the 11th-most in the country. For reference, Alabama is averaging 367.7 yards per outing, ranking 81st nationally. Saban and Co. must find a way to stop their bleeding for it’s too late.

Alabama and Ole Miss will face off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.