TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban stirred behind the podium like it was an October, midseason news conference instead of the first press opportunity of Alabama’s spring practice, which opened Friday afternoon.
He picked apart questions like he does during a non-conference opponent week in September. In reality, it was Day 1!
On one particularly relevant topic, Saban both defended and critiqued his defense. Saban came up as a defensive coach, and it’s considered his specialty. Asked about what information he gleaned by studying last year’s film of the Crimson Tide’s defense, Saban played the role of big brother. You know how in most families it’s OK for you to pick on your sibling but no one else can? That’s what Saban did. First, he stood up for the defense, and then he provoked it.
“I know everybody complains about the defense, but we were like first in the SEC in points allowed, and we were 13th in the country in points allowed,” Saban said. “So I think what people visualize as good defense is a little bit different now than it used to be.”
That’s certainly true. Great defense today can’t be viewed through the prism of great defense a decade ago. In 2011, Alabama’s defense was otherworldly. That group allowed 8.2 points per game and 183.6 yards per game. In 2020, the best scoring defense (Marshall) allowed 13 points per game and the top total defense (Army) allowed 275.3 yards per game. Alabama’s 2020 defense allowed 19.4. points and 352.2 yards.
Saban is correct that his defense led the SEC in scoring defense, but it ranked 32nd nationally in total defense, the lowest ranking of the Saban era. The goal, however, is to keep the other team from scoring, so the efficiency may not have been the best, but the end result worked.
It’s hard to imagine that privately Saban is pleased. By the rankings, his defense has gotten progressively worse since finishing ranked first nationally in 2017. From 16th in 2018, 21st in 2019 and 32nd in 2020. So what has been the primary concern? Saban put his finger on one particular area.
“I think the single thing that we have to improve on, that was the worst that it’s been since we’ve been here, is third down,” Saban said. “Getting off the field on third down was an issue for us a year ago.”
Alabama third-down defense
2020
41.50
77
2019
35.68
35
2018
34.23
24
2017
34.58
30
2016
30.67
8
2015
28.63
7
He picked apart questions like he does during a non-conference opponent week in September. In reality, it was Day 1!
On one particularly relevant topic, Saban both defended and critiqued his defense. Saban came up as a defensive coach, and it’s considered his specialty. Asked about what information he gleaned by studying last year’s film of the Crimson Tide’s defense, Saban played the role of big brother. You know how in most families it’s OK for you to pick on your sibling but no one else can? That’s what Saban did. First, he stood up for the defense, and then he provoked it.
“I know everybody complains about the defense, but we were like first in the SEC in points allowed, and we were 13th in the country in points allowed,” Saban said. “So I think what people visualize as good defense is a little bit different now than it used to be.”
That’s certainly true. Great defense today can’t be viewed through the prism of great defense a decade ago. In 2011, Alabama’s defense was otherworldly. That group allowed 8.2 points per game and 183.6 yards per game. In 2020, the best scoring defense (Marshall) allowed 13 points per game and the top total defense (Army) allowed 275.3 yards per game. Alabama’s 2020 defense allowed 19.4. points and 352.2 yards.
Saban is correct that his defense led the SEC in scoring defense, but it ranked 32nd nationally in total defense, the lowest ranking of the Saban era. The goal, however, is to keep the other team from scoring, so the efficiency may not have been the best, but the end result worked.
It’s hard to imagine that privately Saban is pleased. By the rankings, his defense has gotten progressively worse since finishing ranked first nationally in 2017. From 16th in 2018, 21st in 2019 and 32nd in 2020. So what has been the primary concern? Saban put his finger on one particular area.
“I think the single thing that we have to improve on, that was the worst that it’s been since we’ve been here, is third down,” Saban said. “Getting off the field on third down was an issue for us a year ago.”
Alabama third-down defense
2020
41.50
77
2019
35.68
35
2018
34.23
24
2017
34.58
30
2016
30.67
8
2015
28.63
7
